 The earliest known models of plastic, fake, or replica food were first made in Japan in 1917. Six years later, a restaurant in a famous Tokyo department store displayed some imitation food in a glass case, and then enjoyed a giant leap in revenue. In those days, fake, or imitation food as it was called at the time was made from wax. Today, replica foods are known by many names. Fake food, plastic food, replica food, vinyl food, imitation food, etc. Nowadays, the molds are made of silicon. This custom is almost totally unique to Japan. To the Japanese, food is extremely important. Careful painstaking work is put into the models to make them appear almost real. You cant walk down a street in Japan without seeing imitation food, whether it be in a food district, department store, or train station. Imitation food is everywhere!!!! I am still amazed walking down the street in Japan how many thousands of different models of food there are. At least 80% of the restaurants in Japan have food replicas in their windows. I still stop and admire the painstaking work that has gone into making one of these creations. Today, there are thousands of varieties of fake, imitation, or replica foods. From deserts to pastas to beverages to McDonalds. There is no limit to what can be made. Fake or replica food as it is now called has blossomed over the last 90 years into a multi million dollar business. In Japan, it is used in movies and tv programs, museums, train stations, airports, gift shops, supermarkets, nightclubs, and of course restaurants. Recently, over the last 10 years or so, imitation food has spread to Korea and China. In the next 10 years it will spread to many other countries as well. Dont be left behind!!! Get your display up and running. You will be amazed at how many people will stop and look at your display window.HOW FAKE/REPLICA FOOD IS MADE 
First it is important to know that our hand crafted food is not plastic. It is actually made of vinyl chloride (Liquid vinyl). It resembles a shiny soft plastic. Our products are all hand made to the customers specifications. We dont have a large manufacturing plant and dont mass produce cheap plastic foods. Each product is hand made by a very skilled “Replica Master” as he/she is called in Japanese. In order to make a replica, the replica master first creates a very detailed mold made from very expensive silicon. This is made by using the actual food to make the mold, or from a picture when the actual food is not available. In some cases, parts are pieced together. Take a custom made hamburger for example. Each piece (meat, bun, lettuce, tomato, etc.) are all made seperately and then assembled. Once the pieces are all made, then the product is assembles and quality checked. Next, vinyl chloride in whatever color is necessary is poured into the empty mold. The color of the vinyl chloride has to be checked to make sure it matches the original. The mold is then set in a special oven where the vinyl will harden for between 10 and 30 minutes. Any excess vinyl buildup is trimmed off with scissors or a knife.  After the product is dry, oil-based paints are used to carefully add details while using the photos as guides. Airbrushes are used to provide consistency in the paint and ensure a natural look. It sounds easy, but it is actually very difficult to make one of these masterpieces. It takes many years to learn the trade. The trade is usually passed down from generation to generation. Be sure to check out our SAMPLE DISPLAYS section to for ideas on how other companies have created displays. You can find cheaper "fake foods"just about anywhere, but if you want the world famous Japanese quality for your food replica, then contact us today and we will get started on your one of a kind replica.
|
