How We Work

Five stages, fixed approval points and one rule: nothing moves to the next stage until you have signed off the previous one in writing.

The five stages

  1. Brief 01

    Brief

    week 1

    A call and a written brief: audience, tone, where the character appears, hard constraints. We tell you at this point if the deadline is unrealistic.

  2. Concept 02

    Concept

    weeks 2–3

    Two or three directions in 2D. You choose one. Approval point one.

  3. Design and 3D 03

    Design and 3D

    weeks 4–6

    Turnaround sheets, 3D model, materials and colours fixed. Approval point two — after this, changes cost money.

  4. Sample and build 04

    Sample and build

    weeks 7–14

    The head is sculpted, the body sewn, the costume assembled and fitted. Photos and video at the halfway mark. Approval point three.

  5. Delivery 05

    Delivery

    weeks 15–16

    Quality control against the approved specification, packing, customs paperwork, shipping.

What we need from you, and when

At the brief
Brand colours in Pantone, any existing character files, the date it must be ready
Before design starts
Performer measurements: height, chest, shoulder width, shoe size, reach
At each approval point
A written yes or a list of specific changes, within five working days
Before production
Signed specification and the production deposit
Before shipping
Delivery address, contact person, any site access restrictions

Approvals are the usual cause of delay. Five working days each is what the schedule assumes.

Approval points

Three written approvals, each one a point of no return. We ask for them in writing not out of bureaucracy but because "I thought the ears were bigger" after the head is sculpted is an expensive conversation.

  • Concept — which direction we develop
  • Design and 3D — final shape, colours and materials
  • Sample — the built costume before the rest of the run, where there is a run

Warranty

Twelve months on seams and structure from the delivery date. Within that period we repair or replace at our cost, including return shipping. Wear parts — gloves, feet, liners — are excluded, as is damage from misuse or storage in damp conditions.

Seams and structural stitching
12 months
Head frame and fastenings
12 months
Fans and electrics
12 months
Fur and outer fabric
6 months against defects, not wear
Gloves, feet, liners
wear parts, not covered
Repairs after the warranty
at cost, two-week turnaround

Frequently asked questions

What actually causes delays?
Approvals, almost always. Production time is predictable; a two-week wait for a decision is not. The second cause is a change requested after approval point two.
Can we visit during production?
Yes. We would rather you did. If travel is not practical we send photos and video at the halfway mark either way.
What if the costume does not fit the performer?
We refit at our cost if the measurements you gave us were used correctly. That is why we ask for them in writing and why the fitting stage exists.
Can you hit a date faster than 16 weeks?
Sometimes, with a rush surcharge and a limited number of slots per quarter. We would rather tell you no than miss the date you are planning an event around.