Have you ever thought about starting a toy company? How hard would it be? I've seen a handful of Chinese anime figure companies popping up lately which made me wonder about it. Though they probably have a huge advantage being local to factories.

But if you are artistically inclined, I think you could do a lot of the work yourself and save on hiring cost. Like I could
>learn zbrush and do the sculpting myself
>print prototypes because I already have a resin printer
>can paint the prototypes since I have experience making customs
>can take marketing photos since I have experience with toy photography
>do marketing on social media which isn't that hard

That's already a good chunk of it I feel I could hypothetically do myself. But still I know there is a lot more involved. Deco, packaging, connecting with a factory and distributors, legal stuff, etc. But maybe it's not THAT high of a mountain to climb? I'm not considering it or anything but it's fascinating to think about and I wonder with how small of a team you could accomplish it with.

Shf is so shit I bet anybody could make better toys

I'd just produce custom figma-likes
Not of anything existing just my own personal original ideas.

>>11482623 (OP)
why don't you do the green text stuff now then? build up a proven customer base before going into full production?

Yeah, I can physically assemble and paint 10k of the same figure over the course of half a decade, but why would I put myself through that? Better to just make customs and sell them on eBay.

>>11482689
You could make some type of little army man style figurines that don't have to be painted or assembled. Back in the day there was a game called Dragon Dice that was nothing more than random packs of colored die representing fantasy armies.

>>11482668
Yeah I really need to learn 3D modeling, it would be awesome to be able to make whatever figure you want, even just for yourself without the intention to make money from them.

>>11482685
If I did I would probably just sell the 3D files. Resin printed figure won't be as good as a proper injection molded one.

>>11482623 (OP)
When I was in my early 20s I was somewhat nervous about how any women I was trying to date would view my obvious interest in toys so I lied and said I was a toy maker. Any time I would go off to a toy show across the country I said I was working, and of course a toymaker would be checking out lots of toys and having them around the house and always buying new things because I appreciated the design.

I've been with my wife about 15 years now, and maybe 7 years into our relationship I actually started working with a toy company that I met at a toy show. Now I'm actually designing and making my own toys and my wife has no idea that the first half of our life together was a lie.

Anyway it's doable, now more than ever, but unless you're doing it out of your garage or going with low run sofubi expect to need somewhere between 50-100k to really make most things happen. You're correct to want to do as much as you can on your own, but most of that stuff is relatively cheap(ie you can get a world class sculptor to do your stuff for a few thousand bucks, which will be much better than something you can do after practicing on zbrush for a year or two). There's no getting around mold costs which will cost you tens of thousands of dollars at the bare minimum.

>>11482623 (OP)
I think everybody has daydreamed about it, but the toy market is pretty cutthroat. I have one or two ideas that I would like to get made, but the pressure to constantly deliver new product is really unappealing,

>>11482623 (OP)
Actually *making* the toy itself is the easy part, modders do that all the time. Hell my father been doin that since the 80s in his basement. Literally making toy soldiers from lead weights and melted rubber molds, fully painted and at times numbering in the hundreds per run. He even had his own actual company and would sell his figures at local toy shows and such and made good money for decades....until the fanbase for toy soldiers literally started to die out.

Making an action figure is a much more complicated process, even 3D printing one takes far more work. But it's doable. There's an anon in the /ctg/ that makes his own short stacks and such from scratch, entirely modeled and printed himself. I'm sure you could then polish off that print to a point you could make a good business on Etsy and the like, there's some cool 3D printed toys floating around, and I'm sure Etsy sellers do good selling product like that.

But what you seem to be talking about is producing factory made figures to sell and ship in large quantities all around the world. And THAT is where things get difficult. Not impossible mind you, but certainly difficult. Fortunately, these days it's actually easier then ever to get an indy toy company up and running as Kickstarter and other crowdfunders offer easy access to thousands of potential investors who will help raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars you'll need to start up an actual, honest to goodness company!

>>11482889

So really all you'd have to do at this point is literally everything else. From creating and designing your packaging, including the figure and accessory layouts...and finding a factory to produce said packaging. To working out the logistics of getting your product from said factory, renting out proper storage facilities to house your product, finding a good distribution company to ship out your product....which will also require you to stock up on all the appropriate shipping supplies and creating an accurate inventory system to monitor your product and ensure the proper items go to the proper customers.

You'll probably also want to design and build your own webshop, which is pretty easy these days with Shopify, as it's highly unlikely you'll ever get your toys into actual physical stores. Though you probably wouldn't want to anyway, stores get demanding with what kind of product they actually want. You'll also need to ensure you properly handle all the legal aspects like licensing, copyright/trademarks and proper patents. Probably gonna need a good group of lawyers for that, so it's a good thing you were able to raise those hundreds of thousands of dollars on kickstarter.

Of course, to actually have a successful kickstarter you'll probably want things to show off....and that will take a sizeable upfront investment before you even get to Kickstarter. Generally speaking you'll want at least a physical prototype, but you can get away with 3D models and concept art if the idea is really good. Just make sure you lay it out properly, with easily understood pledge levels, reasonable but interesting stretch goals as a bad Kickstarter layout will pretty much doom you from the start. And don't forget to market it! Can't get any money if people don't know it exists.

>>11482905
But all in all, even though it seems like a lot, it's still entirely doable. Would probably help to at least have a small but dependable team to work with, as you literally can't do everything by yourself. But as I said earlier, there's lots of new indy start up companies popping up all over the place with success figure runs. The toy community as a whole seems very welcoming to new comers as a lot of old hat are always willing to give advice and assistance to up and coming creators. Most of these guys are fans of toys themselves, so there's a lot of cross promotion and comradery among indy creators. People like to act like businesses are always cut throat and evil, but that's mostly big corpo stuff, most smaller companies tend to look out for each other.

So really the most important thing to do if you want to start your own toy company is make connections in the industry. Go to shows and events, make friends with other creators and get advice from people who've come before you. Even if just nets you a few likes on a social media account, having a "bigger name" in the industry point out what you're doing will be a huge boon.

So now that you got your packaging and your IPs and your warehouse and your marketing and your distribution and your connections and your funding, all that's left now is to.....actually make the toys. A process that can literally take years and cost even MORE money with tons of back and forth with factories on the other side of the world who barely speak your language and who will very likely try to rip you off every chance they get.

So yea, not impossible.....just not very easy either.

>>11482846
>Now I'm actually designing and making my own toys and my wife has no idea that the first half of our life together was a lie
Kek well good thing it actually worked out

>>11482872
True also I'm not sure if the industry will even be around in a couple decades. I think it would have to be more of a passion project than something you want to profit and retire off

>>11482889
>>11482905
>>11482909
Good write up and yeah while it's definitely a lot, it also does strangely feel realistically doable. But one of the main things that would hold me back is, as you said, you need a lot of connections and I've never been good at making friends. Still it seems like it would be an interesting endeavor that I could be passionate enough about to not give up on so long as I had enough cash to get things done. Maybe some day...

>>11482623 (OP)
I did 3D printing for a year and I can already tell you if you have a dream, just get a cheap machine and DIY it.

It'll scratch the itch, realize it's more trouble than it's worth and then you'll be on to doing other things with your life.

Making a toy on a grand scale is only for those with deep pockets.

Ethan Van Sciver started as a comic artist, got popular during Corona, started a Go Fund Me for his figures and he's doing alright from what it seems.

Starting a toy company isn't worth it.
Best to just start as a hobby if you're poor.
Or, reach for the stars and climb that long long ladder!

>>11482623 (OP)
I’d start with things like alternate head sculpts and hairs for popular figures like Thetoyspot or the Chinese 3rd party figure manufacturers do. Then your best bet is to try to work with a team on small runs of figures somewhere like China if your work gets popular. You can probably build contacts with such people on Instagram by offering to collaborate once you have some good example products.

>>11482623 (OP)
I thought about it a lot when I was younger. A toyline of OCs from a novel series I was working on that collectors could use as generic civilians, angels, or demons(Always kind of wanted a Shin Megami Tensei line myself) if they weren't interested in the story. Even had a file with figure heights, accessories, what would be in each wave, etc. But in recent years, I barely have the creative energy for writing. If I was to do anything, it'd probably be to get customs made of my characters for my own collection than anything more ambitious.

>>11482623 (OP)
>1/12 scale Half Life 2/Alyx line
>1/12 scale Team Fortress line
>1/18 or 1/24 scale Metal Slug line with in-game proportions. Small scale to fit proper vehicles.
>1/12 scale classic Super Mario figures from 3 and World
>1/12 scale historical army units: red coats soldiers, teutonic knights, mongolian archers, winged hussars etc. with different head sculpts for army building as separate accessory.
>1/12 scale diorama accessories and vehicles
Nobody would buy my shit, would go bankrupt and kys. This is why I'm gonna get a 3D printer and do some small projects to sell them on Esty instead.

>>11484841
Idk anon I feel like there would be a market for most of those. For me, since licensing would be expensive, I guess I would do a 1/12 line of my space western OCs. But if I could, I would love to get a Mass Effect license and make a 1/12 line for it

I don't know about starting a toy company but I have daydreamed about making my own toylines. One thread idea I've had in my back pocket is a 4chan toyline that would cover everything. No idea about scale because I have a little of everything but my idea of first wave is Anon (green guy in a suit), Apu, Easter the Toad, Pepe the frog, and Wojak. Other then that, I've fantasized about making army men style toys for history/video games, and more DIY friendly mediums like paper and felt dolls.

>>11482623 (OP)
It's been my dream to do so since I was in kindergarten, however I know nothing of how to get started. I've taken note of the things people are now capable of making with the advent of 3D printing but I dont have the space for the equipment, let alone the knowledge. Asking around online most people point to blender as a good place to start but I havent taken that fiest step yet. I mostly draw out the ideas I have and dwell on them for months at a time before moving onto the next one. My ideas range from simple reuse to wholy original ideas.

>>11485798
Meme toys arent anything new. Go back some 15 years now and there were bendy figures of Spoderman, Trollface, and Pepe. Tons of Pepe in fact. So much that you can still buy some now if you wanted to. Never the less I like the idea. However you need to refine it further and really start considering things like scale, form factor, accessories.

For whatever reason I imagined your line looking something like calico critters. Maybe all the included characters could live together in some kind of apartment block or duplex sort of playset? There's alot of mileage there.

Cant believe this only released a decade ago and its been so thoroughly forgotten.

>>11485737
I always wonder how much % of the final cost is the licencing. Bet it depends on a brand.
>>11485912
You could make your drawings into 3D models by commissioning artists, but be aware, most of them are assholes.

>>11486133
>Bet it depends on a brand.

I've always assumed as much was the case myself. One of my toyline idea revolves heavily on old tv cartoons. Hopefully the IP owners wouldnt get too price gougy about royalties.

I've remained wary of Comms on the whole because of how many horror stories I've heard over the years. I know there are AI programs you can run your art through to get a refined version of. I should try that someday.

Do you anons have any concept art for your ideas? I have a lot I'm tempted to share.

>>11485798
I would get some 4chan merch if it was kawaii anime shit. They released this Yotsuba bag in Japan and I want it so bad

>>11486133
Yeah definitely for example I've always heard only Hasbro and Mattel can afford the Star Wars license but I'm sure more obscure stuff would be more likely to be cheaper

>>11486201
Yeah post em!

>>11486201
>Do you anons have any concept art for your ideas? I have a lot I'm tempted to share.
You could share, why not. I'm planning to do some articualted 1/12 scale vehicles from Metal Slug. I just finished modelling exterior of the first one. Friends say they could print it for me, but it will require testing if everything works and fits together, so I'm gonna buy those printers myself. I'm not sure if the stuff I want is achievable with 3D printing, but will never know if I won't try.

>>11482826
>3d files
fuck that, make toys not 0 and 1s, collectors know the difference between materials, if you're boasting how you know what to do and it would be easy then that shit is weak son - if i finished my figure, my music, my book, my youtube video, then that shit would be the best ever right!!? the experience is in the doing, not the knowing, make it and I'll buy it to support what you're doing, in a world that's chock full of grifting muthafuckas I salute the makers even if their output ain't 100% the best thing ever

>>11486219
>>11486225
Treading lightly for now with some concepts based off licensed IP. Space Ghost is intended to be apart of a larger Mattel Secret Wars styled line called "TV Super Stars". Everyone there in is pulled from cape cartoons of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. The thumbnail for a promo pic off to the left should be a decent indicator of the sort of line up I had in mind. HB heroes like SG himself, Birdman, and Mightor alongside some deeper cuts like Rocket Robin Hood, Clutch Cargo, or even Thundarr among others.

Incase it wasnt obvious Fresh Monkey Fiction's Amazing Heroes line was a big motivator there.

Here's an unrelated project I never cooked up a catchy name for, but it speaks for itself. Masters of the Universe styled figures based off the big named Image heroes! Maxx, PITT, Shaft, Diehard. This was alot rougher around the edges because I wanted to see how well the designs would lend themselves to this style. Rumor has it Liefield modelled his characters off his MOTU figures and that inspired this idea to begin with.

>>11486522
>>11486526
Cool anon you clearly put thought into the engineering. So you like 5 POA stuff?

>>11486533
Yeah, not that I dislike poseability or anything but many vintage 5poa lines felt much more complete in a sense. My /toy/ tastes used to be alot more varied, but as super poseability and hyper screen accuracy became so common place I started getting back into 5poa lines alot more, already being a MOTU diehard. Kenner Batman and Mattel Secret Wars being the big influences there. Bootlegs are a huge inspiration too as I end up dwelling on potentisl parts reuse and repaint potential often. I have some original ideas but these examples are what I'm most preoccupied with these days.

>>11482623 (OP)
Theoretically, you can. I personally just want to create customs for myself. I may take on commissions in the future, but i'm not skillful enough right now.

>>11482623 (OP)
You should make model kits instead. Have people DIY the most labor intensive parts. All you'd have to do is make the parts.

>>11484841
gamers don't buy toys they buy Pokémon plushies and loot boxes

>>11486533
just to bump the thread I did doodle a few ideas for themed rocketeer variants ala batman/tmnt

>>11485917
>Meme toys arent anything new. Go back some 15 years now and there were bendy figures of Spoderman, Trollface, and Pepe. Tons of Pepe in fact. So much that you can still buy some now if you wanted to.
Huh, I wasn't aware of these. I knew there were a few Pepe and Spurdo plushies floating around but didn't know about actual toys.
>Never the less I like the idea. However you need to refine it further and really start considering things like scale, form factor, accessories.
i'll definitely consider and think about this.
>For whatever reason I imagined your line looking something like calico critters. Maybe all the included characters could live together in some kind of apartment block or duplex sort of playset? There's alot of mileage there.
Yeah, I could see that. Since there are so many variations of the characters I could imagine a way to chance clothes or bodies. Like I said, I have a little bit of everything--even one Calico Critter--so i have zero concrete ideas on stuff like soft goods or something like Lego. My inspiration for this entire thing is that a few years ago I wanted to have an Anon to scale with all my stuff--from Lego/mega to mcfarlane and figma. I never went through with it.
>>11486219
me too, i want something physical (preferably a toy) to remember 4chan by
you know, just in case
>>11486522
>>11486526
>>11487282
Cool drawings. Have you posted your art on /toy/ before? I think I might've seen it while lurking in /motu/.

>>11487330
>Cool drawings. Have you posted your art on /toy/ before? I think I might've seen it while lurking in /motu/.

Yep! I'm the Fuerza T anon. If you wanna share any further ideas for your 4chan toyline I'm interested in hearing them.

>>11486201
>> Do you anons have any concept art for your ideas?
I have test prints. That count?

>>11487745
NTA but I would say so!

>>11482623 (OP)
even the pros can barely break even. all the indie guys have to sell shit at like 4 times what a normal retail product would be. It's like trying to live paycheck to paycheck, the moment a single thing goes wrong, your life collapses.
>>11482846
dude that is an awesome story.
>>>11482927
I doubt any industry will survive the next 6-7 years.

>>11487745
that's pretty fuckin rad, dude, i like the way you broke the tail segments upo. there's no reason for them to all be the same length when that's not the kind of curve you want to make..
is this an actual dino or is it "what if walking croc"

>>11495405
>It's like trying to live paycheck to paycheck
So what you're saying that I totally should give it a shot, since nothing would at least change for the worse.

>>11495406
>is this an actual dino or is it "what if walking croc"
It's a rauisuchian of some sort, probably postosuchus.

>>11495423
I'm saying your business has about as much chance to make it as working a minimum wage job with a janky, expensive car to pour your income into, and a substance abuse problem to tolerate the work

>>11495433
Yeah, but at least you'd get toys out of it.

we can bump threads now?

>>11495443
Only 14 day-old threads autosage.

>>11495442
oh yeah
when you put it that way.... ehh I guess the idea should be 'do it as a hobby, use your molds to sell to rich people to make up some of the cost'
>>11495447
yeah which unfortunately means the custom thread is dead.

>>11495447
Oh well in that case I want to deliver pic related for >>11485798. I only hesitatd because the thread at on page 6, so I assumed it were dead.

>>11495580
there was a time when this kind of thing was such a novelty that these absolutely could have sold. people would have been amazed to see internet in a toy, at all.

>>11495806
I'm sure they could garner some business even now, though I'd be wary of chinese bootleggers. I thank you for the kind commemt anyways.

Anyone remember the Pedobear plushie?

>>11495958
i do but only faintly. it's been a long time since then.

>>11482623 (OP)
Anon, you should give this a shot. Many itt warning you against it, but sounds like worst case scenario for you is not much would change. So why not? The world is better when people are creating what they want.