How To Compare Authentic KAWS Toys From Fakes

In recent years, the emergence of Brian Donnelly, or otherwise known to the international art scene as KAWS, has pushed the boundaries of contemporary art. So much so that he was able to collaborate with some of the most well-known brands such as the Jordan Brand (KAWS x Air Jordan 4); popular celebrities like Yeezy (KAWS x Kanye 808S & Heartbreak), and managed to persuade a traditionally based brand like Hennessy (KAWS x Hennessy Cognac Limited Edition).

This New York-based artist even managed to break into the toy industry by offering his limited edition vinyl KAWS toys. But due to massive demand for his designer toys and artworks, there are some fakers out there who also want to capitalize on the KAWS hysteria.

So in this entry, we are going to give some tips on how to compare authentic KAWS toys from fakes and buy a legit product that is made by one of the brilliant artists in the modern age.

Be Informed About The Kind Of Toys That Are Actually Released

Every KAWS collector knows that all authentic KAWS merchandise are enlisted in their website. So it goes without saying that authentic KAWS toys which are actually released are also found there.

So if you happen to see a Spider-Man KAWS toy (which, needless to say, is very obvious since spider man is one on the most faked characters in toys) and you did not see it in their website, then you can definitely say that it’s a fake.

Price Matters

The price point of authentic KAWS toys ranges from a couple of hundreds to a thousand bucks. So if someone is selling a KAWS to for a fraction of the original price, then always remember this saying: “If it’s too good to be true, then probably it is…”

Detail Is Key

One of the things to look for is the label of authenticity, a hologram sticker that is stamped in every box of genuine KAWS figures. The next thing to check is the font of the packaging. If it looks off or miss-sized, then it’s a replica toy. And the last thing you need to consider is the weight of the toy and the overall details. Oftentimes, scammers sold phonies with misprints and passed it off as “samples” or “factory errors” which is not at all true (in most cases).

So to be safe, make sure that the weight of the toy feels right according to size (does not feel hollow) and all the details are present.

These are the marks of authentic KAWS toys which you don’t usually see in replica figures and bootleg versions.