How to Protect and Display Your Funko Pops

A Pop that sat in the sun for a year looks very different from one that was kept in a protector on a shaded shelf. If you care about keeping your collection in good shape (or ever plan to sell part of it), a few simple habits go a long way.

Keep them out of direct sunlight

Sunlight is the number one thing that ruins Pop boxes. The bright colors on the box fade fast, especially reds and blues, and a faded box makes even a rare Pop look tired. Keep shelves away from windows, or use shades during the day. If your display gets any sun at all, UV protection is worth it.

Use protectors

Soft protectors are clear plastic cases that slip over the box. They stop dents, scratches, edge wear and dust, and they let you stack boxes without crushing the ones on the bottom.

• Thickness matters. Thinner protectors (around 0.35mm) work, but they bend more easily. We use 0.5mm because they hold their shape better. Every regular-size Pop we ship goes out in one.
• UV protectors add a layer that blocks the light that causes fading. These are worth it for shelves near a window or under strong lights. We carry a UV Pop! protector for regular-size Pops.
• Hard cases (acrylic) are the next step up, for grails and expensive exclusives you really want to protect.

Make sure you buy the right size. Regular protectors fit standard Pops, Pop! Plus and Pop! & Buddy. Supers, Jumbos, Deluxes and Moments need their own sizes. Our Pop sizes guide breaks that down.

Watch heat and humidity

Garages, attics and storage units get hot and damp. Heat can warp vinyl and loosen the glue on boxes, and humidity can make cardboard soft or musty. Keep your collection somewhere with stable temperature, like a bedroom or office.

Display tips

• Shelves with depth work best. Cube shelves and shallow bookcases are popular because a standard Pop box fits neatly.
• Risers (small steps) let you put two rows on one shelf without blocking the back row.
• LED strips look great, but go with LED instead of hot bulbs, and keep them from shining straight onto the boxes all day.
• Group by franchise or theme. It looks better and makes it easy to spot gaps in a set.

Storing Pops you're not displaying

If you have more Pops than shelf space, store them in protectors inside sturdy plastic bins, standing upright like books instead of piled flat. Add a silica gel pack or two to keep moisture down. Avoid cardboard moving boxes for long-term storage, since they soak up humidity.

Keep the box

Even if you like your Pops out of the box, hang on to the boxes. Most collectors value Pops "in box," and a Pop without its box is usually worth a lot less. Flatten the boxes carefully if you need to save space.

Need protectors? Grab them in our Protectors & Cases section.