As you dive into the exciting world of Funko Pop collecting, you’ll quickly notice a unique language being used on forums, in Facebook groups, and on product stickers. Terms like “Chase,” “Vaulted,” and “Flocked” are thrown around constantly, and not knowing what they mean can feel intimidating.
Don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it sounds. This essential glossary will decode the most common Funko Pop lingo, turning you from a curious newcomer into a confident collector who knows exactly what to look for.
Terms of Rarity and Exclusivity
These terms, often found on stickers, tell you about a Pop’s rarity and where it was sold. They are crucial for understanding value.
Chase
A Chase is a rare variant of a common Pop figure, produced in much smaller quantities. Typically, they are produced at a 1-in-6 ratio, meaning for every six of the standard figures produced, there is one Chase version. A Chase Pop will have a distinct difference from its common counterpart—it might be a different color, have a metallic finish, glow in the dark, or feature a different mold or accessory. You can identify them by the coveted round, yellow “Chase” sticker on the front of the box. Finding one in a store is the ultimate thrill for many collectors.
Exclusive
An Exclusive Pop is one that is sold only at a specific retail store, during a particular event, or through the Funko Shop. The sticker on the box window will tell you where it’s from. Common exclusives include:
- Retailer Exclusives: (e.g., Target, Walmart, Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, GameStop)
- Convention Exclusives: (e.g., San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), New York Comic Con (NYCC), Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC)). These are often the most sought-after and valuable Pops.
- Funko Shop Exclusive: Sold directly on Funko’s own website, often in limited quantities.
Terms of Style and Texture
These terms describe the physical properties and finish of the vinyl figure itself.
Flocked
A Flocked Pop has a soft, fuzzy, felt-like texture applied to all or part of the figure. This finish is typically used to mimic the feel of fur, hair, or fabric on characters like Chewbacca from Star Wars, Beast from Beauty and the Beast, or various Pokémon figures. They are identified by a “Flocked” sticker on the box.
GITD (Glow-in-the-Dark)
This is a straightforward one. A GITD Pop is made with a special vinyl or paint that glows in the dark after being “charged” under a light source (UV or blacklight works best). These are easily identifiable by a “Glows in the Dark” sticker.
Metallic / Chrome
These terms refer to a Pop’s shiny finish, but they aren’t quite the same thing.
- Metallic: The Pop is painted with a glossy, glittery paint that gives it a subtle shimmer.
- Chrome: The Pop has a highly reflective, mirror-like finish created through a vacuum metalizing process. Chrome Pops are often released in various colors (gold, silver, red) for special occasions.
Terms of Status and Value
These community terms describe a Pop’s production status and its perceived value among collectors.
Vaulted
This is one of the most important terms to know. When Funko “vaults” a Pop, it means the figure is officially out of production and will no longer be made. Once a Pop is in “the vault,” its supply becomes finite. As demand continues, its value on the secondary market (like eBay or Mercari) often increases significantly.
Common
A Common Pop is a standard, mass-produced figure that isn’t exclusive to any store or event. These are the Pops you’ll find readily available at most retailers and form the backbone of most collections.
Grail (or Holy Grail)
A collector’s “Grail” is their ultimate, most-wanted Pop. It’s often a rare, vaulted, or expensive exclusive that is very difficult to find. What constitutes a grail is personal to each collector, but some Pops, like the original Holographic Darth Maul, are widely considered community grails due to their rarity and high value.
PPG (Pop Price Guide)
Not an official Funko term, but an essential tool for collectors. Pop Price Guide (PPG) is a website that tracks sales data from sites like eBay to provide an estimated market value for nearly every Funko Pop ever made. It’s the go-to resource for checking what a Pop might be worth.
Other Key Lingo
- OOB: Stands for “Out-of-Box.” A term used to describe collectors who display their figures without the packaging.
- In-Box: The opposite of OOB, referring to collectors who keep their Pops in the original box for display and protection.
- Pop! Rides / Movie Moments / Town: These are larger, more elaborate sets. Pop! Rides feature a character in a vehicle (like the Batmobile). Movie Moments depict an iconic scene with two or more characters on a diorama base. Pop! Town includes a standard Pop figure alongside a miniature building.
Now that you’re armed with the lingo, you can navigate the Funko Pop world like a pro.