Model Making Materials

Worbla's Finest Art.

Worbla is a thermoplastic sheet that has become a popular material for people who cosplay, because ease of use makes creating realistic looking armour and props.

• Sheet size: 500 x 374mm
• Brown in colour with an orange peel like texture
• Non toxic
• Can be shaped by hand without requiring special safety gear
• Thermoform with a hot air gun (1500W is recommended), water or steam to shape the plastic however you want
• You can form complex curves without requiring a vacuform
• One side is the ‘glue’ side, when heated, it can be attached to other layers
• Can be layered to itself or over a foam such as plastazote to add bulk
• When cool, can be sanded without damage
• Any scraps can be re-blended and moulded like putty.
• Can be cut to your artwork in our Laser Department

Worbla products have been used internationally, from Disney to Star Trek to Cirque du Solei, stage to screen, by crafters, schools, architects, prop makers, costumiers and cosplayers.

It is also used for making sculptures, toys, masks and jewellery.

We used a sheet of Worbla to make a terrain model (see images above):

• Heated it with a hot air gun
• Pressed over piece of bark
• Painted green
• Flock added with PVA glue & a flocking machine

See our guide to Working with Worbla.

Helmet images courtesy of @faerynthorn