A huge portion of what we make at Lone Star Cosplay is custom — props and armor from games, anime, and films that we don't stock as standard items. Custom work lives or dies by the reference material you send us. The better the references, the better the final prop. Here's exactly what to send when you commission a custom piece, and why each piece of reference matters.
The Goal of References
When we build a custom prop, we're essentially translating a digital design (from a game, movie, or anime) into a physical object that has to: hold the right shape, paint up the right colors, and feel correct in hand. The references you send tell us all three of those things. Without good references, we're guessing — and even small guesses on a complex prop can mean the difference between "close" and "perfect."
The Five Reference Categories We Need
1. The Main Hero Shot
One clean, high-resolution image showing the prop from its most identifiable angle. For a sword, this is usually the side view with the full blade visible. For a helmet, this is the three-quarter front angle. For a gun, the right-side profile with the trigger and grip visible.
What makes a good hero shot:
- High resolution — the bigger the file, the better. Screenshots from a 1080p YouTube video are workable but not ideal. Direct from a game at high resolution is much better
- Clean lighting — the prop should be lit so you can see all major surfaces. Dark or shadowy reference makes our job harder
- Full prop visible — no cropping of important details
- Plain or neutral background — helps us see the silhouette clearly
2. Multiple Angle Shots
The hero shot tells us what the prop looks like from one angle. We also need to see the other sides. For most props, we want:
- Front view
- Side view (both sides if they differ)
- Back view
- Top-down view (especially for helmets and complex armor pieces)
Game model viewers, official art books, and dev streams often have these angles. Spend 15 minutes finding them — it dramatically improves the result.
3. Detail Close-ups
Anywhere the prop has small details that matter — engravings, mechanical features, panel lines, decorative trim — we want a close-up. For a weapon, the hilt details and any pommel or guard work. For a helmet, the visor, the side panels, any vents or features. For armor, the joint articulations and decorative pieces.
If you can't find close-ups, mention this when you order. We can often work from generic reference and the hero shot for most details, but if there's a specific feature you want captured exactly (your favorite character's distinct emblem, a specific weapon engraving), tell us in writing what to focus on.
4. Color Reference
This is the most overlooked reference category. In-game lighting can radically distort color. The same sword can look different colors depending on the location in the game world. We need to know the canonical paint scheme.
The best color references are:
- Promotional renders from the developer (these have neutral, accurate lighting)
- Concept art (often shows the original color intent)
- Action figure or merchandise photos (manufacturers reference these for color accuracy)
If the prop has multiple canonical color variants (different skins, different game versions), specify which one you want. This is one of the most common questions we ask customers — "which skin/variant do you want?"
5. Size and Scale Information
Tell us the approximate size you want. For weapons, the most useful measurement is total length — 90cm, 120cm, etc. For helmets, your head measurement. For armor, your body measurements (chest, shoulders, torso length, bicep, waist).
If you don't have specific dimensions, tell us "display piece, no constraints" or "to be worn at convention, normal proportion to my body." We'll work out the math.
What NOT to Send
A few common things that don't help:
- Tiny low-resolution screenshots — less than 1000px wide is usually too small to work from
- Action shots only — the character swinging the sword mid-combat is dramatic but not useful for reference. We need static, clear angles
- Fan art that diverges from canon — unless you specifically want a fan-art interpretation. Otherwise, this introduces ambiguity
- References from multiple different versions of the same prop — if there are 3 different versions of the weapon across different games, pick one and stick with it
The Process After You Send References
Once we have your references and your size requirements, here's what happens:
- Quote — We give you a price based on the prop complexity, the size, and the finish option (painted, unpainted, DIY kit)
- Modeling — If we don't already have a 3D model for this prop, we model it. This is the longest step for truly custom work
- Approval renders — For larger custom builds, we send you 3D model previews before printing so you can confirm the shape looks right
- Printing — The actual 3D printing process. Depending on size, this takes anywhere from a day for small props to two weeks for full armor
- Finishing — Sanding, priming, and painting if you ordered painted
- Shipping — Packaging and shipping to you
The whole process for a custom build typically takes 4-8 weeks depending on complexity.
Examples of Successful Custom Orders
Some of the recent successful custom orders we've completed include:
- Specific Halo MJOLNIR armor variants that weren't in our standard catalog
- Anime weapons from specific characters not in our catalog
- Movie props from less common franchises
- Modified versions of existing props with custom color schemes or size changes
If you've seen something we make and want a variant, that's an easy custom order. If it's a totally new prop, that's still doable — just expect a longer timeline.
How to Send References
The easiest way: email everything to info@lonestarcosplay.com as attachments or links. If the files are too big for email, link to a Google Drive folder or Imgur album. Include your size requirements and any specific notes in the body of the email.
For the most efficient first conversation, write your message like this:
- Subject: Custom order request — [Character/Weapon name]
- Body: Brief description of what you want, the target size (or your measurements for wearables), the finish option you want (painted, unpainted, DIY kit), and any deadline you're working toward
- Attached or linked: The references organized by the categories above
Lead Time and Deadlines
If you have a specific convention or event you need the prop for, tell us in your first message. We'll be honest about whether the timeline is achievable. For complex custom work, we recommend ordering at least 8 weeks before your target date, ideally 12 weeks. Last-minute custom orders are usually not possible.
For more on convention prep timing, see our convention prep timeline article.
One Final Note
Custom orders are the most rewarding work we do. When a cosplayer sends us references for their dream prop and we build it exactly the way they imagined — that's the magic. The references are how you communicate that vision to us. Take the 30 minutes to put together a good reference package, and the result will be dramatically better than if you send a single screenshot and hope for the best.
Ready to commission something? Send us a message at info@lonestarcosplay.com or use the contact page. For more on the custom process generally, see our guide to commissioning a custom cosplay prop.
