Wooden Toys’s Knowledge for New Buyer

For a new wood toy’s buyer

As a new wooden toy wholesale buyer, you may be overwhelmed by the different options available on the market. Different materials, painting and printing methods, packaging, age ranges, and warning banners etc can all seem like foreign concepts. 

How to give the supplier the information I want, or whether the information they provide is professional and reliable. Is the supplier professional enough to tell me the main things to look for when buying wooden toys? Luckily, we’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the different factors you need to consider when shopping for wooden toys. 

Such as Different materials suitable usage, different spray paint applicable and economical method, different printing use scope and difference, different packaging cost and difference the location of the age group on the packaging, packaging must warning language, American standard European standard must test the items, product and packaging tracking information. Fumigation, CO certificate and CE necessity

Wood Material Matters;

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One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for wooden toys is the type of material used. And if with FSC, FSC wood is expensive than normal wood.

Different woods have different characteristics that can make them better or worse suited for certain types of toys. There are three main types of wooden toys on the market: solid wood toys, composite wood toys, and plastic wood toys.

Solid wood

toys are made entirely from natural wood with no artificial binders or fillers. These toys are typically more expensive than composite or plastic wood toys, but they’re also more durable and eco-friendly. If you’re looking for a high-quality wooden toy, solid wood is the way to go. Main solid wood used for wood toy is beech wood, juniper wood, pinewood, rubber wood. The table below illustrates the characteristics of those main solid woods.

Material	Production Place	Features	Weight	range of application
New Zealand pine	New Zealand	soft wood and the wood grain is fine, Oil grain on the surface	510kg/m3	1, suitable for making white body or varnished products 2, not easyto do colored products and car wood accessories
Juniper wood	China	Hard wood and fine, light gray, straight Wood grain	770kg/m3	Suitable for small pieces of toys, such as blocks, small accessories, etc.
Beech wood	Germany	red beech, white beechThe wood hard and dense,Uniform color and texture	650kg/m3	Suitable for all cases where the price is acceptable
Rubber wood	Malaysia, Thailand	Hard wood, light brown or yellowish white in color; Large capillaries	630kg/m3	suitable for white body or varnish products; Because of the smell and mildew, generally do not use rubber wood

Hardwoods like beech and rubber are very durable and are a good choice for toys that will see a lot of wear and tear. Softer woods like pine are more affordable but may not be as durable in the long run.

Composite wood toys

are made from a mixture of natural wood and artificial binders or fillers. These toys are usually less expensive than solid wood toys, but they’re also less durable. Composite wood toys can contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, so it’s important to look for eco-friendly options made with non-toxic binders and fillers. Wooden toys mainly use composite wood is basswood plywood, birch plywood, poplar plywood and MDF. The table below illustrates the characteristics of those woods.

You will find that plywood and density board have their own dimensions, and it is very important that all toys are economical in size.

Plastic wood toys

are made from recycled plastic and natural wood fibers. These toys are typically the most affordable option, but they’re also the least durable and eco-friendly. Plastic wood composites can contain harmful chemicals like phthalates and BPA, so it’s important to choose safe options made with non-toxic recycled plastic.

The safety standards you’re looking for. Solid wood toys are the best option in terms of quality and safety, but they’re also more expensive. Composite wood Toys are a cheaper option, but they’re not as durable or eco-friendly. Plastic Wood Toys are the most affordable option, but they’re also the least safe and environmentally friendly.

Painting Way Matters;

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Once you’ve selected the type of wood you want your toy to be made from, you’ll need to decide how you want it to be finished. The most common ways of painting are hand painting, airbrushing entails painting, rolling paint, coating, electrostatic spraying. Airbrushing entails using an air compressor to apply paint to the toy in a fine mist.

Technology	Range of application	Advantage	Disadvantage
Rolling paint	Small wood pieces	Easy processing and lower cost	Look worse than airbrushing
Airbrushing paint	All toys, however usually Odd shape, small flat area	High quality	High cost
Coating	Big flat area	Lower cost, look well	not suitable for small wood piece

Painting Safety;

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In addition to the environmental friendliness of the wood, we are also very careful about the choice of paint. Only water-based paints are used for wooden toys. The coating must pass the relevant standards of EN71， UKCA, and ASTM F963, CPSIA and other national safety tests. Please read on for a detailed description of the test.

Printing Way Matters;

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The most common ways of printing wooden toys are UV printing, screen printing, heat transfer, pad printing, water transfer, hot stamping, etc. Each type of printing also has a different range of adaptation. But UV printing, screen printing, heat transfer and hot stamping range is almost the same, the effect is not the same. This is especially important to note is that heat transfer printing will be faster and cheaper per unit, but there will be a mold cost is 450 U.S. dollars, the general life cycle of the mold is 2 years.

Age and Safety Warnings;

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When purchasing a wooden toy, always check the age and safety warnings on the packaging. Most wooden toys are recommended for children aged 3 and up due to small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Always supervise young children while they’re playing with wooden toys, and dispose of any broken or damaged parts immediately. Here is some general knowledge；

1，The proof of packaging must have the age group

2，3+ must have small parts warnings and icon

3, Toys and package must have tracking information. Usually including Item NO. descrition, code, Manufacturer and place of origin.

4, Assemblies must have an acknowledgement of the assembly warning.

Testing projects for US and EU;

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Wooden toys are a great addition to any child’s playtime arsenal. They’re sturdy, long-lasting, and (if made from eco-friendly materials) good for the environment too! When shopping for wooden toys, be sure to keep an eye out for toxic chemicals.

So it’s important to think about how the wood/toy has been treated. Some woods are treated with chemicals that make them Toxic if ingested. Therefore, it is very necessary for us to understand the regular test items and scope. This is a test feedback form provided at the time of the guest’s order. You only need to check the items you must test, and we will help the agent test them all. For example, SGS, Intertek, B.V, Eurofins, etc.

US CPSIA  美国消费品安全加强法	European EN-71 欧盟安全标准
☐Lead in Paint 涂层总铅量  ☐Lead in Substrate 基材总铅量	☐Part 1 – Physical & Mechanical Tests 物理及机械测试
☐Tracking Label 可追溯标签  ☐Phthalates Content 邻苯二甲酸盐含量	☐Part 2 – Flammability Test 易燃性测试
US ASTM F963 美国标准	☐Part 3 – Toxic Element Test (Material & Paint list is preferred) 可溶性元素测试
☐Physical & Mechanical Tests 物理及机械测试	☐Part 4 – Experimental Sets for chemistry and related Activities 化学实验用具
☐Flammability Test易燃性测试	☐Part 5 – Chemical Toys (sets) other than experimental sets 非实验用化学用具
☐Heavy Metals Test重金属含量测试	☐Part 7 – Finger Paints 手指画涂料
☐ LHAMA/ASTM D4236 艺术材料有毒成分	☐Part 8 – Playground Equipment 娱乐设备
☐Battery Operated Toys  Tests 电子玩具测试	☐Part 9 – Organic Chemical Compounds 有机化学化合物测试
☐California Proposition 65 加州65法令	☐EN62115 电子玩具测试          ☐ IEC62115         ☐EMC 电磁兼容测试
☐Stuffed Material Cleanliness 填充料清洁度	☐IEC60825-1 (for LED) 发光二极体测试       ☐R&TTE 无线电及通讯终端指令测试
☐Pennsylvania Regulation 宾夕凡尼亚洲条例
☐Microbiological Test for Liquid in Toy  玩具内液体的微生物测试	Other Tests 其他测试项目
☐USP51            ☐USP61/62	☐REACH SVHC    REACH高关注物质
US CPSC Regulations 美国CPSC法规	☐Phthalates Content (REACH Annex 17) 邻苯二甲酸盐含量
☐Physical & Mechanical Tests 物理及机械测试	☐Cadmium Content (REACH Annex 17) 镉含量
☐Flammability Test 易燃性测试	☐AZO Dye (REACH Annex 17)  偶氮染料
☐Lead Content in Paint 油漆含铅量测试	☐Nickel Release 镍释放量             ☐EN1811             ☐ EN12472
☐Toxic Elements in Packing Materials(TPCH)包装材料毒性元素	☐PAHs 多环芳香烃REACH Annex 17
	☐Toys or child use articles  ☐Other products
Canada Consumer Products Safety Act (CCPSA) 加拿大法规	☐PAHs多环芳香烃German GS
☐Toy Regulation SOR/2011-17	☐Category 1
☐Physical & Mechanical Tests物理及机械测试	☐Category 2 Use by children   ☐Category 2 other consumer products
☐Flammability Test易燃性测试	☐Category 3 Use by children   ☐Category 3 other consumer products
☐Paint / Surface Coating Material Toxicity 重金属含量测试	☐Toxics in Packaging Materials 包装材料有毒元素测试    ☐ EU    ☐US
☐Lead Regulation SOR/2010-273 含铅量测试	☐Color Fastness to Saliva and Perspiration 汗液与唾液色牢度
☐Phthalates Regulation SOR/2010-298邻苯二甲酸盐含量	☐Bisphenol A (BPA) 双酚A
☐ICES-003 加拿大电磁兼容要求	☐Formaldehyde Content 甲醛含量
☐Hazardous Liquid Chemicals危险液体中的化学物质
Australia & New Zealand Standards  澳大利亚及新西兰法规	ISO8124 International Standards 国际安全标准
☐AS/NZS ISO 8124:1 Physical and Mechanical 物理及机械测试	☐Part 1 – Physical & Mechanical Tests物理及机械测试
☐AS/NZS ISO 8124:2 Flammability 易燃性测试	☐Part 2 – Flammability test易燃性测试
☐AS/NZS ISO 8124:3 Migration of Certain Elements可溶性元素测试	☐Part 3 – Migration of Certain Elements 可溶性元素测试
☐IEC62115 电动玩具安全性	☐Battery Operated Toys Tests IEC62115电子玩具测试

Necessity of Fumigation, CO and CE;

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Usually, they are not mandatory, meaning that it is possible to reach your destination safely without them, without touching any regulations. However, suppose there is a tariff agreement between the government of the importing country and the exporting country in the form of a treaty stipulating an agreed rate of duty (AGREED CUSTOMS RATE), or a MOST FAVORED NATION CLAUSE on the treaty between the two countries. In that case, it is recommended that you ask the supplier to provide a CO certificate at no extra cost, which is to your advantage.

It is also important to add that the fumigation certificate requires an additional fee, which is calculated according to the number of goods.

CE is an EU directive, not a certificate. We usually print the CE mark on wooden toys that have passed the test, which means they comply with the relevant EU regulations. If a product with the CE mark is found not to meet the safety requirements, it will be ordered to be withdrawn or destroyed.

Beware of Drastic Differences in Price;

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Another thing to keep in mind when shopping for wooden toys is the price point. Similar wooden toys can range from 3 dollars to 5 dollars, so it’s important to find a balance between what you can afford and what you’re looking for in a toy. It’s also important to beware of drastic differences in price between similar products. If one toy is significantly cheaper than another, there’s usually a reason why. You can click my post “How To Cutdown Wood Toy’s Cost?” to learn more.

Negotiation, place order, shipment;

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When you find the right supplier (how to find the right supplier, please click my article “How To Find A Wood Toy Manufacture?” to learn more), negotiate to place an order, wait for the goods to be completed, inspect the goods, and ship them.

In this process, if the supplier does not have its own QE, QC team, the first cooperation is recommended that you ask a third party to inspect the goods and then ship them. Of course, you should also find a good freight forwarder in advance. You can first contact several freight forwarding companies and also let the supplier recommend, and finally compare to make a decision.

How TO Develop New Toys with Tooky?

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Here are some steps you can know in detail, 

Step 1 – Design: You can choose the toys from our E-catalog or we can design new toys for you. There are multiple styles of Designing, you can know detail with this YOUTUBE link.  

https://youtu.be/LGhgqS9TW_U

Step 2 – Qutation: Then we quote toys for you based on MOQ or your QTY. Usually, the MOQ of the customized wooden toys is 1000 sets per design.

Step 3 – Sample: We will prepare samples for you after the fee & time is negotiated.

Step 4 – Local Physical Test: Necessary process before shipping samples. Test standards ASTM F963, EN71. 

Step 5 – Place order after confirming samples. You pay the deposit and we start mass production.

Step 6 – Testing toys: We can help test them in China SGS, then you pay us. Or we offer samples so that you can arrange to test them.About the test, you can learn from here. 

https://youtu.be/vpMWw1QbyiY

Step 7 – Package Design: We can prepare packages for you if you have clear ideas about the package. How to pack toys, you can learn from this blog link. 

https://tookystudio.com/how-to-pack-wooden-toys/

Step 8 – Confirm package and produce package, then pack then and ready to ship. 

Step 9 – Ship toys and get balance. 

Finally, we wish you a very satisfactory procurement process. You can contact me to help you do all the work and ask any questions you are confused.

The End about Tooky

Tooky is a leading 18 years wooden toy supplier based in China. Below is our main 7 values. If you are interested in importing wooden toys, feel free to CONTACT us.

1) Products-Over 500 fine selected products + over 40 quarterly new launches. 

2) Free customized designs-9 experienced product managers, they will convert toy into with your brand characteristics

3) Customized package-4 packaging experts offer not only safe package, but legal labeling for market access. Learn more about wooden toy package, pls click here.

4) Test report-Not sure of testing standards? You can leave test with us till we get a final “pass” report as market requires

5) Lifestyle pictures-Never feel helpless about marketing! Will offer you lifestyle pictures if you need

6) Short videos-Check with our sales for “Short Video Paid-Service & Discount Program”

7) Exclusivity program-After spending a tremendous amount of resources on marketing and advertising, we may see competitors sharing our fruits of labor by carrying very similar products. How to obtain some kind of protections? An “exclusivity program” needed to be put in place, check with our sales.

Any comments, pls contact with me sales05@tookytoy.com