(506) 2240-6804
3D printer for cosplay helmets
Top 5 Best 3D Printers For Cosplay (Costumes, Props & More!)
Cosplaying is bigger than ever, and cosplayers are some of the most committed fans you could ever meet. 60% of cosplayers describe themselves as superfans, 36% have spent between $201-$400 on their most expensive costume, and 8.8% of fans have spent more than $600!
But what if you could make your own completely custom costumes and props, at a fraction of the cost, and on-demand?
Enter 3D printers for cosplays.
So if you’ve ever wanted to 3D print:
- This awesome petrified blade from Monster Hunter Generations
- A clone wars storm trooper helmet
- Or the Wingman from Apex Legends
Then this is the article for you.
What is cosplaying?
Cosplaying is effectively dressing up as your favorite sci-fi character. That could be a superhero, video game, film, TV, or even a historical reenactment character.
Here’s some facts and stats:
- Video game characters and anime characters are by far the two most popular types of cosplay, with live action film and comic book characters a distant third and fourth respectively.
- Cosplaying is fairly new to mainstream attention but has grown as conventions for different fandoms become more commonplace. In Japan alone, the cosplay market was worth 35 billion Yen ($320m) back in 2019.
- Obsession is standard for ardent cosplayers: 7.1% of cosplayers make or buy 9 or more costumes per year, and 64% of cosplayers go to at least 3 events per year.
3D printers can print almost anything within their build area – no matter the geometry. You might have to print with supports if it has overhangs, but they can be easily removed and sanded so you’ll barely notice they were there.
And what’s more, 3D printing materials like PLA cost just around $20 per kilo, so you can create incredible props and costume accessories for far cheaper than any shops sell them for — if they even do sell them.
For avid cosplayers wanting something completely custom to show off at your next convection, 3D printers free you from slow manual making or expensive niche costume shops and put you in control of your look.
All you need is the 3D file, and hundreds of thousands of those are available online for free or cheap — or you can design the model yourself.
3DSourced is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
The best 3D printers for cosplay
1. Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite — best cheap 3D printer for cosplay props and accessories
- Price: $339 — Available at Flashforge Official store here / Available on Amazon here
- Build area: 150 x 150 x 150 mm
- Best for: accessories, brooches, small weapons, and making larger costumes in multiple parts
Starting with the cheapest and smallest 3D printer for cosplays, the Adventurer 3 is a great choice because it’s beginner-friendly, so any cosplayers without a background in 3D printing will be able to get printing right away.
You don’t have to build it — it comes ready to plug in and print — and another great feature is that it auto-levels, so you don’t have to manually level the print bed every few prints.
It’s also enclosed, especially useful if you’re planning on 3D printing cosplay costumes from ABS, as the enclosure keeps the smelly fumes out, and better temperature control prevents it from warping and ruining your print.
However, it is a small printer, so any huge 3D printed cosplay props will require several parts to be printed separately and glued together.
If you’re particularly interested in printing big parts, read on for some bigger 3D printers for cosplay costumes.
2. Creality Ender 5 Pro
- Price: $399 — Available on Creality Store here / Available on Amazon here
- Build area: 220 x 220 x 300 mm
For slightly more than the Adventurer 3 Lite you can pick up the Creality Ender 5 Pro. It’s a lot bigger, and should be capable of printing all but the largest 3D printed cosplays and costume props, but it is a kit so you will have to spend an hour or so assembling it.
The Ender 5 Pro is greatly improved on the original Ender 5, with a new upgraded motherboard with extra power, for a more precise printing experience – key for 3D printing cosplay accessories like brooches or other jewelry.
This upgraded motherboard also prints much quieter.
Read more: the quietest 3D printers
The new metal extruder is also great for cosplay 3D printer fans. The improved extrusion better controls filament feeding, helping prevent clogs and jams that can ruin your print and potentially waste dozens of hours of work, and should better be able to handle large amounts of filament being melted quickly for printing at larger layer heights.
It’s not as beginner-friendly as some other 3D printers for cosplay making on this list. It doesn’t come pre-assembled, can’t auto-level, but offers a very large build area for the price, and those with more experience with 3D printers can make cosplays with this without issue. And, if you run into any trouble you can contact Creality, who will help within 24 hours with their technical assistance.
3. Qidi Tech X-Plus
- Price: $699 — Available on Amazon here
- Build area: 270 x 200 x 200 mm
For an extra $300 you can upgrade to the Qidi Tech X-Plus, a workhorse 3D printer for cosplay props that comes ready to print right away out the box.
An important upgrade on X-Plus is the Z-axis system, keeping the printer stable and precise, especially when printing larger models. This is key if you want to print entire costumes and don’t want to lose quality.
A great feature is it comes with two different nozzles, so you can switch between them based on what material you want to print. Standard filaments like PLA and ABS work fine on the first nozzle, but if you want to print tougher Nylon parts, or even use PP, PC, or carbon fiber, you can switch to the higher temperature nozzle.
If you’re looking to 3D print enormous cosplay weapons from your favorite show, do not fret, as Qidi Tech 3D printers have been used to print an entire 1:1 scale life-size Lamborghini replica in the past!
4. Qidi Tech X-Max
- Price: $1,099 — Available on Amazon here
- Build volume: 300 x 250 x 300 mm
For an even bigger and more premium 3D printer for making cosplays, consider the Qidi Tech X-Max. You can print even wider and taller costumes, props, and more in the large build area, and like other Qidi Tech 3D printers, it’s enclosed in a strong metal frame for better precision and stability — preventing vibrations from affecting print quality.
Like the X-Plus you get two sets of extruders for whether you’re 3D printing standard costume parts from PLA, or for when you’re printing higher temperature materials. And like the X-Plus, the X-Max has a very durable double Z-axis structure to maintain stability when printing larger cosplay parts.
Overall, Qidi Tech have gained a reputation for reliability over the years, and the large build area, beginner-friendliness of a pre-assembled and enclosed 3D printer makes it one of the best 3D printers for making cosplays.
5. Ultimaker S3 — best cosplay 3D printer
- Price: $4,080 — Available on Dynamism here / Available on Matterhackers here
- Build volume: 230 x 190 x 200 mm
If money is no concern or you’re just super committed to cosplaying and no expense can be spared, Ultimaker 3D printers are some of the best in the business and guarantee you fantastic prints every time.
The Ultimaker S3 has a smaller build volume, but if you’re willing to spend even more you can instead pick up the S5 for larger prints, with a build volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm.
- Ultimaker S5 available on Dynamism here / Available on Matterhackers here
For precise prints, the Ultimaker S3 and S5 can print with up to 20-micron resolution, ideal for smaller, intricate 3D printed cosplay accessories that need to look perfect. However, for larger parts, this will cause your prints to take days, and possibly even weeks, so keep the high resolution only for precise models.
Ultimaker 3D printers can also print two materials or colors simultaneously as they are dual extruder 3D printers, so if you want to print soluble filaments that dissolve away for flawless parts, you can, and you can also print multi-colored cosplay costumes and props without needing to paint them after.
These printers are commercial-level 3D printers, and are used in more professional settings. That said, if you really take your cosplay game seriously, an Ultimaker will never let you down, delivering flawless 3D printed cosplay helmets, armor, props and more, without fail.
How can 3D printers help with making cosplays?
The versatility of making 3D printed parts changes the game, especially with the prizes at conventions for the best costumes.
The 3D printer for cosplays you need depends on what you specifically want it for. If you’re planning on just printing intricate, small-ish accessories, the printer’s size won’t matter too much. However, if you want to produce entire body armor, unless you want to print it in dozens of parts and weld them together (affecting strength as these areas will have weak spots), you’ll want a larger 3D printer.
Therefore, you’ll need to understand the size of your design, what kind of durability you need from the costume — and therefore what activities you plan to undertake while wearing the costume/prop — if the prop needs to be extra light, and a variety of other factors we’ll explain.
Factors for 3D printing cosplays
Here are the main factors to consider, and we have recommended the best cosplay 3D printers according to your priorities for each factor:
Weight, color, and aesthetics of your cosplay prop/costume
The more solid the infill of your print, the heavier it will naturally be.
You may need tougher armor or a tough sword for fun play at a convention, but for a costume, you may want to keep it light to avoid lugging too much weight around. Filaments deviate in weight, too. Nylon is one of the heaviest, while PP, HIPS, and ABS are pretty light.
You’ll probably want to pick a filament with a wide color range. The most commonly used filaments naturally have the widest color ranges, but PLA, ABS and PETG stock most colors, particularly PLA which offers almost any finish or style you could dream of.
Filaments can also be post-processed for different looks. For example, you can print with ABS and then acetone smooth it for a glossy finish, while filaments like PETG have a naturally glossy finish.
3D printer size
We’ve touched on this already, but knowing the size of your current or future cosplay projects is key to not regretting your purchase. Brooches and most guns are small, but swords and armor are big, and the larger your 3D printer’s build volume, the more likely you are to be able to print it in one piece, or at least fewer pieces to glue together.
But size comes with its own issues. The larger the print, the more layers and time it takes to print — and for something to go wrong. Moreover, if a large print does fail, you lose much more than if a small piece of your cosplay costume gets ruined.
The speed vs precision trade-off
Cosplay costumes and large accessories like big hammers, guns, and swords are some of the biggest hobbyist 3D printing projects around. At standard resolutions of 0.05mm to 0.2mm, these huge models can take several days to print.
One way to overcome this, especially on more basic shapes like armor, is to increase the layer heights and use a larger nozzle. A larger nozzle and bigger layer heights means you’re extruding more filament at once, and the fewer layer heights the quicker the print gets done.
However, this method has its own limitations. If you’re planning on extruding large amounts of filament at once with big layer heights, you’ll need a powerful hot end that can quickly heat and melt this much material before it’s extruded, or you’ll face issues with not-quite-melted filament, clogs, and jams.
For further reading:
- Read our guide to 3D printer nozzles
- Also, our buyer’s guide for 3D printer hot ends
Finding cosplay 3D printer files
With a 3D printer, you can take advantage of other people’s creativity: there are thousands of cosplay helmets, swords and more all over Thingiverse for free, or available cheaply on sites like MyMiniFactory.
- For a full list, check out our article on the best sites for STL files.
Once you’ve got your printer, all you have to pay for is the PLA or other filament, and you’re ready to go.
You can make things like detailed gear and costumes, bows and arrows, broaches and amulets, hammers, swords, guns and laser shooters, full sets of armor, pins, and buttons, and so much more.
We wish you the best of luck on your cosplay 3D printing adventure, and hope our article helped you make the right decision so you can impress your friends at your next convention!
The 7 Best 3D Printers for Cosplay in 2021 According to 4,000+ Reviews
Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best 3D printers for cosplay in 2021.
Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Although dressing up in fancy dress, or masquerade, has been around for centuries, the term "cosplay" (costume play) was coined in the 80s after the World Science Fiction Convention where many fans turned up dressed as their favorite sci-fi characters. Since then, cosplay has become synonymous with these types of conventions, particularly in the world of anime, comics, and video games. There are even cosplay competitions and contests held regularly around the world, at these conventions, and also as independent events. A cosplay 3D printer can change the game and open up a world of creativity and opportunities for cosplay enthusiasts.
The rise in the interest in cosplay over the last few decades has led many hobbyists down the road of planning and designing their own elaborate costumes for their favorite fantasy characters.
While this obviously involves things such as make-up and body paint and fabric/costume design, these creative designers are now looking to use additive manufacturing (otherwise known as 3D printing) to take their designs to the next level.
So for those looking into purchasing the best 3D printer for cosplay to design and print their own costumes, we've laid out the best choices for 3D printers for Cosplay below:
A Baroque-style cosplay corset made with a 3D printerImage credit: Shutterstock/Fernando Cortes
Many pro cosplayers have turned to 3D printing their own cosplay gear because, in addition to the freedom to create, and immediacy, a 3D printer ends up paying for itself and can save a lot of money in the long run, as cosplay outfits can be very expensive. Most of our best picks below are at affordable prices, starting as low as $210, and are easy to use so even amateur cosplayers—or anyone who just wants to get a bit more creative at Halloween—can make their own impressive 3D printed cosplay props and outfits.
What's the Best 3D Printer for Cosplay?
The best cosplay 3D printer for you depends on your needs. For smaller cosplay masks and props, a mini (and economical) 3d printer like the Monoprice 15365 Select could be fine, but for bigger items, like helmets or armor, you'll need a 3D printer with a large build volume like the Creality CR-10S. To make your life easier, consider a 3D printer with automatic bed leveling. You can also choose a 3D printer based on the type of filament you prefer to use. In addition, it's good to consider whether fine detail or speed are an important factor. Whatever you're after, we've picked out 7 of the best 3D printers for cosplay currently on the market to help you with your search.
1. Best Budget 3D Printer for Cosplay—Monoprice
The small Monoprice 15365 Select mini 3D printer is a great economical option if you don't mind making your cosplay outfit and props, i.e. a 3D printed cosplay helmet, in sections (one cosplayer said that they "made some fallout cosplay on it by cutting the models down and gluing them later").
It's perfect for beginners as it comes fully assembled, with a free PLA filament sample, and a preloaded micro SD card with a bunch of printable 3D models for you to get some practice in.
2. Best Quality Cosplay 3D Prints—Dremel
According to just a couple of the many happy reviewers, the Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D printer is "able to print fine detail very well," and is "easy to use and makes nice detailed prints." This highly-rated Amazon's Choice product is fully enclosed to create a stable temperature for prints, and increase user safety. The full-color LCD touchscreen makes operation simple, it comes completely preassembled, and you get a 0.5kg filament spool with it too. "Very impressed with the detail and quality of the prints," reads another review.
BUY NOW: $679, Amazon3. Best 3D Printer for Cosplay Helmets—Anycubic
Although not the largest 3D printer on the market, the Anycubic Mega-S 3D printer still has the capacity to make 3D printed cosplay outfit parts and accessories thanks to its larger build volume.
"Its bigger size means you can print things for cosplay, masks, and more," wrote one reviewer. With only three setup steps straight out of the box, you can start printing within minutes. It's compatible with TPU, PLA, and ABS filaments, and one new buyer commented on its ability to "make printing of full-scale cosplay helmets a breeze to print out and enjoy!"
4. Best Large 3D Printer for Cosplay—Creality
"This printer was suggested to me by several friends because it’s a good one to get into 3D printing and for Cosplay," wrote one reviewer of the high-precision and super stable Creality CR-10S FDM 3D printer. It has FDM (fused deposition modeling) technology, using continuous filament via a spool. It is compatible with 10 different printing materials, and, thanks to its large build size of 300x300x400mm, making props and other cosplay accessories has never been easier.
BUY NOW: $439, Amazon5.
Best 3D Printer for Cosplay Props—AnyCubic A step up from the Mega-S listed above, the Anycubic Mega X 3D printer has all the great qualities of its predecessor but with a few more perks, including a much larger build volume, lower extruder and heatbed temperatures, and a metal frame. It also comes with a free 1kg PLA filament. One happy customer wrote, "You are not going to find a better printer at this price point. Period. This machine is actually underpriced for the quality it outputs.
BUY NOW: $479.99, Amazon6. Best Quiet 3D Printer for Cosplay—Eryone
In order to print elaborate cosplay items, it would likely be necessary to have the machine running for hours on end, or even through the night, so a noisy printer could prove extremely inconvenient. This is where the Eryone Thinker SE 3D printer—a quiet 3D printer with a large bed for cosplay creations—comes in. "This is a very good printer for the price," wrote one reviewer.
"It has a larger print-bed which is great for cosplay props and large tabletop terrain."
7. Best Professional 3D Printer for Cosplay—Ultimaker
If up till now you've viewed our best 3D printers for cosplay suggestions as child's play, then let us introduce you to the Ultimaker 2+ 3D printer—a professional-grade enclosed printing machine that's perfect for all your cosplay needs. Made with superior materials, and providing intricate detailing, a quiet operation, even air flow, and easy nozzle changes, this printer is "very easy to set up and get printing," as per one reviewer. "I was able to do a couple of test prints on the first day and printed my new CAD part the next day. Worked flawlessly." Another user remarked that this printer's best feature "is the lightweight print head," adding that "the guide/motion system is very clever, and about as light as can be. That light weight means there are very few vibrations and low noise compared to other 3D printers.
"
Best 3D Printers for Cosplay —Summary
The Creality CR-10S FDM 3D printer's large build volume allows for larger prints, saving you the task of having to print your cosplay items in smaller pieces before putting them together. For beginners, the economical Anycubic Mega-S 3D printer is a great first cosplay 3D printer, but for more advanced cosplayers, the Ultimaker 2+ 3D printer is the way to go. We hope our review of 3D printers has been helpful. For more 3D printers and other 3D printing suppliers, including 3D printer filaments suppliers, additive manufacturing suppliers, 3D photographic printing services, and 3D sand printing additive manufacturing, consult our additional guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosplay
- https://www.pcmag.com/news/how-to-3d-print-your-cosplay-costumes
Other 3D Printing Articles
- Top 3D Printing Services Companies in the USA
- Origins of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
- Overview of 3D Printing Technologies
- Top 3D Printing Manufacturers and Suppliers (Publicly Traded and Privately-Owned)
- Top Suppliers of Additive Manufacturing Consulting Services
- 8 Best 3D Printers Under $1000
- 9 Best 3D Printers Under $500
- 9 Best 3D Printers Under $300
- 10 Best 3D Printers Under $200
Other Best Product Articles
- The Best Cordless Impact Wrenches
- The Best Portable Generators
- The 7 Best Portable Band Saws
- The Best Electric Space Heaters
- The Best Mini Milling Machine
- The Best Attic Ladders
- The Best Air Purifiers for Smoke
More from Custom Manufacturing & Fabricating
90,000 use of a 3D printer for the manufacture of cosplay elements, examples of use 07.
10.2021
Content
-
- Advantage 3D prints for the manufacture of costume elements 9000
- Making master models
- Rating of the best cosplay printers
- FDM printers
- Photopolymer printers
- Totals
Probably everyone wanted to feel at least for a while in the shoes of their favorite hero. Or briefly be in a fantasy world. Cosplay allows, at least for a while, to plunge into a fictional world with its own laws.
Cosplay should not be confused with role-playing, because cosplay does not imply the development of the character or history of the character. It focuses on the detailed reproduction of the image of the character to the smallest detail.
Some people think that cosplay is limited only to curvy girls in skimpy outfits, but this is far from the case. The skill of some cosplayers is amazing. They manage to single-handedly create amazing things with precision and detail that many workshops cannot reproduce.
Terminator suit from Warhammer 40k
A good cosplay is not only an external correspondence to the appearance of the selected character, it is the ability to convey the character and other features of the character (for example, characteristic movements, facial expressions, etc.). At photo shoots, with the help of Photoshop, they try to add the atmosphere of the world to better convey the nuances of the character.
It is believed that the term Cosplay was coined by Japanese journalist Nobuyuki Takahashi. The word itself is a combination of the initial letters of the word costume (costume) and play (play).
Warhammer 40k universe photoshoot
The advantage of 3D printing for costume elements
Previously, a cosplay costume was literally made from improvised materials. Each, to the best of his skills, available tools and ingenuity, used various, mainly construction, materials to assemble the costume - isolon, glue gun, tourist rugs, etc.
Now available special materials for the manufacture of parts. The most popular of them is Eva foam.
Eva
Eva is a very convenient material for making a variety of armor. The biggest advantage over other materials is thermoplasticity. When heated, eva easily bends, and after cooling, it keeps its shape. On sale you can find eva foam of various hardness and thickness.
Making armor from eva
But there are certain nuances - for the correct cutting of eva, patterns are needed (there are special patterns or patterns for pepakura are redone). When cutting, it is necessary to take into account the location of the edges and make the cut not straight, but at an angle. Sections, after gluing, must be further processed with sandpaper. The surface of eva is porous, so it is advisable to treat the surface with latex before painting to obtain a smooth surface. For painting and putty, it is desirable to use elastic materials, because eva still remains a little flexible.
Pepakura
Papercraft - this is the name of patterns (reamers) for the manufacture of various elements from paper.
Not only cosplayers are addicted to papercraft, for some it is enough to glue a paper model for a collection.
Usually pepakura is used as an inexpensive and easy way to make massive armor when there is no way to get eva foam.
First, the paper model is glued together. Paper is usually chosen with a high density to minimize the risk of deformation of the model during further work.
Finished paper model
After gluing, the model must be strengthened. For this, fiberglass and epoxy resin are usually used. When impregnating a paper model, it is very important to ensure that the geometry of the model does not "lead". Usually epoxy and fiberglass are applied in several layers. Before applying a new layer, it is necessary to wait for the polymerization of the old one, usually it takes 24 hours.
The resulting model is strong, but too angular. Models in papercraft are high-poly and it is necessary to manually smooth out the angularity with putty and sandpaper. After painstakingly removing the surface of the model, it can be painted.
Left paper model, right after strengthening, processing and painting
Models made by this method are very heavy due to epoxy and putty. And the manufacture of one product takes a lot of time, but this method remains popular because of its availability and low cost. Epoxy can be found in any building market, and fiberglass is easily interchangeable with other materials.
Modeling and casting
This method is suitable when you need to quickly produce many identical parts. A master model is made (for example, from plasticine) and a mold is removed from it using special silicone, into which epoxy, special two-component plastics or polyurethanes can then be poured, depending on what characteristics you need to get in the finished product.
Two-component plastic purity print with metallic powder
To color the finished casting, you can knead the dye into liquid plastic or rub the mold with special powders.
It makes sense to make silicone molds if you need to make many identical elements, it is not advisable to remove the silicone mold for one casting. Silicone is still not cheap and not everywhere you can buy it. In addition, it is necessary to have some skills in silicone and plastic/resin casting in order to minimize the amount of air bubbles and get a quality casting.
Handy materials
And of course, masters know how to use the most unexpected things for cosplay. For example, PVC pipes are often used to make frames for fantasy weapons. Izolon for making feathers for wings, etc.
Acrylic folding knife
Using PVC pipes as a sword frame
3D printing
Using a 3D printer to make a complete costume may not always be advisable due to the high cost.
But in the manufacture of elements with complex geometry, small elements or high detail, it can greatly facilitate the task and save a lot of time. A 3D printer becomes indispensable for printing engineering, moving elements. This is very convenient when a seat for all wiring and electronics is immediately included in the model and you don’t have to puzzle over where to place everything after assembly.
But 3D printing also has its drawbacks. When fabricated on an FDM printer, models must be further processed to obtain a smooth surface. If you print on a photopolymer printer, then the cost of the finished product will be quite high. Large elements of the costume will have to be printed in parts and then glued together.
Cosplay 3D printer application examples
Whole costume printing
A 3D printer is becoming an indispensable tool for manufacturing geometrically complex suits or, for example, functional elements of armor.
Iron Man Armor.
Emily Yarid has been modeling, building and refining Iron Man armor since 2013. She initially took it up out of boredom, deciding to upgrade the costume she had.
In the Tony Stark suit, the reactor glows, the helmet automatically closes and opens. On the back there are functional "wings" that open and close.
One of Emily's ready-made costumes
The girl uses a 3D printer to make armor elements. After printing, she processes and paints the details herself.
Printed Armor
Tony Stark Mask
HALO
A user with the nickname mosquitobandito collects full-fledged armor from the HALO universe.
Armor 3D model
Armor is almost entirely 3D printed. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed when modeling to keep the armor as mobile as it is in the game.
Shoe cover
Pre-assembly of the upper part of the armor before gluing and processing.
The armor part is pre-cut into several parts and printed in parts on an FDM printer. After printing, be sure to check how the parts fit together, as the plastic may shrink unevenly.
Treated and painted hand protection
Costume print
Making a full-fledged costume using 3D printing is not always justified. Simple shapes are much faster and cheaper to make from other materials such as eva.
But complex parts such as helmets, weapons, armor elements are much more accurate if they are made using 3D printing.
Steam Punk Star Wars Helmet
Hand making all the patterns would take much longer, and it is important to make all the patterns symmetrical. This is a very painstaking work that requires a lot of patience, perseverance and experience.
Iron Man Steampunk Helmet
Composite weapon
Some elements seem quite simple to manufacture, but it can be very difficult, even with a template, to make symmetrical and smooth bends.
Wolverine Collectible Helmet
Master model making
Sometimes the material with the desired properties is found only among foundry resins and plastics. But to remove the form, you still need a master model.
Epoxy sword casting
It was necessary to make a transparent sword. Epoxy resin is well suited for manufacturing. The master model (except for the rose) was printed on a 3D printer.
Prepared master model
The sword was printed in half - it is much easier to get a high-quality casting without bubbles. The halves of the sword are still the same and can be glued together.
After printing, the surface of the master model was brought to perfect smoothness and primed.
Formwork is being prepared from improvised materials for pouring silicone molds
Preparation of the master model for filling with silicone
A slightly tinted epoxy resin is poured into the resulting mold to give an icy blue tint. After casting, 2 halves can be glued together with the same epoxy.
The result is a stunning sword, as if carved from ice. Such an effect would be difficult to achieve using other materials.
Finished casting
Finished Epoxy Sword
Rating of the best cosplay printers
FDM printers
FDM technology for making cosplay has its pros and cons.
Pros:
-
Large build area. Some printer models can print an entire full-size helmet.
-
Inexpensive consumables.
The cost of a plastic thread (filament) is still much cheaper than consumables for other technologies. -
A wide selection of different materials. You can find a filament for any task - from engineering to decorative.
Minuses:
Creality3D Ender 6 (build kit)
Creality3D Ender 6
Characteristics:
Print technology: FDM/FFF
Working area size: 250x250x400 mm
Number of extruders: 1
Closed Camera: Yes
Heated table: Yes
Plastic type: ABS, ABS+, PLA, PLA+, PETG, Flex, Nylon (Nylon), ASA, Carbon, Decorative plastics, others
Inexpensive printer for a beginner who knows how to handle tools. Supplied as an assembly kit. A large build area will allow you to print large parts in their entirety, and the version with a closed body can print with any, even engineering, plastics.
FlyingBear Ghost 5 3D printer (assembly kit)
Flying Bear Ghost 5
Characteristics:
Print technology: FDM/FFF
Working area size: 255x210x200 mm
Number of extruders: 1
Closed chamber: No (but there is an option to purchase)
Heated table: Yes
Plastic type: ABS, ABS+, PLA, PLA+, PETG, Flex, Nylon (Nylon), ASA, Carbon, Decorative plastics, others
A very popular device due to its affordable price.
It is sold as a kit kit (for self-assembly), but thanks to the detailed instructions and a huge number of video guides, assembly should not be a problem.
The huge fan base of FlyingBear Ghost 5 makes it easy to find ready-made upgrades and add-ons for the printer. This device is perfect for those who like to experiment and learn something new.
Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus
Characteristics:
Print technology: FDM/FFF
Working area size: 200*200*180mm
Number of extruders: 1
Max. extruder temperature: 260 degrees
Closed Camera: Yes
Heated table: Yes
Plastic type: ABS, ABS+, PLA, PLA+, PETG, Flex, Nylon (Nylon), ASA, Carbon, Decorative plastics, others
Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus is a reliable workhorse for those who do not want to delve into all the nuances of a 3D printer. Available in 2 versions - with a closed case and not. It is better to immediately purchase a printer with a closed housing so that there are no problems with printing engineering plastics such as ABS, Nylon, etc.
Raise3D Pro2
Raise3D Pro2
Characteristics:
Print technology: FDM/FFF
Working area size: 305x305x300 mm - when printing with the 1st extruder;
280x305x300 mm - when printing with 2 extruders
Number of extruders: 2
Max. extruder temperature: 300 degrees
Closed Camera: Yes
Heated table: Yes
Plastic type: ABS, ABS+, PLA, PLA+, PETG, Flex, Nylon (Nylon), ASA, Carbon, Decorative plastics, others
This is already a serious device with a large print area and 2 extruders for printing complex models. Raise3D Pro2 can be a great help in a small workshop for making decorations and cosplay.
Photopolymer printers
Photopolymer printing is not yet so common for making large items due to expensive consumables, but Western cosplayers have already appreciated the advantages of photopolymer printers for printing small items.
Pros:
-
The ideal surface of the finished model.
-
Amazing detail that is impossible to get on FDM printers.
-
Large selection of resins. You can get an optically transparent model.
Minuses:
Anycubic Photon Mono
Anycubic Photon Mono
Characteristics:
LCD display resolution: 2560x1620 (2K)
XY Positioning Accuracy: 0.051mm
UV wavelength: 405 nm
Working area size: 130x80x165 mm
Layer thickness: 0.01-0.15mm
Affordable photopolymer machine with a small print area. Suitable for making small items.
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K
Characteristics:
LCD resolution: 9.3" 4K Mono LCD
XY positioning accuracy: 52 microns
UV wavelength: 405 nm
Working area size: 200x125x220 mm
Layer thickness: 0.
01-0.3mm
The Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K is a professional 3D printer with a large print area and a 4k monochrome sensor. This allows you to quickly receive finished products with amazing accuracy.
Phrozen Sonic MEGA 8K
Phrozen Sonic MEGA 8K
Characteristics:
LCD resolution: 15" 8K Mono LCD
XY Positioning Accuracy: 43 µm
UV wavelength: 405 nm
Working area size: 330 x 185 x 400 mm
Layer thickness: 0.01-0.3mm
A professional 3D printer with a huge (by the standards of photopolymer printers) printable area. Perfectly fit into the workshop for the manufacture of various props.
Totals
Making cosplay requires a creative approach and solving various problems. After all, it is not at all easy to transfer into reality what is implemented in a film or game using computer graphics.
3D printing, due to its flexibility and versatility, can speed up and simplify the production of various costume elements.
A 3D printer can help you get better quality stuff, even for beginners.
For workshops, a 3D printer can become an indispensable assistant in the manufacture of complex, movable costumes with movable elements. A big plus can be the ability to make an almost exact copy of any costume or its element at any time.
Free Shipping
Add to compare
Product added to compare Go
| Manufacturer | Phrozen
Free Shipping
Add to compare
Product added to compare Go
| Manufacturer | Anycubic |
Free Shipping
Add to compare
Product added to compare Go
| Manufacturer | Creality |
Free Shipping
Add to compare
Product added to compare Go
| Manufacturer | Phrozen |
Free Shipping
Add to compare
Product added to compare Go
| Manufacturer | Raise3D |
Free Shipping
Add to compare
Product added to compare Go
| Manufacturer | Wanhao |
Add to compare
Product added to compare Go
| Manufacturer | Flyingbear |
#Application
Expert in additive technologies and 3D printing with over 5 years of experience.
Share
all materials
3D printed cosplay
05/28/2020
The art of transforming into your favorite characters gave rise to a whole movement, the so-called "cosplay". With the development of technology, the images of heroes are becoming more and more complex, and in order to recreate such costumes, one sewing machine is no longer enough. Today, cosplay fans around the world use 3D modeling and 3D printing technologies to adapt intricate designs from movies and video games.
In the west, the cosplay movement is incredibly popular. Participants from different cities attend conventions in outfits, armor, futuristic costumes and the most unusual images, turning events into a real celebration. In Russia, cosplay is less developed, but the skill of 3D artists is very much appreciated by the Western audience.
What do you need to create a copy of a hero skin?
First of all, of course, you need a 3D model of the costume and all its attributes.
Given the popularity of the direction, on the Internet you can find many ready-made models on paid and free resources. But the most valuable are unique costumes. Therefore, the experience of 3D modeling and knowledge of programs is a huge plus.
The next step is to adapt the costume to a specific person, taking into account height and parameters. Individual props should fit like a glove.
Having files of all parts of the costume of the required size, you can proceed to 3D printing.
Choosing the best 3D printer for printing props, you need to determine the size, design complexity and materials for future products. It depends on what parameters a 3D printer should have.
- Printable area size.
As a general rule, a cosplay 3D printer requires a large build area because you will be printing the parts to wear. The fewer seams there are on the suit, the stronger and more durable it will turn out.
- Materials.
The ability to use decorative plastics, luminous threads or metal will make the costume more realistic and bright.
- And of course, print speed.
Print speed is very important when you are printing large objects. Even with a fast printer, printing a whole image will take a lot of time, so if you can use not one, but two devices, this will greatly speed up the process.
Which models are worth paying attention to?
The 3D printer Wanhao Duplicator i3 v 2.1 will do an excellent job of printing small parts of complex shape.
It is easy to work with and has already won the love of 3D makers all over the world. Despite its compact size, the printer is quite powerful and has established itself as a reliable workhorse. Can print with any plastics with heating temperature up to 240°C. Layer thickness from 0.1 to 0.
