Polaris / Materials & manufacturing
Let the idea choose the material.
The right construction starts with what the piece needs to express.
Lucite, crystal, resin, metal and wood create different possibilities for form, finish, decoration and assembly. Polaris helps balance those possibilities with the quantity, budget and schedule.
START A PROJECT
A practical starting point
Explore the materials.
Lucite & acrylic
Clear forms, suitable embedments, layers and printed imagery.
Resin & 3D forms
Models, sculptural shapes, texture and painted finishes.
See how sculptural forms and finishes develop through artwork, model views and physical pieces.
Metal
Sculptural forms, architectural components, structure and surface finish.
Wood
Natural grain, warm surfaces and distinctive bases or components.
Mixed media
Complementary materials bring contrast, depth and meaning to one design.
Mixed media: different materials, one clear idea.
Mixed-media deal toys combine two or more materials in a single design. Each material contributes something different: texture, clarity, color, weight or structure.
Let the contrast tell the story.
In this diamond-in-the-rough design, rough-textured resin surrounds a faceted crystal diamond. The dark, irregular surface makes the clear, polished center stand out. The combination turns a familiar expression into a physical object.
The same thinking can pair a wood base with a clear panel, or a metal sculpture with another material. Each choice should help express the achievement.
The important question is what each element contributes. We consider the joins, proportions, finish, stability and packing as part of the design.
What should determine the choice?
Appearance
Consider clarity, color, texture, weight and how the piece will be displayed.
Construction
A cast object, a cut panel and an assembled model involve different tooling, tolerances and finishing steps.
Practical requirements
Quantity, size, budget, deadline and shipping all affect the suitable options.
Practical answers
Questions, answered.
Which material is best for a deal toy?
There is no universal best material. The concept and construction matter as much as the material category. We recommend an approach after understanding the brief.
Can resin and crystal be combined in a deal toy?
Yes. Resin can create a sculptural or textured form while crystal contributes a clear, polished element. The diamond-in-the-rough design combines both. We plan the proportions, joins and stability together, then verify the construction with a physical prototype.
Can you put an object inside Lucite?
Some objects are suitable for casting inside acrylic. Their compatibility with the heat, pressure and chemistry of the process must be checked before the design is settled.
Does every material require a prototype?
Every factory-produced custom project is prototyped and reviewed internally before the full run. We check proportions, materials, artwork, finish, alignment, assembly and stability against the approved design. Client review may use photographs, video or an in-hand sample when appropriate.
Your next project
Start with what you have.
Share the transaction or milestone, approximate quantity, target delivery date and budget. Add draft text, logos or reference images if you have them. You do not need a finished design.
START A PROJECT
