<aside> 🍮 by saildraws

basic info about making splatoon dolls!

this is just some of what i have learned in case it’s useful. there are other resources on splatoon dolls and bjds in general, so if you want more guidance search around online!

i probably won’t answer specific questions (it takes a lot of time to research and make these). thank you for understanding! ^^

try not to repost my images without tagging as it’s my oc :P shoutout to @ fraudue for all of their help with pudding!!

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the splatoon doll making community is mainly chinese and sells parts on taobao (online marketplace), and xianyu (chinese ebay/etsy).

• you can use taobao on a browser or an app, but will need to download the app for xianyu.
• as an international buyer, you can make an account with your phone number. a few items may be region blocked which is unfortunately unavoidable if you don’t have a chinese phone number.

search keywords “splatoon bjd” or “ob11” or “bjd”, etc, on those platforms and you will find doll item results. splatoon faceplates and hair are available. use google translate and image translate if you need it!

how to buy

it is possible to buy all the base parts from taobao+xianyu (ie. faceplate, splatoon ingame hair) without speaking chinese, through a proxy. you simply need to give your proxy the link to the item and any details / options for the item you want to buy.

• i saw someone using Superbuy (@splatoondollmaking on pinterest), and there are many options out there if you search for chinese ordering proxies. I didn’t use one so I don’t have particular recs.
• taobao is a straightforward online shopping platform (though you should check in the listing if the item is preorder, and what the fulfillment timeline and final deposit is). you can also order direct international on taobao through their built-in proxy service.
• keep in mind that xianyu items are generally made to order, or preorder, and you or the proxy will need to communicate with the seller in chinese. xianyu also will need you to verify your chinese citizenship number at purchase so if you don’t have one but need to order something without a proxy, you may be out of luck.

once you’ve obtained your base items, you can paint over them using your own paints / materials. for best results you will need model paint materials and an airbrush. i recommend checking out resources from custom nendoroid, figurine, or gunpla forums. the standard primer and finishing spray is Mr. Super Clear. use caution as sprays can be toxic!

it’s a lot easier to draw faces if the face plate has eye holes (as most of the splatoon ones do)! that way you don’t need to paint the eyeballs.

base face + hair

splatoon inkling / octo faceplates are a custom version of the goodsmilecompany nendoroid face plate. they come in several varieties depending on the seller. the most popular taobao seller (游娱工坊) is usually sold out but restocks near the start of every month.

• for hair, most splatoon dolls use 3D resin prints. the base can be either white or transparent. all the ingame ones can be ordered from taobao or xianyu shops. if you want custom hair, you can commission an artist to make a custom hair 3d file, or mold one out of air dry polymer clay yourself. (i recommend looking at figurine forums for clay advice! if you get the materials / technique right, custom clay hair can look great. )