One of the biggest questions we get asked is: "How can I get my resin/3D printed pieces onto my costume?"
Really, there are a lot of different ways, but what we recommend is putting some pinbacks, or snaps on to the accessories and your fabric, (what you choose really depends on the costume and type of fabric). This way you can launder, clean, and transport your costume without the accessories attached, which just makes things easier. You can use this method with bodyshopped 3D prints, and our resin kits.
How to glue hardware to resin
In this tutorial we're referring to items such as jewelry bails, jump rings, or earring posts, even as hardware.
1. Score with a craft knife
You'll want to use a craft knife on the front and back of the resin piece and scratch up any piece you're applying glue to. In this tutorial, I'm using Gorilla Glue, but you can check out our kit finishing shopping list for more recommendations on glues, paints, and everything else! In this image I'm scoring the back of a Linkshell Linkpearl earring kit, (these are awesome if you just want to casually cosplay your Warrior of Light).
2. Glue your hardware to your resin piece, or apply a felt backing!
Of course, the next thing to do is glue the hardware to the piece, again I'm using the Linkshell earring as an example. I'm using tweezers to hold the smaller parts in place so I can avoid dropping and losing more delicate pieces. Pay attention to the cure time of the glue you've chosen for best results. You may also choose to apply a felt backing to larger pieces, or pieces that might be in contact with your skin. This creates a more "finished" look and allows you more grip for glue or even sewing snaps or clips on.
3. Go forth and glue!
Here are a few examples of how we've glued hardware to some of our resin pieces in order to affix them to costumes. We've scored the back of this Urianger Cosplay Accessory Kit to glue a pinback on. Pinning the stars to the skirt kept them from moving too much while being worn. We've also glued a pinback to a strip of velvet in order to create Y'shtola's Choker.
If resin pieces are sitting against your skin, you can always back them with felt to reduce sticking and sweating. Use the same method of scoring your pieces first and lightly apply some glue!
