A great costume doesn’t only need to look good – it needs to be
practical, durable, appealing and a great representation of the design
and graphics of your character. It also needs to be comfortable to wear
and easy to clean.
Above all it needs to be carefully designed to perform and do the job it needs to do, in the chosen environment.
To help clarify your needs and identify the “must haves” – this guide
will walk you through all the options, possibilities and features that
will make your brand ambassador an outstanding and unrivalled success.
Please beware:
Buying “off the shelf” low cost suits may not deliver a costume that is fit for purpose. It may well not be hygienic, safe, comfortable to wear, or made well enough to last.
We all recognise that initial disappointment when we buy something that doesn’t meet
expectations, or is even barely fit for purpose. You can double the frustration when it’s an imported item, with no helpline or customer service to help rectify the problem.
To avoid the hassles, extra cost and time consuming grief that
investing in the wrong product or company causes, follow this simple
step-by-step guide. It will help you to ensure your purchase is a
delight, exceeds expectations and puts a smile on your face.
The more you know what you want your costume to do for you, the easier it is to select the right style.
Briefly work through the following questions to help you identify and clarify your costume:
• What type of costume/character do you want? Animal? Human? Object?
• What would a licensed character bring to your business? Do you need an existing
famous character to link your brand to?
• What do you need the costume to do? Give out leaflets? Dance? Perform on stage?
Pose for photos? character breakfast?
• What type of venue or business is the costume for?
• What merchandise opportunities are there for the character? soft toys, t-shirts etc?
• What budget do you have in mind for the costume?
• What facilities do you have to store, clean and maintain the suit?
• Where will the costume be used? Inside? Outside? In a play area? At a theme park or on a cruise ship?
• Where will the risk assessments be written for? Will provisions be
made for costume risk assessments to be undertaken in advance for all
venues and public appearances?
• Where are you located? UK and Europe? UAE? Australasia? (Different
climates need different structures and cooling requirements).
• Where will it be stored? This can determine the size of the character.
• Where will it be based? (Does it need to be transported from one venue to another?).
• Does this require specialist costume transport bags, boxes, wardrobes and support
staff?
• When do you need the costume for?
• When do you plan to use it?
• If you have a specific design in mind – Why do you need this type of character?
• Why will this work for your brand, venue or campaign?
• How many costumes do you need? Franchise? Chain? Promotion?
• How often will they be used? Daily? Hourly? Weekly? One-off Event?
• How many different people would be expected to wear it? Allow for cleaning time or
special under-suits.
• How do you bring the costume to life? Professional wearer? Multiple wearers? In-
house staff with training?
• How long would you expect the wearer to wear the suit?
• How frequently will the wearer be expected to wear it?
• How many different wearers will wear it? Will you purchase enough suits to enable
cleaning between performances for different wearers?
• Who is the character designed to appeal to? What is the age group?
If there is more than one age group, would two different characters work
better? (E.g. Tom and Jerry, Mickey and Minnie, Lollo and Bernie).
• Who will be looking after the costume? While it is being worn, as a minder and between wears?
• Who will be employed as a minder for different venues?
• Who will train the wearer in personality gestures?
• Who will choreograph the personality of the character and train both the wearer and
the minder?
• Who will choreograph the movement for communication? (Remember that Mascots
should not speak).
Once these points have been determined, it is much easier to design the
most appropriate costume to suit your needs.
If you already have an idea
or actual design, we can assess the design and possibly suggest how to
adapt it to make it more fit for purpose.
We work with you to ensure you are aware of all the options
available so that you can select a costume that is perfect for your
requirements.
A costume for a safari park will have different requirements from a suit
that needs to work in a children’s play area, it isn’t a simple “one
size fits all” purchase.
We have over ten years of experience to base our production methods on,
working all over the world with all the major Theme parks and production
companies, so we are aware of everything that is ‘state of the art’ in
our industry and specialised field.
We take on board the relevant elements, incorporate these into the
design and share them with you.
Things such as dye sublimation, vac
forming, Antron Fleece, and Techno Spandex; we know what it is and how
it can benefit you. Listening and understanding terms such as “lovable”
“cuddly” “comical” and “hot” can mean very different things to different
people. We make sure we are on the right page, before we start.
Here at Maskot Kostymer, we really do live up to our name. Our
costumes are not simply fur suits with a person inside, we bring the
design to life.
Attention to detail such as the size and position of a
glint in the eye, the size of a button, the scale of the head and the
magical way we create the bodies without them looking like costumes
all helps to bring your character to life.
In our galleries, you can see examples of mascot costumes we have created over the years – all with strong personality and a clear identity. Many costume websites display gallery after gallery of images that are just that: costumes. At Maskot Kostymer, we create mascots that function as characters and brand ambassadors, making a real impact.
There is something about the quality, attention to detail, scale and
proportion, contrast and silhouette that sets Maskot Kostymer
apart from the rest, which is why so many high- profile brands trust us
to bring their Ambassadors to life.
‘Never underestimate the power of a fluffy super hero made by Maskot Kostymer.’
Our promotional costumes are perfectly equipped for the job they’re asked to do. Meticulously designed, considerations are made for comfort, safety and practicality throughout the production process. Proportion, texture, colour and contrast are all integral elements that are carefully thought out throughout the initial design process.
The mascot head is equipped with ventilation openings fitted with mesh at the mouth, eyes, and nostrils. For increased comfort and improved air circulation, a small fan can be installed inside the head if needed. Head fans can double the wear time and help the wearer stay comfortable in character.
The methods used when adding branding can affect the total look and promotional impact of a costume. Transfer printing, silk-screen printing, embroidery, sublimation printing, applique or any combination – it really does make a difference.
The method of construction and padding of paws ensure that the paws are dexterous, tactile and correctly proportioned. After all they are your major point of contact with customers!
Footwear is also an important factor in the successful design and
creation of any character. Oversized feet must be made safe to wear and
tough enough to stand the pace. That’s why we pay so much attention to
this aspect of the costume. We employ traditional shoe making methods
and use high grade vinyl with the best multi-surface soles to produce a
shoe that is safe, comfortable and durable.
Unfailing attention to the finishing touches is one reason that makes Maskot Kostymer a World-Class Costume maker!
It is important to look at quotes on a ‘like for like’ basis. Here are
some of the most important differences for the main elements of a
costume that you should be aware of:
It’s not just about the materials – every detail matters. From the proportions of the head and body to the softness of the paws and the precision of the design, everything affects both the look and the feel. Our mascot costumes are created to last, perform smoothly, and bring the character to life – which is why quality and craftsmanship are essential.
The materials used to create the base shape of the costume are very important. Foam can be a large part of a character build, giving the underbody of a costume structure, support and shape. Quality of foam can vary greatly but here at Maskot Kostymer we use only the best examples. Not only do these high-quality foams look better, but they also increase the lifespan of the costume.
The way a costume is divided into sections and how it is cut will
determine how easy it is to put on, how adjustable it is to wear, how
easy it is to add additional items and how simple it is to maintain and
clean.
Maskot Kostymer have over ten years of experience of how to
construct costumes in the most practical way, and we have tried and
tested our patterns and designs hundreds of times.
When comparing the cost of one costume to another, be sure to check what
it is being made from and the life expectancy of the suit.
Sometimes a ‘bargain’ costume which looked good on the website can
quickly become a disposable costume after a few wears! Even costumes in a
similar price range to our own made by less experienced companies will
not have any of the benefits of the materials listed above, that are
currently being used by Maskot Kostymer.
We can design and make your Mascot from an individual brief, or turn your own design/logo into a Promotional Character. We can provide custom characters from our stock range and make new outfits for existing characters.
A character costume or mascot costume is a versatile and effective promotional product. It can create immediate impact and reinforce your brand identity. Character costumes are popular with the press and create public interest in both children and adults alike. They can create a fun, fantasy environment with more longevity than a celebrity endorsee, whilst some even become celebrities themselves! Character costumes are cost effective, strong, versatile, mobile and can be worn by several wearers at many events for years to come.
Once we have discussed your requirements we will also ask what size you would like the suit to be, the height of the person who will be wearing the suit, and possibly their dress size if it is very fitted.
We send you a 3D visualization of your mascot costume for review. Once the visualization is approved, we begin the production process. Typically, the finished costume is between 95 and nearly 100 percent identical to the approved visualization.
Yes, we have a care guide for our mascot costumes. We are happy to send it to you together with the costume, so you receive tips on how to properly care for it and keep it in top condition.
Costume manufacture to order will typically cost between 1300 euro and 2000 euro (+VAT) depending on the design. Reduced pricing is available for orders of multiple costumes of the same design. Occasionally we have character costumes in stock and these will typically cost from 400 euro to 800 euro (+VAT & delivery).
To hire a professional costume character would cost up to 200 euro per day and therefore owning your own, branded costume for your company is far more cost effective.
Costumes will generally take between 2 and 8 weeks to construct depending on the complexity of the character, the current workload and quantity of costumes in production.
Yes, we can deliver your costume to the Sweden and abroad, however a delivery fee will apply.
Several other companies can produce low budget costumes from prices as low as 100 euro. However, not all manufacturers offer a refurbishment or replacement part service. This could mean the costumes have not been designed and made with hygiene and durability in mind. If several different people will be using the costume it needs to be washed so that it is clean and hygienic. You wouldn’t expect your staff to wear someone’s else’s dirty uniform, would you?
Some character heads are heavily padded, almost like a cushion, which is very hot and impossible to clean.
Low cost costumes can look good on the websites but they may be poorly constructed and may not be washable. It is unlikely there will be any after sales service and it may become more of a short-term problem than a long-term investment.
Our stock range is built to the same quality and standards as our premium bespoke costumes. The stock ranges have been designed to offer a more immediate solution to our customers, but the same methods and materials are used throughout our ranges.
Every single one of our Mascot Costumes comes with its very own tour bag. This allows you to keep all your items in one place and gives basic protection from the elements. We provide Care instructions with every character. This explains how to wash and maintain your costume for years to come!
In the unlikely event you have a problem with wearing any part of a costume made by Maskot Kostymer, we will be more than happy to listen to you and offer help on how to wear and put your costume on (this can be an issue if you have not worked with a professional mascot before).
