Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Making a Custom Action Figure
Action figures are one of the most well-known and versatile collectibles. They’re a great investment and a great item to have on display. From popular franchises that are known around the world like Spider-Man and Star Wars, to real-life characters in WWE, action figures focus on a plethora of genres. But did you know that you could create custom action figures?
There are several online stores that allow you to make your own, or you can get into the hobby of crafting your own as well. If you’re in the market of making your own customer action figures, then read on to learn where, and how, to do it.
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What Are Custom Action Figures?
Action figures can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on their rarity. The most recent Boba Fett action figure sold for over $500,000. Not everyone has that kind of money to spend on an action figure though, which is where customer ones can be a great hobby. While it won’t be authentic, creating your own can be just as special.
Custom action figures are personalized toys and collectibles that are designed by the artist, and completely customized by a specific individual. This is whether to show off a pop culture character or your own creation.
Do Custom Action Figures Have Value?
While collecting action figures makes a great hobby, especially if you come across rare finds and want to invest, custom action figures are sadly not the same. Custom action figures are a unique medium that helps express creativity and individuality. When creating your own action figure, whether it’s based on a real person or someone in fiction, there is no value, only significant sentimental value.
This hobby is similar to figure painting, which is incredibly common amongst tabletop games like Warhammer. It’s a form of art, that you can add to collections, but the intrinsic value that comes from action figures is from rare, or limited edition, releases from big companies like Mattel, Hasbro, Lego, Funko, and more.
Where to Order Custom Action Figures
Want to order your own custom action figure? There are a few online stores that offer this. Hero Builders is one example where you can order hand-molded and hand-painted figures just by sending in a photo. Purchasing a custom action figure from Hero Builders costs around $325. If you want a unique character, you can even ask for a custom bobblehead for around the same price.
Fab Figures is another option with a more unique twist. Not only do they make custom action figures based on the photos you send in — in either a ¼ scale, ⅙ scale, ⅛ scale, or 1/12 scale — but they also make custom action figure heads and custom doll clothing. Action figure heads are made in full detail from 3D sculpting and painting.
And clothing is made by their talented tailor so you can have the best-fitted clothes for your toys. Fab Figures works on original creations as well as comic book characters, celebrities, singers, and more. Depending on your image and request, you’ll get quotes anywhere from $120 to $320.
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How to Make Custom Action Figures
Instead of ordering your custom action figures, why not just make them? It’s a great hobby and the perfect way to express yourself creatively. But how would you go about doing this? First, you’ll need something to reference. It’s hard to bring something to life without having an idea to start from.
Whether you’re going for a character in media or something in your head, it’s best to draw and illustrate it on paper for a rough idea. This is also where you’ll want to design the ideal post and proportions so it’s easier to replicate when you’re molding the action figure. Of course, you don’t need to be a perfect artist to draw out ideas, a rough sketch will do just fine.
Sculpting
For sculpting, one of the easier and common materials is traditional clay which involves sculpting tools and clay like polymer. This is a hands-on approach that you’ll need to practice for a while to refine your skills.
This will also be great if you want complete control and to learn anatomy and detailing. Traditional clay would require a kiln, but there are options like airdry clay that might be more beginner-friendly, as you can shape and mold your clay before letting it dry.
Digital
There’s also digital sculpting that requires software like ZBrush or Blender for 3D models. It’s a faster approach but you have to be technologically savvy to get the idea you’re looking for.
It’s easier to make adjustments or modifications when it’s digital, but it’s also easy to not get a specific idea onto the screen if you’re not familiar with the software.
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Casting
And of course, there are castings and rubber molds. This allows you to make multiple copies of a custom action figure. You’ll need to either clean and prepare an already-existing action figure, or create your own, then pour silicone rubber over it until it sets.
From there, you can remove the already-made action figure and then continue to add material, such as resin or metal, to create multiple copies.
3D Printing
One of the more modern ways of creating action figures and the method that some stores, like Hero Builders, use is 3D printing. It’s an exciting and innovative way of seeing your ideas come to life. You’ll need a 3D printer along with spools of plastic as well as software that you can input, or download, your designs.
This is where you can create intricate details without the worry of messing anything up, as it’ll be a direct copy. This can also help you create add-ons if you have several pieces for the custom action figures, like hats, staves, or even pets or familiars. Once it’s printed, you might have to sand the surface and touch up some details, but then you can paint and grow a unique collection of your very own custom action figures.
Conclusion
Custom action figures might not be a great investment, but the process is worthwhile all the same. Creating something from scratch is a great hobby that only adds to your collection. Whether you want to save a bit of money by making your own Star Wars figures, or you want to create figures for your Dungeons and Dragons campaign, creating custom action figures can be the perfect hobby.
Exploring several different mediums can expand your knowledge of the arts as well, which has so many benefits. Either way, purchasing or making custom action figures is simple and exciting.
Check Out: Boba Fett Action Figure Becomes Most Valuable Toy Ever Sold
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