Also really bad at reading through random posts for an answer in threads T^T gives me a head ache after awhile... and I've been looking at least an hour or so now I think... Specifically I want to know what's the best/cheapest place to send a doll to have molds/casts made? Also will they send the original doll back (plan to make dolls out of clay - like bisque state stoneware, and maybe scupty clay) Plan to make Yosd and smaller dolls presently, and I've totally no idea how to make a resin mold/cast of my own >.>; I've tried looking at the tutorials and such but I can't wrap my head around it. (offhand would their be anybody on here willing to do like a one off mold/cast for a smallish fee -beyond material cost-?, if so would you be willing to take on something over 2 foot... I've a doll I already made in stoneware and would love to make a refined version of her but I think she'd need to be resin first to make it easier ^^;; ) Does the place have a minimum number of dolls that need to be made? Also what's the best why to go about selling the dolls once their made? like should I try to make a website (if I can figure that out) or should I try through forums like here, Den of Angels, Dairy land, Deviant art, Etsy, or other places? Also what type of things seem most popular? (currently planning on a yosd height mature body anthro cat with a bit of fluff texture to the body) Also what are good companies to use to have custom boxes made? about what price rates to they have? and do they have minimum number requirements? That's all the questions I can think of right now... though I know I'm forgetting some :[
I think I have seen some people offer commission to mold doll in Deviant art, and they send back the mold back to you so you can start to cast into resin. For casting companies like dollshe or chinese company, usually their minimum is more than 10 doll if I'm not mistaken. For a new seller, I suggest to open pre-order first so the you won't over produce doll and have loss instead of gaining. This also help to establish name and reputation first. You should send your finished doll picture to DoA and once they approved so it can be posted in DoA, make a news thread and link it to your website or etsy or maybe pre-order via email. Rather than things that already popular, you should make some that unique, a style that only you have, so it become a selling point rather than having a Mary Sue doll that already available from other company. I also seen some custom boxes on Etsy, rates is different from each seller. You should browse some and see if the quality and price match with your budget. You can also contact seller to see if you can get discount for bulk purchase. Most of this is my opinion though so I'm sorry if there any mistake in my reply. I wish you good luck
A lot of those questions are something you'll have to find an answer for yourself, I'm afraid, beccause it really depends on what you're looking for. There is a great thread here about the several casting companies. Most companies offer a minimum batch of at least 20, Dollshe Craft offers minimum batches of 10. On Dollshe's website there is list of molding and casting fees, that should give you an idea of how much it is going to cost you to produce dolls. Most of the time, the original will not survive the molding phase, but casting companies usually send you a resin master back in return, in case you want to make more reproductions. As for boxes, I really can't help you with that, because I've decided not to use them (too expensive). Depending on how hands-on you want to be, you could of course order shipping boxes and make them more presentable yourself. As for selling: get yourself known. A website really helps, because people have a place to go to, but if you want them to know you exist, you'll have to spend a lot of time showing yourself on whatever forum, social media place, etc that's out there. Paying for ads and attending conventions also helps. It is not as easy as it looks to sell dolls: the market is very competitive and remember that people can only spend their money once. Unless you make a doll that is a hit right away, it will take time before people start to notice you. To give you an idea: I've been running FreakStyleBJD for two years now and it is only in the last few months that I'm starting to sell. What I do know is that, unless you've made something that is quite unique, people will usually not buy a doll in pre-order when there are only pictures of the clay mold. Especially when you're new, you will have to gain trust. (there have been companies in the past which turned out to be less than reputable and people are cautious) Of course, you could try, but keep in mind that you will have to invest yourself to get your first doll cast. I'm not trying to discourage you, because if you want to set up your own shop you should... it's fun! But keep in mind that it is a lot of work and you might not get the money back that you've invested. EDIT Oh, and I agree with twinage that you should focus on what's popular. This is a fast-paced market. What's popular now, may not be popular when you finally have your doll ready. So, find a distinctive style. Make dolls that when people see them, they just KNOW they have to be sculpted by you.
thank you both, that's a lot of help... though that gives me another idea, how likely do you think it would be that people would buy dolls at doll meets? I mean I've seen people that would old dolls, and event parts at meet ups... but do you think that'd work with a none mainstream doll?
Sometimes people do sell doll in meetup, but mostly they already tell in advance on forum. Not every people bring lot of money to meetup and suddenly on a whim 'I want to buy this doll'. Probably the best you can do at meetup is promoting, like how the posing works, resin quality, etc. And if you can answer their question and have a nice conversation, some people going to be interested and possibly order or join the pre-order. If selling in person, it's better to be convention than meetup cause people already prepared lot of cash at convention than a little meetup. But as Silk suggest, make people notice you first, make a name for yourself so the sale will be easier and people will be more assured to an company that active in promotion rather than quiet one.
Yeah, selling at meet-ups isn't going to work, because people usually go to a place like that to see other dolls, not to buy stuff. When you want to sell, first, you'll have to figure out for yourself what type of customer you're going to focus one. Then you have to figure out where you can get in touch with them, what they are looking for and how much money they want to invest in this hobby.
For packaging you might try messaging office supplies and container stores that sell generic boxes and packaging materials to see if they will sell in bulk to businesses. Then all you have to do to customize is make a stamp or a sticker and slap it on the box.
May I ask, how exactly do I send it to DoA? Do I private message a moderator, or is there a forum for that?
bluemoon, if you're on DoA then you just click on "Ask the moderator" to get to that subforum. It's private and only you and the moderators will see it. (I have it on the top of my screen in a blue rectangular when I sign in)
