Funko Pops are vinyl collectible figures depicting characters from popular culture such as movies, TV shows, video games, anime, and more. Since their launch in 1998, Funko Pops have become hugely popular among fans and collectors around the world.
With their large heads, black dot-like eyes, and stylized design, Funko Pops offer cute representations of popular characters that fans love to collect and display. Part of the appeal lies in seeing one’s favorite characters from games, shows, or films turned into an adorable chibi-style Funko Pop figure.
The Pop Vinyl figures are affordable, typically selling for $10 – $15. With new figures constantly being released, there seems to be a Funko Pop for almost any fandom nowadays. Rare, exclusive, and special edition Funko Pops can also fetch high prices on the secondary market among collectors.
Overall, Funko Pops serve as fun collectibles that let fans display their love for their favorite fandoms on their shelves. The simple, cute design makes them appealing for casual fans and serious collectors alike.
What is a Custom Funko Pop?
A custom Funko Pop refers to a Funko Pop figure that has been modified or created to look like a character or person that does not have an official Funko Pop made of them. This allows fans to have a Funko Pop figure of even obscure characters that don’t have merch.
Custom Funko Pops may involve modding existing Funko Pop figures by doing head-swaps, repainting, or adding sculpted elements. Or the entire Pop figure may be sculpted and created from scratch to transform it into a wholly new character.
Some ways people customize Funko Pops include:
- Head-swapping: Swapping the head of one Funko with another. This lets you make combinations like putting Brienne of Tarth’s head on Daenerys’s body.
- Repainting: Painting over a Funko Pop with acrylics to change its color scheme or add unique details reflective of a character. This can turn a standard Batman into Batman Beyond.
- Sculpting: Sculpting new hair, outfit details, weapons, tools, etc out of clay and attaching them onto a base Funko Pop body. This way you can have Pops of highly detailed armor sets and such.
- UV Resin: Using UV resin to change facial details like scars or add things like jewelry for more uniqueness.
The creativity is endless when making custom Funko Pops! They let fans expand their collections into virtually any character imaginable.
Overview of Online Custom Funko Services
For those lacking the artistic skills to customize their own Funko Pops, there are online services that allow you to create your own customized Pop figures. These Funko Pop customizers are third party companies independent of Funko, but they partner with Funko to use official parts and molds.
Online custom Funko services allow you to choose a base body, select a head, hair, outfit pieces, and accessories. Some even offer digital rendering so you can view your creation before ordering. Then a team of artists meticulously sculpt and craft your unique custom Funko Pop design.
The process makes getting a one-of-a-kind custom Funko Pop of your own design convenient. No need to learn complex modding or sculpting skills. And they look professionally done, like an official Funko product.
Now let’s overview some top online custom Funko Pop services to use in 2023:
- Funko
- POPcultcha
- ClothesOnFilm Custom Funko Pops
- FigureQuest
- POP! Custom Design Studio
1. Funko
- Official custom Funko Pop maker
- Offers digital proof of concept
- Large variety of licensed parts/outfits
- The most expensive custom service
Funko itself offers a custom Pop service where you can mix and match parts to create your own figures. As the official source, they produce customs using official Funko parts and elements from their various figure lines.
Funko allows you to choose a base body, head/hair, outfit components, and accessories. Everything comes directly from official Funko products to produce new combinations. For a small fee, you can also get a digital rendering of your design before purchasing to visualize the final product.
Given their access to official parts, Funko likely offers the highest quality customs using genuine molds. The output resembles official Funko products. However,reflecting their status as the premiere custom shop, Funko also charges the highest prices starting at $50 per custom before shipping.
Still for diehard collectors who want official-looking custom Pops straight from the source, Funko itself produces the best end-result.
2. POPcultcha
- Nice balance of quality and affordability
- Intuitive Pop customizer tool
- Australian based company with worldwide shipping
- Large variety of customization options
POPcultcha is a Funko focused retailer based in Australia that offers a robust custom Pop making service. Through their online Pop customizing tool you mix-and-match components, outfit pieces, accessories and more to create a fully custom Pop design.
Their tool is easy to navigate with clear categories. You choose head/hair, body type, outfits broken down by components, and accessories ranging from weapons, tools, musical instruments, and even animals/pets. A preview updates in real-time so you always know how your design looks before purchasing.
POPcultcha produces solid quality customs comparable to Funko’s own, but at almost half the cost, with prices starting around $26. They are also very responsive over email if you have specific requests or questions when plotting out a design.
For U.S. buyers, shipping can take 2-3 weeks but is reasonable. POPcultcha does excellent custom work making them a top option blending quality, customization, and affordability.
3. ClothesOnFilm Custom Funko Pops
- Specializes in clothing/costume accuracy
- Great for film/TV character customs
- UK based but ships internationally
- Lower order minimums than most services
ClothesOnFilm as their name suggests, specializes in clothing focused customs with exceptional attention to detail and costume accuracy. This makes them a top choice for customs based on film and TV show characters.
Their level of detail and tailoring on costume elements like dresses, armor, suits, and more is impeccable. The customs resemble a character’s on-screen looks flawlessly. They get details perfect down to buttons, embroidery, texturing, and accessories.
As UK based company, international shipping can be pricey. However their minimum order is only £65 compared to £100-£200 for other custom services. This makes smaller single figure orders or pairs more affordable.
For screen accurate customs from cinema, television, or stage productions, ClothesOnFilm does astounding work recreating costumes in miniature Funko form.
4. FigureQuest
- Digital rendering of designs before purchase
- Mix of components or fully hand sculpted
- Specializes in fantasy characters
- Small custom shop experience and attention
FigureQuest approaches Pop customization from a more arts and crafts position, making them appealing for original character designs or obscure fantasy/sci-fi IPs.
Through their site you choose options for body type, outfit style, weapons, pose and facial expression. However you also have the option for the artists to design a look themselves based on a description. This allows for fully hand sculpted elements that add more custom personality.
FigureQuest offers the option to digitally render your design before purchase. This is invaluable for confirming your custom Funko matches expectations. Few custom services offer this.
Being a small operation, don’t expect ultra quick turnaround. But the care, communication, and attention to detail is excellent. For fantasy franchise customs from the likes of LOTR, Witcher, Elder Scrolls, etc, FigureQuest shines.
5. POP! Custom Design Studio
- Allows colorful/stylized custom designs
- Very quick turnaround time
- China based but ships worldwide
- Lower minimum order quantity
POP! Custom Design Studio allows for more stylized and colorful custom Pops compared to services focused on continuity with Funko’s standard style. This lends itself well to cartoonish, anime, or original designs.
They hand sculpt bodies, heads and accessory elements specially tailored to each customer’s needs. This opens up options beyond simple mix-and-matching. And their painting style is vibrant leaning into custom personality.
As a China based studio they offer excellent turnaround, completing designs in 7-15 days on average. Their pricing is also quite fair starting around $20-25 per figure without shipping.
For U.S. buyers, you can expect 2-3 weeks delivery time. But the speed is unmatched. For affordable yet lively customs POP! Custom Design Studio delivers.
How to Design Your Own Custom Funko Pop Online
Designing your own custom Funko Pop using the various online services involves a similar set of steps:
- Decide on a base body mold: Male, female, child, anthropomorphic, etc. This forms the foundational look in terms of height, head size, proportions and pose.
- Select a hairstyle or headpiece: Options range from basic hairdos to elaborate helms, crowns or hats. Ensure your headgear matches the proportions of your chose head/body.
- Choose outfit components: Services provide different clothes pieces from shirts, pants, dresses, armor, etc that you mix-and-match. Keep the outfit cohesive to your character.
- Add optional accessories: Accessorize further with weapons, musical instruments, animals, tools etc for a more personalized flair.
- Refine with paints and finishing touches if offered: Some studios let you pick unqiue color schemes, paint detailing, base stands etc as a final polish.
- Review and confirm digital render (if available): See a 3D visualization of your concept before purchasing to ensure it matches expectations.
Follow these steps when using online custom Pop services to craft your dream figure design from head to toe. It helps create a cohesive look true to your characters rather than just random assembly.
Top 10 Custom Funko Pop Ideas
Need inspiration for creating a signature custom Funko Pop? Here are 10 great custom Pop ideas to ignite your creativity:
- Your D&D character: Immortalize your tabletop gaming hero with a custom Pop bearing their outfit, weapons, familiar, and other RPG flair.
- An original superhero: Invent a brand new superhero or superheroine then design a funko envisioning their uniform and colors. Great forcomic creators.
- Your own chibi avatar: Make a mini you! Design a Funko Pop sporting your favorite outfit, hair, and accessories for a self-stylized collectible.
- An obscure favorite character: Create the Pop of an obscure character from niche media who will likely never get an official release like book characters or indie game protagonists.
- Mashup concepts: Fuse two characters into one by melding favored elements from each into an inventive mashup Pop expressing your hybrid creativity.
- Kitbashing: Kitbash multiple existing Pops together through headswaps, limb transplants and part combining to form elaborate original designs.
- Alternate outfits: Reimagine popular characters in new outfits such as Captain America styled like Batman or Darth Vader dressed as Iron Man for delightful remixes.
- Variant concepts: For established characters, design variant looks such as steampunk styled Pops with goggles/top hats, or fantasy skins with elven ears and medieval garb.
- Gift caricatures: Make custom Pops as gifts for friends or family showcasing inside jokes, their job or passions. A unique personalized present.
- Decorating spaces: Match Pops to your room’s color scheme or decor. Design your own room guardian or mascot to accent shelves, desks or cabinets.
Let these springboard ideas ignite plans for signature customs tailored to your interests, fandoms and creativity. The possibilities are endless!
Pros and Cons of Custom Funko Pops
Before committing to a custom design, let’s weigh some pros and cons to consider regarding custom Pops.
Pros:
- Make unique characters not produced officially
- Personalize with your own concepts and style
- Combine and mashup elements in creative new ways
- Tailor outfits/looks beyond default appearances
- Can complement official collection
- Changes poses and facial expressions
- Occasionally increase value for rare concepts
Cons:
- Unable to resell for as much value as official Pops
- Bootleg stigma from some collectors
- Risk of damage in shipping
- Extra labor means increased costs over premade pops
- Wait time around 2-4 weeks typically
- Potential for inaccuracies from source material
For hobbyists who want to expand collections into their own visions, customs provide endless opportunities. But mass collectors focused on increasing value may find the second-hand market too niche.
Guidelines When Designing Custom Funkos
To ensure receiving quality customs, follow these guidelines:
- Research services thoroughly checking reviews and past work
- Clearly communicate all details and expectations you want accurately captured
- If digitally previewing, review carefully to spot necessary tweaks
- Give explicit written descriptions and reference photos from multiple angles
- Keep designs simple starting out before elevating complexity gradually
- Seek second opinions from fellow fans on suggestions to improve accuracy
It also helps collecting official Funkos first to better understand their stylization before tackling customs. Follow these tips and you’re sure to be thrilled creating figures made to order for you!
5 Quick Tips for Ordering Custom Funko Pops
Ordering custom designed Funko Pops involves a few extra considerations compared to buying premade figures:
- Expect higher pricing: More labor means customs cost $20+ over basic Funkos
- Factor extra painting/preparation time a few weeks wait before shipping
- Request extra protective packing material given potential international shipping
- Inquire about resin types used if wanting durability for regular handling
- Ask if lost package policies apply for peace of mind over valuable one-of-a-kind items
With reasonable turnaround expectations and an inquiry into packaging and shipping protections, ordering customs internationally proves reliable. Just anticipate higher pricing and wait times as fair tradeoff for personalized works of Pop art!
Showcasing Custom Funkos with Display Tips
The right displays help make custom Funko Pops standout stars of any collection:
For loose figures not kept in boxes, acrylic risers lift customs to eye-catching heights among other pops on shelves. Rotating stands make for dynamic spinning displays. And lit cases with built-in LED accenting generate an eye-catching glow.
When keeping customs mint-in box, floating wall shelves suspend Pops in-view while protecting boxes. Or stand MIB customs inside clear acrylic boxes adding a pristine showroom effect.
Use dioramas to depict custom characters in scenes from source material. And specialty stands balance customs in fun poses like Spider-Man mid wall-crawl or Frozen’s Elsa mid-magic conjuring.
With customized pops, flaunt creativity by going beyond basic shelf lining. Dynamic displays transform custom designs into themed focal points.
Protecting Custom Funko Pops
For premium one-of-a-kind customs, take measures protecting them:
Store customs behind glass doors to guard against dust buildup and accidental drops/spills which may damage intricate paint detailing. Handle gently avoiding excess contact with skin oils also causing deterioration.
When displayed long term under lights, place UV filtering plexiglass to block sunlight fading and discoloration over time.
Use protective pop stacks, covers and stands guarding against scuffs, crushing dents or leaning. Funko’s official pop protectors prove durably shock-absorbent.
While cleaning dust gently blow, avoid moisture damaging custom paints.
Follow archival framing techniques like acid free back boards securing figures in frames to prevent aging and decay.
Defend irreplaceable custom designs just like prized art. With care they’ll dazzle for years!
Is It Legal to Sell Custom Funko Pops?
Wondering if you can you make money selling custom Funko Pop designs? Let’s clarify the legalities:
As derivitive works basing designs on copyrighted intellectual properties, customs cannot be mass produced or sold without license. Purchasing base Funko parts imparts no commercial reuse rights.
However, on marketplaces like Etsy where creators sell handmade arts and crafts, those doing truly unique custom pops as individual pieces avoid legal issue. Just don’t outright label them with trademarks like “Marvel” or “Harry Potter”. Use vague descriptions of influences instead.
When selling, advertising as unofficial fan art not claiming association with Funko or branding avoides trouble. Securing permission is wise still when depicting private individuals versus fictional characters.
So legally customs occupy murky grounds regarding sales. But as purely hand-crafted efforts of individual passion, customs find acceptance among collector circles. Just avoid mass counterfeit production deceiving buyers expecting genuine Funko products.
Ethically, creatively empowered customs showing fan appreciation thrive in the Funko scene. But intentionally misleading bootlegs erode trust. Custom producers should honestly communicate origins.
Summary
For pop culture fandoms with niche interests, custom Funko Pops unlock unlimited personalization opportunities beyond what exists through official product lines. Services covered here help fans lacking artistic skills or resources have original characters and mashups brought to vinyl life at reasonable rates. Just anticipate extra production times and handle with care given delicate nature.
With so many beloved films, shows, games and books absent Funko representation, custom pops fill the void. And delivering fandoms their ideal visualized collectibles inspires brand loyalty over mere purchasing. Funko loses nothing empowering fans. What ultimately matters is creators respectfully communicating origins while bringing joy through quality craftsmanship. That spirit sees customs endure.
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