Every year, we introduce new chacters and new sets to our playworlds. Our toys are inspired by the natural world, by our work with international experts, and above all, by kids themselves.
It takes an average of three to four months between a design being finalized and the Schleich figure coming to life in kids’ playrooms. The unique, realistic appearance of our figurines requires a lot of detailed work and painting by hand to comply with our exacting quality standards.
Before a schleich® toy becomes a chacter in a child's story, our designers carefully check photos, drawings, and specialist books. This research forms the basis for the design. Next, our designers create a handmade wax model with all the details needed to make the figure the most authentic toy on the market. This stage takes two to eight weeks. Then the specialists in our marketing, mold and tool-making, and quality control departments inspect the wax model. If the wax model passes the authenticity and quality test, a mold can be created. More than 600 wax models have been turned into schleich® injection molds made from a mixture of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and copper.
For a perfect finish, a schleich® animal is given its own personal base color. Various pigment blends of the PVC base material are used to create a unique paint formula. All production materials are chemically tested beforehand to make sure the figurine is not hazardous. The plastic granulates are injected into the mold in liquid state using a nozzle. Next, the figure needs to harden. Larger figures are immersed in a cool water bath, while smaller ones are cooled on cooling plates.
After hardening, the figurine is lovingly hand-painted. Finally, to mark the character's initiation into the big schleich® family, the famous schleich® tag with our logo is attached. At long last, our toy is ready for its most important chapter: The journey into your home.