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About ShiniGami
Expertise
I can answer any question about Action Figure and Toy Design, Prototyping, Manufacturing and Production Management. Over 20 years in the Toy business with clients including Bandai US/Japan/Europe, Hasbro, Kenner, Mattel, McFarlane Toys, Playmates, etc., and also specialty companies including Toy Tokyo, The Showroom NYC, Kid Robot, Wheaty Wheat and many others.

NOTE: I travel A LOT, so during overseas travel (Japan, Hong Kong, China), I do not check for questions. Thanks.

Experience

Past/Present Clients:
Designers including : Gary Baseman, Ron English, Frank Kozik, Pete Fowler, Futura, Stash, David Horvath. Companies including : Bandai Japan, Bandai US, Dark Horse, Hasbro, Kenner, Lucas Films, Maharishi, Marvel, Mattel, McFarlane Toys, MTV, NIKE, Playmates, Reebok, Sony, etc.

You are here: Experts > Kids > Kid's Toys and Games > Action Figures > Action Figure Packaging

Topic: Action Figures

Expert: ShiniGami
Date: 6/7/2007
Subject: Action Figure Packaging

Question
I have recently got into scratch building action figures, and now I would like to package my creations on a card and in a bubble/blister. My question is, what material does companies like Hasbro make there bubbles/blisters out of (acrylic, polyurethane, etc), and can a person buy this material for home projects.

Answer
It's done on a vacuform machine. You can buy one, or research on-line how to make one if you're into building things. The plastic comes in various sizes and shapes. The card has a special coating on it so they can sonic weld it to the card. But for home, you could use 3M Super 77. (Careful when you use it, it's powerful. ) You can clean off your hands and any surface that the 77 gets on with lighter fluid. You can make the blank for the vacuform machine out of wood or whatever else that's hard. A google search and you can probably find some how-to's. I don't know how much small ones cost, because the shop I use only has large format ones (4 foot by 8 foot), so you could run off dozens at a time.

You can trim the plastic with scissors or xacto knife.

Good Luck.

Oh, you can also make you artwork with photoshop or Illustrator, and do high quality output at Kinko's , that won't rub off. Most home printer inks will rub off or smear with 77.

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