Short answer: a custom bobblehead takes longer than an off-the-shelf gift because every one is sculpted and painted by hand from your photos. The total time depends on the design, how quickly you approve your proof, and shipping to your address. The best thing you can do is order early, especially around holidays, and reply quickly when your proof arrives. Check the product page and our FAQ for current timings.
So where does the time actually go? Here's every stage, from your first photo to the box on your doorstep.
Stage 1: You send your photos
Everything starts with your photos. These are what the sculptor works from, so good photos make the biggest difference to the result and help avoid extra rounds of changes.
- Send a clear front-facing photo of the face, in good natural light.
- Add a side profile if you can. It helps with the nose, ears and hairline.
- Include a full-body photo if you want a particular outfit or pose.
- Avoid sunglasses, heavy filters and group shots taken from far away.
If something's unclear, our team may ask for another photo. Replying quickly keeps your order moving.
Stage 2: Sculpting
Next, an artist sculpts the head by hand to capture the person's likeness: the smile, the hairstyle, the glasses, the little details that make it unmistakably them. This is the most skilled part of the process, and it's also the stage where taking care pays off.
The body is matched to your chosen design, whether that's a sports pose, a wedding outfit, a superhero look or your pet curled up on a cushion.
Stage 3: Your proof and approval
Before anything is painted, you'll see a proof of the sculpt so you can check the likeness. This is your chance to ask for tweaks.
This is also the stage you control most. The sooner you review your proof and reply, the sooner your bobblehead moves on to painting. If you need changes, be as specific as you can, for example "hair a little shorter on the sides" or "a slightly wider smile". Clear notes mean fewer back-and-forth rounds.
Stage 4: Painting and finishing
Once you approve, your bobblehead is hand painted. Skin tone, eye colour, hair, clothing and any extra details are added by hand, layer by layer. Then the head is fitted to the body with its spring and checked over before it's packed.
Stage 5: Packing and shipping
Each figure is carefully packed to protect it on the journey. Delivery time then depends on where you are and the shipping option available at checkout. Remember that busy seasons can affect carriers too.
What can affect the total time
- Photo quality: unclear photos can lead to extra questions or revisions.
- Proof replies: the sooner you approve, the sooner it moves on.
- Revisions: each round of changes adds a little time.
- Design complexity: extra people, pets or detailed props take more work.
- Time of year: holiday demand is high for handmade gifts.
Ordering for Christmas, birthdays and big days
If your bobblehead is for a specific date, such as Christmas, a wedding, a retirement or a birthday, plan ahead. Order as early as you can, have your photos ready before you start, and keep an eye on your inbox for the proof.
For any current cut-off or timing information, check the product page and our FAQ before you order, or get in touch with our team. We'd rather help you plan than have you cut it fine.
Tips to keep things moving
- Choose your best photos before you start your order.
- Add notes about glasses, tattoos, freckles or favourite outfits up front.
- Watch for your proof email (and check your spam folder).
- Reply with clear, specific feedback.
Worth the wait
A custom bobblehead isn't a last-minute gift you grab off a shelf. It's a one-of-a-kind figure made by hand to look like someone you love, and that's exactly why it gets such a big reaction when it's unwrapped.
Ready to start? Browse custom bobbleheads, find something for a special occasion in bobblehead gifts, or immortalise a furry friend with our pet bobbleheads.