DOLK STATION LECTURE Doll & DOLK STATION Beginner's Guide

ABOUT DOLL

For those who are new to dolls and don't know much about them...

For those using DOLK STATION for the first time,

How dolls are made, how to enjoy them, and the tools you need.

We will tell you some key points when using DOLK STATION.

ABOUT DOLK STATION

What is
a doll?
What tools
do I need?
The doll
I wanted
arrived!
What is
DOLK STATION?
How to use
DOLK STATION?

What is a doll?Regarding ball-jointed dolls,
We will explain the basics, such as how it works and what materials it is made of.

Ball Joined Doll

Head parts

(head)

Body Parts

(body)

Arm parts

(arm)

Hand Parts

(hand)

Leg parts

(leg)

Foot Parts

(feet)

Tension rubber

Make-up by
Hand Painting
Original
Coordinate!
Stand
Posing
Changing
Clothes

What is a ball-jointed doll?

A "ball-jointed doll" is a doll that uses ball-shaped joints in the wrists, ankles, etc. to reproduce human joint movement (joint movement).
The term "ball-jointed doll" (hereafter "doll") seems to have become established in recent years, but dolls with movable joints that can be posed freely have been developed since the days of bisque dolls (made of ceramic) several hundred years ago. The mechanism for moving the joints was and still is made of rubber, the difference being whether the doll is made of ceramic or not, so "ball-jointed dolls" are toys with a long history.

*Move the arms and legs, take a pose and then fix it.

What are dolls made of? What are they like?

Dolls are made from a material called resin, and the hollow body parts are connected together using special rubber called Elastic String.
The mainstream method of connecting Elastic String is to use two rubber bands: one for the left and right arms that connects via the chest area of the torso (arm section), and one for the left and right legs that connects from the base of the thighs to the torso and then wraps around at the neck (leg section). Some Maker do not wrap Elastic String around the neck for the legs, but use one for the right half of the body, one for the left half of the body, and one for the arms, for a total of three.

Tension rubber

Unlike rubber used in crafts, this rubber is made by bundling several thin strands together, making it highly elastic and a material that is resistant to deterioration even with repeated posing.

Resin

It is an abbreviation for resin cast and is a type of synthetic resin.
Plastic, a familiar material, is also a type of synthetic resin.

What's the makeup like?

Doll makeup is an option that can be ordered along with a doll set (head + body) or other parts such as a head and body, and if you select it, the product will arrive with makeup applied.
Just like human makeup, doll makeup is applied by hand to express the doll's character by drawing eyebrows, eyeliner, and lips and emphasizing the contours and muscle contours.

Makeup

Each model is painted by hand using mainly model paints, airbrushes and brushes, and is protected with a clear coating when completed.

What can a doll do?

One of the biggest features of dolls is that they can be posed freely, but another big feature is that they can be outfitted with wigs, eyes, dresses, shoes, and other items. Each item is available in a wide variety of materials, types, and tastes, so you can coordinate your doll in an original way to create a doll that is just yours! Many doll owners（※）Some of our customers even make their own dresses and accessories!

*A person who owns a doll.

Wigs

The doll's hair does not grow from the head part, but is worn as a wig.
Materials include heat-resistant synthetic fibers, real fur, and boa types, so you can choose the one that best suits your doll's image.

Eyes

These eye parts are made from glass, resin, plastic, etc. They are fixed to the inside of the head part with Eye Fixing Sculpey (non-hardening clay). There are various colors and shapes of pupils and irises, so you can choose the image you want to create.

How do I choose a doll?

There are so many types of dolls, and each Maker sells several types of dolls, so it can be difficult to decide which one to choose.
At DOLK STATION, in addition to "size" and "gender," we also provide filtering criteria such as "type (human, animal, etc.)," "skin color," "price," and "Maker" to make it easier for you to select. Each product page also includes detailed measurements and many image photos, so try looking at many different dolls to find one that suits your taste.

What tools do I need?We will introduce tools that are useful for coordinating, photographing, and maintaining dolls.

S-hook pull: The "S-hook puller" is a tool used to remove head parts from the body, and is used to pull S-hook inside the part to release it from its fixed position. It is mainly used to remove head parts from large dolls when changing the eyes or wearing clothes such as T-shirts or knitwear that do not open in the front (or back).
Please note that if you use an S-hook hook that does not fit the doll's size, it may cause S-hook hook itself to bend or break, or you may not be able to remove S-hook due to lack of force. Be sure to use S-hook hook that fits the doll's size.

Doll Stands: A "doll stand" is a tool for making a doll stand up. Most dolls can stand on their own, but they are prone to falling over due to poor balance or impact, so we recommend using a doll stand to prevent them from falling over. There are two types of doll stands: a "waist support type" that is easy to use when wearing pants, and a "crotch support type" that is easy to use when wearing a skirt. The waist support type has a strong hold and requires a little force to adjust, but it can hold the doll up firmly, so it is recommended not only for display but also for photography.

Silicone Cap: The "silicon cap" is used to prevent the wig from slipping off or the color from transferring to the head. It is also useful for increasing the adhesion rate when the head is a little small compared to the wig, and for preventing the head cap from coming off.

Melamine sponge: The "melamine sponge" is used to remove dirt other than paint, such as fingerprints and small amounts of color transfer from dolls. It has a finer texture than the sponge used for washing dishes, so you can remove dirt with just water without using detergent.
You can also use it to wipe dry, but be careful when using it as it will produce fine powder. Also, be careful not to rub too hard as it may remove your makeup.

Eye Fixing Sculpey: "Eye Fixing Sculpey" is a non-hardening clay used to fix the eyes in place.
Use 2 to 3 times the amount of Eye Fixing Sculpey as the eyelid, rub it with your fingers to soften it, and press the back of the eye onto the head part. If you have heavy glass eyes, you can use a little more Eye Fixing Sculpey to support them more firmly.
Since it does not harden when it dries and does not require special tools, it is easy to change the eyes and adjust the direction (gaze). In addition, most Eye Fixing Sculpey can be reused many times because they regain their flexibility by kneading them several times even when they become hard.

Doll Bags: A "doll bag" is a bag for carrying a doll wearing clothes and shoes. Most of them have a belt to secure the doll so that it will not be damaged during transportation. Depending on the manufacturer, there are various types of bags, ranging from soft ones made of vinyl or synthetic leather to sturdy ones like a trunk, with pockets for storing small items, so please choose one according to your preference.
In addition to being used for carrying dolls, doll bags can also be used as simple storage bags. However, since they are basically made to store one doll in each bag and are designed to fit the doll's size to prevent damage, we do not recommend packing multiple dolls into a doll bag that does not fit the doll's size.

The doll I wanted arrived! It's fun to prepare various dolls, but once you've decided which doll you want,
Here are some ways to have even more fun with your doll.

Original coordination for dolls

Almost all of the doll's wigs, eyes, dresses, and shoes are removable, and some manufacturers also sell customization parts such as horns and hand parts with different shapes. By combining them, you can coordinate your doll to be one of a kind, so fill it with your favorites!

Coordination by DOLK STATION staff

I tried coordinating the same dolls by dressing them in different wigs and clothes.

Photo shoot with dolls as models

Create your favorite situation using miniature items you find around you and take the best shot!
If you're good at DIY, you can have fun making doll-sized furniture or creating a dollhouse to use as a background for your photos.
In addition, DOLK STATION and DOLK store also sell "background cloth" that can be used to easily create a background, so be sure to check it out.

Interaction between doll owners

Doll owners also actively interact with each other on social media and offline meetups, so be sure to bring your doll and join in!
We recommend this opportunity because it will broaden your horizons and help you discover new outfits and your favorite Maker! See the photoshoot at DOLK Cafe

Participating in doll events

At doll events that are held regularly, Makers display and sell limited edition special dolls, and many creators (individual makers) exhibit and sell original products such as dresses and eyes.<br>Creators' works include designs and sizes that are not available in manufacturer's products, and you may find items that you have never found before, so please come and participate
Doll Event Report

What is DOLK STATION?Here is a brief explanation of DOLK STATION.

DOLK STATION is an online shop that sells dolls and doll items from all over the world.

Most dolls and doll items are ordered and take several months to arrive, but we want to deliver them to you when you want them.
At DOLK STATION, we are committed to improving In-Stock Items.
We accept "Proxy Order" for products from Maker that we do not carry in our store, so if there is a doll you want, please feel free to contact us.
If you have any questions or concerns about doll items, our staff will be happy to help you.
Please feel free to contact customer support.

In addition to the online shop, we also have stores in Tokyo and Osaka under the name "DOLK".
You can actually see the dolls and items, and if you bring your doll you can try on dresses, shoes, etc.
If you have any questions or concerns about our products, please feel free to contact us and our staff with extensive product knowledge will be happy to assist you.
We also stock seasonal items, so please come and visit us. DOLK Tokyo / Tokyo plus shop info. DOLK Osaka shop info. DOLK Radio Kaikan shop info.

How to Use DOLK STATION? DOLK STATION offers two types of membership registration.

Register as a member Shopping and Newsletter subscription

DOLK STATION DOLK Member... Shopping and membership services: To shop at DOLK STATION, you'll need to sign up as a regular member. All nationalities are welcome, but registration is open to Japan residents only. Registration is free and quick — just enter your email, name, and address. Once registered, you can start shopping right away and receive our exclusive member newsletter. Plus, enjoy additional perks and content listed below.

For shopping Responded Points issued: Depending on the purchase price of the product,
Points will be issued.
The points issued can be used on your next shopping trip.
It can be used as a discount.

Purchase Doll Profile Registration: At DOLK STATION and DOLK store
The doll you purchased is
On the member page "Your Account"
You can set up your profile.

MyDoll As Display on site: The doll you purchased
On DOLK STATION as "MyDoll"
Show us Ideal size
Items such as dresses and wigs
It will be picked up automatically.

Order status Can be checked: Get a clear picture of the current status of your order
"Product confirmation in progress" "Shipping completed" etc.
We will show you the details.
In addition, the order details from the past to the recent
You can check all the details.

Resister your favorite Makers & receive updates: Your favorite Maker,
I like DOLK store I often visit.
By registering as
We will keep you updated with the latest information.
New items from each Maker
It will be displayed preferentially on the site.