The overall best tutorial submitted, as decided by our judges. An example of an exemplary, wonderful tutorial, that goes above and beyond a standard tutorial and represents one of the pinnacles of cosplay education. This tutorial could be any format or length, so all entries are eligible for this award.

This is a tutorial that is specifically the creator’s first ever tutorial and is an incredible show of our three judging criteria. Only creators’ first ever created tutorial can qualify for this award. If you’ve never tried your hand at making instructional material, now is the perfect time!

This is a tutorial that is personally chosen by the founders of the contest, Knovice Cosplay and Lutavia Cosplay, as an example of an exemplary, wonderful tutorial, that goes above and beyond a standard tutorial and represents one of the pinnacles of cosplay education. This tutorial could be any format or length, so all entries are eligible for this award.

Previous Winners: Yae Miko weapon prop, Building a prop end to end

These are text-heavy or text-based tutorials. This could include Instagram text carousels, blog posts, website write-ups, or anything with a focus on text explanations. Entire costume builds will be placed in the ‘Best Build Log’ category. Parts of costumes, such as a hat, dress, or a prop, are okay for this one.

Previous winners: Making Heihei from Moana, painting elf ears

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These are text-heavy or text-based tutorials. This could include Instagram text carousels, blog posts, website write-ups, or anything with a focus on text explanations. Entire costume builds will be placed in the ‘Best Build Log’ category. Parts of costumes, such as a hat, dress, or a prop, are okay for this one.

Previous winners: Making Heihei from Moana, painting elf ears

These are not “generic” tutorials for a technique but rather a catalog of quick, snapshot progress with brief explanations for an entire build, from head to toe. Your build log + costume must be complete to be submitted, and please do not submit competition build books. These could be Twitter/X threads or Instagram highlights, or a blog post if you have a personal blog website, as long as they are image heavy logs with brief write ups that catalog a build from top to bottom.

Previous winners: Dodogama Kigurumi (MonHun), Ashei (Twilight Princess), Marcielle (Dungeon Meshi)

This is a tutorial that is less than 2 minutes long, ideally the length of an Instagram reel or a much shorter Tiktok video.

Previous winners: Shoulders from fossshape, Hiding foam seams

This is a tutorial that is longer than 2 minutes, ideally the length of a longer Youtube video/too long for an Instagram reel.

Previous winners: Wig Styling for Beginners, How to Pattern Match

This is a tutorial that at its core, is accessible: no fancy tools, no wild materials, but instead a very creative use of an inexpensive thing, or an approach that can save you money in your build.

Previous winners: Making a fireball prop from hot glue, Making prop staffs

This is a tutorial that universally gives a “Wow, I had no idea you could do that!” response. This tutorial should showcase an exceptionally new or novel approach to a craftsmanship technique or a new technique altogether.

Previous Winners: Making cosplay-themed mobility aids

Primarily a textile arts or sewing focus – could be by hand or with machine or another textile art altogether, like dyework, crochet or knitting, beading, etc.

Previous winners: Full bust adjustments on princess seam bodices

Primarily an armor or prop focused material – material does not matter (foam, thermoplastic, 3D printing, etc).

Examples of these types of tutorials are painting a tarnished gold finish on props, creating a fake ribcage, or this virtual panel on armor detailing.

NEW FOR 2025! A tutorial in either text or video that showcases a technique in makeup application, a makeup look, or an SFX-based look.

Each judge will get to showcase a tutorial of their choice. This is their personal favorite; why they choose it is up to them.

Previous winners: Creating tiny scallop hems, Upgrading premade costume straps, making hobbit feet