During back-to-school season, character backpacks appear at prices that don’t add up, and the difference between a licensed one and a copy isn’t always visible in the photo. These are the things you can check.
The interior label
This is the most reliable clue. A licensed backpack has a sewn-in label identifying the licensee, that is, the company authorized by the character’s owner to manufacture it. A copy usually only has a generic composition label, or none at all.
Design accuracy
In copies, the character’s colors are often off and the face proportions slightly wrong. This is what makes it “look like” the character without actually being it. Comparing with an official image from the studio is usually enough.
The finishes you can feel
Zippers that get stuck halfway, straps sewn only to the fabric without reinforcement, and top handles that give way at the first tug. These are the areas where savings are made, and also where they break halfway through the school year.
Safety, which you can’t see
Licensed children’s items are made complying with the EN 71 toy safety standard, and those that come into contact with food or drink comply with regulation CE 1935/2004. With a copy, there’s no way to know what dyes or plastics were used, and that’s where the savings stop being worth it.
The price, with nuance
A very low price is a sign, but not proof: there are also official products that are cheap, especially in seasonal clearance or stores with limited units. Price alone doesn’t distinguish; the label does.
Other characters in the catalog
- All Spiderman back-to-school items: backpacks, pencil case, and kit
- Avengers for school: backpacks, pencil case, and Marvel kit
- Stitch for school: four backpacks, pencil case, and lunchbox
- Kuromi for school: primary backpack, thermos, and pencil case
And if you want to choose by age instead of character, in which backpack by age you’ll find measurements by range, and in the school supplies list, what’s needed at each stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cheap backpack necessarily a copy?
No. There are official products that are cheap, especially in clearance or stores with limited units of each model. The reliable clue is the interior label, not the price.
What regulations does an official children’s backpack comply with?
The EN 71 toy safety standard. Items that come into contact with food or drink also comply with regulation CE 1935/2004.
Can you make a claim if it turns out to be a copy?
Against the seller, yes: selling a product that imitates a registered trademark without authorization is an infringement, and the purchase can be claimed as non-compliant product.
Are Picasita backpacks official?
Yes, the entire licensed catalog is product licensed by the character’s owner. We work with limited units of each model.