How Custom Bobbleheads Are Made

At Couple of Things, a custom bobblehead starts with your photos and design choices. An artist uses those references to hand-sculpt a polymer-clay figurine. You review sculpture proofs before the piece is approved for baking, then it is prepared for shipping.

Start a custom bobblehead or use this guide to prepare your photos and understand when to give feedback.

1. Choose the photos and details

Use a clear, front-facing photo taken in good light. Add side views when they help show the hairstyle or profile, and provide separate references for the outfit, pose and props. If you upload several photos, identify the main face reference.

Write down the details that matter most: hairstyle, glasses, clothing colours, a meaningful accessory or exact base wording. If your photos show different outfits or haircuts, say which one the artist should follow.

2. Explore an AI design concept

The ordering studio offers an AI preview to help you explore the overall idea. This is a generated concept image. It is not a photograph of a completed figurine and does not guarantee the final likeness, proportions or small details.

Read our AI preview and sculpture proof guide for the difference between these two stages.

3. The artist sculpts the figurine

The physical bobblehead is handmade in polymer clay using your reference photos and agreed design details. The artist interprets the face, hair, outfit and pose at miniature scale. The result has the characteristics of a handmade sculpture rather than an exact copy of a photograph or AI image.

4. Review the sculpture proofs

The artist's proof images show the actual work in progress. Compare them with your reference photos and design notes. Give specific feedback while changes can still be discussed before baking.

• Face and hair: check the features and hairstyle that are most important to you.
• Outfit and pose: compare clothing, colours and posture with your chosen references.
• Details: check props and the spelling of any requested text.

Keep feedback clear and grouped together. Use the approval or change-request options shown on your order and follow the displayed response deadline. A request is not the same as approval; confirm changes before approving the piece for baking.

5. Approval, baking and delivery

After approval for baking, the clay is cured to harden the sculpture. This is why design feedback should be raised during the proof stage. The completed figurine is then prepared for shipping.

Production is typically 3 business days to 2 weeks, with design complexity and proof approvals affecting timing. Shipping is additional: the current estimates are 10–20 business days for standard shipping or 3–5 business days for express shipping at an additional charge. Check the shipping policy and confirm fixed deadlines before ordering.

Questions about the process

Is the AI preview the finished product?

No. The AI image is a concept. Sculpture proofs show the physical work for your review before baking.

Can I request a particular outfit or prop?

Choose the available options or provide reference photos and notes for a custom request. Review feasibility and any additional charge before placing the order.

What does a custom bobblehead cost?

A single-person design starts at US$109. Additional people and optional extras affect the total. See the pricing and photo guide and check your selected total in the studio.

Browse customer reviews and finished examples, view the custom bobblehead product, or start your design.