Plastic Toys and Injection Molding: Behind the Plastic Toy Industry

One look at any store's toy aisle will show you that for the majority of toys on the market today, most toys are plastic. From building bricks to robots, game parts, figurines, and model cars, plastic's moldability, light weight, colorfulness, and strength have made it the go-to material for modern toy making.

Why Is Plastic So Great for Making Toys?

Plastic is a wonderful material for making toys because it doesn't have a lot of the drawbacks other materials have (wood splinters, metal rusts, cardboard is weak, none of those is suitable for babies who put toys in their mouths). But plastic can stand on its own laurels, too. Plastic can be:

• Lightweight -

  lighter toys are especially welcome for younger children and save on shipping costs

• Colorful -

  unlike other materials, plastic doesn't need to be painted or printed on to be colorful

• Finely detailed -

  plastic is well suited for fine and complex details in molds

• Quickly produced -

  injection-molded plastic toys and toy parts can be molded in rapid timing

• Strength -

  anyone who's ever stepped on a plastic toy knows just how strong they can be!

• Environmentally friendly -

  plastic products can be made with bio-friendly materials and injection molding produces very little waste material itself, much of which can even be recycled

Safe, Smart Plastics Toys

Many families are concerned about having toys for their young children that are made from safe plastics. Others are worried plastic toys are a problem for the environment. Thankfully plastics innovations in recent years allow manufacturers to develop ways to make safer, more eco-friendly toys.

• Bio-based plastics -

  PHA, PLA, and other bio-based and biodegradable plastics are being more frequently used to produce safer children's toys. In fact, PHA and PLA are safe enough for medical grade uses such as sutures and implants. In addition, bio-based plastics do not contain BPA or phthalates.

• Many

  traditional plastics

  such as PETE, HDPE, and polypropylene are also BPA-free, making them good choices for toy manufacturing.

Plastic injection molding has made a massive impact in the toy industry, and likewise, innovations in the toy industry have fueled advances in injection molding such as multicolor plastic injection molding. Bennett Plastics has the experience and expertise to make your molded plastic toys and parts a reality. Contact us today to see how we can build the future of play together.

Polymers and related materials have been a natural match for making toys since the first synthetic plastics were developed. It's no wonder, given the many natural characteristics polymers possess which make them suitable for making toys.

Advantages of Plastic Toys

When plastic is used to create children's toys, it brings a number of benefits that no other single material can offer. Some of these include:

Weight

Plastic can be very lightweight, particularly when injection molding is used to create a toy, meaning toys are easier for youngsters to enjoy more easily. 

Easy Cleaning

Impervious to many chemicals and other substances, plastic toys may resist marks and stains, and can generally be easily cleaned as needed. 

Safety

While plastic has gotten a bit of a bad reputation for safety, due primarily to plastics containing bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, safe plastic toys can be made with many formulations which do not contain these compounds. In addition, many plastics can include antibacterial and antimicrobial additives to enhance safety. Finally, most plastics do not easily conduct heat or electricity, adding to their safety features.

Strength & Impact Resistance

Toys are generally designed to take a beating, and plastic can be one of the most resilient materials for them. Its high strength in comparison to its weight, and its flexibility give it the ability to withstand extensive play.

Durability

Because most plastics are generally able to tolerate a wide variety of exposures to varying temperatures, moisture and chemical contact, and other hazards, they make for long-lasting toys. 

Customizability

A nearly infinite variety of colors, textures, and finishes can be produced in many plastics, allowing for tremendous freedom of design and functionality.

At Bennett Plastics, our 3D prototyping, injection molding and other plastics manufacturing services can bring your toys and other products to life. Contact us today to learn more about all of our capabilities.