FOR nearly two years, Merlin’s Prop Forge has been 3D-printing high-spec costumes and creations for cosplayers as far as the US, New Zealand, and Australia. Not only that, the local budding entrepreneur is well known across the Treaty for sporting his own designs about town.
After purchasing his first 3D printer in early 2022, the 21-year-old student has opened his own business to help spread the joy of cosplay and prop-making far and wide.
“It started as a way of making things for myself and friends, but I did not think it would grow to supplying people around the world in places as far as the USA, Australia, or New Zealand,” Merlin explained.
As a creator, Merlin’s face is never seen in public, nor has his identity ever been revealed – the young entrepreneur instead opts to sport a helmet or mask, which always creates a stir when he’s spotted about town.
“I like the idea of it being anybody beneath the helmet or armour,” he says.
“Anybody could be doing what I do, and I think it can sometimes help motivate people to be more passionate about their cosplay.”
And the reach of Merlin’s Prop Forge has not been limited to just Ireland, his helmets and props have been seen all around the world, including the US, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, and more.
And they have been seen to serve several purposes too.
“I ship all around the world now and it’s a dream come true. I have seen my pieces used for a wide variety of things from cosplay and photography to filmmaking and music performances,” he shares.
“The favourite thing I have seen from my clients is a tribute band to Daft Punk performing live on stage in Britain for over 21 headline shows across the last year.”
According to Merlin, the process of 3D printing is not always a time-friendly one, and hours of work can go into perfecting the details of any order before it assembled and ready for dispatch.
“Making a piece for a client can take anywhere from two to three days to nearly a month, depending on how big the project is. I am currently making a full suit of armour for a Dutch client and it could take me a month or two.”
Commenting on his favourite order to date, the young designer said that “it’s difficult to think of a favourite piece I have made yet, but speaking from a mildly biased point of view I would have to say my own armour. I have spent so much time making it my own and making it exactly how I envisioned over the last year and a half, I have really become fond of it.”
Merlin’s online store, along with his wide catalogue of 3D-printed fan favourites, can be found on merlinspropforge.etsy.com.
by Cillian Foley and Leanne Donnegan
This article was produced by University of Limerick students for the Limerick Voice publication, a multi-award-winning online and print publication curated by final year and masters students in the university’s journalism department.
This year’s Limerick Voice print edition was launched at a celebratory event in UL’s Glucksman Library on March 14.
