How to make DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt - Tutorial with pattern

There are many characters from anime, manga, video games, and comics whose costume includes bracelets. They can form part of a suit of armor or be a decorative element in their usual form of dress. In any case, it is a distinctive accessory that characterizes the character, so it is important to be able to replicate it perfectly. In this article, we show you an easy technique for creating DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt. In addition, we provide you with the pattern that our fellow cosplay experts have used to make this bracer, which is the same one that we show you in the video.

ThermoArt is a brand of thermoplastic that becomes malleable when heat is applied and rigid and resistant when heated. It is the alternative to Worbla from the Green Stuff World cosplay shop. Not only is it cheaper, but it is also of the same quality and has the same characteristics as Worbla. It is available in various sizes and colors.

Vambrace for cosplay: step-by-step guide

In addition to these two materials, you will need a series of tools and complementary materials to successfully make a vambrace for cosplay:

Materials

• EVA Foam, 2 mm medium density

• ThermoArt

• Bracer pattern

• Hot air gun

• Balsa stripper, alternatively you can use scissors or a craft knife.

• GSW pen or pencil to mark the pattern

• Contact glue

Step by step instructions for making DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt

Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, follow these steps to make your DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt for your cosplay costume.

1. Download bracers pattern. If your arm is very small, you can reduce its size before printing it to better fit the proportions of your forearm.

2. Copy the design onto the EVA Foam. Using a pen, mark the outline of the pattern on the foam and cut it out with a craft knife, rounding the edges. It's OK if you can see pen or pencil lines on the foam because it will be completely covered.

3. Make the base design. Cut a long strip of 1 cm wide EVA Foam using the balsa stripper for a perfect finish, and glue it with contact glue to the outline of the piece cut out from the pattern. Remember that for this type of glue to work, you have to apply it to the two surfaces you want to join and let it DIY a little before gluing them. Applying heat to the strip while you stick it on will help it to seal better.

4. Interior decoration. Cut a 2 cm wide strip of EVA Foam and divide it to make two strips that fit horizontally inside the border we have just made. Mark their position and apply glue to both surfaces as we did in the previous step.

5. Place the thermoplastic. Use the heat gun to soften the thermoplastic sheet and place it on the foam base design. As ThermoArt is a self-adhesive material, it will stick without any problem. To give it the shape of the bracer, use a modeling tool to mark all the reliefs. If the material cools too much, reheat it to continue shaping it.

6. Cut off the excess. When you have finished outlining the entire bracer, cut off the excess ThermoArt, leaving a small edge to fold back and finish fixing the polyethylene Foam with the thermoplastic.

7. Shape it into a bracer. Once the thermoplastic is completely stuck to the this polyethylene base, use the heat gun to gently warm the whole piece and curve it so that it fits your forearm perfectly. To do this, once warm, place the foam part on your forearm and use a little force to bend it around. Warm it up as many times as you need until you get the right curvature. Remember to keep the piece on your arm until it cools down so that it doesn't lose its shape.

8. Final design. Find a gem to place centrally at the top. As the material we are using is thermoadhesive, by heating the appropriate area and applying a little pressure to the stone, it will stick. By heating the excess thermoplastic, we make little strings to wrap around the gem, as well as add some decoration around it.

Once the decorative details are finished, you can consider your vambrace for cosplay finished or you can apply a layer of primer and paint it with the colors of your choice.

We have presented a design created and made by our team, but you can apply the techniques and procedures we have taught you to create your own personalized DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt or design them in such a way that they resemble the character of your choice.

Vambrace for cosplay ideas

The characters from anime, comics, video games, and series that wear vambraces are endless. To refresh your memory and inspire your next cosplay costumes, here are some of the most famous ones in which you can include DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt

• Link (The Legend of Zelda). This character, known by anyone with a minimum knowledge of video games, has different costumes with armbands throughout the games that make up his saga.

• Kratos (God of War). Several of Kratos' suits and armors are complemented by bracers or other elements on the forearms, from bandages to leather vambraces or his famous chain vambraces.

• Jace (League of Legends). In addition to his original form, several Jace skins have vambraces, including Forsaken Jayce, Arcane Jayce, or Zenith Games Jayce.

• The Mandalorian (The Mandalorian - Star Wars series). The Mandalorian's armor incorporates technological vambraces.

• Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher). In both the video game and the series, Geralt of Rivia's armor has vambraces that can be imitated with the techniques we have explained in this tutorial on DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt.

• Characters from Marvel and DC comics and movies. In the catalog of super-heros, anti-heros and villains from Marvel and DC, there are many characters whose costumes include vambraces that you can recreate: Doctor Strange, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Lobo, Hawkeye, Deathstroke, Hawkman, Black Adam, Loki, Moon Knight, Psylocke (X-men).

• Hashirama Senju (Naruto). His armor includes red vambraces, very simple and easy to imitate with this way of making DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt.

• Pegasus Seiya (Saint Seiya). Like all of Athena's knights, his armor has metal vambraces.

• Kenshiro (Hokuto no Ken). He wears leather vambraces in some designs.

Now that you know how to make DIY bracers with EVA foam and ThermoArt, include them in your cosplay costume, and don't forget to show us the result!