When it comes to making wooden toys, choosing the right wood is crucial. You might wonder how to pick the best wood that ensures safety, durability, and visual appeal. If you choose the wrong type of wood, it can affect the overall quality of your toys, damage your brand reputation, and possibly even compromise safety standards…
In this guide, we’ll break down the 8 essential tips to help you source quality wood for your wooden toys, ensuring your products are both safe and durable.
1. Where to Start?
Sourcing quality wood isn’t as simple as just picking any type of wood you find. It needs to understand the wood’s properties, then you can choose the best suitable wood according to the characteristics of the toy and its function. In addition, the source of procurement is also important to ensure that safety standards can be met. Whether you want to start creating a new popular brand of wooden toys or expand an existing product line, the wood you choose will play a critical role in the success of your new toys.
2. Why the Type of Wood is important?
You may think this is an obvious question, but the type of wood you choose directly influences the toy’s durability, safety, and visual appeal. High-quality wood can lead to long-lasting products that will earn your customers’ trust and build brand loyalty. So, how do you know which wood is the most suitable for your toys?
Softwoods vs. Hardwoods:
（1）Softwoods: such as pine, spruce, and fir are commonly used in toy production because they are lightweight, easy to work with, and relatively inexpensive.
（2）Hardwoods: like oak, maple, and beech, are denser, more durable, and long-lasting. However, they are harder to work with and tend to be more expensive.
For toys that require lower durability (such as simple puzzles), softwoods are often sufficient. On the other hand, if you’re making toys that need to withstand wear and tear over time (such as building blocks), hardwoods are a better choice.
Tookytoy is equipped with four professional engineers, and each of our designers has been professionally trained in the knowledge of wood before serving you.
For more information about the types of wood, you can click on the link below：
https://tookystudio.com/choose-safe-wood-toy/
（How to Choose Safe Wood for Children’s Toys）
3. The Importance of FSC-Certified Wood
You’ve likely heard about FSC-certified wood (Forest Stewardship Council). This certification ensures that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests that prioritize environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and fair labor practices. In today’s market, using FSC-certified wood is more than just a label—it’s a demonstration of your commitment to sustainability, which is something your customers care about.
That’s why Tookytoy is FSC certified and has a dedicated staff to manage the FSC certification.
This is Tookytoy’s FSC code
4. Ensure compliance with safety standards
If your wooden toys contain harmful substances，that’s a surefire way to lose customers quickly. So it’s crucial to make sure that the wood you use complies with safety standards.
We must make sure to choose wood that is free from harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, which can be toxic to children. The best way to ensure the wood is safe is by verifying that it meets the EN71, ASTM F963 and AS&NZ 8124… safety standards. These certifications are widely recognized and guarantee that the materials, including the wood, are non-toxic and safe for children.
Pro Tip: You can choose your suppliers who can provide testing reports.It’s extra effort, but it’s worth it for a steady rise in your business.
If you order Tookytoy brand items, we will provide you with free CE and ASTM reports.
We will cooperate with SGS,BVS,Eurofins ,such professional worldwide labs to dealing your customized products
5. Where to Find Good Suppliers?
Now that you know what to look for, where do you find suppliers who can meet these standards? Especially when you’re just starting, it can be tricky, but there are several reliable ways to find quality wood suppliers.
（1）Trade Shows & Expos: Trade shows like the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and Nuremberg Toys Fair are great opportunities to meet suppliers in person. You can inspect the wood quality firsthand and build relationships with potential partners.
（2）Online Platforms: Platforms like Alibaba are excellent for sourcing, but don’t just settle for the first supplier you find. Look for suppliers who provide detailed information about their sourcing and quality control processes. If sourcing internationally, ensure they understand the safety standards required in your market.
（3）Google search：This is definitely a good way to go as well, you just need to take some time to do multiple comparisons.An experienced supplier with consistent quality is the fuel for your successful business.
This is Tookytoy in Nuremberg Toys Fair
6. The Importance to Test the wood itself
Once you’ve found a supplier, it’s time to test the wood. You’ll want to check factors like moisture content, strength, and splintering potential to ensure the wood is of high quality and suitable for toy production.
Additionally, you should verify that the wood can withstand treatments like painting, staining, or varnishing if those are part of the process.Most of the time, you can’t test it yourself, and a good supplier will do this before delivering your goods.
Tookytoy is equipped with seven professional testers who will test the wood professionally.Three QE will spot check your goods during production.
7. How to control the purchasing cost of toys?
While cost is always a factor, it’s important not to compromise on quality when sourcing wood. However, there are still ways to save money:
（1）Bulk Orders: Suppliers often offer discounts for larger orders, so it’s a good idea to forecast your needs and order in bulk.
（2）Long-Term Partnerships: Building a long-term relationship with a supplier can lead to better pricing, as they will value the consistency of your orders.
（3）Choose different Woods: It is possible to choose the cheapest wood while staying safe, based on the characteristics of the product you are ordering and what you have learned about wood. Usually your supplier will know more about the product and the characteristics of the wood, so they will choose the best option for you.
8.How Much Should You Pay for Quality Wood?
Prices can vary depending on the wood type, certifications, and the supplier’s location. Generally, expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $15 per square meter for good-quality, non-toxic wood. The price will fluctuate based on the size of your order, the wood species, and any special treatments required.
The End of Tooky: Sourcing Quality Wood Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
To wrap it up, sourcing the right wood for your wooden toy business doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Here’s your action plan:
- Choose the right wood based on durability, workability, and price.
- Always prioritize FSC-certified wood for sustainability.
- Ensure the wood meets safety standards like EN71 or ASTM F963.
- Source from reliable suppliers and verify their quality control processes.
- Wood testing to guarantee the safety and durability of your toys.
Remember, the right wood is an investment in your business’s reputation. When done correctly, your wooden toys will not only be safe and fun but will also stand the test of time.
Happy sourcing, and may your wooden toys become a market leader!
