Basic BJD Care Guide
DECIDING WHICH DOLL TO BUY
To find the right doll for you, you'll have to do some window shopping. That means exploring the world of doll company websites. It's not that hard and it will give you an idea of what is out there so you can find your perfect pal.
Navigating Doll Sites
SIZE LINGO Every company has different names for their doll sizes. One company might call their 60cm dolls "Super Dollfies" while another company calls them "Delfs" or "Stars". They are all referring to similarly sized dolls. This is true for every size they sell so keeping track of that for every company would be impossible. That is why we have such general size categories.
Some companies prefer to refer to their dolls with fractions instead. This is a reference to their measurement in relation to a human. For example, if you are talking about 1/4 dolls, then it would take 4 dolls of that size to add up to the height of an average human. This is not exact; it just gives you an idea of what size they are.
25-30cm dolls are often called 1/6 scale.
40-45cm dolls are often called 1/4 scale.
55-65cm dolls are often called 1/3 scale.
65+cm dolls are often called Uncle scale.
Another tip to remember is the doll sizes are often listed in size order with the largest dolls at the top and the smaller dolls at the end of the list. This is not ALWAYS the case, but it's a good rule of thumb. This is especially helpful when translating doll sites that do not have an English version.
For this example, I've pulled up three of my favorite doll sites and lined up the size menus so you can see that although they name them differently, most sites sell dolls of the same sizes.
Once you have clicked on a doll size you will see a screen that looks like these two below. This is a photo listing of all the dolls that they sell in that size. Under each doll's photo is the name of that head, it's price and usually, how many points you earn toward a future discount. Click on the doll you like to be taken to it's profile page where you can look at more photos and even purchase it when you are ready to buy a doll.
Each doll's page will have the purchase menu (usually at the top right side) and photos of the doll fully painted & clothes with eyes, wigs, shoes and sometimes props or furniture. These 'company photos' are meant to show their dolls in their best light. Owner photos sometimes look very different from the company photos so be sure to Google lots of images of the doll you like best.
PURCHASE MENU
The purchase menu is pretty much the same for every company but let's take a look at it anyway. Each menu is made up of multiple drop down menus that allow you to chose how your doll looks and any option parts that you may want to purchase with your doll.
For example, if you click that first drop down menu, you can choose if you want the company to do a faceup for you. The second drop down menu is for blushing and the third is for the skin tone that you would like your doll to be. Any or all of these options may cost extra. This doll doesn't have any optional parts, so there are only these three choices. It is important to play with these menus and get an idea of how much dolls, faceups and other options cost before sitting down to buy your doll.
In this case, if you add a faceup, it cost $63.00 more. Notice how the price changed at the top of the menu once I selected "Add Faceup". Even some skin tones cost more due to the increased cost in producing them. All of this adds up to a more expensive doll than you were expecting if you don't look at the available options before you buy.
FACEUP
COMMON PURCHASE MENU OPTIONS
A faceup is painting the doll's face onto the head. You can often pay extra to the company you buy your doll from to send your doll with their faceup already done, but it will not last forever. Alternatively, you can pay another BJD owner to paint the face exactly how you want it. Most companies have a default style (or a few!) in which they paint all their faceups. Sometimes you can ask for something special from a company faceup artist, but you may not get it or it may not look how you had imagined it would. The best route to take if you want something very specific is to commission a faceup artist or to do it yourself. Be aware that no faceup will last forever, especially if you wash or touch it often. A faceup commission can be anywhere from $15-$150+, but it averages about $50-$75. Some faceup artists will even do it for free to build up their portfolio, as long as you pay the shipping costs but be aware, these are usually beginners. Extremely talented faceup artists can even command $300+ for a single custom faceup. Find the one who suits your style and buget...or try it yourself!
BLUSHING
Blushing is the process of sealing the entire doll and then using paint or pastels to "blush" or color the skin in a more realistic way. When done properly, it can really make a doll look more lifelike. The blushing is then sealed again to keep it from rubbing off. Check out these photos to see the difference that blushing can make.
Insert photos of blushing before and after here
SKIN TONE
BJDs are now available in many colors but let's start with the most common ones first. When I first started collecting BJDs, they primarily came in one of two skin tones: "Normal" skin and "White" skin. Some companies only had one skin tone (usually "Normal"). Because resin is the result of a chemical reaction, it can dark or 'yellow' over time. All skin tones yellow but it's harder to see on darker skin tones and most noticeable on on white or lighter skin tones. There are several factors to consider when deciding skin tone and yellowing is only the first! You'll also have to note that you cannot sand any colors except white and normal skin or you will ruin the doll. This means you can't remove the seams, do facial reshaping or many other modifications. Normal and White skin are considered basic colors and generally do not cost any extra, but grey, tan, blue, green and ebony almost always cost more. Extremely light or dark dolls can be harder to photograph as well. If you want to dye or paint your doll, white skin is the easiest to color. Lucky for you, there are lots of colors available now and most companies have a their own range. The colors below are the range currently produced by Dollshe Craft.
HEEL FEET
Sometimes, on female dolls, you may be offered a choice of adding on or swapping for heel feet. Most often, these are just separate feet that can wear high heel shoes, but they are sometimes the whole lower leg and replace the ankle joint entirely.
Insert photos of heel feet vs flat feet here
Insert photos of heel feet vs heel leg here
SEAM SANDING
All dolls have seams from production. Some are more noticeable than others. The process of removing and smoothing the surface where they were is called seam sanding. It is labor-intense and you must wear a respirator to do it. If you don't have access to a respirator or don't want to put this much work in, some companies offer optional seam sanding. Because this is heavy work, it is not cheap; but if you don't like seams, it is worth it.
Insert photo of sanded seams here
Once you have scrolled past the purchase menu, there is usually a little blurb about the doll: a story, measurements and notices of any special parts or features that are available with this particular doll. There is also generally a little table or diagram that shows you the exact measurements of the doll so that you can buy the accessories that fit the best. Here are examples of what the table and diagrams might look like:
There is also a short list that covers everything that should be in your box when your doll arrives. A typical doll box will contain: doll, option parts (if there are any), doll pillow and certificate of authenticity. Some companies are kind enough to throw in a free pair of eyes or wig. Unless it says otherwise, your doll will arrive nude, with no eyes or wig.
Special Kinds of Dolls
Pre-Order dolls have open ordering for only a short amount of time. Pre-orders are collected until the preset number is reached or the ordering period is over, then all of the dolls are produced at once and shipped out at around the same time. Some companies (especially smaller ones or independent artists) ONLY sell their dolls by preorder because they need the money from the presales to produce and ship the dolls. Companies/Artists that operate on pre-order alone sell all dolls this way, even basic dolls. Larger companies do pre-orders as well, but usually just for Limiteds.
Limited dolls are dolls that are limited either by number or by ordering period and never produced again. You get one time period/batch of dolls and then you cannot buy them from the company any more. (They are often available in the secondhand markets, but they may be damaged, modified, excessively marked up in price or even bootleg copies.) A Limited doll may also have special features such as a certain faceup, optional parts, clothing or other items. Some companies charge extra for these items, while other companies include them in the price to begin with. Be sure to look at this if you are purchasing a Limited doll because you will not get another chance to buy these Limited items.
Fullset dolls are fully dressed and painted, complete with shoes, wig, eyes and often even a prop or two. Some companies sell a fullset doll that is wearing panties and a slip, while other companies include more ornate outfits or props. The items included are based on the company's choice so pay attention to purchase menus and the list of included items. Fullset dolls are often Limited because of the extra amount of work necessary to complete them. They are usually more expensive as well.
A doll CAN and often is, a Pre-Order, a Fullset AND a Limited doll all at the same time.
Basic dolls are "standard" dolls that are available every day and are not limited in any way. Basic dolls generally remain on each companies' roster for years at at time but Basic dolls do get discontinued as well, so don't put them at the bottom of your list or you may miss still miss out on that non-limited doll you like. Basic dolls are shipped one at a time as they are made, instead of in lots like pre-order dolls. Basic dolls usually come nude, with no faceup, eyes, wig or clothes. You can usually pay extra for a basic faceup if you like.
Limiteds, Pre-Orders, Fullsets and other discontinued dolls are often kept on doll websites right next to their Basic dolls, even after they are sold out. Think of it as a Hall of Fame for their dolls.
Picking The Right Doll
Size
Design
Now that you understand how doll websites work, it's time to pick the perfect BJD for you. Consider some of the questions below before making a final decision on which doll you want to purchase.
Here are a few tips to help you decide which size:
~Think about how much money and space you have for dolls. If your space or budget are small, you may want a smaller doll.
~Try to attend a meetup in your local area so that you can "sample" what different sizes are like. Most owners will gladly let you hold their dolls as long as you are very careful.
~Props can be harder to find in some sizes than others. (It is cheaper and easier to find scale props for tiny and mini dolls than the larger and senior sized dolls.)
~Do you want to cuddle up with your doll or put it in your shirt pocket?
~Are you going to want more than one? (Be REALLY honest with yourself on this one! Heehee)
~Are there certain designs that appeal to you? For example, would you really like a mermaid doll above any other kind? Not all companies offer all designs so consider this when deciding what type of doll you would like most.
~Do you prefer a very Asian aesthetic or would you prefer a more Western appearance for your doll? Dolls from different parts of the world can be very different looking, even though both are BJDs. Some companies produce dolls that look more realistic while others make dolls that resemble cartoons or anime characters. Which do you prefer? This too, may limit the number of companies which offer dolls that appeal to you.
~If poseability is important to you, then the joint style might be something to pay attention to. Again, not all companies offer every possible option. Some only sell single jointed dolls, some double jointed and some sell very high-tech multi-jointed dolls or parts. Are you willing to trade some of the beauty for more visible but more poseable joints?
~Sculpt: Despite being listed last, this is usually the single most important factor in selecting a BJD. If you love the sculpt, little else matters.
Color
Company
~Just like with any other product, there are people that are loyal to one brand. Above all the other advice I could give, I will say this: Do NOT let someone convince you that the doll or company that you like is not good enough. Buy what *you* like or you will end up with a doll that other people like. The most important thing is that YOU like it.
~Most of these companies are very busy and many do not speak English so be patient and consider that it is normal for it to take MONTHS for your doll to arrive. Pestering them every week or every day will not make your doll come faster.
~If you don't like the customer service or wait times of a particular company, consider buying the doll you want secondhand.
~There are unscrupulous sellers and companies in this hobby too. Take the same precautions that you would for any other purchase of this size and use Paypal or other secure payment whenever available.
In the early days, we had one or two choices for skin tone and just about every company had their own version of those two colors. Now, some companies offer as many as a dozen choices including fantasy colors like blue and green. Still, not ALL companies offer all skintones so if you're dreaming of that perfect purple pal, not every company will have a doll in that color. Is the color you want important enough to limit your choices?
Price
If price is a factor, you could try hybriding (see below). Alternatively, I suggest ONLY browsing companies that you can afford. If you can only afford a $300 doll, then browse at some of the more inexpensive companies listed below. Even if limited by price, you still have a LOT of dolls to choose from. If you do browse the more expensive companies, you take a risk of falling for a doll that you really can't afford. There may come a time when you can save more or make more money and can buy a Sr Delf or a Feeple, but for now, let's focus on the less expensive BJD companies*. These are not all of the cheaper companies, but it's a good start. Mint on Card also carries a LOT of less expensive BJDs (and they take layaway!).
*Criteria: $300-ish OR LESS for a 60cm doll.
If price is the biggest factor for you, please focus on the above companies instead of buying a recast.
A Note About Hybrids
Hybrids are dolls that are made from parts from two (or more!) different companies. The most common hybrids are heads on bodies from a different company. Hybrids are very common in the BJD world partially because of the variety of bodies but also because there are some very small BJD companies that ONLY make heads. Some hybrids are a result of "body-sharing" or using the same body for different heads at different times. Any way that they come about, hybrids are a lovely choice, even for a first doll as long as you keep a few things in mind: Hybrids often do not match perfectly, especially after time. Some owners do not care, and some "blush" the difference so it is less noticeable. It is up to you how much this might bother you but be aware that this commonly happens because different resins age differently. Even if they matched when you bought them, they might not 5 years from now. Also, some hybrids need to be modified to work properly. If you can't do this yourself, then who is going to do it for you? Is the hybrid that you want even possible?
TIPS FOR DOLL BUYING
~LOOK AT PHOTOS OF THE SCULPT YOU LIKE BOTH BLANK AND PAINTED! The faceup can make or break the sculpt. Look at the blank version and Google owner or customizer photos so you can see other faceups besides just the factory faceup.
~IF YOU CAN BUY EXTRA HANDS, DO IT! Hands are the most commonly broken part of a BJD. Trying to find hands that match your doll 5 years from now when it falls off the table and breaks a finger...Impossible. It might seem like a waste now, but trust me, you will be glad that you did! Have fun with it; try a pair that is positioned differently from your "everyday" hands. They can really add spice to photosets too!
~IF YOU ARE BUYING FROM A COMPANY, SIGN UP FOR THEIR WEBSITE! They will often email you about sales and many companies have "points" programs that earn you future discounts. Even if you don't think you will be buying another doll, those discounts may come in handy when buying eyes, wigs, clothes or other accessories.
~IF YOU ARE BUYING SECONDHAND, DO SO IN A WELL-MODERATED FORUM OR GROUP! Scammers literally appear and disappear overnight on LiveJournal & Facebook groups as well as Ebay. I totally recommend buying secondhand from reputable forums such as those mentioned on the "Forums" page here.
~EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT BUYING SECONDHAND, JOIN A FORUM! Forums not only connect you with friends who share your hobby, they are also a wealth of information. They can tell you what average wait times are for certain companies, who has bad customer service; many even have lists of customizers willing to modify your doll in any way that you can dream of. They also announce new dolls and sales and have lists of meetups that may be in your area. Forums are also a great place to buy accessories, get information on scammers and tutorials on how to make just about anything.
~GO TO A MEETUP! Hold a doll, touch it, feel how it works, look at the different companies, styles, faceups, clothes. Get an idea of what is out there and what you like before dropping all that $$$! (Make sure to ask the owner first!)
TIPS FOR DOLL BUYING
~LOOK AT PHOTOS OF THE SCULPT YOU LIKE BOTH BLANK AND PAINTED! The faceup can make or break the sculpt. Look at the blank version and Google owner or customizer photos so you can see other faceups besides just the factory faceup.
~IF YOU CAN BUY EXTRA HANDS, DO IT! Hands are the most commonly broken part of a BJD. Trying to find hands that match your doll 5 years from now when it falls off the table and breaks a finger...Impossible. It might seem like a waste now, but trust me, you will be glad that you did! Have fun with it; try a pair that is positioned differently from your "everyday" hands. They can really add spice to photosets too!
~IF YOU ARE BUYING FROM A COMPANY, SIGN UP FOR THEIR WEBSITE! They will often email you about sales and many companies have "points" programs that earn you future discounts. Even if you don't think you will be buying another doll, those discounts may come in handy when buying eyes, wigs, clothes or other accessories.
~IF YOU ARE BUYING SECONDHAND, DO SO IN A WELL-MODERATED FORUM OR GROUP! Scammers literally appear and disappear overnight on LiveJournal & Facebook groups as well as Ebay. I totally recommend buying secondhand from reputable forums such as those mentioned on the "Forums" page here.
~EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT BUYING SECONDHAND, JOIN A FORUM! Forums not only connect you with friends who share your hobby, they are also a wealth of information. They can tell you what average wait times are for certain companies, who has bad customer service; many even have lists of customizers willing to modify your doll in any way that you can dream of. They also announce new dolls and sales and have lists of meetups that may be in your area. Forums are also a great place to buy accessories, get information on scammers and tutorials on how to make just about anything.
~GO TO A MEETUP! Hold a doll, touch it, feel how it works, look at the different companies, styles, faceups, clothes. Get an idea of what is out there and what you like before dropping all that $$$! (Make sure to ask the owner first!)
~LOOK AT THE CURRENCY LISTED ON THE SITE! Not all English-speaking sites have the currency converted to American Dollars. You might even have to convert it yourself. Here is a link for the currency converter that I use:
~DON'T FORGET ABOUT SHIPPING! BJDs are usually shipped via EMS or other insured, tracked method. This is not cheap, even for small dolls. Shipping can range from $30-$80 or more, depending on the size of your doll. If you live in a country besides the United States, you may also have to pay an additional tax or customs fee to pick up your doll from the post office.
Buying Your Doll
Now that you understand how doll websites and their purchase menus work, what common options might be available, and you've picked the right doll for you...you're ready to buy it. So let's follow a sample order to familiarize you with this part of the process so you can buy the doll you're dreaming of. First we'll go to the website that sells the doll that I want. If you are a member, sign into the site. If you are not, go ahead and join now and make sure you are logged in when you order.
Next we will locate the size category on the left side menu and click on the size that we want to buy. In this case, I'm looking for a 60cm doll. On this website, they are called 'Delfs'. So we will click on on "Delf' and be taken to photos of all the sculpts available in that size.
The doll that I want isn't on the top of the page so I'll have to scroll down to find it. Once I click on it, I'll be taken to the sculpt's page, which contains the purchase menu and company photos of the doll. If you are not familiar with purchase menus and the common options they contain, scroll up and read the 'Purchase Menus' section under Deciding Which Doll To Buy.
Once I have read the entire page and confirmed that this is the doll that I want in the size that I want, I'll scroll back up to the purchase menu and start picking my options. There may be more or less options on your page, but they (almost) all look something like this one. ->
The first choice I have is whether I want a company or 'default' faceup. This is a pretty specific faceup (usually the one in the photos) and doesn't vary very much. I like painting my dolls myself so I chose 'None'. I made the same choice for body blushing: 'None'. I chose White skin because it is my favorite. I only want one so it's time to click 'Add to Cart'.
This is going to take us to the Cart page, which has a summary of our order and our shipping options. Check your summary to be certain you have exactly what because you cannot cancel or change your order later.
You will notice that your summary does not have a shipping price; you will have to enter some info first and then the shipping price will be added to your total.
First, I'll have to choose my shipping method. There is usually only one choice (and the one I recommend if there is more than one choice): EMS. When I click that, the EMS Zones appear at the bottom. I look through the list to find my Zone. Because I am in America, I will choose 'USA' but you should choose your country, of course. ;-) This should add the shipping charges to my order automatically. (If it doesn't, just click the 'Recalculate' button.) Now we are ready to click that Check Out button!
WAITING FOR YOUR DOLL
Most dolls take quite some time to arrive, so you will have plenty of time to learn all about them while you wait. Below are some helpful links to learn more about BJDs as well as some links to some gorgeous dolls so you can drool while you wait. ;)
~Check out the forums page here and join a forum!
TAKING CARE OF YOUR DOLL
Basic care for your doll is pretty simple. You will need a Magic Eraser. You can buy this from most doll companies or in your local grocery store. If you get it from a store, it will be with the cleaning products and labeled Mr Clean Magic Eraser. If you order it from a doll company, it is most often just called a 'cleaning sponge'. You can use this sponge to wipe dirt and most marks off of your doll. You can also use a gentle soap and water on a rag or cloth (I use the blue Dawn dishsoap because it is the gentlest). You can (gently) use your Magic Eraser or wet rag to clean dirt off of a faceup, but don't rub too hard! If for some reason, you need to wash your whole doll, I recommend taking it apart so the strings and hooks do not get wet because they can be damaged. Other than keeping it clean and maintaining the stringing, the other thing that you can do to maintain your dolls is to keep them in the proper environment.
PROPER ENVIRONMENT
Your BJDs like a cool, dark environment away from sunlight, smoke and hot temperatures. All of these things cause your BJD to become yellow faster. All BJDs yellow but dolls that are not stored in the proper environment yellow much faster and more unevenly. Major yellowing can be considered damage to the doll and certainly to it's resale value. You can also remove wigs and clothing to prevent other damage like staining.
WHAT CAN I USE?
There is a lot of information out there about how to take care of your dolls and it can be confusing when one source tells you that something is safe while another source says that it is not. The reason that this happens is that each doll company uses it own resin, additives and fillers. Each different combination of these things can have it's own reaction to whatever sealant or chemicals you apply to your doll. What may be safe to use on one company's dolls, may not be safe to use on another company's dolls. So I have developed this guide so you can tell what products are safe to use on ANY resin ball joint doll. (Except for sealant, when there is a name brand mentioned, that is the best one, but you can use cheaper ones as well. For example, Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils are the best, but any watercolor pencil will do.)
SEALANT
~Mr Super Clear Flat (matte)
~Zoukeimura Finishing Spray
PAINT
~Liquitex Acrylic Paints
PASTELS
~chalk pastels
PENCILS
~PrismaColor Watercolor Pencils
CLEANING
~Mr Clean Magic Eraser
~Volks Cleaning Sponge
~gentle soap and water
~baking soda (rinse after!)
SEALANT REMOVAL
~isopropyl alcohol (wash after!)
~non-acetone, non-colored nail polish remover (wash after!)
EYE PUTTY
~BluTack
~white Poster Tack
~clear silicone ear plugs
SEALANT
~Krylon Matte
~workable fixatives
~anything with acetone
~anything oil-based
PAINT
~oil paint
~nail polish
~Sharpie or other markers
~ink pen
PASTELS
~oil pastels
~human makeup
PENCILS
~regular (graphite) #2 pencils
~grease pencils
CLEANING
~bleach
~anything oil-based
SEALANT REMOVAL
~bleach
~anything oil-based
~colored nail polish remover
~acetone nail polish remover
EYE PUTTY
~clay
~playdoh
Now that you know how to navigate doll sites, pick the best doll for you, buy it, take care of it and what you can and can't use on it, it's time to learn how to modify them. Click on the blue arrow to continue.