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Convention Packing Guide
Convention packing guide: what to bring and how to survive the con floor
Convention packing splits into three categories: costume gear (costume pieces, repair kit, comfort supplies), personal essentials (snacks, water, phone charger, cash), and travel logistics (how you transport and store your build). The repair kit is the one most people skip and regret.
Every build, remembered
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Fabric
Detail
Foam
Build note
Front trim needs sealing before paint. Match fabric edge to the darker swatch.
Seal foam edges
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Material Sheets 6mm
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Ask with project context
Costumary workspace demo showing four core features:
- Reference board: drag and drop character images, group by costume piece, add color swatches, notes, and checklists
- Materials tracker: list supplies with costs, stores, quantities, and order status. Live budget totals update as you add items
- Project timeline: plan milestones for patterning, construction, painting, fitting, and packing with convention deadline tracking
- Build diary: log progress with photos, notes, and technique records. Track what worked, what failed, and what to try next time
Overwhelmed? Start with a template.
Each template comes with milestones, starter materials, and a timeline. Skip the blank page and start building today.
Yuji Itadori
~3wJujutsu High's unassuming sorcerer-in-training: the pink-and-black undercut wig, white school uniform, and subtle Sukuna curse marks. The wig styling is the make-or-break challenge—it needs proper teasing, gel, and heat-setting to hold spikes through a con day. 4 components, 10 materials, 3-4 weeks, $75-150.
10 milestones·10 materials·$75-150·
Use templateAnya Forger
~3wSpy x Family's telepathic kid in the Eden Academy uniform. The build is a black A-line dress with gold scalloped trim, a white Peter Pan collar, a red bow, and a pink wig with horn clips. It looks simple, but the wig quality, horn stability, and trim finish are where beginners hit walls. This template covers 6 components, 10 materials, a 10-step build plan, and a $40 to $120 budget across 3 weeks.
11 milestones·13 materials·$40-120·
Use templateMomo Ayase
~3wMomo Ayase from Dandadan in her signature school uniform: pastel pink sweater, white shirt with red bow tie, and navy pleated skirt. This is a beginner-friendly build that comes together fast, with most pieces thriftable, but three details make it read as Momo: the wig bangs, green earrings, and the exact sweater shade. The wig styling is the hardest part, the earrings are a fun DIY, and the rest is shopping. Includes 8 components, 12 materials, a 10-step plan, and a 3-week, $85 to $225 budget.
10 milestones·12 materials·$85-225·
Use templateThe repair kit you will actually use
Costumes break at conventions. Straps pop, paint chips, seams split, and props crack. A small repair kit saves hours of frustration and lets you fix problems between photo sessions.
- Contact cement or E6000 in a travel-size tube.
- Hot glue gun (mini) with extra sticks.
- Matching paint for touch-ups in small containers.
- Safety pins, sewing needle, and matching thread.
- Gaffer tape (won't leave residue like duct tape).
- Velcro strips and extra elastic for strap emergencies.
Staying comfortable on the con floor
Conventions are 8 to 12 hour days on concrete. Bring comfortable shoes, snacks, a water bottle, and a portable phone charger. If you are in armor, plan bathroom breaks and have a way to partially remove your costume without help.
Transporting props and armor safely
Oversized props need a plan. Pool noodle cores, foam padding in bins, garment bags for fabric pieces, and PVC pipe cases for long weapons. Never check fragile props in airline luggage. Ship them ahead or drive.
Frequently
asked questions.
Keep learning
Next steps, deeper guides, and free tools to help you build.
Convention Trip Budget: Real Costs
What you'll actually spend on badges, hotel, food, travel, and the dealer room.
Are You Making Money at Cons?
The real math behind convention vending, from table fees to true profit.
Convention Packing Checklist
Interactive checklist that saves your progress. Covers cosplay gear and repair supplies.
Convention Budget Planner
Plan your full con trip cost before you book anything.
Upcoming conventions
Plan your build around a real deadline. Find dates, checklists, and budget estimates.