Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheisa
I'm currently doing a research paper with regards to statues (I recently figured out that what I call "figurines" are actually called statues as I'm specifically researching on Resin figurines) I came to this site as it was recommended to me as there happens to be some experts here.
From what I know almost all if not all resin statues are made in China. In which all of them are numbered, so I was wondering how does the business work? Of course there would be the issue of a copyright lawyer and the licensing IP issue which could vary depending on what deal you get. Then there's China, as far as I know people have stated SGS and Bureau Veritas assuming you have no one in China to check the production. And then there's companies like Tsume or Prime 1 who have some data but not all. I was wondering are the rumors true that the markup for statues are high? Any specific pitfalls you these companies have to deal with or despite the fact that there are multiple of these types of companies they still remain afloat and are currently striving. I was just basically wondering how does the business work on a more in depth side of things.
Thank you!
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Hire a 3D sculpt artist (almost no-one does hand sculpt anymore as far as i know), pay them and get the digital file, the larger companies have in house artist who will cast and hand paint the artist proof, the smaller companies just skip this part.
Next goto guangzhou china, find one of the dozen factories that makes 1/4+ large polystone statues, they are all located around same area, give them the 3d file, most will allow you to pick quality (mostly paint) level at different price points and in turn timeline - higher quality level cost more money takes longer. If you are a small shop, just give them some pictures in addition to the digital file what you want and they will do a few artist proof based on it using their best guys for your approval, if you are a big company you just give them the in-house completed AP to copy along with the digital file. Pay them slave labor pennies on dollar, minimum order varies usually at least 200+ to make any economical sense in term of shipping / license / paying your US workers. Internally the more experienced slave labors will hand paint the difficult parts like face / hair / patterns, while the new hires will just paintbrush the easy parts. Working condition is usually abysmal, with little ventilation, that will violate dozens of US labor laws, and masks used are usually not up to spec for this type of paint work, all paint are locally sourced without any check for harmful chemicals. I rather just kill myself then work a lifetime here for pennies and probably die from cancer.
Other miscellaneous items include you have to show them some bull---- paper work to confirm you have the license if it's a recognized piece like spiderman, same paper work is needed for chinese custom clearance to ship to US. All of them have their own packaging companies they work with that will make the styrofoam and box, there used to be many different price/quality level too (remember the snowflake packagings lol) nowadays it's all standard decent quality white styrofoam, with high end being the black foam packaging with velcro that's mostly picked by small/custom companies as they cost more. They also do funny drop test around the factory by throwing the box with statue down stairs. All of this is then shipped via slowboat container to US, it's a fully streamlined operations from statue to packaging to shipping.
Then either the owner or the guys working in those factories will take the 3d file / casting, for pieces they deemed "popular" (i really question their taste sometimes lol), and work on their own or funded by local sellers to make bunch unauthorized copies, usually at a significantly better quality / paint to sell in the local chinese market in plain box/packaging, at 50%+ discount to the price we pay.
ps i expect my $$ via PayPal for doing your homework
