Toys are a fun way to express our creativity and enjoy the imagination of others. Whether you have an assortment of childhood toys or want to build a professional setup, you should explore the essential tips for new toy collectors.
Don’t Be Afraid To Start
Starting a toy collection can feel daunting. Whenever you research and explore the collections people have, you see sprawling arrays of high-quality figures spanning entire libraries of shelves. While it may sound trite, the truth is that it’s better to start small than not at all. As you start accumulating, you’ll develop a creative narrative for your statuettes. Sooner or later, you’ll have a collection you feel confident showing off.
Explore More Figure Styles
Chances are that you have a few toys of your own if you’re looking to build a collection. This means you have an established style or brand that appeals to you. Committing to a look is fantastic, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more options out there that you could enjoy. For example, explore the different types of anime figures and see what character features, aesthetic stylizations, and creative freedoms appeal to you most. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new favorite in the mix.
Learn Collector Jargon
Entering the realm of people who design, manufacture, sell, trade, and collect toys may feel overwhelming at times, especially when you don’t understand half the words you hear or read. Learning toy collector jargon is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here are a few vital ones to know:
- MIP/MIB: Mint-In-Package/Box is a condition designation for toys that have never left their original packaging.
- HTF: Hard to Find toys that are rare and likely vintage.
- Articulation: The amount of movement and presence of joints in a figure.
- BAF: Build-A-Figure toys that are uniquely customizable across several figure collections.
- PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride, or Vinyl, is the plastic material many toys are made with.
Remember the essential tips for new toy collectors as you search for your first figures. Though there is always more to explore and more to learn, have fun with it. Collecting can get pretty serious, so make sure you take a step back and enjoy the art and creativity of it all.