Your Valuable PVC Figure Manufacturer

"Our brand aesthetic is sleek and minimal. We are concerned about visible seams or 'split lines' on the figure that make it look like a cheap toy."

Split lines are an inevitable physical byproduct of Injection Molding where the mold halves separate. For the "Art Toy" market, we employ a three-tiered Design for Manufacturing (DFM) strategy to mitigate them:

Strategic Placement (Engineering Phase): We analyze the character to align split lines with natural boundaries—along the hairline, clothing edges, or distinct muscle definitions. By following "natural seams," the line becomes invisible to the casual observer.

Camouflage via Texture: If a split line must cross a continuous surface, adding surface texture (e.g., fur or fabric weave) breaks up light reflection, making the seam significantly harder to detect compared to a smooth surface.

Manual Polishing (Post-Processing): For high-end luxury figures, workers hand-sand the seam lines until flush before painting. This process adds labor cost but is required for a "seamless" gallery-quality finish.

Requirement: You must explicitly request "Polished Parting Lines" in your RFQ.

"Our artist's prototype features soft gradients and fine line work. Can an industrial factory replicate this 'hand-made' feel?"

We achieve this by breaking down paint application into distinct processes that mimic manual techniques with industrial consistency:

Pad Printing (Tampo) for Precision: For elements requiring absolute sharpness (eyes, logos), we use Pad Printing with 0.1mm precision, avoiding the "wonky eye" syndrome.

Spray Masks for Gradients: To capture soft gradients (blushing cheeks, fading hair), we utilize Copper Spray Masks. Users airbrush the exposed zone creating soft, "fuzzy" edges that mimic watercolor gradients.

Hand Painting and Washes: For organic textures (weathering, dirt), we employ manual "washes" that settle into crevices, adding depth and a "hand-crafted" soul.

Quality Control: We create a "Golden Sample" signed by the artist. Every batch is visually compared to this master under standardized lighting.

The choice of material dictates the tactile experience and longevity. For high-end fashion figures, we typically recommend a Hybrid Construction strategy:

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): The primary material for most art figures. It has a "warm touch" and captures organic details exceptionally well.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Rigid and hard. We use ABS for thin legs, weapons, or skeletons. Since PVC can lean over time in warm environments, ABS ensures the figure retains its posture forever.

Soft Vinyl (Sofubi): A rotocasting process that produces hollow, lightweight figures. While culturally significant, the hollowness can feel "cheap" to a consumer expecting luxury weight.

Summary: A mix of PVC (for body shapes) and ABS (for structural integrity) offers the best balance of detail, durability, and premium feel.

We mitigate IP theft and "Third Shift" production through a layered legal and logistical defense strategy:

NNN Agreement (Beyond NDA): We require a Non-Disclosure, Non-Use, and Non-Circumvention agreement. This specifically prohibits the factory from using your molds for their own benefit or selling directly to the market.

Explicit Mold Ownership: Our contract states you are the sole owner of the molds. The factory is merely the custodian, preventing them from holding tooling hostage.

Strict Material Reconciliation & Destruction: We monitor input-output ratios of raw materials. We mandate that all "reject" stock is destroyed (crushed) in the presence of a QC inspector to prevent B-grade stock from being scavenged and sold online.

The "Adult Collectible" Exemption: If your product is labeled specifically for adults (15+), it is generally exempt from strict mechanical testing required for children's toys (drop tests, bite tests) under ASTM F963.

Action: You must prominently label the packaging: "Adult Collectible. Not a Toy. Recommended for Ages 15+."

Chemical Safety (No Exemption): You generally cannot exempt yourself from chemical safety regulations (Lead in paint, Phthalates). Customs can seize products containing banned substances.

The Strategy: We recommend conducting a "Chemical Only" test at a certified lab. This is significantly cheaper than full toy safety testing but provides necessary documentation to clear Customs and protect liability.