If you’re new to foamsmithing and are shopping around to try and stay on a budget, you might be wondering what is the difference between EVA and craft foam. Believe it or not, besides the pricing, there are major differences between the two. We’re going to cover the major differences in this post. I also would like to advise sticking with EVA foam over craft foam for cosplays typically.
EVA Foam Vs. Craft Foam
- Price – Craft foam is by far, way cheaper than EVA foam. I wanted to point this out since it matters to cosplayers on a budget. However, keep in mind, cheaper isn’t always better.
- Thickness – Craft foam comes in very thin sheets. While this is great for small details, it doesn’t work for the base of large props and thick armors. However, EVA foam has a variety of thicknesses to choose from. The thickness is definitely a major difference between the two, however this doesn’t make one better than the other.
- Durability – EVA foam is by far more durable. It’s strength makes it far more difficult to tear and break down unlike regular craft foam. This definitely can cause EVA to be superior since it can handle long term wear at conventions.
- Flexibility – Craft foam tends to be more flexible. This is partly due to the thinness of it. The thinner the foam, the more flexibility it will have. So when you put this against 2mm EVA foam, the flexibilities are pretty well matched.
- Sandibility – EVA foam lacks bubbles from closed cells thus making it much easier to sand. It’ll also leave you with a much cleaner surface unlike craft foam. This definitely would make EVA foam a preferred choice over craft. EVA foam is able to easily be shaped and detailed with a Dremel.
- Smoothness – While it is subtle, craft foam has a slight texture that differs from the smoothness of EVA foam. This makes EVA foam better for painting.
| Craft Foam | EVA Foam | |
| Price | Lower cost | Higher cost |
| Thickness | Very thin | Comes in wide range of sizes |
| Durability | Less durable | Very durable |
| Best Use Case | Small accent pieces | Armor and props |
Can You Use Craft Foam For Armor
You can incorporate craft foam into your armor builds. However, it’s best used for detail layers and accents, not your base. Your armor should be constructed out of EVA foam instead.
Does Craft Foam Need to Be Heat Sealed
Heat sealing is important to eliminate pores and smooth the surface. However, work on lower heats with craft foam since it melts faster than high-density EVA foam.
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