1. Texture and Weight Feel “Off”

Authentic vinyl or PVC figures have a certain tactile feel—dense, slightly matte, with consistent softness. Fakes might feel hollow, rubbery, too shiny, or oddly greasy.

🟢 Real vinyl: solid, slightly heavy
🔴 Fake vinyl: too light, too flexible, or smells like cheap plastic

2. Low-Quality Moulding or Sculpt

If details look melted, blurry, or “soft” (especially the face or hands), it’s a common sign of poor replication.

Tip: Look closely at small features like hair texture, eyes, seams, or accessories.

3. Sloppy Paint Application

Professional manufacturers (like Joyfun Toys) apply paint using spray masks, tampo printing, or hand-detailing by skilled workers. Fakes often have:

• Bleeding colours

• Uneven lines

• Mismatched tones

• Dull or peeling finishes

4. Packaging Inconsistencies

Packaging is often the first place forgers cut corners. Look for:

• Misspelled text or awkward English

• Faded or pixelated printing

• Cheap materials (flimsy boxes, poor foam protection)

• Missing authenticity stickers or QR codes

5. Missing or Fake Branding

Many collectible vinyl figures include certificates of authenticity, artist signatures, or embossed brand marks. A fake will often lack these details or include blurry replicas.

6. Unusually Low Prices

If a seller offers a “limited edition designer toy” at a fraction of its typical price—you should be suspicious. Quality materials, proper paintwork, and brand licensing all cost money.

7. No Transparent Supply Chain

If you can’t trace where the figure came from or who made it, that’s a huge red flag. A real manufacturer should be able to show:

• Production samples

• Factory images

• Client testimonials

• Safety certifications (like EN71, ASTM, REACH)