You may have heard of PVC, vinyl, ABS, PU and polystone – but what exactly are they? Are they all types of plastic? Is polystone more expensive or more advanced than vinyl? These are common questions and the answers can be confusing. Let's break down each material and its role in collectible toys.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Vinyl is the "V" in polyvinyl chloride. In fact, PVC is the base material for both vinyl and Sofubi. PVC comes in two basic forms: rigid and flexible. Sofubi is the phonetic abbreviation of the Japanese term "Soft Vinyl" and its material is soft PVC. Vinyl generally refers to the flexible version of PVC, often produced through a specific plasticizing process.
PVC offers several advantages:
Excellent stability
High plasticity
Lightweight
Low cost
Because of these properties, PVC is the most commonly used material for collectible toys. Although the raw material is inexpensive, the molds required for PVC production are costly – which makes it best suited for large‑scale manufacturing.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is everywhere in daily life – you'll find it in car bumpers, dashboards, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners. Most blind boxes and PVC figures on the market are made from a combination of PVC and ABS. Why use two different materials? The answer lies in their distinct characteristics: PVC is tough and flexible, while ABS is rigid and hard.
PVC collectibles are more prone to deformation, cracking or surface wear over time. ABS, on the other hand, is better for load‑bearing parts that need to maintain their shape – such as the legs, arms and neck joints of action figures. ABS also takes fine detailing and plating more easily, making it ideal for intricate facial expressions and metallic finishes. As a result, most mass‑produced figures combine both: the main body uses PVC, while ABS is reserved for parts that require sharp edges or support weight.
PU (Polyurethane)
PU (polyurethane) is the primary material used for garage kits. The commonly known "HEI‑CAST resin" is actually a type of PU resin. It is produced by mixing two components (A and B) in equal proportions and pouring them into a mold, where they cure quickly.
PU is highly malleable and capable of capturing very fine details. It also has a pleasant, smooth feel. It comes in a variety of colours – white, beige, ivory, transparent and more – and can even be tinted with custom pigments. Compared to PVC and ABS, PU is more expensive. However, it is often used in art toys, especially when a lightweight finished piece is desired. PU is typically chosen for small‑batch production of artist and designer toys. While the material cost is higher than PVC, the mold cost is lower; nevertheless, the higher labour input drives up the overall cost per unit.
Poly (Polystone)
Polystone is a type of artificial stone, commonly used for statues and increasingly in art toys. It is made by mixing resin with stone powder. Its main advantages and disadvantages are:
Advantages:
Inexpensive material
Good impact resistance, heat resistance, and high hardness
Long lifespan
Disadvantages:
Heavy weight
Brittle nature – prone to cracking or breaking upon impact
Compared to PVC, ABS, and PU, polystone is the hardest, heaviest and most fragile of the four materials.
Each material has its own strengths and trade‑offs. PVC and ABS dominate mass‑market production due to cost and versatility; PU offers superior detail and is favoured by artists; while polystone provides a solid, statuesque feel at a low material cost but with added weight and brittleness. Understanding these differences will help you choose (or appreciate) your collectibles with greater confidence.