Two Greatest Tips for Getting Started with Cosplay
So, you’ve just come back from your first convention—or maybe you’ve spent hours scrolling through social media, admiring incredible cosplay builds—and you’ve decided it’s time to dive in yourself.
You’ve asked the internet what 3D printer to buy, compared models for hours, finally made your choice, and printed your first Benchy… only to sit there staring at your screen wondering, now what?
That’s the moment when most beginner cosplayers and prop makers hit their first roadblock. Don’t worry—it happens to all of us. I’ve been there, and I want to share what I’ve learned so you can avoid some of the same frustrations. I don’t believe in gatekeeping knowledge. Every tip and trick I share comes from experience, mistakes, and a whole lot of sanding dust.
Let’s get right to it.
There are two golden rules that will set you up for success in cosplay and prop building:
Great cosplay doesn’t have to be expensive.
Time and effort guarantee quality.
That’s it. That’s the secret.
Rule #1: Great Cosplay Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
I know it sounds cliché, but hear me out. Like any hobby, cosplay comes with some startup costs. You might buy a 3D printer or a casting kit—but once you’ve got your basic setup, you don’t need to break the bank to create something amazing.
Some of my favorite pieces were made entirely with supplies from my local Walmart or Meijer. You can find almost everything you need—sandpaper, filler primer, paints, adhesives—without going to specialty stores. Auto parts stores also carry great supplies (though they’re usually a bit pricier). In a future post, I’ll share a full list of my favorite budget-friendly products for beginners.
The point is: your creativity matters more than your budget. The best makers in the world started with humble setups—they just put in the work.
Rule #2: Time and Effort Create Quality
When you’re excited about a new build, it’s easy to rush through the steps. I get it. You want to see the finished armor or helmet now. But the truth is, the more time you put into prep and post-processing, the better your final result will be.
Cutting corners early—especially during sanding, filling, and priming—can come back to haunt you later. Those tiny imperfections only get magnified once paint and weathering are added.
For example, I print most of my parts at a 0.2 mm layer height with a 0.4 mm nozzle. Sure, I could bump that up and print faster, but the smoother finish I get from a slower, higher-quality print saves me hours of frustration later.
I also do all my post-processing by hand. Early in my cosplay journey, my wife could tell how my mental health day went by how much sanding I did. There’s something meditative about the process. Hand-sanding lets me connect with my project—I can feel the contours and imagine where I’ll add weathering or battle damage later.
Power tools and shortcuts exist, and they can absolutely help. But for me, I like knowing that anyone can use these simple, accessible techniques and get great results with patience and practice.
The Art of Weathering and Detail
One of the most rewarding (and often overlooked) parts of cosplay is weathering. That’s where your armor or prop goes from looking like plastic to looking real.
The goal is to create that lived-in, battle-worn look—like your Mandalorian armor’s seen some serious action or your Halo helmet has survived a few firefights.
Weathering takes time and intention. You have to plan where scratches, dirt, and wear would naturally occur. Many cosplayers rush this step and end up frustrated when their builds don’t meet approval standards for costuming clubs or just don’t “feel” authentic.
But when you slow down, layer your paints, and think through your design, the results can be jaw-dropping.
Wrapping Up
Cosplay is about creativity, patience, and persistence—not about having the most expensive gear or tools.
If you remember these two rules—you don’t need to spend a fortune, and effort always pays off—you’ll already be ahead of the curve.
In my next post, I’ll dive deeper into post-processing materials and techniques for beginners, including which products to use, how to save time without losing quality, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Until then—happy printing, sanding, and creating!
