Thread: Why is latex rubber used for static props?

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A great mystery to me is why so many static props are made out latex.

A little backstory:
My mom bought a bunch of charming smallish latex props when I was a kid, and I remember watching with dismay as one of my favorites, a grinning black cat, that sat on the top rack of my closet (which was usually closed and we thought it was protected from the sun) crack and decay. Sadly, this was not a benefit to the cat, unlike some other Halloween props, and we finally had to throw it out when the latex skin started to completely fall apart. This was what it looked like:


We also had a latex gargoyle in the living room that was left out all year (admittedly exposed to sunlight, low as it may have been), often decorated with costume elements like santa hats or Easter rabbit ears through the seasons. While it actually looked OK for a longer time than the cat, it met the same fate. And this was what it looked like once upon a time:

OK, enough back story; my question to the haunting community is this: why are props that have no functional need to be made of latex made out of the fragile stuff anyway?

Now, I can understand making props that may be used in a tactile scare out of latex (like severed limbs and heads). I can also understand why a moving prop needs a flexible skin. BUT, when you have a static prop that doesn't look like it should feel fleshy (neither a cat nor a stone gargoyle should feel like latex), why in the world are they made out latex? The short lifetime of latex is a huge annoyance for me, and there are some props that I think really should be made out of plastic or fiberglass like the aforementioned cat and gargoyle. Latex is just too fragile a material in my opinion. Lately, I've considered buying another copy of the cat and gargoyle just so that I can make a mold and plastic cast of each to cure my sorrow of having lost those two beloved props - yeah, it bothered me that much.
Many of us are also familiar with how latex deforms upon tight packing, making the thin skin - even when filled with foam - take on folds or unfortunate bends that really screw up the look of the prop.

Is latex somehow cheaper than plastic? Is it easier to make a bunch of casts, thereby extending the lifetime of the company's mold? Is it just a comfortable medium for artisans who use it on props that actually benefit from its use? ARGGG - why?!

Don't know for sure, but it has to be a combo of cost to make and ease of use. You can make latex look like just about anything (stone, skin, etc...), weight-wise it is light (save on shipping and packing) and added bonus - it degrades after a time period, so the objects will have to be replaced at some point.

I hate that some of my faves are deteriorating as well, no matter how well they are stored and cared for. My hubby's Myers mask is going to cause great heartbreak at our house when it starts going down.

I do love the grinning cat you had - I've got a similar one standing on all four paws and arched back that I'm pretty attached to.

Really good question! I'm hoping for an answer too...

Originally Posted by Frankie's Girl

Don't know for sure, but it has to be a combo of cost to make and ease of use. You can make latex look like just about anything (stone, skin, etc...), weight-wise it is light (save on shipping and packing) and added bonus - it degrades after a time period, so the objects will have to be replaced at some point.

I hate that some of my faves are deteriorating as well, no matter how well they are stored and cared for. My hubby's Myers mask is going to cause great heartbreak at our house when it starts going down.

I do love the grinning cat you had - I've got a similar one standing on all four paws and arched back that I'm pretty attached to.

True, latex is a good mimic material. As much as I would like to think more highly of the companies that produce these props, they are running a business and alas the dollar sign is all powerful - making the props finite in lifetime does bring in more money when some folks may buy the props again upon the untimely demise of the previous copy. I just wish that wasn't the case. I tend to regard props as artwork, and I wish these ones got a little more respect and longevity. Of course, $20 for the cat makes a really cheap piece of art, and perhaps I should expect some strings to be attached. Maybe if I was making the props for sale I would have a different view.

There have actually been many wonderful black cat props on the market. Much as I would love to buy them, most are latex and I just don't buy latex static props anymore (unless they're guts or severed heads, that is).

I think it boils down to cost of the latex, ease of manufacture, and the reduced weight for shipping. And...most companies that produce these props really don't expect you to hang on to them for more than a year or two. It's our throw-away society. I know as I haunter, I try to build things to be durable and last for several years. I have some tombstones that are going on 11 years old. I think if you truly want quality and longevity you'll either have to pay alot or make it yourself. Speaking of Michael Myers' mask, I had to throw mine out finally this past Halloween. It had started to turn all gooey and disintegrate......

I have Exactly the same cat and, after reading your post, ran out to the garage to check it in storage. After tearing several boxes apart to find him, he seems to be in good shape (so far). I pulled and stretched at the rubber and still, he seems to be good. I have had this guy for about 10 years now.......

I used to have a pretty awesome latex bat that you could hang from a string similar to the cat!
I've had the same problem with latex props deteriorating. I think everyone is right about the reasons why latex is used for props (usually some variation of foam latex since it's cheap, easily mass produced, soft, lightweight and easy to paint)
My first latex monster mask I made way back has since cracked and become so brittle I can't move it let alone wear it. I know that there is some stuff you can mix into the latex before you cast it to add to it's life(I think this is mainly used to extend the life of latex molds but I don't see why it could not be used to extend the life of props too?) I swear I've seen some spray on stuff you can add to molds, props and masks after they are complete to protect them from UV damage and drying out... seems like hobby lobby had something like that at one time, but I did some quit research and couldn't seem to find it online? However I did run across this stuff that people use to preserve latex costumes so I don't see why it wouldn't work on props too? Looks like it adds a glossy protective finish that remains flexible. I'm not sure how it would react to foam latex(I would definitely try it on a little area first to see how it reacts before covering your entire prop) but I think that would be worth a go if it works!

I would say cost, holding detail, ease, and durability (with moderate thickness). Oh and non-toxic unless you happen to be allergic (a lot are not).

I would like to comment on this Thread. I too have a very serious problem with Foam Filled Latex Props. I am in Texas, in the summer, is get VERY HOT

I have had many props that have been destroyed due to the heat and natural age. I have many props that are made by Distortions years ago that were produced from PVC and Polyfoam here are 2 examples:





If you were to buy these same props today, they would not only be made of Latex, they would not look as good as these pictured above. Granted, I did pay much more for these then they would cost if I bought the latex version, but I would rather buy a "solid" prop that will last many years, then a Latex version that would eventually fall apart. Here is another Pic of Distortions Evil Annie Prop. The one on the left is the Polyfoam version that I bought back in 2001. The one on the Right is a Foam Filled Latex version the my friend bought in 2008 when he wanted the same prop:



When I saw the latex version, I was very disappointed with the quality.

I do not understand why Latex is the dominant material in the Halloween Industry. It seems more time and labor consuming to produce Foam Filled Latex props then the cast them in Polyfoam or PVC. Few companies today are making props right in my opinion. Gag Studios makes great static props that are made of Polyfoam and will last much longer then Latex.

I would like to see more props made of Fiberglass, PVC, or Hard Foam. They are just better all around.

fiberglass is alot harder to work with and messier in my opinion