Custom Dakimakura Pose References: Plan a Clear Brief

Published by Dakimakura Store · Published October 19, 2026

Custom dakimakura pose references help explain how you want a character positioned before artwork is finalized. A favorite face and costume may be easy to identify, while the angle of the shoulders, the placement of a hand, or the direction of the gaze remains unclear. Those choices change the feeling of the whole illustration.

Start with one pose you can describe clearly, then add references only where they answer a specific question. This guide focuses on preparing that visual request for discussion with an artist or the store. Confirm whether drawing or pose changes are available for your order before buying; a custom cover listing alone does not establish what illustration services are included.

Decide whether you need new artwork or a finished cover

If an existing illustration already has the pose you want, your next decision may simply be which cover configuration to choose. If you want the character to turn, move a hand, or hold a different object, you are asking for an artwork change. Writing the change in an order note does not establish that it has been accepted or priced.

The custom artwork cover with separate Front and Back fields currently offers five sizes and five material choices. Those selectors describe the cover purchase. Discuss your proposed artwork and any drawing requirements separately, especially when your source image shows only a head or upper body.

Alternatively, a finished listing such as the Kakashi Hatake cover, product code 211035 lets you assess an existing design before selecting its size and material. If the published artwork already suits you, there is no need to commission a different pose merely to personalize the fabric choice. A catalog image is a reference for that listing, not a promise that another product can reproduce or alter it.

Describe the main pose before collecting details

Write a plain sentence about the intended figure. For example: “A relaxed, upright character facing the viewer, with both arms comfortably inside the frame.” This is a proposed creative direction, not a preset offered by the store. It gives your later references a shared purpose.

Next, choose the view: straight on, three-quarter, profile, or a view from behind. Avoid asking for several incompatible angles in the same illustration. A reference showing the face from the front cannot also fully explain a back-facing body without another decision about the head position.

Finally, describe the mood through visible features. “Calm” can mean lowered shoulders, relaxed hands, and a gentle gaze. “Confident” might mean a more upright posture and direct eye contact. You do not need to direct every muscle; identify the few features that make the pose feel right to you.

Give each reference one clearly labeled job

A small, organized set is easier to interpret than an album of favorite pictures. Choose one primary reference for the overall pose. Add another only when it explains something the first leaves unresolved, such as a hand position or the way a sleeve rests.

• Main pose: identifies the body angle and general placement of the limbs.
• Hand detail: clarifies whether the hand is open, resting, or holding an object.
• Character detail: identifies a costume feature that must remain consistent while the pose changes.
• Written note: states which feature to use from each reference and which details are irrelevant.

For instance, say “Use reference A for the body angle and reference B only for the position of the book.” Without that limitation, the second image may introduce a different costume, expression, or viewpoint. If the two references conflict, select a priority rather than leaving the conflict for someone else to guess.

Resolve hands, props, and overlapping shapes

Hands often carry the meaning of a pose. A hand resting beside the face creates a different impression from a hand holding a hat. Specify the action and where it happens. “One hand near the face” leaves more uncertainty than “the character’s right hand lightly touching the brim of the hat.”

Use the character’s left and right consistently, or explicitly use the viewer’s left and right. A simple labeled reference can resolve the distinction. Do not alternate between the two conventions in one request, particularly when a character has an asymmetric sleeve, glove, or accessory.

When a prop matters, explain its relationship to the body. Is a book held in front of the torso or resting beside the character? Should the face remain unobstructed? Which hand supports it? These questions are more useful than specifying a decorative object without explaining how it fits into the pose.

Also check overlaps. Hair across a shoulder, a long sleeve beside a hand, and a prop in front of clothing can all be intentional. Mark the details you need to remain readable, then let the artist assess how to achieve that result. Do not treat a small reference thumbnail as proof that every overlapping detail will remain equally clear in the final composition.

Check the silhouette inside the selected cover shape

A pose with wide elbows or a large sideways prop may work in a square illustration but become difficult to place in a tall cover layout. Before committing to it, view the whole figure inside a simple rectangle with the same proportion as your intended cover. This is a composition check, not a production template.

The linked custom listing includes 150 × 50 cm and 160 × 50 cm, among other options. These have different proportions, so state which one you intend to order. Do not stretch the character to fill a rectangle or invent a fixed cutting margin. Ask for the actual artwork requirements for the selected product.

Look at the outermost hand, hair tip, foot, and prop. If a crucial feature sits against the edge, decide whether to bring it inward, reduce the figure’s scale, or choose another pose. Each option changes the composition. Record the priority: keeping the complete hand visible may matter more than making the figure as large as possible.

Make a separate pose decision for each side

The reverse does not have to be a literal rear view. It could be another agreed illustration with a different gesture or expression. The key is to state what you mean instead of assuming that “back” tells an artist which direction the character should face.

Use the guide to planning the relationship between two cover sides when deciding how the pair should work together. For your pose request, write a separate sentence for each side. Check that a shared prop, costume detail, or character feature remains intentional in both views.

Before submitting finished files, keep reference images distinct from the artwork intended for printing. A pose sketch with arrows is useful for discussion, but those marks should not become part of an upload by accident. If a later version needs changes, the numbered revision-note method helps you identify the exact hand, side, and version involved.

Frequently asked questions

Can I request a new pose using an existing product photo?

You can use the listing to explain which design you mean, but confirm whether the requested redraw is available before ordering. Selecting a cover does not automatically include a change to its published artwork.

How many pose references should I send?

There is no universal number. Start with one main pose and add only the details needed to resolve uncertainty. Clearly label the role of every extra image so it does not introduce contradictory instructions.

Does turning the image around create a back view?

No. Rotating or reflecting an existing image changes its orientation, not the viewpoint it depicts. A different view needs artwork showing that view. Explain the desired result before discussing how it can be supplied.

Should I choose the size before discussing the pose?

Choose an intended size early enough to check the composition against its proportions. You can discuss alternatives, but confirm the final size and artwork together before placing an order that depends on a particular layout.

Turn the reference set into a practical next step

Your finished request should identify the main pose, the view, the role of each reference, and the intended cover size. Keep any unanswered questions visible, particularly about drawing scope and cost. Then compare the available custom cover formats and confirm which one fits your project. A clear pose plan makes that conversation easier and helps you choose a cover around artwork you have deliberately selected.