Presenter: Sai Prakash Hyderabad Cosplayers bring you a very comprehensive presentation on Cosplay Props - How-To-DIY. We hope this presentation will be informative

1. The Beginner’s guide to prop-making
- Sai Prakash
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2.  In a cosplayer’s context, a prop is something
that the cosplayer uses, to bring his character
to life, on-stage.
 Examples: Swords, Shields, etc.

5.  You can either buy the props online, or go by the
traditional “Do-It-Yourself” approach.
 Most people generally prefer making their own props.
 WHY DIY? –
• Much cheaper to make, than to buy online.
• Can be customised as needed (dimensions, looks, etc).
• Satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
 WHY NOT DIY?
• Presumption that that would not be able to bring out the prefect
appearance of the prop.
• Too lazy.
• Not enough time.

6. 1. Identify & Understand.
2. Plan.
3. Make.

7.  Decide on the prop you are making.
 Understand the structure and distinctive
features.
◦ Height
◦ Curves
◦ Design.
◦ Look.
◦ Usage.

8.  Cost involved
 Time Required.
 Availability of the resources.
 Procedure.

9.  Disclaimer: Prop making is not a very cheap
process. It takes a lot of money (sometimes
less) and a lot of time.
◦ No further notes on the cost. 
 Time-
◦ Bigger the prop, more time it takes.
◦ More detailed the prop, more time.
 Start early if you want to avoid sleepless
nights closer to the convention.

10.  EVA Foam
 Foam Boards
 Card Board
 Pipe-shaped wood.
 Wood Sheets or Ply-wood.
 Paper Mache.
 PVC Pipes
 Binding Wire.
 Paints.
Note: Comic Con does do not allow props that could lead to mass
destruction or murder, especially those made of any metal.

11.  Are you strong enough to carry a huge prop all day?
(all by yourself)
◦ Definitely not.
 If the prop is huge, like Nozarashi from Bleach, the
material used should be sturdy and of course light.
◦ Examples- Foam Boards.
 Detailed-
◦ Materials for easy engraving of details should be used.
 EVA Foam.
 Paper Mache.
 For props such as swords and katanas (average in
length) Wooden sheets are to be preferred.

13.  If you want a good & awesome prop, a mom’s
scolding, a few sleepless nights and a little
pain in the back is all part of the game.
 But in the end, all is worth it.

14. Swords
Katanas
Shields
Masks
Spears
Armors

15.  Step 1: A Wooden sheet of desired length
(preferable 6mm) and cut into the desired
shape
 Step 2: EVA/Foam Board/Card Board for the
sheath and crossbar.
 Step 3: Dremel or Sandpaper, to smoothen
the blade.
 Step 4: Primer for glossy look. (expensive)
 Step 5: Spray paint (use gloss enamel for
effect)

16.  Follow Steps 1-5 of the sword procedure.
 Key points:
◦ Curve of the Blade.
◦ One side of the blade is slim.
◦ The Tsuba (crossbar). Every Katana has a unique
design.
◦ The Tsuka. (the Handle) Follow traditional japanese
method, a.k.a Tsukamaki.

17. Tensa-Zangetsu

18.  If it’s a round shield like Captain America, all
you need is a Frisbee that fits your
requirements, with minute adjustments,
ofcourse!
 You can imagine the rest.
 Else, use EVA Foam.

19. 1. A blown balloon the size of your face
2. Cover the entire balloon with paper mache
3. Pop the balloon after the mache dries/
hardens
4. Cut the balloon shaped paper mache into
two halves
5. Give effects for details and Paint your
desired mask.

20.  Use a PVC pipe or Pie Shaped Wood for the
staff.
 Use Foam Boards/ EVA Foam/ Card Board/
Theromocol/ Papermache for the Pointed
head of the spear.

21.  Find or Make a Blueprint.
 Cut EVA into pieces of armor.
 Heat Eva foam to shape it and bend it.
 Use Hot Glue Gun or Rubber Based Glue to
put it together.
 Give a coat or 2 of Primer.
 Spray paint

22.  A beginner, Low-on-cash and a “not so good
with crafts” person can start off with basics
using
◦ Paper mache ( glue and water and paper)
◦ Plaster OF Paris
◦ Wood.
◦ Itsy Bitsy

23.  EVA stands for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, which is of great
advantage to a costumer.
 WHY EVA?
◦ good weather and chemical resistance
◦ good acoustic properties
◦ oil resistance
◦ environmentally friendly
◦ Very flexible
◦ Easy to work with

24.  EVA foam has many wonderful properties, but
it is very unforgiving when it comes to sloppy
workmanship.
 Accurate tracing of the patterns and careful
cutting are the best ways to insure a
beautifully finished product.

25.  Materials like Foam, requires special tools to
work with.
 Heat Gun.
 Dremel (for small engravings)
 Soldering iron ( detailings)
 Glue Gun
 Rubber cement (not really recommended)
 Our very local Fevicol ‘SR’ or the FEVIBOND.

26.  Improvising goes hand in hand when prop
making.
 Once you start building, there’s no 100%
assurance that you get all your resources.
 Being an Indian, the art of improvising and
reducing costs comes inbuilt, in the blood.