Ever puzzled what knowledgeable cosplayer carries round of their equipment bag? I sat down with Abi Le Guilcher (in any other case often known as Opal Ink Cosplay) to seek out out. There’s so much 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 the way to get began in cosplay.
Discovering the appropriate instruments for cosplay may 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 just lately been studying the way to 3D print cosplay props, and had some fairly nice outcomes. I additionally found 5 ways in which you need to use a 3D pen for cosplay in the course of the course of as effectively.
High content material creation instruments
An reasonably priced possibility 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 digicam designed for inexperienced persons/vloggers, so it is a terrific starter piece of equipment when 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 instrument
“I’ve had my 11-inch iPad Professional for a superb 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 dwell 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 professional lighting
Good lighting is important for ensuring your cosplay make-up seems to be skilled and guaranteeing your content material seems to be 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 one of the best digicam for streaming for extra shopping for recommendation.
Supplies and instruments
Nice for prop-making from scratch
“I’m an enormous fan of the producer PolyProps because it provides so lots of the supplies I would like for my tasks in a single useful place.” Abi just lately created a whole bass guitar out of froth, and it seems to be epic! (see under).
Nice for post-processing props for that crowning glory
“I exploit the Dremel model so much as their hand sander is improbable for all of my foam tasks for armour and weapons. They’re straightforward to make use of and light-weight, and simply tremendous reliable”.
Spraycraft SP45K Skilled Airbrush
Nice for weathering cosplay props
“I like utilizing an airbrush for issues like lifelike 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 seems to be. In its place, Abi additionally recommends DiamondFX face paints, Kryolan make-up merchandise, Glisten Cosmetics water-activated eyeliners (I exploit 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 may well 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 may be a wonderful technique to elevate your cosplay to the subsequent degree. Abi shares, “Solely put on contacts if you’re comfy with it, as loads of folks cannot stand contacts! There are some improbable Korean manufacturers that do some actually cool lenses, together with a number of prescription choices.”
Software program
Among the best 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.
Among the best 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 the way to use CapCut.
Among the best 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.
