Glossary — Cosplay — The Atlas

Armour buildAn armour build is a cosplay project focused on constructing wearable protective-looking costume pieces, usually from craft foam, thermoplastics, or similar hobby materials.
BevelA bevel is an angled cut or shaped edge on a material, commonly used in cosplay to give foam armour pieces a refined, faceted look instead of a blunt flat edge.
Bias (fabric)The bias is the diagonal direction of a woven fabric, running at 45 degrees to the selvedge, and understanding it helps cosplayers cut and drape more accurately.
Build bookA build book is a personal record of a cosplay project, collecting notes, measurements, material choices, and photos from start to finish, useful for any skill level.
Canon-accurateCanon-accurate describes a costume that matches a character's official appearance as closely as possible, making it a key goal for many cosplayers.
Closet cosplayCloset cosplay means putting a costume together from clothes and accessories you already own or can buy cheaply, with little or no sewing or crafting.
Coloured contact lensesDecorative contact lenses that change eye colour or add effects for cosplay; they always need a fitting and prescription from an eye-care professional.
CommissionA commission is when you pay a professional or experienced maker to build a costume or prop for you instead of making it yourself.
Con crunchCon crunch is the stressful final rush to finish a costume before a convention deadline, familiar to cosplayers at every skill level.
Cosplay is not consentA community principle reminding everyone at conventions that wearing a costume gives no one permission to touch, photograph, or harass the wearer without asking first.
CrossplayCrossplay means cosplaying a character whose gender differs from your own, and it is open to anyone who wants to portray a favourite character regardless of how they identify.
DegassingDegassing removes trapped air bubbles from liquid resin or silicone before it cures, giving cast parts a smoother, more solid finish — useful for prop and armour makers.
Dry-brushingDry-brushing is a quick paint technique that picks out raised surfaces to add highlights, texture, or a worn look — useful for beginners adding detail to props and armour.
Four-way stretchA fabric property meaning the material stretches both along and across the grain, useful for fitted costumes that need to move with the body.
Gijinka (humanisation)Gijinka is the practice of redesigning a non-human character—such as an animal, object, or creature—as a human or humanoid figure for cosplay or fan art.
Grain lineThe grain line is the direction threads run in woven fabric, and matching it to the pattern markings keeps your costume hanging and moving correctly.
GreeblingGreebling is the practice of covering a costume or prop surface with small repeated shapes to suggest complex mechanical or technological detail, useful for sci-fi and robot builds.
Hall cosplayHall cosplay means wearing a costume around a convention to enjoy the event rather than entering it in a stage competition.
Heat sealingHeat sealing is a finishing technique where a heat source is briefly passed over EVA foam to close its pores, creating a smoother surface that accepts paint and sealant more evenly.
InterfacingInterfacing is a hidden layer sewn or fused inside fabric to add stiffness, body, or shape — useful for cosplay collars, cuffs, and structured panels.
Kerf cutA kerf cut is a row of shallow parallel cuts made in foam or other materials so it can bend smoothly into a curve without buckling.
Lace frontA lace front is a sheer mesh strip along a wig's hairline that lets strands appear to grow from your skin, useful for realistic costume looks.
LED diffuserA material or layer placed over an LED to soften and spread its light, reducing harsh hot-spots so glows look even and realistic in props and costumes.
MasqueradeA cosplay competition format held on stage at conventions where makers present their costumes to judges and an audience, popular with newcomers and veterans alike.
Mould releaseA substance applied to a mould before casting so the finished part comes out cleanly without sticking or tearing, often needed when casting resin.
Original character (OC)An original character (OC) is a character you invent yourself rather than one from an existing story, and cosplaying one gives you full creative freedom.
Peace-bonding (prop check)Peace-bonding is a convention safety check where event staff inspect and tag costume props so other attendees and venue security can see they have been approved.
PepakuraPepakura is a method of unfolding a 3D digital model into flat, printable templates that cosplayers use as cutting guides for foam or paper builds.
PhotoshootA planned session where a cosplayer works with a photographer to capture their finished costume, often shared online to show off completed work.
Pre-judgingPre-judging is the private session before a masquerade where judges inspect your costume up close and ask how you made it.
PrimerPrimer is a preparatory coating applied before paint to help colour adhere evenly and last longer — useful for cosplayers working with foam, resin, or fabric.
Seam allowanceSeam allowance is the strip of fabric between a cut edge and the stitch line, and understanding it helps new cosplayers cut and sew pieces that actually fit together.
Spirit gumA resin-based skin adhesive used to hold prosthetics, facial hair, and small decorative pieces onto skin — a staple for costume and theatrical make-up work.
Teasing (wigs)Teasing is a backcombing technique used on wigs to add volume, height, or texture, popular with cosplayers recreating dramatic anime or fantasy hairstyles.
ThermoplasticA material that softens when heated and hardens again when cool, used by cosplayers to shape armour pieces, props, and structural details.
ToileA toile is a practice version of a costume made in cheap fabric so you can test the fit and shape before cutting into your real materials.
WeatheringWeathering is the process of adding dirt, wear, and age to a costume so it looks used rather than brand new, useful for any cosplayer aiming for a battle-worn or lived-in look.
WeftA weft is a narrow strip of hair fibres sewn or bonded onto a backing band, used as the basic building block for wigs and wig extensions.
Wig capA wig cap is a thin liner worn over your real hair before putting on a wig, keeping everything flat, secure, and comfortable.
WIP (work in progress)WIP stands for work-in-progress: a costume or prop that is still being built, and sharing one is a normal part of cosplay culture.

Cosplay · Glossary

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