Q.　What is OEM?

A.　OEM is short for Original Equipment Manufacturing, which means producing original products for other companies on consignment. We can handle OEM requests large or small, irrespective of whether it is a mass production or a hand-crafted small lot order created by our studio artisans. We can create a prototype or color sample if the customer is unable to provide one. Enquire for details.
Our experienced staff will supervise the production of prototypes and colorings to the customer’s satisfaction.

Q.　What is Polystone?

A.　Polystone, also known as artificial stone, is a material composed of stone powder in a high proportion to resin, often used for works of art and three-dimensional statues in Europe and the United States. The hardened weight and texture of polystone is very similar to natural stone and is durable. Polystone is strong but it is also fragile, especially if dropped, so care needs to be taken in the handling the material.

Please read the following notes about polystone and its features.

Since Art of War products are precision molded items, we conduct thorough drop tests in-house to ensure that they can withstand the shock of transportation and are delivered to our customers safely.

①　Weight

Compared to soft vinyl and PVC figures, polystone is heavier and has a more luxurious feel, just like a stone statue.

Photos of items made of polystone
　

②　Detailed Modeling

Polystone is often used for high-grade arts and crafts sculpturing and is excellent for detailed modeling.

③　Resistant to Deterioration

PVC products deteriorate greatly over time, and there is a tendency for the colors to fade and the shape to distort after purchase. On the other hand, polystone is resistant to heat deformation and fading, so it can keep its beauty for a long time. Polystone is an excellent material for long-term preservation and shape maintenance.

④　Highly Accurate Reproduction

Polystone is shaped in a silicone mold which is soft, flexible and easy to remove, even for complicated shapes. It even allows detailed features to be replicated. Since PVC figures are formed in a metal mold, it is difficult to remove the formed shape as it gets stuck in the hard mold. So, it is not possible to reproduce the detailed modeling features. For this reason, there is a big difference in the final look between PVC and polystone figures.

⑤　More Expensive

Polystone is made with silicone molds, which allows for the reproduction of complex and detailed shapes. However, we can make no more than ten units of a product with a single silicon mold because it is soft and the silicon can easily break.

This is a major difference with durable metal molds.

Therefore, we need to create new silicon molds each time, which results in higher production costs and more expensive polystone figures, especially when compared to toughter metal molds used for much larger quantities of cheaper PVC products.

A metal mold is different from silicone it is difficult to remove the shape of the shape that meshes with the hard mold, so it is not possible to reproduce the detailed modeling. For this reason, there is a big difference in the expression.

Q.　What is the process from prototype to finished product?

A.　We will create the basic shape in prototype form after deciding with the customer the type of figure and size to make.

We will create a mass production mold based on the prototype. Our molds are made of silicon which allow for easy die-cutting and reproducing complex shapes and details.
There are other types of molds such as metal, but silicon molds are less susceptible to manufacturing restrictions.

Liquid polystone is poured into the mold and once hardened, it has become an unpainted sample. We paint the sample, get the customer to check it, and do modifications if required. There are a choice of working materials but we use polystone. Visit our FAQ section on polystone for more details.

We will start the mass production after the customer approves the coloring. We follow the same procedure as the sample production, so after molding, the hardened polystone pieces are assembled and painted. We execute our procedures entirely by hand and directly supervise the manufacturing. This lets us achieve the highest level of quality control unattainable by other companies.

Finally, we package and ship the finished products to the customer’s choice of location.

Q.　Are the items machine produced?

A.　No. We do everything manually in our studio – from mold creation to painting, assembly, and packaging. Machine mass production is possible, however it becomes difficult to maintain the product quality for a high-standard figure. Our quality control is extensive. We work by hand to maintain high quality figures and lessen product deterioration.

Q.　Can we see samples?

A.　Customers are welcome to visit our showroom and view our samples. While our entire product range is not on display, you can view our works of art and crafts as examples of the high level of quality that we maintain in production. Photography is permitted in the showroom. Please click here for details for details on how to visit our showroom.

Q.　How much budget should I prepare?

A.　We will prepare a cost estimate for a customer’s consideration. The budget needed will vary greatly depending on factors including the production quantity, product size and image of the finished item. We can manufacture figures from miniature ones to large sizes. We are happy to answer any basic questions you may have. Please enquire for details.

Q.　Do you accept product requests from private customers?

A.　Yes, we do. We are experienced with OEM requests from individuals. Please contact us for details.

Q.　It is possible just to order a prototype?

A.　Yes. Please contact us.