If you just got started with cosplay and are looking for new materials to make with, you may be asking, what is EVA foam? We’ll be answering that and more so you can use it for your cosplays.
EVA foam is a rubber-like, plastic foam that is soft, flexible and durable. It is a common material for crafting cosplay armor and props. The EVA in EVA foam stands for ethylene-vinyl acetate. It’s very affordable and shapeable making it the perfect material for breastplates, bracers, swords and more. They come in high or low density and a multitude of thicknesses often measured in mm.
Where to Buy EVA Foam
You can purchase EVA foam from most craft stores and online retailers.
- Blick craft stores carry the SKS Props foam
- Amazon has an assortment of options for EVA foam
- The Foamory has their own website to shop from or an Amazon storefront
- Cosplay Pros also sells EVA foam in rolls, shapes and dowels.
How to Use EVA Foam
EVA foam can be used to make cosplay armor, props, detail pieces, accessories and more. To do that though, you need to work with the EVA foam to turn it into your costume. You can do that by doing the following:
- Cutting EVA foam – With a box cutter or Exacto, you can cut out shapes, pieces and details.
- Shaping EVA foam – Because the material is flexible and able to be heated, you can shape your EVA foam and it will hold it’s shape. You can use a heat gun or wire to help it retain shape.
- Assembling into armor and props – The pieces you cut out can then be assembled into armor and props with some shaping. you can also add PVC pipe to your props to help give it stability.
- Texturing EVA foam – Heat stamping, rotary tools and more can help you texture your foam. This will add cool effects and realism to your costume.
- Painting and weathering EVA foam – To properly finish your costume or prop you need to paint the EVA foam and then weather it to make it more realistic.
- Other techniques – You can also added lights and other FX effects to your foam to enhance your costume or prop.
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