The use of dakimakura or the body pillows has, over some time, become a lively and significant part of anime and the fan base. Although there are generic daki as many people prefer to have a dakimakura of their favorite anime characters or those manufactured with the most common patterns, many are ordering their daki.
Whether you are an artist who needs to present his art to others, a fan who wants a unique anime character pillow, or just a person looking for a personalized gift, custom dakimakura is the best solution here and now.
A custom dakimakura is perfect because one can choose the designs they prefer and the type of material they want for their pillow, making it a personalised pillow. Suppose you want to avail yourself of the service of designing and creating your dakimakura. In that case, this article will provide you with the basic knowledge on how to accomplish this by giving information about the process from the conceptualisation up to printing the desired image on the fabric and how to take care of it properly.
Dakimakura
A dakimakura is a type of body pillow, and it has been said that most people hug while sleeping. These pillows range in length from 150cm /59″ and more and are not only practical but also works of art and may depict characters from anime, manga, or video games.
Indeed, most dakimakura covers depict characters manufactured in serial or those obtained through licenses; however, custom dakimakura is innovative since people can opt for a unique design or artwork.
Custom Dakimakura
Designing your dakimakura can be great fun and enjoyable to create. Whether you sketch out the design on your own or use the help of a designer, creating a unique cushion takes several crucial stages.
a: Conceptualizing Your Design
It is crucial to know what specific kind of dakimakura design you wish to go for before creating the design. Here are some things to think about:
Character Selection: If you would like to create a pillow that relates to a specific anime, manga, or video game character, then this post is for you! Or would you like to invent your unique character all on your own? When deciding your character, focus on the statistics such as the character’s position, facial expression, and props. Custom dakimakura is a good chance to present your ideas through art images.
Theme or Style: Do you have a certain type of dakimakura design you would like for whatever reason? For instance, you can choose between a happy or rich theme or a tender and majestic theme. This theme will assist you in selecting the right shade and hue for the background and also defining the right style for characters in or to the view to give the right mood.
Pose and Orientation: Covers are normally tiled on one or two sides, and the poses depicted on them are important. Would you like to pose like this or like a statue, or perhaps you want to do more action like this? Think of the character’s actions with the space and the character’s position about the pillow’s length.
b. Working with a Designer
You don’t have to be an artist if you have a specific idea about your dakimakura, but hiring an illustrator or a designer is also possible. A lot of websites and web-based design studios focus on Dakimakura designs. For such designers, you would want to get the design of your dream and be assured that it is well executed, aesthetically desirable, and fits the proper measurements of the dakimakura.
In the case of working with the designer, it is important to make oneself understood fully. Give pictures, drawings, and descriptions of what you want that must be replicated. It will also help you to get quality work done since you will be working with the professional of your choice.
c. Selecting Appropriate Technologies for DIY Designers
Suppose you are an artist who desires to draw designs individually. In that case, the means will be definite digital art programs like Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Procreate. The best graphics tablets have many special features that enable you to capture and paint your artwork in the best manner possible. Here are some helpful tips for creating a custom dakimakura design:
Resolution: Ensure your design will be printed in a reasonably high resolution.
Usually, it is recommended that any art to be printed on dakimakura has a resolution of at least 300 dpi or dots per inch.
Dimensions: I used common Dakimakura sizes ranging from 150 cm (59 inches) in length to 50 cm (20 inches) in width, but you should refer to the size of the printing company you intend to use.
Layers and Detail: Using layers, fine-tune the details of your design, including the texture, shadow, and highlight. With this in mind, the more detail added, the more fulfilling the resulting dakimakura will be, and the more real the characters portrayed on the pillow look.
Colour Profiles: It is necessary to check the colour mode of your design; most of the time, it should be in CMYK to have good and clear-looking colours on printed media.
3. Choosing the right material for the custom dakimakura
After the design is decided, the type of material to use when developing your custom dakimakura is important for the product’s texture and sturdiness. The type of fabric used can greatly determine the final products’ feel, comfort, durability, and drape.
2-Way Tricot
2-Way Tricot is considered one of the most favoured fabrics for constructing the Dakimakura outer cover. It has a gentle, velvety, and elastic feel, making it fantastic for hugging and snuggling. This fabric is slightly lustrous and accommodates finely finished and bright prints. This type of dakimakura can be used on single-sided and double-sided prints, making it versatile.
Peach Skin
Peach skin is another useful fabric choice. It is supple, smooth to the touch, and like Suede, but is not as shiny, which minimises glare. It is very comfortable, and its quality will ensure that it lasts for some time, hence its popularity. Peach skin is a little cheaper than other luxe fabrics that can also be used, and that is why they are used in custom dakimakura covers.
Suede
Suede is a favourable material that can be used to make custom dakimakura covers. It is a silky material, very fabric, very silken with a soft touch, and rich in feel by touching the skin. While the Suede does not have the same stretch as the 2-Way Tricot, it is finer and adds a more luxurious appearance. If you want to make your custom design more classy than the leather one, you may be interested in Suede.
Minky
Minky fabric is perfect for those personalities who don’t like rough surfaces on their clothes and welcome only a soft and fluffy touch. The fabric type, which is very popular due to its softness, similar to the teddy bear, is minky and, therefore, ideal for those who prefer warmth. Minky is usually used in cuddly pillows or for anyone living in a colder zone.
4. Using Your Own Dakimakura Template
After you have chosen your fabric, the next step is to print your design on the selected fabric. For printing, you will have to use the service of a professional who deals in custom dakimakura production. Such services popularly apply sublimation print or direct-to-fabric print to guarantee that the correct percentages of colour are achieved and the prints are not blurred.
When delivering your design to the printing company, ensure it conforms to its standards. The design should be in high resolution, the file format we prefer, and any bleed areas (additional space around the design, ensuring that the design extends to the edges of the pillow and there are no white borders).
5. Double-Sided vs Single Sided
A person will face the single-side or double-side dakimakura printing option. Here’s a breakdown of both options:
a. Single-Sided Design
A dakimakura has content on only one part of the pillow; the other side is left blank without a print. It is cheaper than producing many designs, but the disadvantage is that you can only offer one particular design. A one-sided design is enough to advertise only one character or pose.
b. Double-Sided Design
A dakimakura can have art on two sides so that one can have two designs, characters, or poses. It is advantageous for the consumer if he wants more diversity or cannot choose between several designs. It is also more popular for people who wish to have their dakimakura items be more interactive.
6. Proper Handling of Personal Body Pillows
However, the custom dakimakura you ordered should be properly handled so it does not spoil. Here are some tips for maintaining your dakimakura:
Wash Regularly: As mentioned earlier, most Dakimakura covers are put in a washing machine; make sure to check for the fabric washing guide, though. Wash it with a gentle detergent and hand wash the skin for the cover in cold water to avoid the color fading.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Stern cleaners and bleach will interfere with the fabric, and the colors will begin to fade. Use only clothes-wash-appropriate cleaning agents to pamper your delicate fabrics.
Storage: To do so, when not using your dakimakura, store them in a cool and dry area to avoid sun exposure, which may fade the cover and damage the fabric.
Conclusion
Making a dakimakura themselves is an interesting and fun task that allows them to materialize dreams. It can be your original character or transform your beautiful illustration into a comfortable body pillow. With the help of the outline above, learning how to conceptualize your designs, selecting the material print, and caring for your dakimakura custom will certainly aid you in making a distinctive pillow that will suit the buyer’s personality.