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“Send us the photos — we’ll make the batch.” That is how half of our orders start. If you need a single toy sewn from a photo, a local atelier is the right call. If you need a wholesale run of 500+ pieces made from your photos, sketches or a physical sample, that is factory work — and this page lays out honestly how it works.
The essentials in one minute
| Minimum order | 500 pieces per design |
| Production time | 25–50 days after sample approval |
| Sample fee | ¥500–1,000, credited to your order of 500+ pcs |
| Unit price | $4.0–10.5 depending on volume and complexity |
| Certificates | EN71, CE, EAC (TR CU 008/2011), ASTM F963, ISO 9001, BSCI |
| HS code | 9503 00 |
Ordering custom plush from photos: 6 steps
1. Send photos or sketches. More angles mean a more accurate quote — even hand-drawn references work.
2. Get a quote and a confirmation sketch (1–3 days). We price your exact volume and show how we understood the character: proportions, colors, fabrics.
3. Prototype (7–14 days). A physical sample is the only real check. All corrections happen at this stage.
4. Mass production (25–50 days). Volume and complexity set the timeline: embroidery, mixed fabrics and removable outfits extend it.
5. Quality control and certificates. The batch is inspected; documents for your market are prepared before shipment.
6. Delivery. Via Khorgos (rail or truck); DDP terms available. Details in our China customs and logistics guide.
What photos give an accurate quote
- 3+ angles: front, side, back; ideally a bottom view and close-ups of details;
- at least 1000 px on the long side, no heavy retouching;
- plain background, daylight — so we are not guessing fabric colors;
- no photos? A sketch, a reference of a similar character or a physical sample all work.
Sample policy: the sample fee is credited back to your order once you place 500+ pieces.
What moves the unit price
| Volume | Price per piece |
|---|---|
| 500–999 pcs | $7.9–10.5 |
| 1,000–4,999 pcs | $5.5–7.8 |
| 5,000+ pcs | $4.0–5.9 |
Within each band the price is driven by size (20 cm vs 60 cm is very different fabric consumption), material (short plush costs less than long-pile) and complexity (embroidered faces, mixed fabrics, removable clothes). Live ranges: pricing page.
Local atelier vs China factory: an honest comparison
| Local atelier | China factory | |
|---|---|---|
| Run size | 1–10 pcs | 500+ pcs |
| Unit price | many times batch cost | $4.0–10.5 |
| Turnaround | days | 25–50 days + shipping |
| Batch certificates | rarely | EN71 / CE / EAC / ASTM |
Need a few pieces tomorrow? The atelier is the honest answer. Planning 1–2 months ahead with 500+ pieces? The factory wins on unit price by a wide margin.
Certificates: what your market needs
Russia and the EAEU require TR CU 008/2011, the EU requires EN71, the US requires ASTM F963. Certification is arranged for the batch before shipment. How to verify a supplier’s certificate by its registry number is covered in our guide on choosing a plush toy manufacturer.
Copyright: why we only sew original characters
We do not copy licensed characters from other people’s photos: a batch carrying someone else’s trademark risks customs seizure and claims from the rights holder. We produce your original artwork, brand mascots and proprietary characters — including developing a character from scratch. More on corporate mascots in our Central Asia plush wholesale overview.
FAQ
How close will the toy match the photo?
Approval runs in two gates: a confirmation sketch first, then a physical prototype. All corrections happen before mass production, so the final batch matches the approved sample.
I only have an idea, no photos.
That is enough. Our designer draws the concept from your description; you approve it, then the standard pipeline follows.
Can I order fewer than 500 pieces?
The factory minimum is 500 per design. Smaller runs do not pass the economics — an atelier or ready-made models from the catalog cost less at that scale.
How long does delivery take?
Main route goes through Khorgos (rail or truck); timelines and DDP terms are broken down in the customs and logistics article.
Send the photos and your target volume — we return a quote with price and timeline within 1–3 days. Request form · quality control on the quality page. The full path from request to receiving the batch: the 7-step procurement guide.
