Ever puzzled what an expert cosplayer carries round of their equipment bag? I sat down with Abi Le Guilcher (in any other case often called Opal Ink Cosplay) to search out out. There’s rather a lot that goes into cosplay, from crafting costumes to content material creation, and I will be unpacking the highest tech for cosplayers as picked out by a professional. See my interview with Abi for some high recommendations on get began in cosplay.
Discovering the best instruments for cosplay could be tough, with so many materials choices to select from (there’s EVA foam, leather-based, spandex, chiffon, physique paint, and to not point out wigs). I’ve not too long ago been studying 3D print cosplay props, and had some fairly nice outcomes. I additionally found 5 ways in which you should utilize a 3D pen for cosplay throughout the course of as effectively.
Prime content material creation instruments
An reasonably priced choice for high quality visuals
“The Sony ZV-E10 steps up my social media posts vastly and has so many makes use of, from cosplay portraits to Twitch streaming and unboxings. It’s additionally a digital camera designed for rookies/vloggers, so it is a fantastic starter piece of equipment should you’re unfamiliar with cameras. DJI additionally do some nice handheld cameras for content material creation that may be a bit extra budget-friendly”.
See Abi’s evaluation of the Sony ZV-E10 for extra particulars.
Paired with Procreate, it is a high design device
“I’ve had my 11-inch iPad Professional for 5 years-ish now, however it’s a big assist for issues like cosplay and photoshoots. From checking reference photos to sketching out costume designs when crafting, I couldn’t reside with out it.”
Check out our iPad Professional 11-inch (M1 2021) evaluation for more information.
03. Joby Beamo ring mild
Go full content material creator mode with knowledgeable lighting
Good lighting is important for ensuring your cosplay make-up appears to be like skilled and guaranteeing your content material appears to be like even higher. There are some nice budget-friendly choices on Amazon for each ring lights and handheld lighting for cosplay movies. Abi makes use of a Neweer mannequin, paired with a Blue Yeti Nano mic.
See our information to the very best digital camera for streaming for extra shopping for recommendation.
Supplies and instruments
Nice for prop-making from scratch
“I’m a giant fan of the producer PolyProps because it provides so most of the supplies I would like for my tasks in a single helpful place.” Abi not too long ago created a complete bass guitar out of froth, and it appears to be like epic! (see under).
Nice for post-processing props for that of entirety
“I take advantage of the Dremel model rather a lot as their hand sander is implausible for all of my foam tasks for armour and weapons. They’re simple to make use of and light-weight, and simply tremendous reliable”.
Spraycraft SP45K Skilled Airbrush
Nice for weathering cosplay props
“I really like utilizing an airbrush for issues like sensible weathering on costumes and paint particulars, and would love to make use of it extra sooner or later.”
Cosplay Make-up must-haves
Abi makes use of Mehron make-up paint palettes and creamblend sticks for an array of superior SFX and cosplay make-up appears to be like. As a substitute, Abi additionally recommends DiamondFX face paints, Kryolan make-up merchandise, Glisten Cosmetics water-activated eyeliners (I take advantage of these too!), and ColourPop Cosmetics eyeshadow.
Elmer’s purple glue stick
Abi makes use of Elmer’s purple gluesticks for sticking down her eyebrows for cosplay make-up creations, in addition to for protecting wig sides caught for dependable all-day put on. It could actually take Abi wherever from 1 to three hours to finish a cosplay make-up look, relying on the complexity of issues like this physique paint/prosthetics.
Contact lenses could be a wonderful method to elevate your cosplay to the subsequent stage. Abi shares, “Solely put on contacts in case you are snug with it, as loads of folks cannot stand contacts! There are some implausible Korean manufacturers that do some actually cool lenses, together with a variety of prescription choices.”
Software program
Top-of-the-line Adobe software program packages for creatives
Abi makes use of Photoshop for enhancing a few of her visible property that she shares on social media. Check out our Adobe Photoshop 2025 evaluation for extra particulars on this software program program.
Top-of-the-line all-around editors for fast content material
Abi makes use of Capcut for placing collectively a few of her most epic transition movies that you’re going to discover on her social media channels, particularly her TikTok, @OpalInkcos.
Check out our information on use CapCut.
Top-of-the-line FREE video enhancing instruments for creatives
Abi makes use of DaVinci Resolve for enhancing a few of her cosplay content material, in addition to any b-roll footage captured throughout work filming tasks for Spores Productions, of which Abi is a producer.
Check out our DaVinci Resolve 19 (2025) evaluation.
Abi’s cosplay wishlist
FAQS
Do you like working digitally or with extra conventional strategies and instruments in terms of cosplay?
I’m a blended media queen – I really like utilizing each digital and conventional instruments in my tasks. I largely use Procreate on my iPad Professional (11-inch) for something design sensible, the place as I historically sketch out a variety of my templates for issues like weapons and armour so I can simply modify proportions in actual time!
Do you observe or take inspo from any particular tutorials for cosplay make-up and crafting or is it primarily your personal artistic imaginative and prescient?
Probably not! I’m at all times an individual who has struggled vastly following directions, so I hardly ever use issues like business stitching patterns or precise tutorials. I really like getting a tough thought of how tasks will come collectively and simply kinda winging it as I am going, utilising the experience of mates by asking for assist once I actually get caught. It’s like a relentless (largely) enjoyable puzzle on this pastime.
