Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you protect against Damaged on Arrival? Do you offer EPS packaging, colour-box design, and drop box testing?

Overseas brand partners often worry most about Damaged on Arrival (DOA) after long-haul shipping. Chong Mau treats protective packaging as part of collector-grade delivery — not an afterthought. Protective packaging we support EPS / polyfoam tooling: Custom EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam moulds shaped to cradle the statue, reduce shock points, and lock parts in place during transit. Colour-box / retail packaging design: Structural and graphic packaging that protects the product while presenting it to retail or collector standards (as scoped in your quotation). Inner & outer carton planning: Fits, inserts, and carton strength matched to the sculpture’s weight, overhangs, and fragile attachments. Drop box testing We can run a drop box test on the packed sample / packaging set so impact risks are checked before mass shipment. Testing may follow common drop-test practices used in export packing validation (including approaches aligned with ISTA-style drop test expectations where specified for your programme). If you need evidence for internal QA or brand approval, we can also provide internally recorded drop-box test videos on request — so your team can review the procedure and result without guessing what happened in the carton. Tell us your shipping lanes, carton limits, and any brand packing guidelines early; we will recommend the EPS / colour-box / drop-test package that fits your collector SKU and destination market.

Question 1

How is the sample fee structured when a paint master is involved?

Accepted Answer

The sample fee in our quotation depends on who develops the paint master (the colour / finish reference standard for production).

Option A

You provide the paint master

Refundable

Process

You supply a physical paint master or exact reference standard. Our workshop focuses on precise colour matching and sample production against your standard.

Refund terms

The sample fee is 100% fully refundable (credited against your order deposit) once your official order quantity reaches 250 pieces or more, provided you supply the tooling parts and paint master.

Option B

We develop the paint master from scratch

Non-refundable

Process

If we create the paint master from the ground up, our team undertakes comprehensive R&D and design: multiple rounds of colour formulation, test sprays, finish testing, quality fine-tuning, and establishing the baseline control standard for mass production.

Refund terms

Because this path involves significant labour, trial materials, and creative / technical development, the sample fee is non-refundable, even if the final order quantity exceeds 250 pieces.

Question 2

What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), and when is the sample fee deducted from the order deposit?

Accepted Answer

Chong Mau’s standard Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is 100 pcs. Mass production can start from that quantity. The sample fee is credited against your order deposit only when the official order is 250 pcs or more and you supply both the tooling parts and the paint master. Minimum Order Quantity MOQ 100 pcs Lowest quantity for mass production Sample fee credit ≥ 250 pcs Deducted from order deposit Required from you Tooling + paint master Needed for the 250-pcs refund path MOQ — Minimum Order Quantity for mass production We accept production orders from 100 pieces. Runs between 100 and 249 pcs are still manufactured; the difference is only whether the sample fee can be credited. Rule 1 Order 100–249 pcs Sample fee payable Production still goes ahead at or above the MOQ of 100 pcs. The sample fee remains payable and is not deducted from the order deposit. Rule 2 Order ≥ 250 pcs + your tooling & paint master Sample fee credited When you place the official order at 250 pcs or more and you provide the tooling parts and paint master, the sample fee is credited / deducted from your deposit, as stated in your quotation. Rule 3 We develop tooling and/or paint master Usually non-refundable If the factory develops the tooling and/or paint master, sample-fee credit follows the paint-master path in your quotation — typically non-refundable even above 250 pcs. Exact deposit and credit wording always follow your quotation. For a different MOQ or sample-fee arrangement, speak with our sales team before confirmation.

Question 3

What are the sample and mass-production lead times?

Accepted Answer

Lead time depends on the stage of your project (sample vs mass production) and the complexity / collector grade of the sculpture. Below are our typical ranges.

Sample lead time

Sample development usually takes about 1 to 2 months, depending on part count, paint complexity, and how quickly approvals are returned. Exact timing is confirmed in your sample quotation.

Mass production (bulk) lead time

Standard production: About 3 to 4 months after the production order is confirmed and deposit terms are met.
High-end collector-grade programmes (comparable to brands such as Sideshow, Prime 1 Studio, or PCS): typically 6 to 9 months, because of denser detailing, tighter paint control, more assembly steps, and higher QC standards.

Schedules can shift with artwork changes, paint-master revisions, peak factory load, or material lead times. We will give a project-specific timeline in your quotation and keep you updated through production milestones.

Question 4

Does the quoted unit price already include the foam packing box and colour box?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The unit price in our quotation already includes both the foam packing box（发泡盒）and the colour box（彩盒）. Unless a quotation explicitly states otherwise, you do not need to add separate line items for these standard packing components.

Question 5

How do you protect against Damaged on Arrival? Do you offer EPS packaging, colour-box design, and drop box testing?

Accepted Answer

Overseas brand partners often worry most about Damaged on Arrival (DOA) after long-haul shipping. Chong Mau treats protective packaging as part of collector-grade delivery — not an afterthought.

Protective packaging we support

EPS / polyfoam tooling: Custom EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam moulds shaped to cradle the statue, reduce shock points, and lock parts in place during transit.
Colour-box / retail packaging design: Structural and graphic packaging that protects the product while presenting it to retail or collector standards (as scoped in your quotation).
Inner & outer carton planning: Fits, inserts, and carton strength matched to the sculpture’s weight, overhangs, and fragile attachments.

Drop box testing

We can run a drop box test on the packed sample / packaging set so impact risks are checked before mass shipment. Testing may follow common drop-test practices used in export packing validation (including approaches aligned with ISTA-style drop test expectations where specified for your programme).

If you need evidence for internal QA or brand approval, we can also provide internally recorded drop-box test videos on request — so your team can review the procedure and result without guessing what happened in the carton.

Tell us your shipping lanes, carton limits, and any brand packing guidelines early; we will recommend the EPS / colour-box / drop-test package that fits your collector SKU and destination market.

Question 6

3D files: Which file formats do you require, and do you have technical guidelines I can share with the sculptor?

Accepted Answer

STL is fine for us. You can share this with your sculptor as our basic technical requirement for 3D file delivery. If you have a special project that needs another format, please ask us before sending files so we can confirm compatibility.

Question 7

Does the sculptor need to deliver the model already separated into production parts, or can your team handle separation from a completed 3D sculpt?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the model needs to be separated into individual production parts. Ideally, separation should follow the colour boundaries of the model. Avoid placing joints / keys across fragile or high-risk areas. Please have the sculptor split as many parts as they think are necessary. There is no single “perfect” way to split a model; a pre-separated file gives us a strong starting point. Once we receive the files, our team will evaluate whether any separated parts can be merged back together for easier mass production. Important: If the file is delivered without part separation and we only engineer after physical master patterns are made, splitting at that stage usually means duplicating molds and restarting the process — which significantly delays lead time.

Question 8

Paint master: Can your team create the painted master from colour references, or do I need to supply a physical painted master?

Accepted Answer

From our factory’s perspective, it is ideal if you can supply a physical painted master. A physical sample reduces guesswork and speeds up review and approval.

We can also create a painted master from approved colour references and artwork when needed. Please note the sample-fee difference:

Option A

You provide a physical painted master

Refundable

Once you proceed with mass production and the quantity reaches 250 pieces or more, the initial sample fee is fully refunded (credited against your order deposit) (credited as stated in your quotation).

Option B

We create the painted master for you

Non-refundable

If we develop the paint master without a physical sample from you, the sample fee is non-refundable, even if the production order later exceeds our MOQ.

Please tell us which approach works best for your project. More detail on fee structure is also covered under our sample-fee FAQ.

Question 9

Sample development: What is the approximate cost of the first physical sample (3D printing, preparation and painting)?

Accepted Answer

The sample fee in your quotation typically already covers duplicating the mold, sanding, painting, and assembly for the first physical sample path we quoted. If you would like us to handle the initial 3D printing as well, that is usually an additional charge. A 3D printed model cannot be used directly as tooling: We take a mold from the 3D print to cast a PU (polyurethane) sample. The PU sample is sanded and checked so assembly joints fit correctly. We then create a final mold from the refined PU sample to produce a complete, production-ready set of tooling parts. Exact amounts depend on the sculpture and scope — please ask us for an estimate of the 3D-printing portion if you need that path, or refer to the figures already shown in your quotation.

Question 10

What is the difference between Resin Figures and Fiberglass (FRP) Resin Figures?

Accepted Answer

While both Resin Figures and Fiberglass (FRP) Resin Figures utilize resin as a primary binding material, they are designed for different applications, sizes, and production methods. Here is a breakdown of their main differences: 1. Material Composition Resin Figures: Made primarily from liquid synthetic resin (such as polyurethane or epoxy resin) poured into molds. They consist of solid or semi-solid cast resin without internal fiber reinforcement. Fiberglass (FRP) Figures: Made from Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)—a composite material that combines liquid resin with layers of woven glass fibers (fiberglass matting). The glass fibers act as a structural framework, dramatically increasing strength and durability. 2. Typical Size & Weight Resin Figures: Best suited for small to medium-scale models (typically ranging from small tabletop collectibles up to 50–60 cm / 20–24 inches tall). Larger solid resin figures become extremely heavy and brittle. Fiberglass (FRP) Figures: Designed for large-scale to life-sized statues and giant public installations (from 1 meter tall to massive multi-meter display pieces). FRP creates a strong, hollow shell that remains relatively light compared to its size. 3. Surface Detail & Precision Resin Figures: Exceptional at capturing intricate details, sharp edges, precise textures, and delicate facial features. This makes resin the top choice for high-end art toys, anime collectibles, and detailed display models. Fiberglass (FRP) Figures: Ideal for smooth curves, bold silhouettes, and large surfaces. While capable of crisp surface details, it is generally less suited for microscopic or fine-line textures compared to cast resin. 4. Durability & Outdoor Resistance Resin Figures: Primarily intended for indoor display. Direct sunlight, heat, and severe weather conditions can cause untreated resin to warp, yellow, or crack over time. Fiberglass (FRP) Figures: Extremely durable, weather-resistant, impact-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. With high-grade automotive paints and UV protection topcoats, FRP figures thrive both indoors and outdoors (e.g., shopping malls, theme parks, and public plazas). 5. Manufacturing Process Resin Figures: Produced mainly through casting techniques (vacuum casting or gravity casting) into silicone or aluminum molds, making it efficient for small to medium batch productions. Fiberglass (FRP) Figures: Produced through manual lay-up or hand-lamination, where workers layer glass fiber sheets with resin inside molds before curing, hand-sanding, assembling, and painting. Summary Comparison Table Resin figures vs Fiberglass (FRP) resin figures Feature Resin Figures Fiberglass (FRP) Resin Figures Best For Small to medium collectibles, art toys Life-sized statues, giant public displays Detail Level Ultra-high precision & intricate texture Smooth, bold shapes & clean contours Durability Moderate (Fragile on impact) High impact, shatter-resistant Environment Indoor display recommended Indoor & Outdoor use Weight Relatively heavy for its size Lightweight relative to its large volume Not sure which path fits your sculpture? Share size, display location and detail requirements — our team can recommend the best material and process for your OEM / ODM programme.

Frequently Asked Questions