How to Commission Art for a Custom Body Pillow

Plenty of people want a custom body pillow of a favorite character or their own OC but do not draw themselves. That is completely fine. The art part is a commission, and once you have a good full-body piece, printing it is the easy step. Here is how to get artwork that actually prints well on a dakimakura.

Where to find an artist

Most people commission through art communities and social media. Look for artists whose style you love and who post that their commissions are open. Browse their galleries, check whether they have drawn dakimakura or full-body work before, and read their commission terms carefully. Reach out politely and describe what you want up front.

What to put in your brief

A clear brief saves everyone time and gets you a file you can actually use. Include these:

• The pillow size you plan to order. Tell the artist the exact dimensions, anywhere from 34x100 up to 60x180 cm. This drives everything else.
• Matching aspect ratio. The canvas should match the shape of your chosen size so the art is not stretched or cropped when it prints.
• A full-body pose. Dakimakura art runs head to toe. Make sure the character fills the length of the pillow rather than floating in the middle.
• Resolution of 150 DPI or better at print size. At full pillow dimensions, that keeps the print sharp instead of blurry or pixelated.
• File format. Ask for a high-quality PNG or the layered file if their terms allow it.

Hand the artist a template

The simplest way to get the size and ratio right is to give the artist a ready-made canvas. I offer free print-ready templates you can download and send along with your brief. They are set up at the correct dimensions and resolution for each size, so the artist can just draw inside the guides. You can grab them here: my dakimakura templates.

Check the commission terms first

Before you pay, confirm the artist is fine with you making a personal printed copy for your own use. Most personal commissions cover this, but terms vary, and it is much better to ask before the work starts than to be surprised later. A quick message clears it up. For where the lines actually are, see is it legal to make a custom body pillow of an existing character.

A few small things that help

Share reference images for the character or OC, note any details you care about like outfit or expression, and pick a front and back design if you want art on both sides. The more specific you are early, the fewer revisions you will need.

Once your art is ready, you can drop it straight into the customizer, choose peachskin or 2way fabric, pick your size, and I print and ship it. Start your custom body pillow at customdakimakura.net.