How a cosplay commission usually works
Most makers start with a quote: you send the character, reference images, your measurements and a deadline, and they reply with a price and a timeline. Many ask for a deposit before they buy materials, then the rest before shipping. Lead times are stated in weeks, and convention season (spring and summer in the US) fills queues early.
Read the maker’s own terms before you pay: what happens if you change the design, whether rush orders are possible, how measurements are taken, and what their refund rules are once work has started.
What reviews here measure
Each maker is rated on craftsmanship, communication, on-time delivery and value for money. Reviewers can also say how many weeks the commission took and whether it fit on the first try, so the page shows a real median instead of a promise.