The art toy market, particularly for collectible figures like those created by KAWS (Brian Donnelly), has exploded in recent years. This surge in popularity has unfortunately led to a proliferation of counterfeit KAWS figures flooding the market. Identifying a fake KAWS figure is crucial for collectors and enthusiasts to avoid wasting money and supporting the production of unauthorized goods.
This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to distinguish genuine KAWS figures from fakes, covering various aspects from packaging and materials to markings and overall quality.
Key Indicators of Fake KAWS Figures
| Feature | Genuine KAWS Figure | Fake KAWS Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | High-quality, sturdy box with crisp graphics and accurate information. Often includes specific edition details. | Flimsy box, blurry images, typos, missing or incorrect information. May lack edition details. |
| Materials | High-quality vinyl or resin, smooth finish, consistent color throughout. Often has a distinct, high-end feel. | Cheap plastic, rough texture, inconsistent color, strong plastic odor. Feels lightweight and fragile. |
| Markings | Authentic KAWS markings (© KAWS... year) are crisp, well-defined, and correctly positioned. Often includes Medicom Toy markings if produced by Medicom. | Blurry, misaligned, or missing KAWS markings. Incorrect copyright year or font. May lack Medicom markings. |
| Sculpt Details | Sharp, well-defined lines and details. Accurate proportions and consistent with the original design. | Soft or rounded edges, poor definition of details, inaccurate proportions, and noticeable flaws. |
| Paint Job | Clean, precise paint application with even coverage. Colors are accurate and vibrant. | Sloppy paint application, uneven coverage, bleeding between colors. Colors may be dull or inaccurate. |
| Weight | Substantial weight due to the high-quality materials used. | Lightweight and feels less solid due to cheaper materials. |
| Price | Generally aligns with market value, considering rarity and condition. Significant discounts are usually a red flag. | Significantly lower price than the average market value. "Too good to be true" pricing. |
| Seller Reputation | Reputable dealers, established art galleries, and authorized retailers. | Unverified sellers, online marketplaces with limited information, suspicious feedback. |
| Joint Articulation | Smooth and functional articulation (if applicable). Joints should move easily without being too loose or too tight. | Stiff, difficult to move, or excessively loose joints. Prone to breakage. |
| Accessories | High-quality accessories that match the figure's design and are securely attached (if applicable). | Poorly made accessories, flimsy attachments, and incorrect colors or shapes. |
| Smell | Typically has little to no noticeable odor. | Strong plastic or chemical smell. |
| Edition Numbering | If limited edition, usually has a unique edition number. | Missing edition number or duplicated edition numbers. |
| Feet Markings | Often has markings on the feet with copyright information and the figure's name. | Missing or incorrect markings on the feet. |
| Packaging Inserts | Well-designed inserts that securely hold the figure in place. | Cheap or missing inserts that don't properly protect the figure. |
| Original Release Information | Research the original release details (date, edition size, retailer) to verify authenticity. | Discrepancies between the figure and the official release information. |
Detailed Explanations
Packaging: The packaging of a genuine KAWS figure is meticulously crafted. Look for high-quality cardboard, sharp printing, and accurate information. Fake KAWS figures often come in flimsy boxes with blurry images, typos, or missing details like the edition number or copyright information. Genuine boxes will also have a secure and well-designed insert to protect the figure.
Materials: KAWS figures are typically made from high-quality vinyl or resin. The material should feel smooth and substantial, with consistent color throughout. Fake figures often use cheap plastic that feels lightweight, has a rough texture, and may emit a strong plastic odor. Pay attention to the overall feel and weight of the figure; genuine figures have a premium feel.
Markings: Authentic KAWS figures will have clear and well-defined markings, including the KAWS copyright symbol (© KAWS) followed by the year of creation. These markings should be crisp and correctly positioned. Many KAWS figures are produced by Medicom Toy, so look for their logo as well. Fake figures often have blurry, misaligned, or missing markings, or the copyright year may be incorrect. The font used in the markings is also a key detail to examine.
Sculpt Details: The sculpting on a genuine KAWS figure is precise and detailed. Look for sharp lines, accurate proportions, and consistent details that match the original design. Fake figures often have soft or rounded edges, poor definition of details, and inaccurate proportions. Compare the figure to official images to identify any discrepancies in the sculpt.
Paint Job: The paint application on a genuine KAWS figure is clean and precise. The colors should be accurate and vibrant, with even coverage and no bleeding between colors. Fake figures often have sloppy paint application, uneven coverage, and dull or inaccurate colors. Look for any signs of paint smudging or inconsistencies.
Weight: Genuine KAWS figures have a substantial weight due to the high-quality materials used. The figure should feel solid and well-made. Fake figures often feel lightweight and flimsy due to the use of cheaper materials. The weight difference can be a significant indicator of authenticity.
Price: While pricing can vary depending on the rarity and condition of the figure, a significantly lower price than the average market value should raise a red flag. "Too good to be true" pricing is a common tactic used by counterfeiters. Research the market value of the figure you're interested in and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
Seller Reputation: Purchase KAWS figures from reputable dealers, established art galleries, and authorized retailers. Avoid purchasing from unverified sellers, online marketplaces with limited information, or sellers with suspicious feedback. Check the seller's ratings and reviews carefully before making a purchase. Look for sellers who specialize in art toys and have a proven track record of selling authentic items.
Joint Articulation: If the KAWS figure has articulated joints, they should move smoothly and function properly. The joints should not be too stiff, too loose, or prone to breakage. Fake figures often have stiff, difficult-to-move, or excessively loose joints. Check the articulation carefully to ensure it functions as intended.
Accessories: If the KAWS figure comes with accessories, they should be of high quality and match the figure's design. The accessories should be securely attached and have accurate colors and shapes. Fake figures often have poorly made accessories, flimsy attachments, and incorrect colors or shapes.
Smell: A genuine KAWS figure typically has little to no noticeable odor. A strong plastic or chemical smell is a sign of low-quality materials and may indicate a fake. This is often overlooked but is a simple and effective way to identify potential counterfeits.
Edition Numbering: If the KAWS figure is a limited edition, it should have a unique edition number. Check for a missing edition number or duplicated edition numbers, which are common signs of a fake. The numbering should be clearly printed and consistent with the edition size.
Feet Markings: Many KAWS figures have markings on their feet, including copyright information and the figure's name. Check for missing or incorrect markings on the feet, which can indicate a fake. These markings are often very small but are an important detail to examine.
Packaging Inserts: The packaging inserts of a genuine KAWS figure are well-designed and securely hold the figure in place. Cheap or missing inserts that don't properly protect the figure are a red flag. The inserts should be made from sturdy materials and fit the figure snugly.
Original Release Information: Research the original release details of the KAWS figure, including the date, edition size, and retailer. Discrepancies between the figure and the official release information can indicate a fake. This information can often be found on KAWS's official website, Medicom Toy's website, or reputable art toy news sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a KAWS figure is fake based on the price?
If the price is significantly lower than the market average for that particular figure, it's likely a fake. Counterfeiters often lure buyers with "too good to be true" deals.
What should I look for on the packaging to spot a fake KAWS figure?
Check for high-quality cardboard, sharp printing, accurate information (including the edition number and copyright details), and a secure insert. Look for typos, blurry images, or missing information.
What kind of material is used for authentic KAWS figures?
Authentic KAWS figures are typically made from high-quality vinyl or resin, which feels smooth, substantial, and has consistent color throughout.
Where is the best place to buy authentic KAWS figures?
Purchase from reputable dealers, established art galleries, and authorized retailers to ensure authenticity. Avoid unverified sellers on online marketplaces.
What are the key markings to look for on a KAWS figure?
Look for the KAWS copyright symbol (© KAWS) followed by the year of creation, and the Medicom Toy logo if applicable. These markings should be crisp, well-defined, and correctly positioned.
What if the seller claims the figure is a "factory reject"?
Be very cautious. While genuine factory rejects can exist, they are rare and often sold through specific channels. Many counterfeiters use this excuse to sell fakes.
Can I trust reviews on online marketplaces?
Be skeptical. Counterfeiters often create fake reviews to boost their ratings. Look for reviews that seem genuine and detailed, and consider the seller's overall reputation.
What should I do if I suspect I've purchased a fake KAWS figure?
Contact the seller immediately and request a refund. If they refuse, file a dispute with your payment provider and report the seller to the online marketplace.
How important is it to research the original release information?
Very important. Knowing the release date, edition size, and retailer can help you verify the figure's authenticity and identify any discrepancies.
What if the figure has a strong plastic smell?
A strong plastic or chemical smell is a strong indicator of low-quality materials and suggests the figure is likely a fake.
Conclusion
Identifying a fake KAWS figure requires careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the characteristics of genuine figures. By examining the packaging, materials, markings, sculpt details, paint job, and other key indicators outlined in this guide, collectors and enthusiasts can significantly reduce their risk of purchasing a counterfeit item. Always buy from reputable sources and trust your instincts if something seems amiss.