A combination of metals, such as lead and zinc, which are heated together to make a more complex metal. For example, lead is often alloyed with other metals to make it harder.

In this molding process plastic is blown into a mold under pressure. This creates a thinner outside wall with a hollow center. It is economical to use, but the finished product often has less detail than in other processes. Depending on the plastic used, it can also be more easily broken.

Figures constructed of a composite material are called composition. Typically the materials are wood fibers and glue, which are mixed together and pressed in a mold.

A small free standing sculpture that is representative of a larger object, either real or imaginary. Usually this refers to a person or animal, with other objects being termed accessories. In the case of this website, all of the figures were originally created to be children's toys or as figure collectibles for adults.

Excess material that is found on figures at the molding lines. Usually the result of plastic, or metal, seeping in between the sections of a mold. Older molds often produce more flash.

A term used to describe plastics that are hard, non-flexible, or brittle. Hard plastic often has a shiny surface, and can be scratched. It does not, however, take indentations or scratches from a thumbnail as soft plastic does.

Figures made of natural rubber (like the rubber used for tires) are called hard rubber. The term comes from the fact that rubber hardens as it ages. Since most toys of true rubber were made in the 1930's to early 1950's, they are almost all hard now. Rubber is often confused with vinyl in terminology, but is a cruder molding material. If it is old but still pliable, or if it has fine detail, then it is probably not actually rubber.

This term refers to a process of making metal figures. Hollow cast is the same as slush, it is a process of pouring molten metal into a mold and swirling the metal around inside. This creates a hollow center, much the same as in blow molding of plastic.

This plastic molding process is the most commonly used. A machine injects plastic (or other materials) into a multi-part mold until a certain pressure level or time limit is reached. When the mold parts are separated, they reveal a solid finished figure. Common errors are the result of insufficient pressure or material being inserted into the mold. Air bubbles can also cause defects.

A mold is a reusable object that is used to form raw material into a particular shape. Simple molds are indentations in a surface that can be filled with a fluid which hardens, or that can have a soft material pressed into them. Multi-part molds consist of two or more pieces that are put together before filling or pressing, and must be separated to remove the finished item.

These are the lines that occur at the seams between multiple parts of a mold. Marks can include indentations, symbols, or words that occur as part of the molding process, either intentional or accidental.

A playset is a toy that consists of a number of pieces used to create a larger scene. The minimum requirements to be called a playset are both figures of some sort, and a structure or major large accessory such as a wagon or fencing. Just figures by themselves don't make a playset. Just a structure by itself doesn't make a playset. Ideally a set should include a number of figures, a structure, and other accessories to help make the scene come alive during play.

The term recast refers to a figure that has been created from the original mold, but by a different maker.

Reissue is when a maker casts a new edition from their original molds at a significantly later date than the first issue.

Sculpt is short for sculpture or sculpting. It is used as a shorthand term most often when referring to a figure. For example: This is a new sculpt of Robin Hood.

See Hollow Cast.

Soft plastic is any plastic that can be scratched or indented with a thumbnail, but is not particularly flexible. If it is flexible it is probably vinyl. There are varying levels of softness, but no real terminology yet to draw a line between them. To describe a particular plastic it is best to use not only soft and hard, but also how shiny the surface is, and any textural differences (waxy etc.).

Vinyl is a plastic material that stays flexible and has a "rubbery" feel. It can be smooth, almost coarse, or spongy in texture. Some of the oldest types of vinyl can be quite hard with age, and are often mistaken for soft or even hard plastic, as well as true rubber.