Deal Toy Weight: Why it Matters

Something our team has learned over the years is that the weight of a Deal Toy can unexpectedly play a bigger role in the design than originally anticipated. The second most common feedback after receiving a prototype behind ‘Can we make this taller?’, is ‘Can we make this heavier?’.

The two can be related, but we often find many clients are happy with the scale of a design but want something with more weight to it!

Why do we prefer heavier Deal Toys?

It’s a simple matter of psychology.

We tend to perceive the weight of certain objects as having more value when they’re heavy. While we want our smartphones and technology to get lighter, our first reaction to a sculptural and creative item like a Deal Toy is that weight will suggest craftsmanship and premium materials.

If Michelangelo had sculpted David out of polyfoam, we might be less enthralled knowing we could pick it up and walk away!

In some circumstances, this initial reaction to weight might be misleading. While we could simply suggest making every design as heavy as possible, it might not be the best use of materials or your budget, and a there is a critical question to answer…

Who is receiving this Deal Toy and how will it be delivered?

In our experience, a closing dinner or award ceremony is where the emphasis on weight might be more prominent, as you want your client to feel valued and be impressed by the piece! But if the piece is being shipped to team members apartments all across the country, or even the globe, provided it isn’t light enough to feel inexpensive, extra weight may be unnecessary.

After looking at our design data, we found that the average optimal weight for a Deal Toy was…

5-6lbs

In summary…

These tips will help you get the right balance of weight and value without overspending or sacrificing a premium experience!

• Consider who will receive the pieces and how. For example, your team may be less concerned with weight if the pieces are being shipped directly to their homes and will quickly be placed on a shelf or desk
• The heavier the pieces, the more expensive the shipping. Ask our team if they can design and produce closer to your shipping address to lower shipping costs.
• Consider trading off weight for complexity. A custom 3D print or intricate woodwork will look like a premium product – and it is! But will not be heavy in hand.
• If that is a deal breaker, our team can make suggestions like mixing materials, placing the design on a heavier base or several design suggestions that will achieve the desired effect.

If you have any questions regarding deal toys or are ready to open a new project, reach out to us today.

Get your designs now!