How are schleich® figures made – from the initial idea to the finished product?Updated a year ago

Every year, the figures in our playworlds get new friends and sets that expand their lives and spark new ideas and even more exciting adventures. They’re 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 figures’ unique, realistic appearance requires a lot of detailed work and painting by hand in line with exacting quality standards. That takes time, and we’re happy to spend as long as necessary to create products that excite our adventurous little storytellers.

Before a product like the schleich® llama can begin its adventure, our designers carefully check photos, drawings, and specialist books. This research forms the basis for the design. Next, the designers create a handmade wax model with all the details needed to make the figure into an authentic llama. This stage takes two to eight weeks; on a horse, every single hair is applied individually. Then the specialists in our marketing, mold and tool-making, and quality control departments inspect the wax llama.

If the llama passes the test, the mold itself can be created. Currently, around 600 wax models have been turned into precious injection molds made from a mixture of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and copper.

For a perfect finish, the llama 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 llama is not hazardous. The plastic granulates are injected into the mold in liquid state using a nozzle. Now the llama blank needs to wait a while to harden. Larger figures are immersed in a cool water bath, while smaller ones are cooled on cooling plates.

The next step, when the llama is lovingly hand-painted, makes it feel very special. Only the giraffes often feel a little hard done by, since patterns covering a large area like their brown spots are applied by pad-printing.

Finally, to mark the llama’s initiation into the big schleich® family, the famous schleich® tag with the red S is attached. And now it simply has to wait for you to take it home.