Hey folks!
Quick heads up on some changes you may start noticing with Smart Doll - and why they’re happening.
The situation in the Middle East is disrupting the global supply of oil and oil-derived materials. That includes vinyl (sofubi), plastics for frames and Cortex parts, and even the thinners and paints we use.
Some suppliers are now limiting orders, others have raised prices (20–40%), and we’ve been told raw plastic supply is uncertain going forward. Even when materials are available, soft-grade sofubi may not be.
A big factor is disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, which a large portion of the world’s oil passes through. When that’s affected, it ripples across everything.
We do have material reserves, but they won’t last indefinitely - so we’re making changes now to stay sustainable rather than waiting until it’s too late.
Key changes:
Focusing on core skin tones (Coffee, Tea, Cinnamon)
Prioritizing the Classic body
Adjusting Pear body pricing to keep it in production
Pausing new soft-grade option parts (using existing stock instead)
Head cap colors may vary
Moving toward a universal spine color (orange)
We’re not winding down - we’re adapting so we can keep going.
It does feel a bit post-apocalyptic at times - albeit one where we’re still making dolls that some might consider non-essential. And while they’re not edible, they’re still important to many of us :-)
Full details here:
https://
shop.smartdoll.jp/collections/ar
ticles-category-recent/products/whats-happening-with-material-supply
…
Thank you as always for your support.
Danny
