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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 > Where to get your work produced?

Topic: Action Figures

Expert: ShiniGami
Date: 8/27/2007
Subject: Where to get your work produced?

Question
I would like to know if you have any recommendations for those of us who
want to
produce smaller runs of their work. I am a sculptor and I have what I think is
a solid sculpture and idea, so I am hesitant of handing over the project to say
"Monkey King" or "Toy Robot". I would like to produce a small run of
500-1000 copies. Thank you for your help.

Doyle

Answer
Monkey King or I guess Toy Robot would be middle men. They use factories like mine or others and just mark it up. I don't know if they even use project managers or they just leave it to the factory. I think I did a project for Monkey King a few years ago. I have a few small run projects running right now, and then a few middle sized like Ron English items for Toy Tokyo, and then other jobs that are larger runs (30,000 pieces to 500,000 pieces), these are all licensed projects.

I'd have to see the sculpt to give you an idea of what steps need to be done. Tooling master, tooling, production, etc. This can usually run from $6,000.00US to $8,000.00 for 500, or $8,000 to $10,000 for 1,000 pieces.

I have been doing project manageing and toy design for over 20 years. I go to China to the factories a few times a year. I don't know of anybody that isn't just a middle man, that just puts you thru to some factory.

I also have worked with the same factories and people for many years. Alot of the newer people trying to do this jump around from factory, and you're not sure what you're going to get, quality, are bootlegs being made, etc.

Thanks

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