Japanese Body Pillow Guide: How a Custom Body Pillow Is Made

If you have searched for a japanese body pillow, you have probably run into the word dakimakura, a long hugging pillow that doubles as a cover for your favorite character art. A custom body pillow is the same idea, except you supply the artwork and we print it. This guide covers what you actually need to know before ordering one.

What a Japanese body pillow actually is

A dakimakura is a tall pillow with a printed cover, usually showing a character on one or both sides. Most people buy the cover and slip it over an inner pillow they already own or order separately. The cover is the part that carries the art, so that is where your choices matter most.

Picking a size

Sizes are listed in centimeters, width by height. We print from 34x100 up to 60x180 cm. A few things to keep in mind:

• 50x150 cm is the common full-size standard and the easiest to find inner pillows for.
• 60x180 cm is the largest, closer to body height, and needs a matching oversized insert.
• Smaller sizes like 34x100 cm work well for desk display or if space is tight.

Match your art to the size before you upload. A tall image fits a tall cover without stretching, and the aspect ratio should be close to the cover you choose.

Peachskin or 2way fabric

We offer two fabrics, and the difference is real.

• Peachskin is smooth with a soft matte surface. Colors print clean and bright, and it is the budget-friendly pick that holds up well with normal care.
• 2way is a stretch knit that is softer and has a bit more give. It drapes over the pillow more snugly and feels plusher to the touch. It costs more but many people prefer it.

Getting your art print-ready

Your custom dakimakura only looks as good as the file you send. For the sharpest result:

• Upload the highest resolution version you have. Small images get soft when stretched to pillow size.
• Keep important details away from the very edges, since the cover wraps slightly.
• Make sure you have the right to use the art. Commission it, draw it, or get the artist's okay.

Care

Wash the cover cold, gently, and hang or lay it flat to dry. Skip the dryer and high heat so the print stays crisp. Treated well, a cover lasts for years.

Ready to build yours? Upload your art, pick a size and fabric, and preview it in our customizer at customdakimakura.net.