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Make the expression a specific artwork decision
Custom dakimakura expression references are useful when you like a character but have not decided how the face should look in the finished illustration. A small smile, lowered eyelids or a different gaze can change the mood of the entire cover. Describing those details clearly is more helpful than collecting many pictures that disagree with one another.
The aim is to prepare an understandable reference for artwork you are arranging or reviewing. A reference sheet is not automatically a finished print file, and a product called custom does not establish which drawing or revision services are included. Confirm the service scope separately. This guide focuses on decisions you can make before selecting a cover or submitting the final material.
Separate the character’s identity from the expression
Begin with the features that should remain consistent: face shape, hairstyle, visible eye color and distinctive marks shown in your chosen reference. Then describe the expression as a separate layer. That prevents a request such as “make the face happier” from accidentally becoming a request to change the character’s appearance.
Choose one image as the main facial reference when possible. If another image demonstrates the expression more clearly, label its purpose. For example, the first image might show the hair and eye design while the second shows a closed-mouth smile. Without labels, the two images can leave the person preparing the artwork unsure which details to follow.
Keep costume decisions separate as well. The site’s guide to choosing one outfit reference can help you settle clothing and accessories before discussing the face. A consistent outfit makes it easier to review whether the expression changed while the rest of the character stayed recognizable.
Describe the eyes, mouth and gaze in plain language
Eyes: shape and openness
“Soft eyes” can mean several different things. More precise wording might be “both eyes open, with relaxed upper eyelids” or “one eye closed in a wink.” State which eye is involved using a clear convention, such as the character’s left eye, and annotate the image if the viewpoint could cause confusion.
Do not assume an expression reference should replace eye color or an identifying detail. If a sample shows a useful eyelid shape but belongs to another character, say that only the expression is relevant. This is especially important when your reference set includes sketches, screenshots and completed illustrations with different levels of detail.
Mouth: outline and openness
Distinguish a closed-mouth smile from an open-mouth smile. If you prefer a subtle change, identify the existing mouth shape as the starting point. A short description such as “a slight upward curve, lips closed” gives a more concrete target than “make it cute.”
Ask yourself whether the expression still looks right when viewed across the full composition. A mouth shape that is appealing in a small portrait can feel exaggerated when the face occupies a larger area. Review both the close-up and the complete cover layout before deciding that the expression is finished.
Gaze: where the character is looking
A gaze toward the viewer creates a different impression from a gaze to the side. State the intended direction independently of the head angle. A tilted head does not necessarily mean the eyes should look away, and a side-facing pose can still have a gaze directed toward the viewer.
When a reference is mirrored, your directional note can become ambiguous. Use an annotation or describe the intended final appearance instead of relying on a filename such as “left version.” Keep one approved reference orientation so that eye direction and other asymmetrical details can be checked together.
Build a small reference table instead of a crowded collage
Three or four short entries are often enough to separate the decisions. The following example is a planning aid, not a promise about a shop’s artwork service. Adapt it to the illustration you are preparing, and remove any instruction that no longer applies after a revision.
| Feature | Example instruction | What to review |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Keep the hairstyle and eye design from the main reference | Recognizable features remain consistent |
| Eyes | Both open with relaxed upper eyelids | No unintended wink or changed eye color |
| Mouth | Small closed-mouth smile | Smile is visible without becoming exaggerated |
| Gaze | Looking toward the viewer | Direction remains clear in the final pose |
Label an alternative as an alternative. If you include both a neutral face and a smiling face without indicating a preference, the set describes two possible outcomes. Choose one before submitting final artwork, or identify which expression belongs on each side if you are deliberately planning different illustrations.
Plan the two sides without requiring identical faces
The front and back illustrations can use different expressions while still belonging to one coherent design. What matters is that the difference is intentional. One side might have a neutral expression and the other a small smile; both should retain the character details you want to keep.
The two-sided custom artwork guide explains the broader side assignment. For facial references, add a clear side label to each instruction. Avoid a global note such as “change the smile” when it is meant to apply to only one file.
If you want the same expression on both sides, do not automatically copy the same face unchanged into two different head angles. Review how the eyes and mouth sit within each pose. Consistency means a recognizable mood and identity; it does not require identical outlines regardless of perspective.
Choose the real product route before submitting files
The custom cover page with Front and Back fields provides one concrete route to examine. Its current size menu lists 100 × 34, 120 × 40, 150 × 50, 160 × 50 and 180 × 60 cm. Its material menu lists Peach Skin, Natural Velvet, Smooth Knit, Two Way Tricot and Upgraded Two Way Tricot.
Read what the Front and Back fields require before submitting anything. A planning table or a face reference may be useful during preparation, but it should not take the place of the requested final information. If you need new artwork, facial changes or revisions, confirm whether and how those services can be arranged before treating them as part of the cover purchase.
The custom route with an Enter SKU field has different controls: Type offers Apart Legs or Zipper, sizes are 150 × 50, 160 × 50 and 180 × 60 cm, and materials are Two Way Tricot or Upgraded Two Way Tricot. Its SKU field is not an instruction to assume that arbitrary facial editing is included. Confirm the product route and the intended design first.
Review the face in the complete cover layout
Once you have a candidate final illustration, check it in two ways. First, look closely at the face to catch inconsistent eye details, unclear mouth lines or a gaze that differs from your note. Then view the whole tall composition to judge the expression in context with the pose, clothing and background.
Keep your review comments focused. If the eyes are correct and only the mouth needs attention, say that explicitly so approved details remain settled. Save an unambiguous final version and set older alternatives aside. This prevents an earlier expression reference from being mistaken for the version you intended to submit.
- One main identity reference is clearly identified.
- Eye openness, mouth shape and gaze are described separately.
- Each expression is assigned to the correct side.
- The full layout and facial close-up have both been reviewed.
- The submission matches the selected product’s requirements.
- Any artwork or revision service has been confirmed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit a face reference instead of finished artwork?
Check the selected product’s requirements first. A facial reference helps explain a decision, but it is not automatically a complete printable illustration or the information required by the page.
Should both sides have the same expression?
Only if that is your preference. Different expressions can work when each side is clearly labeled and the character’s identifying details remain consistent.
Does a custom cover purchase include facial revisions?
Do not infer that from the word custom. Confirm the artwork and revision scope before ordering or submitting instructions that depend on drawing changes.
What if two reference images disagree?
Choose one main reference and label the specific detail you want from any secondary image. Remove or mark rejected alternatives so they cannot be confused with the final choice.
Prepare the expression before choosing the final submission
Browse the custom dakimakura collection after your facial-reference decisions are clear. Select the product route that fits the intended cover, confirm its requirements and separate preparation notes from final submission material. A small set of precise expression references is easier to review than a large collection of contradictory faces.