Top 5 Most Popular Mascot Accessories
Want an extra way to make your mascot stand out? Add a mascot accessories for a fun way to add some personality and flair to your mascot!
There are two main material options when purchasing a custom mascot: a foam mascot or a “standard” mascot. A standard mascot consists of a head made of ABS plastic and a suit made from either fur or printed-on fabric. Standard mascots are more common than foam mascots, but not necessarily because one is better than the other. In fact, you’ve probably seen some famous foam mascots without even knowing it, like the Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages or the Pillsbury Doughboy! Ultimately, the material better used for your mascot will depend on your mascot’s design. Mascots that are more human-like that have a head, 2 arms, 2 legs and a torso look better as standard mascots. Whereas mascots that are shapes, objects, or products are typically better suited for foam.
Thankfully, the decision of standard vs. foam is something your mascot specialist will handle. One look at the design and a little conversation about what your movement expectations are will make the decision rather obvious for them. However, we still wanted to write this blog to give you the heads up on the pros and cons of using foam in your mascot, as we occasionally have clients that are dead-set one way or the other. So, without further ado, let’s start learning!
Lightweight
Foam is a very lightweight material, especially compared to a standard mascot that uses a ABS plastic head. Foam mascots will provide your performer with more comfort and won’t wear them down. Specifically, they are only about 2-6 pounds on the shoulders. Now, that’s a weight off your performer’s shoulders!
Photogenic
Get that camera ready! Foam mascots are typically on the larger side to accommodate their specific designs. If you want a mascot that holds a particular shape, like a baseball, an apple, or a giant backpack, then foam is the way to go. Foam can hold these particular shapes better but will be larger as a result. The nice thing about having a larger mascot is that it allows you to have more eye-catching details! Whether it be on the field, in the gym, or at an event, your foam mascot will always be ready for its close-up.
Great for Product Mascots and Racing Mascots
Put your foam mascot in the game! Famous racing mascots like the Mississippi State Racing Cowbells and the Cleveland Indians Racing Hot Dogs are all crafted from foam. A costume with a foam head is better for an active performer, especially if the performer will be tumbling.
From batteries to pancakes, foam can bring your products to life. Some foam product mascots include Energizer’s Battery Man mascot and Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast mascots. Foam’s shaping abilities easily can create life-size replicas of your brand’s unique products.
Branding
With their photogenic qualities and large size, foam mascots are a great brand marketing tool. Corporate companies have found lots of success with their mascot marketing efforts. For more mascot marketing ideas, check out our blog on how to turn your brand mascot into a celebrity.
Duplication
Are you considering purchasing multiple duplicate mascots for your brand? At Olympus Mascots, our foam mascots are crafted 100% by hand. Because of this, it’s hard to create perfect replications of a foam mascot. If this is a feature you are looking for then recommend an ABS plastic mold. If we have your mold on hand, you won’t even have to send in your mascot for future replications.
Cleaning
Foam acts as a sponge and absorbs all your mascot performer’s sweat and odors making it harder to clean your mascot. It can definitely be accomplished by spraying it down with a disinfectant, but you have to be careful so that the material is not over saturated. On the other hand, ABS plastic can easily be wiped down and sanitized with disinfectant wipes to keep it smelling fresh and clean. No matter the material though, at some point you’ll likely need some professional help to get some of those tough-to scrub stains out, or to eliminate a smell that never fully disappears.
Longevity
Over time, foam mascots will begin to disintegrate, causing the mascot costume to lose its original shape. Typically, foam mascots have a shorter shelf life than ABS plastic mascots. With proper care and refurbishment options, you can still make your foam mascot last. If you’re looking for a longer-lasting costume though, we recommend a custom mascot with a plastic form.
Transportation
When creating your custom mascot, a good item to consider is how your mascot costume will be transported from Point A to Point B. How is your brand character traveling to your school or company’s various events and activities? Due to their large shape, foam mascots provide some traveling difficulties, especially in cars. Along with this, make sure to measure in advance any doorways or walkways to ensure your mascot can fit everywhere you need it to! Often times, foam mascots introduce transportation difficulties. If you know you will be constantly traveling with your mascot, you may want to consider constructing a mascot from a plastic material.
From branding to cleaning, there are various pros and cons associated with foam mascots. It is important to evaluate your brand’s unique needs when choosing the material for your costume. Olympus Mascots will work with you to construct the perfect custom mascot for your school, company, or business!
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Top 5 Most Popular Mascot Accessories
Want an extra way to make your mascot stand out? Add a mascot accessories for a fun way to add some personality and flair to your mascot!
Standard vs Foam Mascots – Top 5 Differences
Want a high quality custom mascot that includes all the traits you need? Learn about the difference between standard and foam mascots to receive your perfect mascot!
Does your mascot need a quick turnaround time? Here at Olympus Mascots, we’ve introduced rush orders to ensure that you can get a high quality mascot you love within your deadline!