{"id":4121,"date":"2026-10-05T15:35:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T13:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/?post_type=pt_guide&p=4121"},"modified":"2026-10-05T17:03:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:03:53","slug":"vinyl-vs-pvc-vs-resin-figures","status":"publish","type":"pt_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\/guides\/vinyl-vs-pvc-vs-resin-figures","title":{"rendered":"Vinyl vs PVC vs resin figures: which material should you choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The material of a figure decides its finish, its strength and its weight, but also the minimum quantity and the price. Three families dominate the world of brand figures and art toys: rotocast vinyl<\/strong>, injected PVC<\/strong> and resin<\/strong>. Here is how to choose between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the three main families of materials?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rotocast vinyl<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Liquid PVC (called plastisol) is poured into a metal mould, which is heated and rotated in several directions. The material coats the inside of the mould, then hardens. The result: a hollow part<\/strong>, light, with a soft matte surface. It is the signature technique of designer vinyl toys, and the one used for our EQSO figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Injected PVC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The plastic is melted, then injected under high pressure into a machined steel mould<\/strong>. The part is solid and very precise, with crisp detail. It is the technique used for figures produced in very large quantities, like many blind box and game figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Liquid resin (often polyurethane) is cast into a silicone mould<\/strong>, then demoulded by hand once hardened. No steel tooling, so a low starting cost, but each piece takes labour time. It is the technique of very small runs, collector statues and prototypes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Diagram<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vinyl, PVC or resin: three techniques, three kinds of moulds.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How do they compare?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Criterion<\/th>Rotocast vinyl<\/th>Injected PVC<\/th>Resin<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Type of part<\/td>Hollow, light<\/td>Solid, precise<\/td>Solid, heavy<\/td><\/tr>
Level of detail<\/td>Good<\/td>Very good<\/td>Excellent<\/td><\/tr>
Impact resistance<\/td>Good (flexible)<\/td>Good<\/td>More fragile (brittle)<\/td><\/tr>
Mould cost<\/td>Medium<\/td>High<\/td>Low<\/td><\/tr>
Unit price<\/td>Medium<\/td>Low in large runs<\/td>High<\/td><\/tr>
Suitable run<\/td>Medium to large<\/td>Large to very large<\/td>Very small<\/td><\/tr>
Indicative minimum quantity<\/td>300 pieces (our minimum)<\/td>1,000 pieces (our minimum)<\/td>Around fifty pieces (not offered by the Studio)<\/td><\/tr>
Typical finish<\/td>Matte, soft art toy<\/td>Detailed game figure<\/td>Collector statue<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Which material for your quantity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is the question that settles it most often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n