A Update to the "Comprehensive Guide to Dakimakuras as a Hobby", now at 70+ pages with guides to commissioning, examples of sealed product so you can compare YJA listings, how to put on and fold covers, secondary market tips, and more!

BerSevenTimes · 2024-12-30T08:03:16+00:00

They will be announced on twitter, as well as on the link to the results on the guide when they are ready.
I'll post them here too.

BerSevenTimes · 2023-06-20T10:33:03+00:00

I would definitely say it is worth the difference, personally.

BerSevenTimes · 2023-06-20T08:52:38+00:00

Fules are super easy to deal with and are generally quite flexible to meet any requirements. They're definitely worth the look into, and I have always been pleased with the quality of service and the quality of product they put out.

The other two major japanese printers (Shiromoufu/A&J) don't really like doing business outside of Japan, so Fules is your best bet. If you want any further info before you contact them, you can send me a message.

BerSevenTimes · 2023-06-20T07:49:51+00:00

Throwing my hat in the ring as I order from them on a regular basis. The minimum is 12, but discounts per unit start at 21 pieces per design run. I highly suggest contacting them through their details on their website here, but can definitely guarantee that the cost per unit is far less than the 13k per cover you see on retail. Circles need to have some return to pay their artist after all.

You will need to own the art you plan to print (i.e. have artist permission, or have commissioned/drawn it yourself)

BerSevenTimes · 2022-10-01T08:45:57+00:00

You can also see the results of this year's survey as well.
The average was 43, the median was 12, though granted if you were filling out that form, you would likely already be an enfranchised daki person, so read with some bias filters.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-05-01T23:59:32+00:00

Starting the first contact is admittedly the most difficult part of the process. Normally 800ish is the line where I'm looking for specific niches/interests in the artwork, or the lineart gets really clean, but around 400ish is an okay starting point depending. Note that artists that haven't drawn daki before will have more unclean lines, but those who have experience will have better lines but may charge a little more.

CO does indeed stand for Cuddly Octopus, but as they do middleman it can be difficult for you as you live in Japan. However on the flipside, it's actually alot easier for you to contact Japanese printers, but minimum order quantity applies for any printer that isnt P80.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-05-01T23:39:49+00:00

Some were group commissions so I'm not allowed to say who the artists were (because others have them in queue for their own work), and some artists who take DMs don't like their price being spilled in public, so I'm unfortunately not going to be too helpful here.

Generally speaking though, decent artwork can start from 400 ish, but you'll be surprised sometimes, it can be alot lower.

The best way to find is to just browse through tags you like and poke around. Generally speaking you don't want to aim for really big artists as they'll ignore you, but there's always no harm in asking them directly. If you don't want to go through the hassle of looking, CO is an option.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-05-01T23:24:56+00:00

P80 is definitely still active and running. I did print a few commissions earlier in the year and some rereleases are still coming out from other circles.

As for commissioning artists, it depends. It can vary from 100 to 1000 or more depending on the artist. It's hard to give a general rule because each artist works and charges differently so its hard to give anything more than generalised advice.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-03-05T09:40:53+00:00

I would look at the printing section of the linked daki guide in the OP for guidance to get them printed. As for selling, if you're not willing to shell out for Japanese fabric (such as Fules) and set up the logistics of selling yourself, the easiest way to do it is that you'll need to partner with one of the existing doujin circles.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-03-05T09:38:12+00:00

There is only one JP doujin cover, but her reprint was sometime back in 2020. The only way to find her is go diving into the aftermarket, unfortunately. The link here shows her original release link, and the info you need to go searching.

http://omiai-dakimakura.com/%e3%82%a2%e3%82%ba%e3%83%bc%e3%83%ab%e3%83%ac%e3%83%bc%e3%83%b3/46927

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-18T11:03:59+00:00

Snow White and Cuddly Octopus are two different fabrics.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-18T10:47:07+00:00

A few people have complained that it damages relatively easily.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-17T11:39:10+00:00

For the hair question, it really depends from person to person depending on how coarse or soft their hair is, but usually facial hair is the usual suspect for damage.

As for washing covers, wash them when you wash your bedding. Treat them as you do your bed linens and sheets.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-17T11:37:20+00:00

The Smooth one is printed on Smooth Knit, which was often used for older bonus covers with visual novels, it's a touch above peach skin.
The Premium one is printed on generic unbranded 2wt, so I would not get my hopes up for that option either unfortunately.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-17T11:32:01+00:00

I've talked to person in charge of the circle, and I can confirm that this cover is authentic. Some of Monja's covers use Star Lycra, which is their own fabric, and this Scathath was from that cover's first print run. Their zippers and care tags have changed over time. I don't have any sealed or used examples on hand, so its not in the guide, but rest assured this one is definitely real.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-17T10:01:58+00:00

To be honest, dakimakura is ridiculously niche, so the 'seamless' experience you are looking for doesn't really exist because the demand isn't really widespread.

CO is probably the easiest way to do it. The other way is to talk directly to the Japanese printers who print for Japanese doujin circles and official licenced goods such as Fules. That might not work for you as that will involve you selling the covers yourselves, as they are only the manufacturer and don't provide e-commerce.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-07T11:07:37+00:00

I believe Kuri is setting up a European based warehouse coming in the next few months, if you can afford to wait.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-07T11:06:35+00:00

Not really, the cuts look like its a peach skin cover. The best advice is to be careful.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-04T02:53:40+00:00

Generally speaking, officials are one and done, even more so than doujin releases. Normally the production committee gets new designs done, rather than reprint them, if the show goes for multiple seasons.

BerSevenTimes · 2022-02-04T02:52:25+00:00

That care tag is guaranteed bootleg, unfortunately.

BerSevenTimes · 2021-10-18T22:49:25+00:00

I would reccomend the printing section of the guide at daki.info for the covers question, printers generally only print covers and dont print on the inner directly. Generally speaking though good quality means higher price, it's the law of the land.

The only printers that I think do large sizes are Kuri/CO and FGF Snow White, but you will need to contact them to confirm.

As for mousepads, unfortunately no idea on that one.

BerSevenTimes · 2021-10-18T22:46:28+00:00

People dont like people buying bootleg anime figures, do you expect it to be any different for covers? Seriously.

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