Make your own minifigures

This page gives a tutorial for creating your own custom minifigures.  I've provided step by step instructions, parts lists, and image files for a handful of figures.  Below that, the bottom of the page has tables of additional image files for many other custom minifigures.  This artwork is copyrighted by me and the source material is copyrighted by the authors of the novels referenced below, so under no circumstances may these designs be used for any commercial purpose whatsoever.  You may not modify them or redistribute them without permission.  (Sorry for all that, I just want to make sure the authors' rights are respected.)

I think this is all within the usual fan art norms, but if you are an author or represent one and you take issue with this, please let me know at and I will modify this page per your direction.

Overview of the process

The steps involved in creating a minifigure are:

1. Order the parts you need, with help from the part lists below.  My part lists are set up in the XML format used by bricklink.com, a reputable third-party lego marketplace.  Advanced users may find parts more cheaply at Bricks and Pieces, run by The Lego Group.
2. Use Brasso (a multi-purpose metal polish) and a clean rag to remove existing print from any pieces that need to be printed on, if blank parts weren't available.
3. Use waterslide decals or a lego printing service to apply the designs to the lego elements.
4. Physically modify the lego elements by drilling, sanding, or painting.  This is rare.

The rest of this page goes over these steps in more detail and then provides designs and part lists for creating specific characters.

Step 1: order the parts

The easiest place to order the parts you need is bricklink.com.  This is a large marketplace with thousands of resellers.  Their feedback system makes the site reliable so long as you check the feedback of a seller before you buy.  First, you need to create an account.  Next, you need to set up a wanted list for the parts.  The XML files linked below should be cut-and-paste into the XML tab of the wanted list upload page, then each file will create a separate wanted list for each minifigure.  (See this page for an explanation of the XML format.)  Once you have all the parts uploaded, use the buy page to purchase the items you want.

If you are an advanced user, you can use lego's official Bricks and Pieces site to buy parts.  You need to know the exact part number you need, and many minifig parts do not use the same numbering system as on Bricklink.  Torsos are element number 76382, plain legs are element number 73200, and beyond that you are on your own.

Tips for saving money: Consider using the search page and price guide (located in the top right of the catalog page for an item) in Bricklink to find alternate parts in the same color.  You might select an alternate design that is more common, or replace a blank part with a printed part and then remove the printing with Brasso.  Official minifigure capes can be rare and expensive; the Bricklink seller CapeMadness makes standard and custom capes that are generally cheaper than official lego capes and are just as good.  You can also change the required part condition from new (N) to used (U), but I advise against it since the arms or legs may be loose or the printing may be damaged.

Step 2: remove existing printing

In some cases, there is no cheap way to get a blank lego element in the color you require.  In that case, you can buy an element that already has printing, and remove the printing.  This is simple but requires effort.  First, dissasemble the parts to be wiped.  For a torso, carefully pull the arms off.  I do this by putting the arms straight back, grasping the entire arm, and then gently levering it outwards.  For legs, it is easier if you have a torso attached to the "hips" portion; then grab a leg on the upper front and back sides and pull laterally.  You may want to practice with extra, low-value parts first until you are sure you can do this without damaging the parts.

Now you can use Brasso (a multi-purpose metal polish) and a clean rag to remove the printing.  Apply a small amount of Brasso to the printing, then vigorously rub the rag over the printing until it is all gone.  It may take a few minutes before you see any change whatsoever, so this can be tiring.  I recommend only doing a few parts at once, else you will potentially strain a hand muscle.  Make sure you place some newspaper or a magazine underneath the part so that you don't accidentally damage your work surface.

Finally, thoroughly wash and dry the parts and your hands.  Reassemble the legs, but it may be best to ship the armless torsos to the printer and reapply the arms when the parts are returned to you.  This is because they may remove the arms during printing, and it is best to minimize the number of times that the figure is disassembled.  Check with your print company (see next step).

Step 3: apply the designs

The easiest way to create your own characters is to download the designs and then send them to a custom lego printer such as Bricksanity, minifigs.me, or MinifigFX.  Prices will typically be $5-$7 per part plus shipping.  Bricksanity is based near London, UK.  They are very flexible; you can provide the parts or have them do so; they are flexible in how they print (e.g. arm printing or printing on multiple sides of a minifigure), and they take large or small orders.  However, the owner is quite busy and this can sometimes delay orders.  Minifigs.me is based in Sheffield, UK.  They are the most streamlined service in that everything is done through their website, they have a large staff allowing each to focus on his/her tasks, and orders are filled promptly.  However, they only print using the somewhat limited options on their website, and I've had three items mis-printed from them.  I'd recommend them if you are new to this and was a very explicit process to follow, but they are not ideal for advanced users.  MinifigFX is based in North Carolina, USA.  Their quality is a little bit lower, but their prices are also lower and they are flexible in what they print on.  If you are in the US, you will also save money on shipping (shipping parts between the USA and UK is around $11 each way).  I'd recommend them if you are on a budget.

A cheaper option is to use waterslide decals.  The cost will be about $1 per letter size page of decal paper, plus the cost to use a high-quality color laser printer, plus the cost for various solvents and top coats if you want to improve the finish a bit.  You can buy packs of decal paper from Amazon (I use the brand with the unfortunate name of "Blinggasm") or from decalpaper.com.  In the USA, packs come in multiples of 10 sheets for $1/sheet.  There are two options: "clear" and "white."  "Clear" will let the part underneath show through wherever you don't choose to print; however, lighter colors will not show up well, especially if the decal is applied to a dark lego element.  "White" paper has a white backing so lighter colors show up better, but you must print everything that doesn't need to be white, so you have to do your best to match the underlying part color in areas that don't need any special printing.  There will also be a thin white line around the edge due to the small vertical face on the edges of the decal.  Ideally, use laser printing so the ink won't run when it gets wet.  To apply the decal, cut it to the size of the part, dip it in water for 5 seconds, wait another 5-10 seconds, then gently slide the backing off and apply the backless decal to the part.  It definitely takes practice, so I recommend printing multiples of each design to allow for mistakes.

You can improve the quality of your decal work by using micro set, micro sol, and a top coat such as micro flat.  Use a paint brush to apply a layer of micro set immediately before you apply the decal.  After it is applied, use a different brush to apply micro sol to any parts of the decal that you want to be more flexible (such as around the edge of a lego element); it will greatly reduce the structural integrity of the decal and mold it to the part.   Finally, 24 hours later, use a third brush to apply a later of micro flat as a top coat to protect the decal, and give it another 48 hours to dry before you handle it.

Guides for specific minifigures

	Rand al'Thor (book 1): Step 1: Parts List Step 2: no printing needs to be removed. Step 3: no special printing for this minifig. Step 4: not needed for this minifig.
	Mat Cauthon (with Foxhead): Step 1: Parts List Step 2: no printing needs to be removed. Step 3: use this design to print his torso. Step 4: sand down the top of the bandana (it will be oriented with the large bit behind his head) so his hairpiece can fit when he is not wearing his hat.
	Perrin Aybara (bearded): Step 1: Parts List Step 2: no printing needs to be removed. Step 3: no special printing for this minifig. Step 4: not needed for this minifig.
	Mat Cauthon (as Tylin's Toy): Step 1: Parts List Step 2: dissasemble the torso and legs.  Remove the printing from the torso front and back, the front of the hips, and all along the front of each leg. Step 3: use this design to print his torso and legs. Step 4: sand down the top of the bandana (it will be oriented with the large bit behind his head) so his hairpiece can fit when he is not wearing his hat.
	Queen Tylin Quintara: Step 1: Parts List Step 2: no printing needs to be removed. Step 3: use this design to print her torso. Step 4: not needed for this minifig.
	Loial: Step 1: Parts List Step 2: no printing needs to be removed. Step 3: use this design to print his head. Step 4: not needed for this minifig.

 

Now that you have some practice, you can use the designs below to make additional figures.

 

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Designs for Wheel of Time Lego Characters

The designs below are intended to depict characters from Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time.  This artwork is not endorsed by Robert Jordan, his estate, or the Bandersnatch Group.

For each design below, download the file in the "Printable PNG file" column, not the "Example" column.  The latter shows how it will look when printed, the former has blank areas to allow the underlying part to show through.  These files are sized for 600 dpi.

Character	Part Description	Apply to:	Printable PNG file	Example (after printing)
Moiraine	Head with jewel	Light flesh head	head-moiraine.png
Loial	Head with long eyebrows	Light flesh head	head-loial.png
Ba'alzamon	Head, flames	Light flesh head	head-baalzamon.png
Sammael	Head with scar	Light flesh head	head-sammael.png
Sea folk #1	Head, chain with 4 medallions	Dark flesh (reddish brown) head	head-seafolk1.png
Sea folk #2	Head, chain with 3 medallions	Dark flesh (reddish brown) head	head-seafolk2.png
Sea folk #3	Head, chain with 2 medallions	Dark flesh (reddish brown) head	head-seafolk3.png
Lanfear	Torso, scoop-neck dress	White torso	torso-lanfear.png
Graendal	Torso, low V-neck dress	Green torso	torso-graendal.png
Matrim Cauthon	Torso with foxhead	Reddish-brown torso	torso-mat.png
Berelain	Torso with strapless gown	Blue torso	torso-berelain.png
Grolm handler	Torso: armor with three eyes	Green torso	torso-grolm.png
Aviendha (Altara)	Torso with oval cutout; snowflakes	Blue torso	torso-ebou-avi.png
Elaine (Altara)	Torso with oval cutout	Green torso	torso-ebou-ela.png
Nynaeve (Altara)	Torso with oval cutout; Lan's ring	Blue torso	torso-ebou-nyn.png
Queen Tylin	Torso with oval cutout; marriage knife	Green torso	torso-ebou-tyl.png

 

Designs for Characters from Brandon Sanderson's works

The designs below are intended to depict characters from Brandon Sanderson's novels. This artwork is not endorsed by Brandon Sanderson or his company, Dragonsteel Entertainment.

For each design below, download the file in the "Printable PNG file" column, not the "Example" column. The latter shows how it will look when printed, the former has blank areas to allow the underlying part to show through. These files are sized for 600 dpi.

Character	Part Description	Apply to:	Printable PNG file	Example (after printing)
Bloodsealer 1	Head, neutral expression	White head	head-bloodsealer1.png
Bloodsealer 2	Head, fierce expression	White head	head-bloodsealer2.png
Nalan (Nale, Nin)	Head, scar on cheek	Reddish-brown head	head-nalan.png
Wan ShaiLu 1	Head, glasses	Light tan head	head-shai.png
Wan ShaiLu 2	Head, glasses, fierce	Light tan head	head-shai-fear.png
Wan ShaiLu 3	Head, no glasses, scuffed	Light tan head	head-shai-scuff.png
Shaizan of the Fist	Head, no glasses, scar	Light tan head	head-shaizan.png
Telrii (Elantris)	Head with port wine stain birthmark	Light flesh head	head-telrii.png
Omin (Elantris)	Torso with jade Korathi pendant	Dark bluish grey torso	torso-omin.png
Seinalan (Elantris)	Torso with jade Korathi pendant, embroidery	Blue torso	torso-seinalan.png
Dakhor monk	Torso with bone ridges (front)	Light flesh torso	torso-dakhor-front.png
Dakhor monk	Torso with bone ridges (back)	Light flesh torso	torso-dakhor-back.png
Dakhor monk	Torso with bone ridges (arms)	Light flesh torso	torso-dakhor-arm-right.png torso-dakhor-arm-left.png

 

Designs for Characters from Jim Butcher's works

The designs below are intended to depict characters from Jim Butcher's novels from the series The Dresden Files. This artwork is not endorsed by Jim Butcher or his representatives.

For each design below, download the file in the "Printable PNG file" column, not the "Example" column. The latter shows how it will look when printed, the former has blank areas to allow the underlying part to show through. These files are sized for 600 dpi.

Character	Part Description	Apply to:	Printable PNG file	Example (after printing)
Harry Dresden	Torso with black western shirt and silver pentacle amulet	Black torso	torso-dresden.png
Michael Carpenter	Torso with Templar jersey over plaid shirt	Red torso	torso-michael.png
Thomas Raith	Torso with black vest over black mesh shirt	Black torso	torso-thomas.png
Johnny Marcone	Head with green eyes	Light flesh head	head-marcone.png
Bianca	Head with makeup, fangs	Light flesh head	head-bianca.png
Bianca	Torso with black dress, deep vee	Black torso	torso-bianca.png

Legal stuff

The artwork on this page is copyright 2017-2021 by Richard Martin. The source material is copyright by the respective authors as noted above.

Feel free to download the images on this page and to use them for non-commercial purposes. If you wish to re-post them online, you may do so as long as you give me credit by either citing me (Rick Martin) as the artist, linking to this site, and/or linking to my Facebook page or my Twitter account.

I am not affiliated with Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, Jim Butcher, or their representatives in any way.