Concept to wearing cosplay starts with an idea and comes to reality through design, planning, and budgeting. There are many manufacturing processes that go into creating a functional and accurate costume. Fabric, foam, resin, leather, metal, silicone, and more have to work together smoothly to be comfortable to wear and dazzling to see.

Wearing the costume is the pinnacle of costuming. Documenting all the hard work with photography can be a real celebration of creative vision. Both of these have some unique challenges that can be addressed in the planning and designing process.