Toy Collecting Terms FAQ

[secretcode]

Hello there. You have come across the TFArchive Toy Terms FAQ. You've probably came here to have a quick read about terminology, or probably just to see what I've written. Either way is fine with me. Now enough chit-chat. Time for the bread and butter of the article. All terms are listed in alphabetical order.

ACCESSORY: A small part that comes with a figure for usage with the figure or similar figures in the line.
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AGE GROUP: One of several demographics products may be marketed towards.
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ARTICULATION: Refers to the toy's poseability, where a type of joint is. The more articulation a figure has, the more poseability it generally has; a figure with basic joints at the neck and shoulders would be said to have three points of articulation.
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BALL-JOINT: A ball/socket joint that allows 360 degrees of movement of articulation. Mainly used for arms and legs.
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BLISTER/BUBBLE PACKAGING: The transparent plastic shell attached to a cardback.
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BRICK: A term applied to early Transformers due to the common rectangular shape of the figure compared to modern toys. Also applies to a toy where articulation is minimal.
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CARD/CARDBACK: The cardboard backing which a toy is sealed by a bubble package.
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CASE: A shipping carton sent from factory in which toys are sent to stores.
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CASE FRESH: A toy that is sold directly out of the factory case. It's possible for toys to be damaged when case fresh due to shipped or warehousing errors.
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CELLO: See Windowbox
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COLLECTOR GRADE: The condition desired by collectors, which varies.
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COMPLETE: When a toy is second-hand sold and includes original parts and accessories. Could be loose or packaged.
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DETACHABLE: A part of a toy meant to removed.
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DIE-CAST: A toy that uses metal parts in place of plastic.
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DIORAMA: A 3-D setting made to increase play time for action figures. See Playset
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EXCLUSIVE: A toy that is only offered as limited run, usually given out at conventions or sold at a particular store.
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FEATURES: An extra action given to a figure to increase play value. Could be considered a gimmick as well.
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GIMMICK: A special feature given to an entire line to increase play value or could tread on a common theme.
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GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME: Refers the plastic of a toy being extremely brittle or even appearing to decompose. Only some plastics are affected. More information: http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Gold_Plastic_Syndrome
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GRADING: A system where a toy is graded on their value and condition.
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INSERTS: Contents in a toy's package that are not part of the product itself. Could be instructions, stickers, catalogs, or sprues.
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KITBASH: A customized figure made by fans. This site has a forum dedicated to the art of Kitbashing, so if you are intrested, head on over: http://tfarchive.com/community/forum...?s=&forumid=64
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KNOCKOFF: A reproduction of a legitimate toy, commonly made in third-world contries and made of inferior materials. These are also unoffical reproductions. A current thread regarding Knockoffs can be found here: http://tfarchive.com/community/showt...0&pagenumber=1
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LED: (Light Emitting Diode) A tiny light mainly used a lot in toys and electronics. Also very economically friendly.
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LINE: A title of an entire group of figures. Examples: Transformers: Animated, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, G.I. Joe: Resolute.
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LOOSE: When a toy is not in its packaging.
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MIB: Mint in box. (Sometimes an S is added in the phrase to
mean "Sealed")
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MINT: A toy that is complete and in package.
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MOC: Mint on card. (Sometimes an S is added in the phrase to mean "Sealed")
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PLAYSET: A environment in which toys can "interact". Often based on fictional locations in a toyline. Some playsets are cardboard cut-out, or molded plastic.
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PROOF OF PURCHASE: A UPC-Barcode, cut-out portion of the product, or a receipt. Can sometimes be sent out to a company to receive a bonus product, as part of a promotion.
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PROTOTYPE: A model or sculpt of a toy on which production runs are based on.
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PULL BACK: A motor in toys that when motion is applied by rolling a toy backward and releasing.
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QUALITY CONTROL: Aside from ensuring safety checks take place, the process whereby an in-production toy is altered during the production run, accessories. Variants are sometimes results of quality control.
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RE-DECO/REPAINT: A change in paint scheme to provide a variant. Also used to make another character, such as in the case of Starscream/Skywarp/Thundercracker.
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RE-MOLD/RESCULPTED: Changing of parts on preexisting figures
to create a variant or a new character. Classics Starscream was remolded to make Ramjet.
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SERIES: A subset of toys in a toyline, often shipped out in the same timeframe, or same box. Also called a Wave.
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SHORTPACKED: A figure that in considered to be rare because there is only one or two in a case that ships for the manufacturer.
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TEST SHOTS: Preproduction samples of an action figures. Sometimes of a prototype. (See prototype)
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TOP-HEAVY: A condition in which a toy suffers quality by the top of the body being heavy then the bottom, usually resulting in a collapsed body.
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VACUUM METALLIC: A process in which plastic is vacuum-formed with silver and then painted with a clear color to add a shiny sheen. Good examples of this would be the Beast Wars Transmetals and Transmetals 2 toylines.
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VARIANT: A repaint/remold of an existing figure, produced in a limited numbers to increase demand (usually having more effect on secondary markets than retailer sales.)
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WAVE: See Series.
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WINDOWBOX: A box that a toy is sold in that has a cello (plastic window) through which a portion of the toy can be seen.


PLASTIC TYPES
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ABS (Acyrlonitrile Butadiene Styrene): A hard solid form of plastic
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PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Used to make a solid piece of plastic. Used in accessories and statues.
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URETHANE: A hard plastic widely used for details.
 

[Denyer]

Common general toy terminology, that sort of thing?

eg,

MOC/MIB - mint on card, mint in box (with an 'S' sometimes added for 'sealed')

shortpacked - any figure rare by virtue of there only being one or two in each case that ships from the manufacturer.

Or are there any ready-made and useful guides that could be linked to for various series?
 

[secretcode]

I think we need to mention the Condition-Scale of Toys. C-8, C-4... you know
 

[Denyer]

Something more than "condition scales tend to be grossly exaggerated bollocks, don't trust them -- if it's really important, ask for photos"?
 

[secretcode]

Mmm... Got a point. General terms mainly would be good. You never know when a complete beginner would stumble upon to this site. I visited this site for 2 years before I created an account due to crap connections.

TERMS LIKE:
- Articulation
- Mint
- Brick
- Top-Heavy
- Die-Cast
- Gold-Plastic Syndrome
- Vacuum Metallics
- Explain the types of plastics
- etc.
 

[Denyer]

http://www.toyrocket.com/glossary.aspx
http://hometown.aol.com/mangaman21/glossary.htm

Some things too basic?
 

[secretcode]

They work as a basic guideline. Some of those terms are rarely used though.
 

[Denyer]

I'm fairly busy with other stuff, but if you've time/inclination to write stuff up, I'll sticky it in a new thread.
 

[secretcode]

I'll start working on it on Wednesday.
 

[Zeeks]

Just off the top of my head, I took a shot at it:

TERMS LIKE:
- Articulation: How an item is bendable or statue-like in terms of posability, joint expression, and overall detail. I.E. Marvel Legends Figures boast that they are the most articulate figures in the industry, with joint expressions like hands, fingers, wrists, forearms, elbow/shoulder/knee/hip joints, feet, toes, etc.

- Mint: A toy (or any item) that is completely devoid of any defect whatsoever and is in pristine condition. The highest grading for a truly mint toy would be a 10.

- Brick: a term often applied to early transformers due to the overly square or rectangular shape of the overall figure. Compared to the curvature and fluid like motion of the bodies used on most transformers nowadays, certain G1 figures look like Robbie the Robot compared to, say, TF Movie Megatron.

- Top-Heavy: A figure that will not stand on its own due to most of the weight being in the upper portion (chest area and upwards), which causes the figure to either fall forwards or backwards and requires some sort of stand/base to be displayed on its own without human manipulation.

- Die-Cast: Metal cast in a die. Typical example: matchbox/hotwheel cars, especially those of the earlier days.

- Gold-Plastic Syndrome: never heard of this in my life. Is this some kind of new Insecticon disease?

- Vacuum Metallics: this is a type of manufacturing process where the gold or silver paint is adhered to the plastic by way of a vacuum process with a very detailed heating process at the factory, rendering the item a better quality paint job. Early attempts, specific to Transformers, would be Soundwave’s missiles in his shoulder cannon and gun or the two antennae from Shrapnel.

- Explain the types of plastics: might as well wiki this one.

- etc.: et cetera what?
 

[secretcode]

Great job Zeek. It kinda helped me clarify some things in the FAQ. It's finished, just waiting for Big D's permission to post.

Oh and...

GOLD PLASTIC SYDROME- A state in which a plastic surface coated in gold paint flakes off drastically in a short period of time. This has been circumvented lately in the form of a pale tan color or a brown simular to the Cybertron release Galaxy Force Vector Prime.
 

[Denyer]

Cheers. Have bodged the date to make it top post...
 

[secretcode]

Isn't that the date I joined?
 

[Denyer]

Two days before, apparently. Suppose I could've actually worked out a date just before my original post, but settled for guessing the most significant digit of the UNIX timestamp...
 

[Denyer]

GOLD PLASTIC SYDROME- A state in which a plastic surface coated in gold paint flakes off drastically in a short period of time.

Nah, the plastic itself becomes very brittle.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Gold_Plastic_Syndrome

Have skimmed to correct a few typos, etc.
 

[secretcode]

Would it be okay for me to edit the FAQ with a few more updated and new terms?
 

[Denyer]

Go for it. I trust people who have the first post of sticky threads to not vandalise, otherwise I'd start fresh threads.