Custom Plush Toys for Publishers and Authors

Plush Toys for Publishers: Piep Fladdermuis, Warme William and Borre

Written by Sabrina
April 29, 2025
Cases

When a book character becomes a plush toy

Children love to hold on to the characters they read about. For publishers and authors, a plush toy, a hand puppet or a figurine turns a book character into something a child can take to bed, play with and read along with.

We make these products from your existing illustrations, true to the character the reader already knows. Here are a few books we brought to life.

What we make for publishers

Plush toys: To sell with the book or on their own.
Hand puppets: For reading aloud, in class or at home.
PVC figurines: A character to keep on the shelf or the desk.
Book and plush packs: Book and character in one gift box, ready for the shop.

Piep Fladdermuis

Piep Fladdermuis is the little bat from the story by Kim Crabeels, published by Het Geluidshuis. The yellow plush Piep comes together with the book in one gift pack, so children can read the story with Piep right beside them.

“We are very excited about the result of our Piepje!”

Yellow Piep Fladdermuis plush bat next to the book Piep Fladdermuis by Het Geluidshuis, made by Progimpex — Character © Het Geluidshuis, plush toy by Progimpex

Piep Fladdermuis book and plush gift packs on display in a bookshop, plush toys made by Progimpex — Piep Fladdermuis in the bookshop, plush toys by Progimpex

Hand puppets for reading aloud

A hand puppet makes a story come alive when it is read aloud. For publisher Kwintessens, we made several plush hand puppets based on the characters in their books. For Soko, the children’s book by Mark De Bel published by Houtekiet, we made the hand puppet of Warme William, the friend who helps Soko through a difficult time.

Original drawing of the bird character from publisher Kwintessens next to the plush hand puppet made by Progimpex, with the same blue shirt, red shorts, glasses and yellow beak — Character © Kwintessens, plush hand puppet by Progimpex

Blue plush hand puppet of Warme William, made by Progimpex — Character © Warme William, plush hand puppet by Progimpex

“After producing several beautiful hand puppets for our publishing house, Progimpex has now made our Relaxation Fish. Progimpex is a fine, reliable partner to work with!”
Margreet, Kwintessens

Borre: from book to plush and figurine

For author Stefan, we turned his book character Borre into two products: a plush toy and a PVC figurine. Both follow the same illustration, from the striped shirt to the wide smile.

Borre, a white character in a red-and-white striped shirt, as a PVC figurine next to the matching plush toy, made by Progimpex — Character © Borre, PVC figurine and plush toy by Progimpex

“I’m absolutely thrilled with the final result. I’m truly happy that there’s now a figure on my desk that I can look at every day with joy!”
Stefan, author

Why publishers work with us

True to the illustrations: Proportions, colours and expression follow your artwork.
Insight in 3D: We know how to turn a flat drawing into a plush or figurine that works from every side.
Safe for children: Plush toys and hand puppets are tested to EN 71.
Consistent in every reprint: When the book is reprinted, the plush stays the same.
Experience: Custom plush toys for publishers, authors and brands since 1998.

See more plush toys we made for brands

Does your book have a character children love?

Send us your illustrations and we’ll come back with a proposal.

Send us your illustrations

Why brands choose Progimpex

I’m absolutely thrilled with the final result. This has been one of our most important projects, and Progimpex delivered exactly what we needed

- Frank, Head of Marketing

Since 1998, Progimpex has worked for brands, theme parks, publishers and public institutions that already have a character. We turn that character into plush toys, mascot costumes and merchandise, exactly as in their brand book, produced in larger runs and identical in every reorder. You have one dedicated contact in Belgium, from your first question to delivery.