Plastic

Plastic is a popular material for sex toy manufacturers. It is particularly suitable for smooth surfaced toys and items with round surfaces. Many of the value for money basic vibrators, bullets and eggs are made from different types of plastic. Manufacturers who have regard for quality will often use 'ABS' plastic, the Natural Contours brand being such a supplier. This is more shock resistant, harder wearing and can be moulded more precisely. For the user it is a hygienic and an easily cleaned material at a sensible low price.

PVC

Vinyl PVC is actually a soft form of plastic. It creates a more natural feel for vibrators and dildos and the majority of vibrators are made in this material. Any vibrator that requires movement will be made from this material. Recently manufacturers have found ways to make this material more fun with "pearlised" finishes in a wide range of colours. Being easy to mould it allows manufacturers to produce a wide range of effects with dildo's and vibrators. Greater care should be taken with cleaning this material and over a number of years the PVC may crack. This is minimised by thorough cleaning and drying after use and storing in dry dark situation.

Latex Rubber

As a natural material rubber lends itself to soft, flexible sex toys. Normally rubber is almost always either flesh or black coloured. Can be formed into quite intricate shapes and is often used for dildo's. As in PVC it requires careful cleaning and drying to maintain it in good condition. Rubber often has a slight odour and some people can be allergic to it. Jelly Rubber Advances in production have lead to a new form of rubber known as jelly rubber. The advantage of this new material is that it is a clear form of rubber that can be coloured to any shade during the production process. This has lead to an explosion in new female friendly coloured toys with a translucent appearance with a soft flexible feel making it ideal for vibrators, dildos and anal toys. Easier to clean than than standard leather and almost odourless. Being rubber based anyone allergic to rubber may react to to this form of rubber. 'Real-Skin' Another development in the rubber industry is the creation of 'real-skin' 'ero-skin' 'cyber-skin' and Suchlike type finishes. Sex toys made from real-skin do feel remarkably lifelike and are preferred by many users. Items made in this material include vibrators, dildos, masturbators, eggs & bullets. Again needs thorough cleaning and drying. Being rubber based they may be a slight odour.

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is not the first material you would consider for a sex toy however many like the hard clean finish of this material. Predominately used for butt plugs and a few dildos. Advantage its indestructible and cleans very easily.

Silicone

This material has a great feel hard but not rigid. Material can be made in a wide range of colours and can be formed into many creative shapes. Silicon has no smell and is hypoallergenic making safe for all and easy to clean. Its only drawback is that it is an expensive material for producing toys.

Glass

Glass sex toys are becoming quite popular despite costing more than a like for like rubber version. Glass is a great material for sex toys provided it is made from medical grade borosilicate glass, sometimes referred to as 'Pyrex' as used in kitchen items. Think about the many kitchen saucepans and other glass receptacles that you can actually place directly on the hob or in the oven. And glass is also used in the space shuttle windows. Its pretty tough stuff. A word of caution. Some suppliers are importing glass toys from the far east which are of dubious quality and have little or no manufacturing quality control. We recommend sticking with wellknown and respected brands like Phallix. Glass is a superb material to make some of the most attractive and interesting dildos. It can be heated in water or cooled in a fridge for new experiences. It doesn't smell, is easy to clean and properly looked after will last a lifetime. Good glass doesn't come cheap. Each piece is hand-made by a craftsman and it can take up to a day to make one item. Anything with the slightest flaw is rejected. So if you want to play with glass, you must be prepared to pay the price.

Crystal Acrylic

Acrylic is a special type of hard, transparent plastic sometimes called Perspex. Now it is being used to mould different kinds of dildos and anal toys. Providing the ability to create interesting and unusual shapes, plus make some wonderfully subtle colours - sometimes enhanced by metallic glitter inside the acrylic material.