Are you ready to bring your fursona to life? Whether you’re new to the furry fandom or a seasoned con-goer finally looking to suit up, commissioning a fursuit is an exciting milestone. But it can also be overwhelming — from choosing the right maker to understanding materials, styles, timelines, and budgets.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through every step of how to commission a fursuit. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect and how to make your dream suit a reality.
1. Understand What a Fursuit Is
Before diving into the commission process, it helps to understand what a fursuit entails.
A fursuit is a full or partial anthropomorphic animal costume typically based on a character — called a fursona — that represents its owner. Fursuits vary greatly in style and complexity, from simple partial suits (head, hands, tail) to full-body digitigrade suits with custom padding, LED lights, moving jaws, and more.
Common styles include:
- Toony: Exaggerated features, cartoon-like expressions
- Semi-realistic: Mix of realism and whimsy
- Realistic: Detailed textures, lifelike proportions
- Kemono: Popular in Japanese fandom, featuring large eyes and rounded faces
2. Develop or Finalize Your Fursona
If you haven’t already, now’s the time to design your fursona. This character will be the blueprint for your fursuit.
You’ll need a reference sheet, ideally a digital 2D drawing that shows:
- Front, back, and side views
- Colors (preferably with hex codes)
- Specific markings
- Accessories or clothing (if applicable)
If you don’t have a ref sheet yet, you can hire a furry artist to create one for you — or search for artists on FursuitCommissions.com, where many fursuit makers also offer ref sheet services or partner with trusted illustrators.
✅ Tip: A well-made reference sheet saves you and your maker a ton of time and confusion. Don’t skip it!
3. Determine Your Budget
Fursuits are handmade custom art, not mass-produced costumes — and the pricing reflects that.
Here’s a rough breakdown of typical fursuit prices (as of 2025):
| Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Fursuit head only | $600 – $1,200 |
| Partial suit | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Plantigrade fullsuit | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| Digitigrade fullsuit | $3,500 – $7,000+ |
Prices vary based on style, maker reputation, features (like LEDs or jaw movement), and turnaround time.
Budgeting tips:
- Save extra for shipping, taxes, and accessories (like bodysuit fans or balaclavas).
- Consider payment plans — many makers offer installment options.
- Avoid going for the cheapest option without checking reviews or examples.
4. Research and Choose a Fursuit Maker
Choosing the right fursuit maker is crucial. You want someone whose art style matches your vision and who has a good track record with clients.
What to Look For:
- A professional portfolio with clear photos
- Transparent pricing
- Real reviews and testimonials
- A clear terms of service (TOS)
- Timely communication
This is where FursuitCommissions.com really shines.
It’s the largest fursuit commission directory, allowing you to:
- Compare hundreds of verified fursuit makers
- Filter by style, location, pricing, and turnaround time
- Read reviews and see portfolios
- Post your project and receive offers directly from makers
🎯 Whether you’re looking for a toony budget suit or a high-end realistic masterpiece, FursuitCommissions.com is the best place to start your search.
5. Understand the Process (and Timeline)
Each fursuit maker has their own process, but the general flow usually looks like this:
🧾 Step-by-Step Process
- Initial Inquiry: Message the maker with your idea and reference sheet.
- Quote & Approval: They’ll give you a price estimate and timeline.
- Contract & Deposit: You’ll sign their TOS and pay an upfront deposit (usually 30–50%).
- Duct Tape Dummy (for fullsuits): You’ll send a body-sized form made from duct tape for accurate measurements.
- Construction: The maker will craft your suit over several weeks or months.
- Progress Updates: You may receive photos of in-progress work.
- Final Payment: Once done, you’ll pay the remaining balance.
- Shipping & Delivery: Your suit arrives, ready for action!
⏳ How long does it take?
Depending on the maker’s queue and complexity, fursuits can take anywhere from 2 to 12+ months. Be patient and plan ahead — especially if you want the suit ready for a con.
6. Be a Dream Client
Makers love working with clients who are clear, respectful, and organized.
💡 Pro Tips for a Smooth Commission:
- Read their Terms of Service fully before agreeing.
- Don’t haggle aggressively — respect their pricing.
- Respond to messages in a timely manner.
- Be honest about your budget and expectations.
- Avoid micromanaging once the suit is in progress.
- Credit your maker when sharing your suit online!
7. What to Do After You Receive Your Suit
🎉 Congratulations! Once your fursuit arrives:
- Check for any missing parts or damage immediately.
- Try it on and get familiar with vision, ventilation, and movement.
- Take care of your suit with regular brushing, spot-cleaning, and occasional deep cleaning.
- Store it safely in a cool, dry place away from pets or sunlight.
✨ Bonus: Consider getting fursuit photoshoots or filming videos to show off your new character online!
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with all the excitement, many new furries make avoidable errors. Here are a few to steer clear of:
- Commissioning without a reference sheet
- Skipping the research phase and ending up with low-quality work
- Ghosting your maker during the process
- Not reading the maker’s TOS
- Expecting rush work without paying extra
9. Why Use FursuitCommissions.com?
There are dozens of fursuit makers online — but finding them, comparing them, and trusting them can be overwhelming.
FursuitCommissions.com makes the process so much easier by giving you a curated space to:
✅ Browse hundreds of trusted fursuit artists
✅ Post your project and receive maker offers
✅ Filter by style, pricing, turnaround, or location
✅ Read real reviews from past clients
✅ Avoid scams by working through a trusted platform
🌟 It’s the safest, most organized way to commission a fursuit in 2025.
Visit FursuitCommissions.com and start your search today — your fursona deserves the best!
Final Thoughts
Commissioning a fursuit is one of the most rewarding things you can do in the furry community. It brings your character to life, lets you express yourself at cons, meetups, and online spaces, and can even open doors to performance or content creation.
With the right research, preparation, and maker, your dream suit is absolutely within reach.
So what are you waiting for?