Looks
Characters from the Comics and Anime Atlas, broken down into what to build.
- ComicsBatman, cowl and capeBatman's classic comics look, a grey suit with black cowl, cape and bat symbol and a yellow utility belt, for makers comfortable with stretch fabric and foam.
- ComicsCaptain America, suit and shieldCaptain America's classic comics suit and round shield, built from a stretch-fabric base and a foam shield prop, for makers ready for a first larger build.
- ComicsDeadpool, suitDeadpool's red-and-black comics suit, mask, belt and harness with two prop katanas on the back, for makers getting started with stretch fabric and foam.
- AnimeEdward Elric, red coatEdward Elric's red coat, black clothes and blond braid from Fullmetal Alchemist, a recognisable look that can stay simple or grow to include automail.
- ComicsHarley Quinn, jesterHarley Quinn's classic red-and-black jester suit with two-pointed hood, ruff and domino mask, for makers ready to sew stretch fabric and use face makeup.
- AnimeIzuku Midoriya, hero costumeIzuku Midoriya's green hero costume from My Hero Academia, with eared hood, mouth guard and red boots, for makers new to stretch fabric and foam.
Start here
Lessons that take you through a build in order.
- ElectronicsA light-up propA beginner-friendly lesson on adding battery-powered LED lighting to a cosplay prop, covering basic circuits, hiding components, and diffusing light.
- MakeupCharacter makeup, start to finishA beginner-friendly walkthrough of planning and applying a full character makeup look from first research to final setting spray, for new cosplayers.
- PaintPainting a prop from primer to weatheringA beginner's guide to painting a cosplay prop from first primer coat through to weathering effects, for new makers who want a finished, realistic look.
- FoamYour first foam armour pieceA beginner-friendly walkthrough of building one foam armour piece, from cutting your first bracer or chest plate to a paint-ready finish.
- SewingYour first sewn bodysuitA beginner-friendly guide to planning and constructing your first sewn stretch bodysuit costume, covering fabric choice, fit, and closures.
- WigsYour first styled wigA beginner-friendly introduction to choosing, fitting, and doing basic styling on a costume wig for new cosplayers.
Techniques
- WigsAdding wefts to a wigA beginner-friendly technique for sewing or gluing extra hair wefts into a wig to add volume, length, or colour without buying a whole new wig.
- MakeupApplying a foam latex or silicone prostheticA guide to attaching ready-made foam latex or silicone prosthetics with skin-safe adhesive, blending the edges and removing them safely, for first-time makeup cosplayers.
- MakeupApplying body paintA beginner's guide to applying cosmetic-grade body paint safely on skin for costume characters, covering patch testing, setting, and clean removal.
- FoamBevelling EVA foam edgesHow to cut EVA foam edges at an angle so armour panels meet cleanly at corners and seams, for beginners making their first foam armour.
- MakeupBuilding a cosplay makeup baseA beginner's guide to layering skincare, primer, foundation, and setting products so costume makeup lasts all day at events.
- PropsCasting resin parts in a silicone mouldHow to mix two-part polyurethane resin and pour it into a silicone mould to make hard, identical costume parts, for makers ready to work carefully with chemicals.
Materials and tools
Materials
- Paints & finishesAcrylic paintsWater-based acrylic paints are a beginner-friendly choice for adding colour, shading, and detail to almost any cosplay prop or costume piece.
- AdhesivesContact cementA strong adhesive used to bond foam, fabric, and other costume materials permanently, popular with cosplayers for joining large surfaces.
- FoamsEVA foamEVA foam is a lightweight, easy-to-cut material widely used by beginner and experienced cosplayers alike to build armour, props, and accessories.
- FabricsFaux leather and vinylA fabric-like sheet material that mimics real leather, widely used by cosplayers for armour panels, belts, and detailed costume pieces.
- Paints & finishesFlexible primers and sealers for foamFlexible primers and sealers prep foam armour pieces for paint by filling tiny surface pores and stopping colour from cracking when the prop bends.
- FoamsFoam clayA lightweight, air-dry modelling clay that cosplayers use to add fine details and texture to foam armour and props.
Tools
- Painting & finishingAirbrushAn airbrush is a small spray tool used by cosplayers to apply thin, even layers of paint to armour, props, and fabric for smooth finishes and gradients.
- HeatHeat gunA heat gun is a handheld tool that blows hot air, used in cosplay to soften foam and thermoplastics so they can be shaped, curved, or sealed.
- HeatHot glue gunA handheld electric tool that melts glue sticks and dispenses them as a fast-bonding adhesive, useful for costume assembly and embellishment.
- SewingOverlocker (serger)An overlocker (serger) is a specialist sewing machine that trims, encloses, and stitches a seam in one pass, ideal for stretch fabrics in cosplay.
- Painting & finishingRespirator and cartridgesA guide for new cosplayers explaining how respirators with replaceable cartridges differ from dust masks and when each type of protection is needed.
- Shaping & sandingRotary toolA rotary tool is a small handheld power tool used in cosplay for carving, sanding, cutting, and engraving foam, resin, and 3D-printed parts.
Patterns and competitions
Patterns
- Belt pouchA beginner-friendly guide to drafting or sourcing a simple box-style belt pouch with a flap and belt loops, suitable for fabric or faux leather.
- Circle skirtA beginner-friendly drafted skirt pattern in full, half, and quarter circle variations, sized from a waist measurement for any maker.
- Foam bracerA beginner-friendly guide to the tapered foam bracer pattern, a self-drafted forearm cuff that suits fantasy, sci-fi, and historical costumes alike.
- Foam helmet from a templateA beginner-friendly guide to drafting and assembling a foam helmet shell from flat panels, sized with a personal mock-up first.
- Foam pauldronA beginner-friendly guide to drafting and building a set of overlapping foam shoulder plates for cosplay armour.
- Half-circle capeA beginner-friendly drafted cape made from a half-circle of fabric, suitable for fantasy, historical, and LARP costumes.
Competitions
- Build books and progress photosA guide for new cosplayers on creating build books and progress photos to support their competition entry at pre-judging.
- Group entriesA guide for new cosplayers entering group categories at masquerade competitions, covering how groups are judged and what to prepare.
- Hall and craftsmanship judgingA beginner's guide to hall and craftsmanship judging at cosplay competitions, explaining how each type works and how to prepare.
- Masquerade (stage) competitionsA beginner's guide to entering masquerade stage competitions at conventions, covering divisions, judging, and what to bring.
- Pre-judging: what happens and how to prepareA plain-language guide to pre-judging at cosplay competitions, explaining the process and how first-timers can prepare confidently.
- Skill divisions: novice, journeyman, masterA guide for new cosplayers on how skill divisions work in masquerade competitions and how to choose the right one for your experience level.
Con rules
What each con allows: props, weapons, makeup.
- Anime Boston: costume, prop and weapon rulesA quick-reference guide to Anime Boston's costume, prop, and weapon rules for first-time convention attendees planning their cosplay.
- Anime Central: costume, prop and weapon rulesA summary of Anime Central's official costume, prop, and weapon rules for cosplayers planning to attend, based on the con's own policy page.
- Anime Expo: costume, prop and weapon rulesA guide to Anime Expo's official costume, prop and weapon rules for cosplayers planning their build and convention visit.
- Anime Matsuri: costume, prop and weapon rulesA quick-reference guide to Anime Matsuri's costume, prop, and weapon rules for first-time attendees planning their cosplay build.
- Anime NYC: costume, prop and weapon rulesA plain-language summary of Anime NYC's official costume, prop, and weapon rules for cosplayers attending the convention.
- Anime Weekend Atlanta: costume, prop and weapon rulesA guide to Anime Weekend Atlanta's costume, prop, and weapon check rules for first-time attendees planning their cosplay.
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