I am happy to share any of my knowledge on this topic with anyone - please message me! This PowerPoint includes an overview of thermoplastics and what they are, and then concludes with a short tutorial on how to create a bracer using the material. This has been presented at Fort Collins Comic Con, as well as local business Dungeons and Drafts, as a panel and a workshop.

1. Introduction to
Thermoplastics
Loliguh & Kristi Kai Cosplay

2. Thermoplastics Overview
• A plastic material – polymer – that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific
temperature and solidifies upon cooling
• Heat activated
• Worbla, Wonderflex, Friendly Plastic/InstaMorph

3. Worbla

4. • Wood pulp and a sturdy glue that is akin to a plastic sealant
• Two sided
• ~200 degrees F – Heat gun
• Website claims that it has no grain – LIES!!
• Transpa Art? Not for beginners
– Not easy to work with – special tools
– 250 degrees F (boiling point of water is 212)
– Patience
– Heat gloves
Facts:

5. • Thin, easy to cut
• Can be
rinsed/washed/rained on
• Great for details
• Doesn’t need glue for
attaching
• Can be laser cut
• Variable size sheets
Pros Cons
• Not great for connection
points
• Can break under its own
weight
• Melts in cars, direct
sunlight, outside
• Can tear

6. Wonderflex

7. •Also two-sided – one side polyester
scrim weave (fabric)
•150 - 170 degrees F – Heat gun
•Thickness of a paperclip
Facts:

8. • Can be rinsed/washed/rained
on
• Great for weighted pieces –
won’t tear
• Great for armor connections
• Fabric layer makes it stronger
• Hard to tear
Pros Cons
• Can’t be used for sculpting
• One size
• Harder to bend/detail
• Not flexible
• Needs glue

9. Friendly Plastic
& InstaMorph

10. • Pellets
• 3D sculpting
• Pressed into a mold
• 140 degrees F/120 degrees F
• Pure plastic
• Can be dyed
–Polyester clothing dye
–Makes for easier LED casings
Facts:

11. Tools:
• Heat gun: questionable
–Sticky + 400 – 750 degrees F = bad
–Can use on low to reheat and finalize
details, but will burn self badly if used to
completely melt (ask Tai)
• Keurig – what I prefer
–Has temperature setting, depth setting
–Easy to re-brew if water gets cold
–Expensive
• Electric kettle/teapot/coffeepot
• Set of various sculpting tools for details

12. •Can be reheated and
remolded
•Heats quickly
•Great levels of detail
Pros Cons
•Burn risk if overheated
–Dip fingers in cool
water to sculpt
•Challenging to work
with
–Love/hate relationship

13. Before and After

14. Friendly Plastic
OR
InstaMorph?

15. Cost:
• Wonderflex: $45.49 for a 43” x 55” sheet - $0.019/sq. in.
• Worbla:
–$24.00 for a 14.5” x 9.8” sheet - $0.169/sq. in.
–$29.00 for a 14.5” x 19.5” sheet - $0.103/sq. in.
–$38.00 per 29.5” x 19.5” sheet - $0.066/sq. in.
–$61.00 per 29.5” x 39” sheet - $0.053/sq. in.
–$88.00 per 39.25” x 59” sheet - $0.038/sq. in.
• Friendly Plastic: 28 oz for $33.08 = $1.18/oz
• InstaMorph: 34 oz for $38.99 = $0.87/oz
–Has pigmentation packets for $12
• Cosplaysupplies.com, Amazon.com

16. Much More Than Bracers!
Armor by Kristi Kai Cosplay

17. Thermoplastic Playtime
Stick Around for Bracer Making and to Play
With Any of the Mentioned Thermoplastics –
Tai, Liz, and Jakki Can Answer Any Questions
You Have!

18. Sketch An Idea

19. Cast Your Arm

20. Draw and Cut Out Your Design

21. Trace On the Craft Foam

22. Trace On the Worbla
NOTE: Flip your template and trace twice so
you have a better fit – 4 total for a set of
bracers, 2 total for one

23. Sandwich – Heat Time!

24. Trim the Excess

25. Add the Details

26. Sand (In Theory)
Note: Safety gear!!!!!!

27. Shape

28. Details Part 2
Note: Befriend an artist,
if you are not one
- IE: Liz

29. Unfriendly Plastic

30. El Fin~!

31. Contact
Facebook: facebook.com/loliguhh
Instagram: Instagram.com/loliguh
Tumblr: loliguh.tumblr.com
Commissions/Photoshoots: loliguh.weebly.com
Steam: Loliguh
Battletag: JakkAttakk#1692

32. Contact
Facebook: facebook.com/KristiKaiCosplay
Instagram: Instagram.com/KristiKaiCosplay
YouTube: KristiKaiCosplay
Commissions/Photoshoots:
kristikaicosplay@gmail.com