Like all other manufacturing industries, the toy sector has experienced profound changes over the past 30 years due to the massive growth of the global economy. Large-scale manufacture in the UK, and much of the rest of Europe has all but ceased. Nowadays, components for a single product can be made in several different countries – with China fast becoming a major player in the international toy trade.

The manufacture of any toy – no matter how traditional – begins at the design stage. Designers are either employed in-house, or an outside team of professionals is engaged. Computer aided and mechanical design processes are often utilised before the prototype formation goes ahead. The toy company itself then subjects this to product review, moulding, trial production, evaluation, and finally full production.

When it comes to making the components or the toys themselves, however, the process is almost always outsourced to a third party.

A very wide range of raw materials are used in the toy manufacturing process – wood, fabrics, plastics, resins, paperboard and card, metal, zinc alloy and electronic components.

The manufacturing process itself depends entirely on the sort of toys being made. Dolls and action figures are usually made from injection-moulded plastics, whereas toy cars and trains tend to be manufactured from die-cast metals, and hand or spray-painted afterwards. Components for self-assembly kits and board games will require a professional printer, while dolls and stuffed toys are almost always sewn and stuffed by hand. Many toy makers purchase components from one vendor and then assemble the finished product at another facility.

Nowadays the emphasis is on traditional toys made from high-quality, durable, traditional materials. The vast majority of traditional toys are manufactured from wood, metals, fabrics and environmentally-friendly plastics, and are made to meet – and in many cases exceed – international standards on quality and safety.

In an increasingly globalised economy, it is important to combine great value with great quality and a number of toy manufacturers are able to do just that.

Advertising is very different from personal selling. In personal selling, the customer is guided by a sales person, but in this type of promotion, the advertisement is shown to the customer and the decision is in the hands of the customer

Television advertising is the most preferred way to advertise these days. Thus, every business entrepreneur or company must take interest in television advertising. Commercials are big sellers and the most important part of television advertising.

Print advertising occupies a major role in the promotion process and can also spread a lot of information. The main elements of print advertising are pamphlets, leaflets, brochure, newspapers, magazines and visiting cards. This medium is a must for every company. Every company must take appropriate interest in this form of promotion.

Another important mode of promotion is radio advertisement. These days everybody listens to radio advertisements in a temptation to come across songs. Thus, radio advertising is very important for spreading mass awareness about a product. Every company must invest in this means of promotion. Adequate care must be taken that radio advertising is not skipped. Outdoor advertising is another important means of advertisement. This means of advertisement is extremely helpful and effective. All business entrepreneurs must invest good amount of money in Outdoor advertisements. The important elements of Outdoor advertising are banners, hoardings as well electronic hoardings.

Airport advertising is very important because customers tend to do shopping in their free time and they have a lot of free time at the airport. That’s why airport advertising must be given adequate importance. Company must make adequate investment in this mode of advertisement. People tend to look around at an airport which makes airport advertising extremely important.

Internet is a very important mode of communication these days. And this very fact has made internet advertising very important in today’s scenario. Internet advertising will help a company increase its sale manifolds since internet is within the reach of every second person these days. Thus, every company must invest wisely in internet advertisements.

Mobile advertising has become the most common as well as effective means of advertisement these days. It is because mobile is in the hands of every second person these days. Mobile advertisement occupies a very major role in the promotional process as mobiles connect very well. Every business entrepreneur must pay adequate attention towards mobile advertising since mobile is the most common as well as effective means of promotion during recent days.