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What is a Vinyl Figurine?
A vinyl figurine mainly refers to a doll primarily crafted from PVC via the vinyl production process. Here, “vinyl” describes a manufacturing technique rather than a raw material. Also known as an urban vinyl toy, the vinyl figurine originated in Hong Kong in the 1990s and is defined by exaggerated and minimalist styling. Internationally, it is called an urban vinyl or vinyl toy, and many designs are created by graphic designers, illustrators, musicians, cartoonists, graffiti artists, and even AI creators. It places strong emphasis on artistic design. Iconic examples include the collaboration between KAWS and Sesame Street, popular lines such as LABUBU and Dimoo, and artworks by Joan Cornellà.
In the late 1990s, art toy brands began to spring up worldwide. Funko, founded in the United States in 1998, included vinyl figurines in its product lineup. As early as 1999, Hong Kong artist Lee Chan-sum partnered with designer Eric So to release a vinyl figurine modeled after his own image. In recent years, the vinyl figurine has remained a key medium for cross-border collaborations between art and commercial brands. For instance, in 2025, artist KAWS teamed up with creative studio AllRightsReserved to launch a limited-edition vinyl figurine collection themed on Sesame Street.
The vinyl molding technique dates back to Germany in 1924, when the first rotational casting machine produced a toy chocolate rabbit. The workflow consists of mold making, high-temperature forming in a vinyl oven at 250°C to 280°C, cooling and setting in a low-temperature oven at around 100°C, followed by post-decoration procedures.
Originally, this craft was primarily used to make character figurines, and Hong Kong played a pivotal role in advancing figurine design. At the 2025 industry exhibition, vinyl plush-style figurines took up half of the exhibition booths. Some pieces feature movable limbs and can stand upright. Innovative items like vinyl plush music boxes also drew widespread attention. Pop Mart’s LABUBU range adopts the vinyl plush process: it adopts 160°C high-temperature injection molding to complete shaping in just 5 seconds, paired with magnetic assemblies and other functional details, making it a runaway market success. In the first half of 2025, the brand recorded total revenue of 13.88 billion yuan, with vinyl plush figurines standing out as a major growth driver. TOP TOY’s Sanrio Latte Baby vinyl plush collection generated over 57 million yuan in GMV within six months. Fueled by the booming sales of the third-generation LABUBU products, this craft has also been applied to daily accessories such as bag charms.
The vinyl figurine now boasts a rich variety of styles, evolving from early Hong Kong street culture themes into a diverse product category that permeates entertainment and daily life. As premium designs are often commissioned from world-class designers, a well-made vinyl figurine can truly qualify as a piece of fine art.