{"id":4309,"date":"2026-10-09T12:02:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T10:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/?post_type=pt_guide&p=4309"},"modified":"2026-10-09T12:05:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T10:05:37","slug":"how-to-make-your-own-art-toy","status":"publish","type":"pt_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\/guides\/how-to-make-your-own-art-toy","title":{"rendered":"How to make and launch your own art toy: a guide for artists and creators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many artists dream of seeing their character for real, on a shelf, in a limited edition. Few know where to start. We have been there: in 2023, in Lille, France, we created EQSO<\/strong> and took it all the way. Sketches, 3D modelling, resin prototypes, a Kickstarter campaign, vinyl production, packaging, online and in-store sales. Here are the steps to make your own vinyl art toy<\/strong>, as we lived them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide is written for artists, illustrators, street artists, content creators and small studios. For the technical details of manufacturing, see our complete guide to making custom figures<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: a character that works in 3D<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A good drawing does not always make a good figure. An art toy must read at a glance<\/strong>, from every angle: a strong silhouette, proportions that stand up, details large enough to be moulded and painted. Before moving to 3D, draw your character from the front, side and back<\/strong>: these views are the basis of the model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Three<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

EQSO\u2019s front-view 2D drawings, with two colourways.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: 3D modelling\u2026 for the factory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cpretty\u201d 3D model is not necessarily manufacturable<\/strong>. For production, the character has to be split into parts (head, body, arms, accessories), with even wall thickness, no undercuts that block demoulding, and assembly in mind. That is the work Romain, a 3D artist trained at ArtFX, does on our characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Exploded<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exploded 3D model of an EQSO The Crew figure: every part is designed for moulding and assembly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: the prototype<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The prototype, 3D-printed in resin<\/strong>, lets you hold the character in your hand, check the volumes and balance, then approve the colours. Our first EQSO figures were 3D-printed resin prototypes, made even before the Kickstarter campaign. Learn more in our guide to toy prototyping<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: choosing your edition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is a commercial decision as much as an artistic one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n