When you think about plastic toys, what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s the bright and vibrant colors that catch our eye. But have you ever wondered how those colors are achieved? It turns out that there’s a lot more to it than just pouring some paint into a mold.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the process of coloring plastic toys and some of the challenges that come with it. From choosing the right pigments to ensuring consistent color throughout the toy, there’s a lot that goes into making those colorful plastic toys we all love.
The 5 Major Benefits of Coloring Plastic Toys
Before you get into the process, let’s first understand why colored plastic toys are always in demand. While this might seem like a minor detail, the truth is that the color of a plastic toy can have a major impact on its benefits, making it an attractive option for many toy manufacturers.
From improved cognitive development to increased safety, read on to learn more about why opting for brightly-colored toys is always the best choice. Here are mentioned five of the major advantages. Check them out now.
1.It creates a unique and distinguishing look.
The process of coloring plastic toys can help to create a unique and distinguishing look for a toy line. When it comes to coloring plastic toys, there are endless possibilities. And, the results can be quite striking.
Whether you’re looking to add a splash of color to a toy that’s otherwise pale or bland-looking, or you want to create a detailed and colorful work of art, coloring plastic toys is a great way to do it.
2.Color makes plastic toys durable and long-lasting.
While coloring plastic toys can make them more visually appealing and increase their marketability, if done correctly, it can also add durability and strength to the toy.
The process can help to prolong the life of the toy by protecting it from UV light damage. When it comes to plastic toys, coloring can help prolong the lifespan of the toy by protecting it from UV light damage.
This type of damage is often the cause of fading and other discoloration. By keeping your toys protected from the sun, you can help them last longer and stay looking new for quite a long while.
Also, when plastic toys are colored, it creates a layer of protection that helps to make them more durable. The color can act as a barrier against scratches and other damage that can occur during use. Additionally, the color can help to mask any wear and tear that does occur over time.
3.It improves toys’ usability.
Coloring plastic toys can have a number of benefits, including improving their usability. It can make them more visible, making them easier to find and play with. Coloring toys can make them more appealing, encouraging children to play with them more.
In addition, the process can help to distinguish between different types of toys, making it easier for children to choose the right toy for the activity they want to do.
4.Colored plastic toys help children know about different colors.
Yet another major benefit of coloring plastic toys is that it helps children learn about different colors and develop their color-recognition skills. It also allows them to be creative and have fun with their toys.
A recent study found that children who are exposed to a variety of colored toys can identify and name those colors more than children who aren’t. Children who play with colored plastic toys are more likely to be able to create new color combinations.
This ability to mix and match colors is an important skill for children to have, as it can help them with art projects, clothing choices, and even interior design.
5.It helps in kids’ brain development.
Last but not least, coloring plastic toys helps in the brain development of kids by teaching them colors, shapes, and sizes. It also helps to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
When children play with colored toys, they are stimulating their visual and spatial senses. The textures of the toys also help with tactile development. All of these factors can help your child become smarter and more coordinated.
Things to Consider Before Initiating Toys Coloring Process
When it comes to initiating the toy coloring process, there are several things you need to take into consideration in order to achieve successful and consistent results. Let’s find a few of them here.
Pigment Levels
It is one of the most important aspects to consider before initiating the coloring process of your toys. The reason being is that, depending on the level of pigment in the paint, certain colors may not show up as vibrantly as you would like them too.
For example, if you are wanting to achieve a really bright pink color, using paint with low pigment levels just won’t cut it and you’ll be disappointed with the final result.
Compatibility of a plastic colorant
Different plastics will require different colorants; hence, the compatibility of the plastic colorant should be considered. In addition to compatibility with the type of plastic, you also need to make sure the chosen colorant is compatible with the intended use of the toy.
For example, if the toy will be used in direct sunlight, you’ll need to choose a UV-stable colorant. Similarly, if the toy will come into contact with water or other liquids, you’ll need to choose a water-resistant colorant.
Color Properties
Colors boast different chemical properties and they react differently when come into the contact with plastic. It means that when fabricating the same component in multiple colors, it’s possible that not every part gives the identical result. Hence, you should keep these variances in mind and choose the color accordingly.
What are the different ways to make plastic toys colored?
In order to produce a plastic toy that is both safe for children and attractive, manufacturers must use a safe toy coloring process that improves usability and quality. There are two main ways to color plastic toys: injection molding and painting. Scroll down the page and learn about these methods in a bit of detail.
Paint
Paint is the other major method of coloring plastic toys. In this, the toy is first molded and then painted. Paint is the most common way to color plastic toys. You can use any type of paint, but acrylic paint is the best type to use because it doesn’t require a primer and it’s easy to clean up.
To paint your plastic toys:
1. Start by sanding them down with fine-grit sandpaper. This will help the paint adhere to the toy better.
2.Next, apply a base coat of paint and let it dry completely. Once the base coat is dry, you can start adding your desired colors.
3.When you’re finished painting, let the toy dry completely before playing with it.
The advantage of painting is that it allows for a greater range of colors than injection molding. In addition, painting can be used to create designs or patterns on the surface of the toy.
The disadvantage of painting is that it is less durable than injection molding. Paint can chip or fade over time, especially if the toy is exposed to sunlight or other sources of heat. In addition, painted toys may not be as safe for children as those that are injection molded because paint can contain harmful chemicals.
Injection Molding
Injection molding is the most common method of coloring plastic toys. In this process, the colorant is added to the melted plastic before it is injected into the mold. This ensures that the color is evenly distributed throughout the toy. In addition, injection molded toys tend to be more durable than those that are painted.
The whole challenge of coloring plastic toys through Injection Molding comes down to the plastic colorant. It is a material that is added to plastic to give it color. There are mainly two types of colorants: pigments and dyes. Pigments are insoluble and have a duller color, while dyes are soluble and have a brighter color. In addition to them, colorants are also subdivided into further categories, which we will describe in the guide.
Colorants can be added to plastics during the manufacturing process or after the plastic has been made. They are added in small amounts, typically 2-3%, to achieve the desired color. The type of colorant used will affect the properties of the plastic, such as its UV resistance, heat resistance, and whether it is biodegradable.
Types of Plastic Colorants
Colored Pellets: These are available in pellet form and set at the same concentration as final products. There’s no trouble mixing them and they can instantly produce the desired color. However, color pellets are expensive, which is why manufacturers often turn to other colorants to cut down the overall cost.
Dry Color: Dry colors are plastic colorants that come in the form of a powder. They are typically made from pigments that have been ground down into fine powder. Dry colors can be added to plastics during the manufacturing process, or they can be applied to the surface of the finished product.
Masterbatch: A masterbatch is a concentrated mixture of one or more pigments or additives used to color toys. It can easily change the color tone by mixing with natural pellets. Moreover, they outperform colored pellets in terms of cost performance.
Despite its advantages, injection molding does have some drawbacks.
1.First, it is more expensive than painting.
2.Secondly, the injection molding process can be difficult to achieve certain colors with injection molding. For example, black is often difficult to obtain in an injection molded toy.
Conclusion
Getting plastic toys colored is quite a simple task. All you have to do is pick the rightmost method and colorant to execute the process. We hope our guide has helped you understand different ways in which you can add colors to your plastic toys and make them visually appealing.