Popterror Studio · Service
Custom blind boxes for your brand
A series of figures, a secret figure, mystery boxes and a display: the mechanic that gets collectors hooked, adapted to your brand.
A blind box is the art of selling a surprise. Customers know which series they are buying, but not which character they are about to discover. The result: they open, they trade, they come back to complete their collection. We designed and launched our own blind box, EQSO The Crew: we know every part of this mechanic, from designing the series to the display on the shop counter.
Who is it for?
- Consumer brands that want a spin-off product with strong collectible potential.
- Brands preparing a product launch and looking for an object people talk about.
- Events, festivals, clubs and trade fairs that want an exclusive series to sell or give away.
- Loyalty programmes: one character with every purchase or at every milestone.
- Merchandise creators who want to move to a collectible format.
What’s included
- Series design: number of characters, variations, secret figure, ratio.
- Character design (or turning your mascot into a series).
- 3D modelling and prototypes of each model.
- Packaging: mystery boxes, collector cards or leaflet, display.
- Production, quality control and packing (distribution of models across boxes and displays).
How a blind box works
| Element | What it’s for | What we did for EQSO The Crew |
|---|---|---|
| Number of models | Making people want to complete the series | 6 regular characters |
| Secret (chase) figure | Creating rarity and excitement | 1 secret figure, 1 in 100 odds |
| Display | Selling in shops and as a set | Display of 6 boxes with no duplicates |
| Mystery box | Keeping the surprise | Illustrated box showing the character line-up |
To understand everything before you start, read our guide on how to make a blind box.
Use cases
- Product launch: a series of characters telling the story of your new range.
- Merchandise: a spin-off product people collect instead of an object they forget.
- Event: an exclusive series, sold only on site.
- Loyalty: a character offered with every order or visit, and a reason to come back for the next one.
How it works
- Brief: goal, audience, sales channels, quantity, timeline.
- Series concept and character design.
- 3D modelling and prototypes.
- Packaging and display design.
- Production and packing according to the distribution plan.
- Quality control and delivery.
Deliverables
- The series of figures, produced and packed in mystery boxes.
- Displays ready for retail.
- Series visuals for your communication (character line-up, silhouette of the secret figure).
- The 3D files, the packaging files, the test reports and the compliance certificates.
Options
- Secret figure with a special finish (metallic, glow-in-the-dark…).
- Collector cards or leaflet.
- A numbered collector version of one of the characters: see limited-edition collectible figure.
How much does it cost?
What drives the budget
A blind box needs one mould per character: the tooling budget is higher than for a single figure, but it is spread across the whole series. The number of characters is the first budget lever.
At Popterror Studio, a blind box starts at 2,000 pieces (300 per character), and every project gets a tailored quote.
Get a first estimate with our cost estimator (choose “Blind box”).
See all our services for figure design and production for brands.
FAQ: custom blind box
How many models should a blind box series have?
There is no absolute rule: a series must be large enough to make people want to collect it, but simple enough to produce. Our EQSO The Crew blind box has six regular models and one secret figure.
How does the secret (chase) figure work?
It is a rare model slipped into only some of the boxes. For EQSO The Crew, the odds of getting it are one in a hundred. The ratio is decided with you when planning production.
Can you guarantee a display with no duplicates?
Yes, that is what we do with EQSO The Crew: a display of six boxes contains the six regular characters, with no duplicates. This is prepared at the factory packing stage.
What is the minimum quantity for a blind box?
Since each character needs its own mould, a blind box is produced in larger quantities than a single figure. Our minimums: 300 pieces per character and 2,000 pieces in total.
What size should blind box figures be?
Blind box figures are often small to fit in a compact box: the EQSO The Crew figures are about 8 to 9 cm tall. The ideal size depends on your design and budget.
Is a blind box a game of chance?
A blind box sells an object whose exact model is unknown in advance; consumer information rules must be respected (displayed ratio, series contents). These rules vary by country of sale: have them checked by a lawyer before launch.
How long does it take to create a blind box?
Series design, prototypes of each model, moulds, production and packing: it is a longer project than a single figure. Typical lead time: 7 to 9 months, from brief to delivery.
Guides
Go further
How to make a blind box: the mechanic, chase figures and odds
How to make a blind box: number of characters, chase figure, odds, mystery packaging and a duplicate-free display. The method behind our EQSO blind box.
Minimum order quantity for custom figures: understanding MOQ
What is the minimum order quantity to make a custom figure? MOQ by technique (resin, vinyl, PVC), why it exists and how to choose the right quantity.
Figure safety standards: EN 71, CE, UKCA and ASTM F963 explained
EN 71 and CE in Europe, UKCA in Great Britain, ASTM F963 and CPSIA in the US: what a figure must meet to be sold, as a toy or an adult collectible.
Our other services
Combine our expertise
01 / Service
Mascot design
A character that embodies your brand, from the first sketch to the 3D model… and all the way to the physical figure.
Discover the service →
02 / Service
Figure manufacturing
Already have a character or a 3D file? We turn it into figures produced in series.
Discover the service →
03 / Service
Limited-edition collectible
A numbered piece, premium packaging, a certificate: the figure designed as a drop for premium brands.
Discover the service →
04 / Service
Collab with EQSO
Bring your brand into the EQSO universe: co-branding, a special edition in your colours, a customised EQSO.
Discover the service →