2026.09.08
AGF Booth Merch Sorted: From Acrylic Keyrings to Figures
Which Merch Sells Well
at AGF?
Merch with high sell-through has high collectible value and a form that stands out at a glance on the booth.
Merch that gets a good response at AGF shares a few traits.
Merch that gets a good response at AGF shares a few traits.
Looking at fandom spending patterns, each piece of merch plays a slightly different role. Some items can be bought several at a time without straining the wallet, while others make people want to own them even at a high one-time price. Prepare both axes together and both booth sales and fandom response stay balanced. Below is a comparison of merch examples.
Item | Estimated unit price | Details |
|---|---|---|
Acrylic motion keyring | About KRW 3,000–5,000 | Movement stirs the desire to own |
the acrylic diorama | About KRW 4,000–11,000 | Doubles as the booth's main display and drives sales |
Dakimakura | About KRW 27,000–35,500 | Used in the premium collectible lineup |
Squishy stress ball | About KRW 4,400–5,300 (at volume) | Highly approachable thanks to feel and portability |
Hippers figure | About KRW 3,000–7,300 (at volume) | Popular as setup accessories for phones, monitors, and other devices |
From acrylic motion keyrings to dakimakura and figures, we look at the five items in order in the article below. First, though, a look at lead times and how to choose a manufacturer.
Planning AGF Merch:
When Should You Start Preparing?
Counting back from the delivery date, planning should begin on average 8 to 12 weeks ahead.
Custom merch production takes longer than expected, so you need to start much earlier than you think.
Custom merch production takes longer than expected, so you need to start much earlier than you think.
Unlike general commerce products, event merch has a fixed deadline. From fabric sourcing to artwork approval, sample checks, and mass production, every day lost becomes a schedule delay. Especially when preparing several items at once, it is safer to identify in advance where bottlenecks will form.
The time each item takes also varies. The table below shows the rough flow.
The time each item takes also varies. The table below shows the rough flow.
Item | Artwork review | Sample production | Mass production and shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
Acrylic motion keyring | 2–3 days | 5–7 days | 5–7 days |
the acrylic diorama | 3–5 days | 1–2 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
Dakimakura | 5–7 days | 2–3 weeks | 3–4 weeks |
Squishy stress ball | 1–2 weeks | 4–5 weeks | 10–12 weeks |
Hippers figure | 1–2 weeks | 3–4 weeks | 8–10 weeks |
AGF Custom Merch:
How Do You Choose a Manufacturer?
AGF merch is IP-driven, so choosing a manufacturer with deep experience in IP merch production is important.
Because result quality splits sharply by material and print method, it is hard to entrust it to just any vendor.
Because result quality splits sharply by material and print method, it is hard to entrust it to just any vendor.
When preparing fully custom merch, colors that looked fine on the proof sometimes come out completely different in person. A manufacturer without hands-on experience with the material cannot flag such variables in advance. Conversely, one that has tried many materials itself can give realistic advice from the pre-order stage.
When choosing a manufacturer, check the items below as well.
When choosing a manufacturer, check the items below as well.
1. Does the manufacturer have a track record with the material you want?
Acrylic, fabric, and figures differ completely in molding, printing, and finishing. A manufacturer without mass-production experience in a given material easily misses unexpected variables at the order stage, so it is safer to check the actual track record first through a portfolio or references.
2. Does it flag color deviation and material limits in advance at the artwork stage?
Even with the same design, the actual color can differ from the proof depending on the material's surface. A manufacturer that communicates in advance on Pantone or CMYK values and points out each material's expressive limits can reduce approval rounds and lower color risk at the same time.
3. Is there a sample check step, rather than going straight to mass production without one?
Going straight to mass production without checking a physical sample means absorbing any gap from the intended image in full. Confirm before ordering that a sample check stage, where material, color, and print quality are inspected in person, is included as a mandatory process.
MANSANGSA has handled product groups that require different processes, from acrylic to fabric to figures. Because each material has its own process owner, you can get concrete guidance on the feasible production scope from the pre-order consultation.
Acrylic Motion Keyrings:
How Do They Differ from Regular Acrylic Keyrings?
An acrylic motion keyring has parts that move, so the production difficulty differs from a regular acrylic keyring from the start.
The table summarizes the durability of the moving parts and the assembly methods.
The table summarizes the durability of the moving parts and the assembly methods.
Motion keyrings fall broadly into rotating and sliding types. The rotating type joins a character part to a fixed body on an axis so it turns 360 degrees; the sliding type separates front and back plates and lets a part travel left and right along a track. Even with the same face, only certain parts, such as the eyes or tail, can be designed to move, so the method you choose changes the joint strength and the effects you can stage.
Type | Movement | Breakage risk | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
Rotating | 360-degree rotation | Joint wear from repeated rotation | Effects where part of the character, such as the tail, rotates |
Sliding | Moves up and down or left and right | Risk of the moving part coming loose or jamming | Short story effects where the character moves |
Acrylic Dioramas:
Can They Double as Booth Displays?
The reason acrylic dioramas are made so often for AGF is clear: they are one of the few products that can reproduce an entire scene with a character within a limited booth space.
Being able to carry display and sales at the same time is another big advantage. A common approach is to set one highly finished diorama at the center of the booth and prepare a scaled-down version of the same design for sale. Production efficiency is also good, since display and sales versions can be prepared from one piece of artwork. There are, however, points that are easy to miss at the design stage. The finish changes greatly with how many layers you split into and which parts go in front, so check the checklist below.
※ Have you decided how many layers to split the character and background elements into?
※ Have you checked that overlapping layers do not kill each other's shadows or colors?
※ Have you arranged individual packaging to prevent damage in transit and storage?
※ Have you decided how many layers to split the character and background elements into?
※ Have you checked that overlapping layers do not kill each other's shadows or colors?
※ Have you arranged individual packaging to prevent damage in transit and storage?
When Producing Dakimakura,
What Must You Check?
For dakimakura, fabric choice almost entirely determines the finish. Print color and feel differ greatly by fabric, so the same illustration can feel like a completely different product depending on the fabric used.
Producing dakimakura for AGF brings clear benefits to the client. As a high-priced collectible aimed at heavy fandoms, it accounts for a large share of booth sales, and preparing it in limited quantities becomes a marketing element in itself. The scarcity of being available only at the venue often leads to return visits and repeat purchases.
Fabrics are often lumped together as polyester, but in fact they split into fabrics with completely different weave structures. Broadly, they divide into short-pile fabrics such as velboa, with short fibers standing on the surface, and woven or knit fabrics woven smooth without pile, like cotton.
Fabrics are often lumped together as polyester, but in fact they split into fabrics with completely different weave structures. Broadly, they divide into short-pile fabrics such as velboa, with short fibers standing on the surface, and woven or knit fabrics woven smooth without pile, like cotton.
Type | Velboa short-pile fabric | Woven / knit fabric |
|---|---|---|
Surface feel | Cozy, with short pile | Smooth and cool |
Color rendering | Slightly subdued, soft tones | Vivid and crisp |
Stretch | On the low side | Knits stretch well |
Change after washing | Pile may flatten | Holds its shape well |
Recommended illustrations | Dark tones or moody artwork | Bright, vivid artwork |
Pushing ahead with a single fabric without matching the illustration's tone to the fabric's traits easily ends in color failure. We recommend a print test on actual fabric samples before ordering.
※ Have you chosen a fabric that matches the illustration's tone from velboa, woven, and knit options?
※ Have you checked color samples on each fabric in person?
※ Have you tested for pile flattening or shape change after washing?
※ Have you aligned your own standards on explicitness with the booth operating policy?
※ Have you chosen a fabric that matches the illustration's tone from velboa, woven, and knit options?
※ Have you checked color samples on each fabric in person?
※ Have you tested for pile flattening or shape change after washing?
※ Have you aligned your own standards on explicitness with the booth operating policy?
Squishy Stress Balls:
Why Does Material Choice Matter?
A squishy stress ball's feel changes completely with the material. They fall broadly into PU foam, TPR slime, and plush types. We compared the traits of the three materials.
PU stress balls use polyurethane foam and are known for slowly returning to shape when squeezed. This slow rebound creates the hand feel distinctive to stress balls. Surface graphics are usually screen-printed or UV-printed.
Squishy stress balls use thermoplastic rubber for a chewy, soft, jelly-like texture. Translucent colors are possible, and variants can be made with glitter or small beads inside.
Rebound is faster than PU foam, so fidgeting with them is more fun. Plush stress balls fill a fabric shell with pellets or stuffing. Their strength is a fluffy, soft feel, and they suit designs that keep a character's silhouette intact. Since the shape follows the seams, however, fine facial expressions are limited.
Squishy stress balls use thermoplastic rubber for a chewy, soft, jelly-like texture. Translucent colors are possible, and variants can be made with glitter or small beads inside.
Rebound is faster than PU foam, so fidgeting with them is more fun. Plush stress balls fill a fabric shell with pellets or stuffing. Their strength is a fluffy, soft feel, and they suit designs that keep a character's silhouette intact. Since the shape follows the seams, however, fine facial expressions are limited.
Type | PU | Squishy | Plush |
|---|---|---|---|
Feel | Soft and weighty | Chewy and squishy | Fluffy and light |
Rebound speed | Slow | Fast | N/A |
Detail that can be expressed | Fine detail through printing | Color and translucent effects | Silhouette-centered |
Recommended use | Classic stress ball | Merch with a strong fun factor | Character mascot merch |
Before ordering, check the following.
※ Have you squeezed samples of each material and compared the hand feel?
※ Have you chosen a material that matches the level of detail you want?
※ Have you squeezed samples of each material and compared the hand feel?
※ Have you chosen a material that matches the level of detail you want?
When Producing Hippers Figures,
What Should You Check for Finish?
For Hippers figures, which hang from an edge, the detail of the front, back, and hanging pose determines the finish.
We organized the points to check at each stage for the hanging structure and finishing.
We organized the points to check at each stage for the hanging structure and finishing.
The key is expressing the character perched on or hanging from an edge. The center of gravity at the hanging point and the clip strength must be designed together from the artwork stage so it does not fall when actually hung. Given PVC's characteristics, detail becomes more limited the smaller the size, so review size and sculpting difficulty together.
Check the points for each stage of progress.
1. At the prototype stage, have you reviewed proportions and expression from several angles?
2. When scaling up, have you checked that details do not blur?
3. Have you compared the paint colors against the character's actual color guide?
4. Have you done a final check of the finish on a physical sample?
Check the points for each stage of progress.
1. At the prototype stage, have you reviewed proportions and expression from several angles?
2. When scaling up, have you checked that details do not blur?
3. Have you compared the paint colors against the character's actual color guide?
4. Have you done a final check of the finish on a physical sample?
AGF Merch Minimums and Budget:
How Do You Set Them?
Unit price clearly falls as merch quantity rises, so it is safer to set quantities generously above the sales target. The table summarizes minimum quantities and unit price trends by item.
Acrylic items can be ordered in small quantities once the artwork is confirmed, but items involving molds or fabric cutting only become cost-efficient above a certain quantity.
So even on the same budget, the quantity you can actually prepare changes greatly depending on which items you allocate it to. Low-involvement items aimed at light consumers allow a varied lineup even in small quantities, while items with mold or fabric loss need a certain volume from the start for the unit price to work. Check the criteria by item in the table below.
So even on the same budget, the quantity you can actually prepare changes greatly depending on which items you allocate it to. Low-involvement items aimed at light consumers allow a varied lineup even in small quantities, while items with mold or fabric loss need a certain volume from the start for the unit price to work. Check the criteria by item in the table below.
Product | Minimum quantity benchmark | Unit price trend |
|---|---|---|
Acrylic motion keyring | Small orders possible | Sensitive to quantity increases |
the acrylic diorama | Small to medium | Varies with the number of layers |
Dakimakura | Medium or more recommended | Fabric loss must be considered |
Squishy stress ball | Medium or more recommended | Quantity has a big effect due to molds |
Hippers figure | Small orders possible | Prototype cost is a fixed share |
Frequently Asked Questions
Items with moving parts, such as acrylic motion keyrings, suit short video content. Acrylic dioramas photographed with lighting become finished photo content in themselves. Consider from the planning stage whether the form makes booth visitors naturally want to photograph and share it.
How close the character's expression, pose, and colors are to the original strongly affects purchase decisions. The more detail matters, as with dakimakura and Hippers figures, the more strictly this standard applies. Check colors and proportions carefully against the original art or setting materials.
Check in advance the permitted logo usage, designated color values, and whether character illustrations may be modified. Using in-game graphics as is often means low resolution that breaks up detail at the print or paint stage, so separate retouching is frequently needed. Review the source assets' resolution and permitted usage before production begins.
Typical examples are items with low production cost and easy mass production, such as sticker sheets and basic acrylic keyrings. High-cost items are more often prepared for sale than for giveaway. Splitting the share of giveaway and sales items in advance makes budget allocation much easier.
It is a different story if you want custom packaging that brings out your brand identity. In that case, package design and production schedule must be set alongside the merch itself. Since packaging often decides the first impression at the booth, we recommend reviewing it from the initial planning stage if the budget allows.
AGF Merch,
MANSANGSA Makes It for You.
Preparing AGF merch is hard because there is more to cover than you might think, from material selection to review standards.
With MANSANGSA, production can proceed with review from the planning stage.
With MANSANGSA, production can proceed with review from the planning stage.
MANSANGSA's production flow runs consultation, artwork, sample, then mass production. Share the items, budget, and schedule you want at the consultation stage and you will get realistic guidance on the production scope by material. Once artwork is confirmed, the physical sample is checked first before moving to mass production, reducing the risk of a gap from the intended image after completion.
If you are still wondering which merch to prepare for your AGF booth, a consultation with MANSANGSA can sort out material, quantity, and schedule together.
If you are still wondering which merch to prepare for your AGF booth, a consultation with MANSANGSA can sort out material, quantity, and schedule together.
Step | Details | Timing |
|---|---|---|
1. Inquiry | Website form or phone inquiry | Immediately |
2. Quote | Quote sent after a dedicated MD is assigned | 1 business day on average |
3. Sample check | Inspection of color, material, and print quality | About 1 week |
4. Quantity and confirmation | Final confirmation of design and specs | 3–5 days |
5. Production | Production of the confirmed quantity | 3–4 weeks |
6. Delivery | Shipped to the designated address after inspection | 1–2 days in transit |
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