Soft vinyl figures have revolutionized the toy and collectibles industry, captivating enthusiasts worldwide. Spanning from nostalgic retro Japanese designs to cutting-edge modern creations, these figures have garnered a dedicated following among artists, collectors, and toy brands. Renowned for their lightweight construction, durability, and sleek finish, soft vinyl toys possess a distinctive charm that distinguishes them from conventional plastic figures, such as PVC figures.
For businesses aiming to launch their own line of custom soft vinyl toys, a thorough grasp of the manufacturing process is crucial. Whether you're a toy brand, distributor, or retailer, partnering with a seasoned soft vinyl toy manufacturer is key to achieving top-notch quality and unlocking limitless creative potential.
What Are Soft Vinyl Figures Sofubi?
Soft vinyl figures, sometimes called "sofubi" (a term originating from Japan), are made through a soft vinyl molding process. With this process, the material is given a flexible and slightly squishy texture. So, unlike rigid PVC figures, soft vinyl figures boast a smoother, more tactile feel. They are typically manufactured in separate components, which are then assembled and hand-painted to create the final product.
Soft Vinyl vs. PVC Figures – What's the Difference?
When choosing between soft vinyl and PVC figures, collectors and toy brands often weigh the unique qualities of each material. While both are widely used in the toy industry, soft vinyl figures stand out for several reasons:
• More flexible and lightweight – They offer a softer, more pliable texture compared to the rigidity of PVC.
• Ideal for artistic designs – Often used for designer toys and limited-edition releases.
• Great for custom production – Easily customized with unique molds and vibrant colors.
Key Features of Soft Vinyl Figures
Soft vinyl figures are celebrated for their unique characteristics, making them a standout choice in the world of collectibles and designer toys. Here are some of their defining features:
• Soft, Flexible Texture – Unlike rigid PVC figures, soft vinyl figures are lightweight, slightly squishy, and smooth to the touch, giving them a unique tactile appeal.
• Hollow Yet Durable – The rotational molding process creates hollow parts, making figures lightweight while maintaining durability.
• Multi-Part Assembly – Many figures are made in separate parts (head, limbs, torso), allowing for possible or interchangeable designs.
• Vibrant & Hand-Painted Finishes – Unlike mass-produced plastic toys, soft vinyl figures often feature hand-painted details, making each piece unique.
• Great for Customization – Soft vinyl is easy to mold, cut, and repaint, making it a top choice for artists and designers creating custom soft vinyl toys.
• Retro & Nostalgic Appeal – Inspired by traditional Japanese sofubi, these figures hold a strong connection to vintage collectibles, attracting both old-school collectors and new fans.
Types of Soft Vinyl Figures
Soft vinyl figures come in various styles and categories, catering to different collectors and markets:
• Classic Sofubi Figures – Originating from Japan, these feature bold colors, simple designs, and a nostalgic appeal, often depicting monsters, superheroes, or anime characters.
• Designer & Art Toys – Limited-edition vinyl figures crafted by independent artists and designers, blending toy production with artistic expression.
• Anime & Gaming Figures – Soft vinyl is widely used to create stylized characters from anime, manga, and video games, offering a premium alternative to PVC.
• Kaiju (Monster) Figures – Inspired by Japanese Godzilla-style creatures, these figures are popular among collectors of vintage and modern kaiju toys.
• Chibi & Super Deformed Figures – Soft vinyl allows for cute, exaggerated designs, making it perfect for small, rounded, and collectible mini-figures.
• Custom & Promotional Figures – Many brands collaborate with soft vinyl toy manufacturers to create custom mascots, promotional collectibles, and limited-run merchandise.
Soft Vinyl Reborn Dolls: Realism in Toy Craftsmanship
Beyond collectible figures and designer toys, soft vinyl is also widely used in crafting highly detailed reborn dolls. Like silicone-reborn dolls, these vinyl lifelike dolls are designed to resemble real infants and showcase the incredible potential of soft vinyl in creating realistic and artistic collectibles.
Key Features of Soft Vinyl Reborn Dolls:
• Realistic Appearance – Soft vinyl allows for intricate sculpting, capturing lifelike facial expressions, fine wrinkles, and tiny creases.
• Hand-Painted Details – Artists carefully paint each doll by hand, adding layers of skin tone, veins, and subtle blushing for an authentic look.
• Flexible Yet Durable – Unlike hard plastic dolls, soft vinyl reborn dolls have a gentle, slightly squishy feel, making them comfortable to hold and pose.
• Rooted or Painted Hair – Some reborn dolls come with hand-rooted mohair, while others have painted hair for a more delicate newborn look.
• Weighted Bodies – Many reborn dolls are filled with soft stuffing and weighted materials to replicate the feel of a real baby when held.
How to Make Soft Vinyl Figures?
The process of making soft vinyl figures blends craftsmanship with advanced molding techniques. Unlike rigid PVC figures, soft vinyl toys require a unique rotational molding process to create lightweight yet durable hollow parts. Here's how Weijun Toys ensures high-quality production for brands worldwide.
Step 1: Design & Prototyping
Every figure starts with a concept design, where artists sketch and refine the character’s details. Next, a 3D prototype is sculpted, either digitally or by hand, to finalize the shape and proportions. Weijun Toys' expert designers ensure that the figure not only looks great but is also optimized for molding and assembly.
Step 2: Molding the Vinyl
Once the prototype is approved, we create high-precision metal molds. Liquid vinyl is poured into these molds and heated, with rotational molding technology ensuring an even coat inside. This process gives soft vinyl figures their lightweight, flexible feel while maintaining durability.
Step 3: Cooling & Assembly
After cooling, the hollow vinyl parts—such as the head, arms, and legs—are removed from the molds. These parts are then assembled by hand, allowing for posable or interchangeable features, making them a favorite among collectors and toy enthusiasts.
Step 4: Hand-Painting & Finishing Touches
Soft vinyl figures are often known for their vibrant colors and intricate details. At Weijun Toys, skilled painters apply precise hand-painted details, bringing each character to life. Whether it's a limited-edition collectible or a large-scale production, we ensure every figure meets high aesthetic and quality standards.
Why Choose Weijun for Soft Vinyl Figures?
Soft vinyl figures are highly sought after in the world of designer art and limited-edition collectibles, often produced in small batches to preserve exclusivity and artistic value. Many independent artists and brands dream of bringing their unique soft vinyl creations to life, but finding a reliable and skilled manufacturer can be a challenge.
That’s where Weijun Toys excels. With decades of experience in toy manufacturing, Weijun specializes in both small-batch and large-scale production, offering custom molding, high-precision painting, and expert assembly to ensure every figure meets the highest quality standards.
Whether you're an artist looking to create a limited-run designer toy or a brand seeking a premium soft vinyl series, Weijun provides tailored OEM & ODM services to bring your vision to life—without compromise.
Let Weijun Toys Be Your Vinyl Figure & Toy Manufacturer
√ 2 Modern Factories
√ 30 Years of Toy Manufacturing Expertise
√ 200+ Cutting-Edge Machines Plus 3 Well-Equipped Testing Laboratories
√ 560+ Skilled Workers, Engineers, Designers, and Marketing Professionals
√ One-Stop Customization Solutions
√ Quality Assurance: Able to Pass EN71-1,-2,-3 and More Tests
√ Competitive Prices and On-Time Delivery
Final Thoughts
Soft vinyl figures continue to thrive, whether as collectible toys, limited edition releases, or custom promotional products. As demand grows, businesses, brands, and artists looking to create their own custom soft vinyl toys should partner with a reliable soft vinyl toy manufacturer to ensure success.
If you’re ready to bring your vision to life, Weijun Toys offers expert soft vinyl figure production, providing high-quality, customizable solutions for brands worldwide.
