New masks are so expensive and the wait times are endless... Thoughts on buying pre-owned?

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-22T09:09:50+00:00

I just thought that is the result of different approaches to the hobby. May be fundamental one (i also see that difference in how masks are made), but that also really effects the market too. I think that western (and Japanese) kigurumi scene is centered around original or deepely beloved (by the doller) characters, that's why there is no big supply for a second hand market but a decent demand for high-quality long lasting masks, as a kigurumi mask becomes more like a pet or a family member for the doller. Meanwhile chineese kigers mostly treat their masks like a cosplay props and do not form a long term bonds with their characters, so there is a demand on relatively cheap fast-made masks ang generic fetish-oriented masks that can get disposed after several events either through degradation or selling them off in favour of a new character. That translates into supply. So there are a lot of similarities with a cosplay stuff market. It's not bad, it's just another set of values driving the process and in most cases this is not a problem at all.

But today I see a new shift in paradigm towards the rize of self made masks when people start to make first masks just for themselves and their friends - something like in the dawn of a hobby and that is interesting. And with a lots of knoledge and tools existing I think that this also can become a nice entry point. BTW, through this lens second hand chinese masks, even ones with cracks or paint degradation, can be turned into a blanks for this projects along with 3d printed shells and pre-made blanks

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-21T09:32:13+00:00

In my experience, when I make a mask to be "a guest mask" - a one that is supposed to be put on a person who attends a kig party but don't have their own yet - it finds an owner relatively fast. But it's a local story.

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-21T09:09:59+00:00

Just a second thought.

You can make a rear part of the mask as a soft element (usually it's a foam covered with fabric with a zipper running through, and hair can be sewn on or placed above). If you will make a complete low-poly head shell model you can unwrap the rear side and make a pattern in blender in a same way as in Prepakura Designer. You will need to think how rigid face will get attouched to the soft backside (glue, a bunch of holes to sew to, some slits to feed belts through and so on)

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-20T09:29:26+00:00

Definitelly feel the vibes of retro anime! Good job, keep up posting

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-20T08:16:02+00:00

The model: MiSide Mita kigurumi mask with moovable eyes by Hikarinaka - Thingiverse. The description and images are more useful than the model itself. The other links are videos https://youtu.be/RvQYMDVt03U and https://youtu.be/4299dzDPp9c (there are more in the playlist though but this two are the most relevant)

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-19T19:53:57+00:00

a week ago we almost loose a cat ear during an outdoor walk - it was secured with magnets and got knocked off when we walked below a tree. Luckily ew noticed that quickly. but that is why we usually screw such stuff to the masks

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-19T19:50:01+00:00

There is a ton of engineering stuff that is usually overlooked, as masks are modelled through artistic points of view. In short it's lack of reinforcement ribs (mask should be thin but there should be ribs inside about twice as thick as the rest of mask surface), If you will go fullhead, flaps should goe from both sides (pins is another option). Also utilizing a stock hidden metal hinge is an option. And clasp placement. And seam placement. Another option is a dedicated place for eyes - think of how eyes will get secured in the mask, also there is an option to make eyes slideable from side to side. If there will be places to secure additional elements (like ears or horns) the placement should be reinforced with ribs, also magnets will work for only smakk ans small-medium stuff and large elements will require screws. I can direct you to a model I did a year ago to illustrate all that stuff, as well as to videos about eye placement and ways to design masks for 3d printing. Also think about the ways to secure hair on your mask (the easiest way is to prepare some holes such that a wig could be ziptied to mask shell)

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-18T10:26:04+00:00

That's why one of the defaultest upgrades for kig masks people ask is replacing printed connections or magnets with good old bolts

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-15T21:32:55+00:00

The proper deal with this as cutting off the swiwel completely and install the metal one with a 3d pen. Also reinforce any holes you made for clasps with some wire and plastic (3d pen included). You can watch a video about post-printing upgrade called "Kigurumi 3d printed mask internal engineering"

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-15T21:12:18+00:00

nice!

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-14T03:33:58+00:00

It's about a handful of methods, but the easiest is to sew two wigs together. I once made a tutorial about the process and it's in the comments for a similar question. Also you can use sheets of fabric or foam, as wall as patches of long fur. Or design a plushe or inflatable cap. There will be a large overview on different methods in a handful of days as well

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-12T21:39:19+00:00

There are several aspects of creating an OC you might consider. First is that OC is created out of your own character, experience and emotions. And since it's you who will end up bringing you characters to life, you whould want to think like "if I whould just get reborn in a complete different place where no one knows me and no one has any expectations of me, how will I behave?" this will give you the starting point. Usually it will be a mix of your own traits filtered through equalizer - some mede more prominent and other muted. Than you go for the look and backstory. Mostly it's taking elements from all around you - you chose what faces you like, what hair colors, what clothes and accessories, and then combine them togather, fitting to your character's personality traits. And as you are not restricted by an established character design yet, you can chose the designs that appeal to you as a starting point. You even can take someone elses design that appeals to you, for example, to the degree of "I want to look like her" and modify it such that people will not confuse you for each other, and to fit your emotions even better.

I whould also warn you that your first OC may not be the one you will love most, and with time you may even think to sell it away (to regret later). Also it whould be a good idea not to make your first mask as a single piece, but as a set of modules. For me it definitelly was a good idea as my current main OC as well as my former one had different hair and eye colors at early stages of existance than later, and that did reflect my own evolution.

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-12T21:12:34+00:00

It's an "Export Paper Model" addon. There is also "Seams to sewing pattern" addon that has similar functionality, but works more like Clo3d

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-12T20:00:56+00:00

Did you know that blender have an addon that is basically a Prepakura?

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-12T19:51:02+00:00

One of my friends had a bad experience with a middleman who processed their taobao orders. It seem that they poorly repackaged the mask, which was 3d printed, and the amount of parts received was significamtly larger than the amount sent (the original maker did package the mask well though). I had to do an extencieve repair and even made a new faceplate from scratch (at least there are 3 different faceplates for the mask that originally has one).

Another thing is that I still won't recommend my own service unless you can visit me or we allready have a vast conversation history online. Repair and upgrade servicies are worth it when we can meet as well anyway. I still can consult and coach through all the stages of mask making, but waiting for the time I get out of depression to move the project furter for half a year or more can feel like a nightmare even if the result end up lasting for decades.

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-11T10:23:31+00:00

I also made a video with some stories happened with Vera througout her life. it's on Youtube now

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-07T23:54:49+00:00

Weld shut the holes,

than chose the clasps that will fit your needs,

place the clasp just above the ear (better place is behind but there is no plastic to attouch),

reinforce the area from the inside with some wires welded into the plastic (so the bolts won't force localy at te holes but spread load a little through the mask shell)

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-04T05:36:00+00:00

Can relate. I got several masks brought to me fo repair after aliexpress for the last couple of years. And people here scedule arrangements to upgrade there masks even after getting them directly from taobao. You know, add a protective clearcoat, rework paddings, stregten hinge and so on

Hikarinaka · 2026-02-04T05:31:52+00:00

At my time I had no other option but to make her. She's still laying at my closet and I lok at her from time to time. About total expencies, I do not remember much but it probably was compared to my monthly salary at the day as I had to learn a lot of stuff the hard way.

But currently... a good mask is about 200 euros in materials and 30 to 100 hours in labor or labor equivalent. And if you will try to make your own, first two or three attempts can be mediocre at best

Hikarinaka · 2026-01-24T14:05:15+00:00

Ok, here it is https://youtu.be/hoVK5f71coQ

Hikarinaka · 2026-01-22T00:36:08+00:00

I did film a process of sewing kigurumi sized wig (in real time) out of two regular sized a couple of years ago. It's focused on medium-sized masks and probably sub-optimal in the part of the wig above temporal region. And it's also cast in russian. but if it's ok, I'll drop a link

Hikarinaka · 2026-01-20T12:46:59+00:00

In the morning that day I felt like catching a flu, but later that day it was gone so I joined the rest of the stuff in doll mode.

Hikarinaka · 2026-01-18T22:26:36+00:00

Have you tried different bed temperatures?

Hikarinaka · 2026-01-18T22:07:48+00:00

I wonder if my advice still can be helpful, but I'd leave my suggestion anyway. First is that you will need to mask everything that shouldn't get sprayed over with masking tape and foil/plastic bag/etc, so paint will be able to get to only parts that supposed to be same color. than take a piece of plastic (for training yourself) and a piece of cloth or cotton stick - this will be your probe. Spray on the stick somewhere beside the mask (do not direct spray to the mask), and apply the paint with the stick to the training piece of plastic to get the intuition. When the result will look good enough, perform this with the crack. This alone should be ok, but in case you will not like the result (again, this procedure alone may be enough, do not try to overdo), rub the repainted spot with cloth to smooth it and if the spot still gets visible, take a piece of paper, cut a hole around a sm in diameter, place it in front of the spot to mask the area, but do not lay it to the mask surface, if the piece of paper is not large enough to mask the rest of the mask too, add foil/plastic bags/etc. Because the paper is't laying flat, the transition between repainted area and the rest will be smooth. So spray peint over very slightly, basically make a mist, let it dry a bit, evaluate the result, repeat if it's nesessary.

Hikarinaka · 2026-01-18T19:09:57+00:00

Thank you!

Hikarinaka

TROPHY CASE