How much does a cosplay commission cost?

Handheld props start around $80–150, single armor pieces $120–350, full armor sets $900–3,500, and full builds with costume and props $1,500–6,000. Finish level, wearability and deadline are the big multipliers. See the price guide for the full table.

How long does a cosplay commission take?

Props 2–6 weeks, armor pieces 3–5, full armor 8–14, full builds 10–16. Add time if the maker has a queue. Post at least a month before you'd naturally think to.

You pay when you accept a bid, but the platform holds the payment and the maker isn't paid until you confirm delivery. Your money is held, not handed over.

What if it doesn't fit?

Wearable pieces are built to the measurements you give, so measure carefully. If the maker built off-spec, the dispute process covers it. If the measurements were wrong, adjustments are up to the maker and usually cost extra.

Can I commission just the props?

Yes. Post the prop, the scale you want it at, and whether it needs to be con-safe (no sharp edges, under length limits).

Do makers ship internationally?

Some do. Ask about shipping to your country before you accept a bid. Large armor is expensive to ship, so a maker in your own country can save real money.

Can I commission a 3D-printed helmet?

Yes. Say whether you want it printed raw (you finish it), printed and sanded, or fully finished and painted. Each is a different price. If you have an STL already, upload it with the post.

How do I find a cosplay maker near me?

Maker profiles can show a location. Say 'local pickup preferred' in the post if you want someone nearby. For anything wearable a local fitting is worth a lot.

How a commission works

Four steps. The platform holds your payment until you confirm delivery.

From brief to con floor

Post your briefWhat you're building, reference images, your measurements if it's wearable, the con date, a budget range.
Compare bidsMakers reply with a price and a timeline. Check their profiles, completed jobs and reviews before you pick.
Accept and payPay by card through Stripe. The platform holds the payment and releases it to the maker only when you confirm delivery.
Receive and releaseThe maker can post progress photos in the app. When it arrives and you confirm delivery, the payment is released to the maker.

Comic-Con · PAX · DragonCon season

Con in 6 weeks? Get your armour started today.

Custom armour, helmets, weapons and accessories. Con season drives the demand, and makers price rush work at a premium — so post early.

Post your build →

You're early, not late

$6.3Bcosplay costume market, 2025

9.7%annual growth forecast to 2035

$15.9Bcosplay costume market by 2035

Market figures are industry estimates (Market.us, 2025).

Why post on The Spool List instead of a DM

Payment held until delivery

You pay when you accept a bid. The platform holds the payment and releases it to the maker when you confirm delivery.

Makers compete for you

Post once and verified makers can send quotes. Compare price, turnaround, reviews and past work before you choose.

No buyer fee on top

You pay the maker's quoted price. No platform fee is added on top for buyers.

Reviews from real orders

Reviews are tied to completed orders, so ratings come from buyers who actually ordered.

No design? No problem

Need a design first? Post that too: CAD, STL repair, vector conversion or 3D scanning. Makers who offer it can quote.

Dispute resolution

Something wrong? Open a dispute in the app. Unresolved disputes are reviewed by The Spool List.

Every commission on The Spool List is a job with a written scope, so 'screen-accurate' means what you both agreed it means, in writing, before money moves.

On longer jobs the maker can post milestone updates with photos, so you see progress before anything ships. The payment itself is released in one go, when you confirm delivery.

If a build stalls or arrives wrong, the dispute process reviews the scope, the photos and the messages. That's the part a DM on Instagram can't give you.