Same shelf presence, different physics
Polyresin casts capture sharper detail and heavier perceived value; PVC injection offers repeatability, toy-grade compliance and 60% lower freight per unit. The collector market prices resin editions higher — but the logistics chain punishes them harder.
Detail resolution
Silicone-molded resin holds detail to about 0.05 mm and reproduces undercuts that rigid PVC molds cannot. If your sculpt has deep drapery or complex hair, resin will show it; PVC will require sculpt simplification at the mold engineer's desk. Get the DFM (design-for-manufacture) report before committing to a sculpt, not after.
Breakage and freight
PVC figures survive a parcel network in a 2-wall carton. Resin needs die-cut EPE foam, and even then expect a 0.5–1% breakage allowance on long-haul routes. On a 1,000-unit resin edition, plan EPE tooling as a real line item and insure the shipment.
Compliance postures differ
PVC figures can be engineered to pass the full EN71/ASTM toy battery for the 3+ grade. Resin statues are sold as 14+ display collectibles with REACH and tracking-label compliance instead. Your target market's customs regime may effectively make this decision for you — check the import category before choosing material.
The hybrid answer
Many successful collector pieces are PVC bodies with resin accessories or bases: tooling amortizes on the body while resin carries the perceived-value detail where the eye lands. If the budget forces a choice, that is usually where we land.
