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The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Tell me about making your own vinyl designer toys
 
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LemonLimeTime
May 30, 2011

I don't have low self-esteem. I have low esteem for everyone else.
I've been wanting to get into making my own vinyl (or any other useful material, but the buzzword I suppose here is "vinyl") designer toys, and I'd like to gather as much info on costs and what I would need to start this process along.

Some background: I already know how to draw so I was figuring I could draw out all the model sheets for the characters I want to make and give them to a sculptor. My hand sculpting skills are for crap, (I took a course at the end of art school and did not like it) but I wouldn't mind learning with a 3D program like ZBrush. I'm also in talks with a few mutual friends who have used 3D printers and I'm strongly considering investing in one myself. However, I'd like to know if this is the best route in order to get something to the level I'd want to. I'm ok with going through many takes and prototypes, I don't expect at all to get these down on the first try. (especially since this my first time doing it)

For the record, I'd be shooting for stuff along the lines of these:



Not these:


And I'm not looking to make mounds of money off of my ideas, I'm really doing it for my own satisfaction of bringing my characters into 3D physical form. If they never hit shelves (though I'd like the general public or at least an online store to have access to buying them) and they came out to the standard I have, I'd be satisfied. Ideally, I would like to mass produce them though, just for the shear fact I want others to enjoy owning these designs, whether it be kids playing with them or toy collectors to put on their shelves. Making money from it is secondary to the end result.

* # ¿ Feb 28, 2017 00:10
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# ¿ May 16, 2024 12:40
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LemonLimeTime
May 30, 2011

I don't have low self-esteem. I have low esteem for everyone else.

Mattavist posted:

There's two routes you can go down:

1. Bankrupting yourself by going through an endless cycle of buying 3D Printer components --> Being disappointed by the results --> Buying more expensive 3D printer components
2. Bankrupting yourself by attempting to work with Chinese factories and being disappointed by the results.

Good luck!

There's a decent vinyl toy maker in CA that works through commissions, but I haven't a clue what they charge as their quote and I'm sure it's gonna be a friggin buttload, especially given their clients have been some pretty top notch dudes. (I might try to take out a credit loan for it or possibly start a crowdfunding campaign)

* # ¿ Apr 9, 2017 21:01
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The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Ask/Tell > Tell me about making your own vinyl designer toys