Have you ever wished your favorite character had a Nendoroid, only to find they don’t exist? Or maybe you dream of creating a unique figure that’s truly one of a kind. The desire to personalize your collection is more common than you think.
Customizing Nendoroids lets fans bring imagination to life, fill gaps in their collection, or craft the perfect gift. In this article, discover how to make your custom Nendoroid—from gathering materials to painting tips and assembly advice. Let’s unlock your creativity!
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How to Create a Custom Nendoroid: A Complete Guide
Customizing a Nendoroid is an amazing way to bring your favorite characters to life, whether they’re from anime, games, or your own imagination. With the right parts, paints, and patience, you can design a figure that’s truly one-of-a-kind. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to create your own custom Nendoroid—from choosing parts to adding the perfect finishing touches.
What Is a Custom Nendoroid?
A custom Nendoroid is a personalized figure created by modifying or assembling parts from official Nendoroids, third-party accessories, or from scratch. This lets you design a character with unique features, poses, and accessories. Many fans create customs to represent characters who don’t have official releases or to showcase their own original characters.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Custom Nendoroid
There are several ways to create a custom Nendoroid, so you can choose the path that suits your skills, resources, and ideas. Here’s a simple walkthrough of the process many customizers use:
1. Plan Your Design
Start by deciding who or what you want to create. Gather reference images from different angles (front, side, back). Planning is essential—think about the character’s outfit, facial expressions, and accessories.
- List the character’s key features and colors.
- Choose specific facial expressions or poses you want your Nendoroid to have.
- Identify any unique props or accessories you want to include.
2. Gather Base Parts and Materials
Nendoroids are made of interchangeable parts. For customization, you’ll typically need:
- A base Nendoroid body (you can use existing figures, or buy blank bodies specifically meant for customizing).
- Primary and alternative faces (blank faces are available for painting custom expressions).
- Spare hairpieces, hands, and other accessories.
- Modeling clay or epoxy putty for sculpting unique features.
- Acrylic paints, fine detail brushes, and sealants for coloring and protecting your custom work.
Where to Find Parts
- Online shops specialize in selling separate Nendoroid parts, making it easy to buy just what you need.
- Some stores and websites offer commission services for completely custom Nendoroids, painted and assembled to your specifications.
- Blank heads and faces can often be found for those wanting to paint their own designs.
3. Disassemble the Nendoroid
Gently take apart the Nendoroid pieces. Most figures are modular and designed for easy swapping, but handle them with care to avoid breaking small joints.
- Remove the head, arms, legs, and accessories.
- For major changes (like re-sculpting hair), remove those sections separately.
4. Sculpting and Modifying
Use modeling materials to add or change features:
- Sculpt new hair, clothing details, or accessories with epoxy putty or air-dry clay.
- Sand and smooth any sculpted areas once they dry.
- For dramatic modifications, cut away unwanted parts carefully and rebuild as needed.
5. Painting and Detailing
Paint the custom parts to match your character’s design:
- Use acrylic paints—they adhere well to Nendoroid surfaces and are less prone to damage.
- Paint faces, hair, outfits, and accessories, using fine brushes for small details.
- Lightly seal your work with a matte or satin clear coat to protect the paint.
- For facial expressions, you can use a fine-tip permanent marker or paint pens for details like eyes, eyebrows, and mouths.
6. Reassemble and Finalize
Once everything is dry and finished, put your Nendoroid back together.
- Double-check the joints and fit to make sure all parts move smoothly.
- Add any final details, such as stickers for accessories or gloss for eyes.
- Pose your new custom Nendoroid proudly!
Key Aspects of Nendoroid Customization
Customizing Nendoroids is both creative and technical. Here are the major aspects to keep in mind:
- Creativity: Express your love for a character or create something new.
- Skill-building: Learn about painting, sculpting, and miniature assembly.
- Patience: Customizing can be time-consuming—rushing can lead to mistakes.
- Flexibility: Mix and match parts from different figures to get the perfect look.
- Community: Join online groups where people share custom tips, trade parts, and show off creations.
Benefits of Creating a Custom Nendoroid
Why go through the effort of making a custom figure? There are plenty of reasons!
- Unique Keepsake: You’ll have a one-of-a-kind collectible.
- Gift Potential: Custom Nendoroids make heartfelt, personalized gifts.
- Skill Enhancement: Improve your artistry and craftsmanship.
- Representation: Create figures of characters not available as official merchandise.
- Fun and Satisfaction: The process is rewarding and lets you showcase your talent.
Common Challenges
Every customizer faces bumps along the way. Here are a few obstacles and how to handle them:
- Paint Bleeding or Smearing: Avoid by using thin layers and letting each coat dry completely.
- Tiny Details: Use a magnifying glass or fine-tip brushes for precision.
- Breaking Parts: Be gentle when disassembling and reassembling; plastic can be fragile.
- Matching Skin Tones: Mix paints carefully and test on hidden surfaces before full application.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
Here are some tips to make the customization process smoother:
- Start Simple: If you’re new, try swapping heads, faces, or outfits between existing Nendoroids first.
- Practice on Spare Parts: Use old or duplicate parts for testing new techniques.
- Keep Work Surfaces Clean: Dust and dirt can ruin paint finishes.
- Use Light, Steady Hands: Especially when painting or sculpting small details.
- Sketch Your Design: Having a physical drawing helps translate your ideas onto the figure.
Safety First
- Work in a well-ventilated area when painting or using sealants.
- Wear protective gloves if using strong chemicals or adhesives.
Customization Services and Buying Tips
Not everyone wants to DIY their custom Nendoroid. Many artisans and shops offer custom Nendoroid commissions. Here’s what you should know if you want to commission a custom:
When to Consider Commissions
- You want a figure of a character that hasn’t been made yet.
- You lack the time or artistic confidence for DIY.
Working with an Artist or Shop
- Have reference images and a clear description ready.
- Communicate about colors, facial expressions, props, and poses.
- Discuss deadlines, revision policies, and shipping expectations.
Shipping and Cost Tips
- Shipping custom figures internationally can be expensive. If possible, commission from shops closer to your location to save on costs and shipping time.
- Ask for a breakdown of costs: base figure, sculpting, painting, accessories, and shipping. Some shops bundle these together, others charge separately.
- Keep in mind that highly detailed customs, rare base dolls, or specific requests may add to the price.
- Some artists or shops offer blank bodies, heads, and faces at lower prices, letting you customize just the way you want with less hassle.
- Consider combining orders with friends to save on bulk shipping rates.
Cost Breakdown for Custom Nendoroids
Customizing a Nendoroid—or having one made—varies in price:
DIY Customization
- Base Nendoroid: $30–$60 (officials), or less for used/blank base bodies.
- Spare parts (faces, hands, hair): $5–$20 each.
- Paints, brushes, sealants: $10–$40 (depending on quality/brand).
- Sculpting materials: $5–$15.
- Optional: Face stickers, decals, or custom molds for $5–$15.
- Total DIY investment: Typically $50–$120 per figure for a basic custom, more for complex designs.*
Commissioned Custom
- Labor charges (sculpting, painting, assembly): $75–$300+ (depends on artist skill and complexity).
- Base body and accessories: Often included, but ask your artist.
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International shipping: $20–$50, depending on distance/insurance/speed.
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Commissioned total: $100–$350+, depending on the level of detail and rarity of base parts.*
Related Aspects of Nendoroid Customization
Many online platforms cater to Nendoroid customizers:
- Parts shops allow you to buy or trade individual Nendoroid pieces.
- Communities offer guides, inspiration, and troubleshooting if you run into issues.
- Specialty shops provide blank “canvas” Nendoroid heads and bodies, making custom work simpler.
Some digital tools let you design custom faces and expressions before painting. Experimenting online first helps plan your final look and avoid mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Creating a custom Nendoroid is an exciting, creative project that lets you bring your favorite characters—or your own designs—to life. Whether you choose the hands-on DIY route or work with an artist, the end result is a unique piece that reflects your love for the hobby. Take your time, plan carefully, and enjoy the creative process. Happy customizing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I safely remove paint from a Nendoroid part I want to repaint?
Gently use rubbing alcohol or a mild paint remover, and a soft cloth or cotton swab. Be careful around joints and moving parts—avoid leaving chemicals on the plastic for too long. Always wash and dry the part before repainting.
Can I mix and match parts from different Nendoroids?
Yes, most Nendoroid parts are designed to be compatible with each other, especially recent releases. Some older figures may have different joint sizes, so test fits before painting or customizing.
What kind of paint is best for Nendoroid customization?
Water-based acrylic paints are best. They’re safe for plastics, dry quickly, and can be sealed with a clear topcoat. Avoid oil or enamel paints, as these can damage the plastic or remain sticky.
How long does it typically take to make a custom Nendoroid?
A simple swap or repaint might take a few hours, while sculpting new parts and detailed painting can take several days or even weeks. Allow drying time between paint or clay layers for the best results.
Are there shops where I can order a fully custom Nendoroid without having to make it myself?
Yes, several online shops and independent artists offer commission services. You send reference images and details, and they design, sculpt, paint, and assemble the figure for you. Turnaround times and prices vary—always check the artist’s or shop’s reputation and portfolio before committing.
Dive into the world of custom Nendoroids, and let your creativity shine—your dream figure awaits!