How Action Figures Are Made

The beauty of action figures is that they are not like your regular plastic toys made for minors aged 15 and below. Action figures for hobbyists and collectors are usually hand-made and hand-painted by artisans using only the best materials. They are also not mass-produced and some are even made of rare materials like metals and glass.

The Prototype
The first step in creating an action figure is to pick which character should have an action figure. You will often see characters from popular anime, comics and video games. A design is then made through sketches, taking note of the character’s signature poses, items and facial expressions. After that, a prototype is made using clay and aluminum wires. The wires form the frame of the figure while the clay gives it shape. The clay is then carved or shaped then baked. All the details are added, with the face usually made last.

Materials Used
Most action figures are made using plastic resin like the acrylonitrile butadeine styrene or ABS. Other types of plastic such as polyethylene and polypropylene are also used. For hand-sewn costumes, the most commonly used fabrics are nylon and rayon. To put in all the details, artists use acrylic paint. There are also action figures that contain electronic components for voice, sound and lights. Exclusive editions are sometimes made using bronze, glass and other metals.

Molding
Using the prototype, molds are created from the various parts of the figure. Action figures usually have removable parts or articulation. This requires the manufacturers to create the figure piece by piece and not as one single plastic (that is for figurines, not action figures). The joints or points of articulation contain washers and small gears that will allow them to move.

Assembling
When all the parts have been produced, the pieces are assembled to form the figure. Some parts are fused together using either glue or a technique called high frequency vibration. The clothing made from fabric are produced separately from the parts. Then all the details are placed and painted on such as the face, costume and accessories. These are very detailed and must be done with precision so that the figures look as close as possible to the characters.

Box and Packaging
Most action figures are placed in a cardboard box with a plastic window. Others come in a plastic blister with a cardboard backing. There are products that are placed in PVC packaging with a bubble for the action figure and its accessories. The PVC is sometimes shaped like a tube. The packaging is also important in determining if you’ve purchased licensed and original action figures. The details should be correct and accurate. Some manufacturers also place stickers as an additional guarantee.