Cosplay for Beginners: The 6 Most Important Tips to Get Started
How can I make my own cosplay ? Cosplay seems like a daunting undertaking at first glance. But, as is often the case in life, appearances can be deceiving. Anyone can get started with this great hobby. And in the following lines, you'll learn how easy it can be to get started in practice !
Don't worry if you haven't found the right starting point or the right motivation yet. It's actually easier than you might think.
In this article, I would like to share 7 important tips that you should keep in mind as a beginner and from which you will directly benefit.
I want to cosplay and have 0 skills
All beginnings are difficult: There are many different ways to approach cosplay. Typically, a person has one skill or another. One person can sew, another can craft, and yet another cosplay fan has mastered the art of using a 3D printer.
But what if I don't have any skills at all? What if many things are simply too difficult for me (still)?
If you really have no skills at all, I would first encourage you to get help from all sides. The cosplay community is supportive. If you have any questions, just ask directly. For example, ask cosplayers at conventions – and such a conversation can even lead to a real friendship!
But yes, admittedly, starting out as a cosplayer is a tricky business. This art form encompasses many different technical aspects. But you shouldn't let yourself get discouraged right away.
Cosplay Beginners: The First Step
Did you know? Many cosplay artists still practice the fabled "first step" even today, even after many years of experience . The first step in cosplay is assembling a cosplay from many pre-made materials.
This is the search for individual pieces that, when combined, make up a complete cosplay . It doesn't always have to be extravagant, expensive, or complicated. Some cosplays can be put together quite simply, and the result is just as good.
Why not try to find a starting point here? I've prepared a few cosplay ideas and detailed instructions for you on how to get started with your first cosplay.
Which direction should it be?
You can always keep this first step in mind, as it's a solid foundation on which you can build this hobby. But what if I want to get hands-on and invest a little more time in crafting and tinkering ?
At this point, you should ask yourself the following questions and answer them for yourself:
- Do I want to sew my cosplays (like dresses) myself? If so, then do some research on this and, for example, check out which sewing machines are suitable.
- Would I rather focus on building armor (like Stormtroopers)? If you want to create armor with your own hands, you should check out how to make armor from EVA foam (artificial foam).
- Do I want to work more on the computer and involve the 3D printer? If you prefer to work on the PC and do the preliminary work on the basic structure digitally, check out which 3D printers are suitable for beginners!
These three considerations can steer you in a very specific direction with your new cosplay hobby. But be careful! Don't force yourself into a particular direction. Anything is possible, always and at any time.
Relax and see what you're comfortable with. Think carefully about what kind of character you want to create. What character would you like to slip into when you walk through the convention one day?
The perfect place for crafting
But certain cosplay styles have many things in common. It's always worth questioning the current status quo from time to time. Where do I stand with my skills? Which cosplay am I confident enough to attempt, and what should I wait for?
Let's get started! Now it's time to put your ideas into action.
And if you're crafting more regularly, it's worth putting some thought into the location. Where do you want to create your cosplays? Where do you want to work?
The perfect place to start: If you don't have any space to craft yet, think carefully about where you can work. Do you have a separate room? Or a workbench? Both would be ideal, of course. But that's not necessary. Sometimes the kitchen table or the regular living room will do.
Just keep the following in mind: When creating a cosplay, you may need a bit more space . A large table is advisable, so it's best to have a large table. Additionally, a lot of dirt and grime can accumulate, so you'll want to protect the rest of the room from the resulting debris.
Consider investing in a cutting mat . It's a small investment, costing less than €20, and it offers a unique advantage: You can use it as a surface for very sharp cosplay cutters .
- Ansio Craft Cutting Mat: Large in A1
- Ansio Craft Cutting Mat: Medium in A2
- Ansio craft cutting mat: Small in A3
If you want to protect your kitchen or dining table from damage caused by sharp tools , this is definitely a tip I wish I'd had earlier. My pizza boxes barely held up to my carpet knife.
The right tool
And while we're on the subject of cutting tools: I keep hearing that inexpensive tools are fine for beginners in cosplay . It's best to save money wherever possible. But I have a slightly different opinion.
Cosplay is my new hobby, which I'd like to do often. I want to create lots of amazing things and love it as much as I love myself. But let's be honest: Many cheap tools are pretty much junk . That doesn't always have to be the case, but often the quality of tools is simply not up to scratch.
That's why you should think about the right equipment beforehand. High-quality tools have another advantage: increased enjoyment while working .
For example, I have two carpet knives: one is super cheap (for one euro at the hardware store) and the other is of slightly better quality . The two tools aren't just different in price. You can really feel the difference in quality between the tools . And that's something that bothered me about the cheaper model from the start.
Besides, you shouldn't take any unnecessary risks when cutting with a carpet knife anyway. Because let's be honest: These knives are incredibly sharp. So please always be careful when handling a one-euro knife.
I'm currently working with a Bosch cutter and have been absolutely thrilled with it since the very first second. I now use this blade exclusively for cutting all my plastics. Feel free to check it out:
- Universal folding knife from Bosch Professional – folding knife with metal handle and extra compartment for spare blades – including 3x blades
- Universal knife with extendable blade from Bosch Professional – knife with extendable blade and blade compartment handle – including 3x blades
This knife folds in and out, has interchangeable blades, and otherwise feels very comfortable in the hand, which allows me to work much more safely than my one-euro cutter made of cheap plastic.
The same applies to the grinding tool , which many also know as the Dremel . However, such a tool doesn't necessarily have to come from the original Dremel brand. They gave the tool a name, like LEGO for interlocking bricks, for example.
But there are many companies offering equivalent tools at a better price. Here's a small selection:
- Dremel 3000: the one and only classic – 130 watts with 25 accessories and carrying case – Variable speed 10,000 – 33,000 rpm
- Einhell cordless sander – battery base with LED light ring and charging station – with 57 accessories – variable speed from 5,500 to 26,000 rpm – my recommendation!
- Herzo mini multi-tool – battery base with 32 accessories – variable speed from 5,000, 10,000 to 15,000 rpm.
So it's worth investing a little bit right from the start of your cosplay to improve the overall outcome —and not to mention the fun factor of crafting! Which is incredibly important to me.
My Einhell sander is cordless and fits perfectly in my (large) hand. So never underestimate the comfort factor of such tools!
Cheap universal materials, yes please!
But just like the point about inexpensive individual parts that you can use to put together a finished cosplay , there's another important category. Here, too, you can save money if you approach it correctly.
There are certain standard or universal materials that you'll need repeatedly when creating cosplays. Especially at the beginning, since we all (!) make mistakes and one or two samples end up in the trash .
EVA plastic (EVA foam)
I therefore strongly recommend purchasing certain universal materials, such as plastics , in larger quantities. If you'd like to learn more about EVA plastic, please check out our article here.
Here you can see a small selection of plastic specimens that you can use to build quality armor:
- EVA foam sheets from Belle Vous – 6 mm and 30 cm (width) x 23 cm (length) – 10 pieces (Low Density)
- Bright Crations EVA foam – 10 mm and 35.6 cm (W) x 99.1 cm (L) – high density
- EVA sports mats, puzzle mat from ZenOne – 31 cm (width and length) – 18 pieces
Velcro fastener
The same applies to Velcro . With Velcro, you can combine two things, for example, made of EVA plastic. You stick one side to the first piece and the other side to the second piece you want to connect.
The great thing about Velcro is that you can use it as a kind of fastener . This allows you to connect and disconnect two things repeatedly. I recommend ordering large quantities or a slightly larger roll of Velcro, as you'll be coming into contact with this material again and again anyway. Velcro is a true all-rounder and the perfect cosplay companion for so many purposes!
Magnets for sticking
As an alternative, I recommend making closures out of small magnets . You often see this in helmet designs these days.
For example, there are many Spider-Man or Deadpool headgear you can 3D- print that benefit from this mechanism. The magnets are glued into these headgear. This allows the "helmet" of this superhero costume to be opened repeatedly—a true must at conventions for comfort!
This is why such magnets are often used here, even coming with self-adhesive features and often with a strong 3M adhesive. Magnetic tape is also available for larger surfaces:
- Magnetpro: Magnetized in pairs with 3M adhesive - Self-adhesive magnets x 50 pieces
- Masterpiece AB magnetic tape - 3 meter long magnetic tape (15 mm x 2 mm)
Brushes and sponges
Another category is brushes and sponges. Since you'll be working a lot with primers or paints (my color selection) , you'll need more than just one brush. That's for sure. So it's worth stocking up on these.
But you can save money here! Brushes and sponges often come in sets of 10 (or more), and even the €1 brushes from discount stores are sufficient, as most of the more expensive brushes aren't significantly different. This is a basic tool, not a technical device that can be cheaply or high-quality.
So don't worry if you only buy cheap brushes and save a little money for a change.
- Pelikan: Brush starter set with 5 hair and bristle brushes
- Artecho brush set with 24 different sizes
- HARDY WORKING TOOLS flat brush set 5-piece
Buckle, strap and clip closure
And then there are the buckles , the webbing , and the clip fasteners (click fasteners). All indispensable universal accessories once you've started cosplaying.
They're so versatile. You can basically connect any piece, like your plastic armor, to your underlying bodysuit. Often, a plastic buckle like this increases wearability and comfort immensely. So, it's best to stock up on some!
- LiteTour buckle clips and Tri-Glide slides - Flat side buckles
- HUSZZM webbing with buckles 20mm - clip closure made of polypropylene
- VEUWOLM 5M x 2.5 cm Webbing with 10 Pairs of Buckles - Heavy Duty Nylon Webbing
Conclusion for the cosplay beginner
At the beginning, there are many useful tips you can get from friends, family, or even from the cosplay community itself. Ask everywhere, and keep one important thing in mind: People who have nothing to do with cosplay will be happy to help and advise you if you have any problems.
Cosplay is, at its core, a hobby, where you have to solve many problems that arise during the creative process using craftsmanship. For example, a friend showed me that I could use a soldering iron to burn hot spots into plastic to create unique patterns. I would never have thought of that on my own at the beginning.
But with all the love for the tips and tricks you find in your community, in the community, or on the internet, the only thing that matters now is: getting started! Because cosplay is, at its core, "learning by doing."
I hope you have fun and I was able to help you a little.
