Core Material: Vinyl PVC
The structural body of a Labubu figure is cast from PVC vinyl — the same material used across the designer toy industry for products from KAWS figures to Funko Pops. PVC vinyl is favored because it accepts fine detail in molding (Labubu's nine individual teeth and textured ear surfaces require tight mold tolerances), takes paint adhesion well, has a pleasant slight flexibility that resists breakage on minor drops, and is cost-effective at the production volumes Pop Mart requires.
The density and hardness of the vinyl varies slightly by figure size and series. Standard blind box Labubu figures (typically 8-9cm) use a medium-density vinyl that feels solid but not brittle. Mega-size figures (30-40cm) use a harder formulation to prevent sagging in the larger limbs and body over time. Premium collaboration releases sometimes use a different compound — a slightly softer, higher-grade vinyl — which is one reason experienced collectors can feel the difference before they see the price tag.
All official Pop Mart/Labubu figures comply with EN71 (European toy safety) and ASTM F963 (US toy safety) standards, which require testing for phthalate content, heavy metal paint pigments, and mechanical safety. Counterfeit figures frequently fail these tests because cheaper vinyl formulations use higher levels of plasticizers and lower-grade pigments. If you're concerned about material safety, buying from authorized retailers is the only reliable protection.
Flocked and Plush Editions: Texture and Construction
The 'Macaron' and other flock-finish Labubu editions — including some of the most popular and widely photographed versions — are covered in electrostatic flocking: tiny fibers (typically nylon or polyester, 0.5-1mm long) bonded to the vinyl surface with adhesive and then electrostatically aligned to stand perpendicular, creating a suede-like texture. This process requires the vinyl body to be fully painted and sealed before flocking, which adds manufacturing steps and cost.
The plush bag-charm versions of Labubu (the ones most commonly seen hanging from designer handbags) have a different construction: a wire-reinforced fabric body stuffed with polyester fill, with embroidered or printed facial features. These are technically plush toys rather than vinyl figures and are made to entirely different tolerances — they're softer, lighter, and more durable to the daily flexing stress of being clipped to a bag.
Care requirements differ significantly between vinyl and flocked editions. Vinyl figures can be wiped clean with a damp cloth; flocked surfaces require gentle dry brushing with a soft toothbrush and should never be submerged in water, as moisture can dissolve the adhesive and cause fiber loss. If a flocked Labubu gets wet, blot (don't rub) immediately and allow to air dry in a well-ventilated space.
Paint Processes and Finish Quality
Labubu figures use multiple paint layers applied through a combination of spray masking and hand painting. The base coat is typically airbrushed on in the mold color, then masking is applied for each additional color zone, with detail work — the rosy cheek blush, eye gloss, tooth shading — done by hand using fine brushes. A top coat of either matte or gloss varnish seals all layers. Standard figures average 5-8 paint steps; special edition and collaboration figures can exceed 15 steps.
Glossy finishes (common on eyes and certain accessories) are achieved with a UV-cured spot varnish applied only to specific areas, creating the high-contrast matte-vs-gloss look that makes Labubu faces particularly expressive. Some series use metallic or pearlescent pigments, achieved with mica-based paints that shift color depending on viewing angle. These specialty finishes are a key part of why certain series command higher prices — the material cost and production time per unit increases substantially.
Quality control for paint is one area where authentic figures reliably differ from fakes. Official Labubu paint lines are sharp, colors are consistent across units in the same series, and the matte varnish has a consistent sheen. Counterfeits frequently show bleeding between color zones, inconsistent rosy blush application, and a either a high-gloss 'wet' varnish or a chalky matte that obscures fine details. Examining the teeth under a lamp is the fastest QC check — authentic figures have clean paint separation on each individual tooth.
Assembly, Joints, and Internal Structure
Most standard Labubu figures are assembled from 4-6 individually cast pieces: the main body, the head, two ears (cast separately to achieve the outward flare), and any accessory or clothing pieces. Joints are typically glued rather than articulated — Labubu is a display figure, not an action figure, so permanent assembly is standard. Some larger editions have swappable accessories or clip-on elements, but the figure itself does not pose.
The internal structure of standard figures is solid vinyl throughout — there are no hollow sections or armatures. This is intentional: solid construction resists the kind of warping that hollow figures experience when exposed to temperature fluctuations, which is important for collectors storing figures in display cases that may experience seasonal temperature changes. Larger mega figures are hollow for weight reasons but use a thicker vinyl wall gauge to maintain rigidity.
Figures sold at Voxelyo.com — Duck Bubu, Snow Wing Bubu, Angel Bubu, and Pink Fang Bubu — are all vinyl construction with the multi-step hand-painted finish described above. Each arrives in its original sealed box with the collector card included, ensuring you receive the complete, authentic product in factory condition.