You have found the helmet, the armour set or the prop you want to build, and you have the files. What you do not have is a 3D printer, or the weeks of print time a full costume takes. Send us the files and we will print the parts, so you can spend your time on fitting, finishing and painting.
Upload your model for an instant price
Upload each part, choose the material, colour, size and infill, and see the price straight away. Shipping is a flat $15 per order anywhere in Australia (free on orders of $80 or more), however many pieces the costume has.
What we print for cosplay
- Helmets and masks. Our FDM printers take parts up to 400 x 400 x 450 mm, which is large enough for many helmets to print in one piece.
- Armour. Pauldrons, gauntlets, bracers, chest plates and greaves, usually split into sections along natural seams.
- Props. Blasters, staffs, swords, shields and gadgets, printed in parts and assembled.
- Details and accessories. Emblems, buckles, badges, rings and jewellery. Small detailed pieces suit resin printing.
For background on why so many cosplayers have moved to printing, read our article on how 3D printing has changed cosplay.
Choosing a material and finish
Most cosplay parts are best printed in PLA. PLA is rigid, holds its shape and sands well, which makes it a good base for painted armour and props. For pieces that need to bend, such as straps, soft trims or parts that sit against the body, flexible TPU is also in the instant quote. Pick the finish to suit how much painting you plan to do:
- Grey or white PLA if you will prime and paint everything.
- PLA Silk in gold, silver, brass and other colours for a metallic sheen straight off the printer. It suits trims and details you may not want to paint.
- PLA Matte in black, green, white or red. It shows layer lines less than standard PLA.
- PLA Glow In The Dark in blue, purple, green, white or yellow for runes, cores and energy effects.
- Translucent PLA for parts you want to light from behind with LEDs.
- Resin in grey, clear, black or white for small, finely detailed pieces.
One warning for Australian summers: PLA softens at fairly low temperatures. Do not leave a finished helmet or prop in a closed car in the sun.
Weight and infill
Wearable pieces need to be light. For armour and helmets, a low infill such as 10% to 20% keeps weight and cost down while the outer walls do the work. Raise the infill for parts that take knocks or carry weight, such as sword handles, mounting points and the joints of a large prop. You can set infill anywhere from 0% to 100% in 5% steps; the default is 20%.
Splitting large pieces
If a part does not fit the build area, the quote will tell you. Most cosplay files are already split into printable sections. If yours is not, split it in your modelling software along a seam or panel line, add alignment keys or pins if you can, and upload each piece. Seams along panel lines are much easier to hide after gluing.
Finishing
The instant quote covers printing. Sanding, filling, priming and painting are up to you, and they make the biggest difference to how the costume looks. Our guide to sanding, priming and painting 3D prints walks through the process step by step.
If you want a coloured detail without painting, upload a colour 3MF for an instant multicolour 3D printing price, up to 8 colours in one print. Many cosplay emblems on MakerWorld and Printables come ready to print in colour; see printing MakerWorld and Printables models. Often the simpler route is to print separate pieces in different colours and glue them together.
Plan around the convention
Leave time for printing, shipping and, above all, finishing. For orders placed on a weekday, we normally start printing the same day if the colour is in stock. Most orders are shipped within an average of 3 days of being placed; large prints take longer. If you have a hard deadline, email quotes@3dprinting.zone before you order.
Check the convention’s prop and weapons policy before you build, too. Many events have rules about the size, look and materials of prop weapons.
Frequently asked questions
Can you print a full helmet in one piece?
Often, yes. Our FDM printers take parts up to 400 x 400 x 450 mm. Upload the helmet file at the size you need and the quote will show whether it fits.
What infill should I choose for armour?
10% to 20% keeps armour light. Use more for parts that take knocks or carry weight, such as handles and mounting points.
Do you paint or finish the parts?
The instant quote is for printing only. For a metallic look without painting, choose PLA Silk in gold, silver or brass.
Where do I get cosplay files?
Many designers sell cosplay files online. Check the licence, and make sure it allows you to have the files printed by a service. Designers who want to sell their own models can also look at our artist submissions page.
How do I get the size right?
Measure yourself, or an existing helmet or piece that fits, and scale the model in the quote until the dimensions match. It is worth printing one small section first if you are unsure.
Will the parts be heavy?
PLA prints at low infill are fairly light, but a full armour set adds up. Keep infill low, keep walls sensible, and use straps and padding to spread the load.