As the popularity of conventions for entertainment media like movies, television shows, and comic books has risen, so too has the popularity of cosplay. For those unfamiliar, cosplay is a playful or creative expression of art through costumes and accessories, which are designed to represent certain characters, ideas, or concepts. A broader definition of “cosplay” applies to any costumed role-playing in venues apart from the stage. Any entity that lends itself to dramatic interpretation may be taken up as a subject.
Inventive costume design ideas, brought to life with the potential of foam, have taken many cosplay costumes to the next level. If you’ve been looking to improve your costumes or impress others with advanced textures, details, and cosplay techniques, we have the tips and tricks for you.
Foam is an accessible, flexible material that can be cut, glued, and molded to make costume components. It is frequently used to make props and pieces of armor such as: breastplates, arm guards, swords, spears, staffs, axes, and bows. It can also be used used for a variety of other parts of your cosplay costume like jewelry, masks, or hats. These accessories are the details that can be as integral to a character as their face or personality!
Creating cosplay accessories is quite easy with the right amount of practice and effort. Here is the process to nail the details on your next cosplay project:
- Preparing Your Foam and Tools
There are several types of foam that are often utilized for cosplay applications, but the most used material is EVA foam. Ethylene vinyl acetate, or EVA, foam is a lightweight, strong plastic used to make cosplay armor and accessories. Light amounts of heat can be used to mold it into specific shapes to give your costume accurate detail. Super glue, hot glue, and other types of heavy-duty glue can be used to assemble it. EVA foam patterns can be found online, or you can make your very own unique pattern pieces.
You can start with basic supplies and work up to more niche items as you practice your costume-making craft. All you’ll need to begin with is safety gear, a sharp knife, glue, sealer, sandpaper, paint, and primer. You might find that some attachments like snaps, clips, and Velcro are useful for certain costumes and situations, such as attaching worn accessories to costumes. Stick to thinner materials for accessories and thicker ones for props.
- Drafting Your Costume
The first step to creating cosplay is to have a clear picture of what exactly you want to dress as. If you plan on going as an existing character or concept, have pictures of them on hand to use as a reference. Keep in mind that if this character is animated or played by another real-life person, their proportions will not always match yours. Plan your measurements accordingly. If you plan on dressing as an original character, create some sort of draft to use as a reference. A draft will be your number one guide when planning a costume. Note every detail you deem important so you can replicate it later in the process.
- Planning With a Pattern
A pattern helps create authentic-looking cosplay. All manner of professional clothing designers and costume artists adhere to pattern use, and it’s no different for hobbyists. You can make your own or buy a premade 2D pattern or 3D mold online. They come in many unique and specific shapes, making the opportunities near limitless. If you decide to make your own, use your own body to create the pattern and select the foam that will follow it. Mark your patterns to plan how certain elements will connect or overlap. This will help to avoid mistakes when you put it all together. Some patterns come with details, but if you make your own, don’t forget to mark those details on your sheet so you can add them when you begin to put everything together.
- Cutting Your Foam with a Sharp Tool
Cut carefully with your sharp knife or razor while adhering to the pattern. Make sure your knife is fully sharpened, since dull blades will leave jagged edges. When cutting corners, try to make a bevel cut. Angling your blade at half of a right angle will make the cutting process easier. You can also use a bevel cut to add details to your foam. A sharp box-cutter is helpful for getting more precise details. Small scrapers will help with accents and add levels of complexity.
- Sticking Foam Together
After choosing your adhesive, test it on leftover foam to ensure it’s reliable. Simply align the matching marks you made on your pattern and combine the elements snugly. Follow the glue instructions carefully to avoid pieces falling apart. If you plan on shaping your foam with heat, avoid using glue that will melt in high heat. As it comes together, your small details will begin to show.
- Heat Shaping Foam
Heat shaping functions as the name of the method implies; it will shape and seal your foam. By holding a heat gun about a half foot to a foot over your costume, move it in such a way that it follows the shape of your initial pattern. The foam will mold as you heat it up. In addition, heating will modify the texture and smooth it, which prepares it for painting. If you burn holes into your foam, caulk is an easily accessible material that you can use to patch it up.
- Smoothing and Coloring Foam for a Finished Look
While heating does help to smooth your foam, you’ll also want to rub the area with sandpaper to add extra smoothness. From there, you can prime your foam cosplay. If you have ModPodge handy, it is a cheap and efficient primer. Plan thoroughly for which type of paint you plan on using. Some can achieve more vivid colors, while the finish of others will be sleeker. Use smaller brushes for smaller elements; you really want to nail all of the small details at this stage. After you’ve finished painting, let your work of art dry, and your foam cosplay should be ready to show off at the next big convention.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of working with foam, adding more complex details will come easily. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your project, play and practice with different shapes, elements, and textures to get a feel of what works best for you. Your creativity and ingenuity will be the key when making a cosplay costume.
Looking for more information, we at Foam Factory are more than happy to help! Contact Us today!
