SFX Starter Kit: What's Included and How to Use Each Component

The SFX Starter Kit brings together in a single box all the materials you need to make your first silicone prosthetic: from sculpting the piece to adhering it to the actor and final removal. In this article we explain what each component is for and where to buy it separately when you need to restock or expand your supplies.

Who this kit is for

The SFX Starter Kit is designed for makers, makeup artistry students and special effects enthusiasts who want to learn the complete workflow of a silicone prosthetic without having to research what to buy. The materials are exactly those used in professional productions, in starter formats sized for small projects (nose, ear, scar, wound).

The kit covers six phases: sculpting, mould making, silicone casting, encapsulation, application on the actor and removal. Each component plays a specific role in the process and can be purchased separately when it runs out.

All components and where to buy them

Phase 1 — Sculpting

Monster Clay MEDIUM — 100 g

The foundation of the process is the sculpture. Monster Clay is a professional wax-based clay that softens with gentle heat (microwave in 30–40 second intervals) and allows you to sculpt fine edges, skin textures and transition areas with precision. At room temperature it hardens again, preserving all the detail.

It is essential that the sculpture's edges are as thin as possible: the thinner the edge, the less flashing you'll need to trim on the final casting and the more natural the prosthetic-to-skin transition will look.

Also available in Soft and Hard firmnesses to suit your working style.

Phase 2 — Mould making

FEROSIL Release Agent — 15 g

Before pouring any mould material, apply FEROSIL in a thin layer over the entire sculpture, support surfaces and edges. Without a release agent, the silicone can bond to the plaster or to the sculpture itself and ruin the mould. It is also used between the flexible part of the mould and the plaster shell.

EasyGel FX HR20 — 200 g (the mould silicone)

EasyGel FX HR20 is the fast-curing, high-resistance platinum silicone that forms the flexible part of the mould. It captures all the surface detail of the sculpture and withstands several dozen demoulding cycles without losing fidelity.

It is mixed at a 1A:1B ratio by weight, degassed if possible, and poured or brush-applied over the sculpture. It cures quickly at room temperature.

EXADURO — 300 g (the rigid shell)

Once the flexible silicone part has cured, it is reinforced with an EXADURO shell — the high-strength plaster specifically designed for SFX counter-moulds. The shell holds the mould's shape during the casting of the copy and withstands pressure without deforming. It is poured directly over the silicone (with release agent applied first) and sets in 20–30 minutes.

Phase 3 — Silicone casting (the prosthetic)

EasyGel FX10 — 200 g (prosthetic silicone)

EasyGel FX10 is the Shore A10 silicone used to make the castings — the actual prosthetics — that will be adhered to the actor. It has the texture and translucency that mimic soft skin tissue, and can be tinted with platinum pigments before casting to achieve the desired tone.

Gloomer Deadener — 100 g

Gloomer Deadener is the deadening agent that reduces the silicone's Shore Hardness: adding between 10 and 50% of the total mixture weight gives you a softer, more translucent prosthetic with better movement on the skin. In the kit it is combined with EasyGel FX10 to fine-tune the final hardness depending on the area of application.

DYE PLAT Flesh + Medium Flesh — 5 g each

DYE PLAT are pigments specifically designed for platinum silicone that are mixed directly into the silicone before casting (intrinsic pigmentation). The Flesh tone provides a light skin base; Medium Flesh darkens it slightly to fine-tune the match to the actor's real skin tone. Combining both gives you a wide range of shades.

Phase 4 — Encapsulation

Key-Cap Plastic Encapsulant — 50 g

Key-Cap is the acetone-based encapsulant applied to the surface of the trimmed prosthetic. It forms a thin, hard membrane over the silicone that protects the piece, reduces makeup absorption and prepares the surface for airbrushing or makeup paint. It is applied in thin coats, allowing each one to dry before applying the next.

AC-1 Pure Acetone — 50 ml

Pure acetone is the solvent for Key-Cap: it is used to adjust its viscosity, clean the edges of the prosthetic by removing excess encapsulant, and clean brushes and tools after encapsulation. It is also used to eliminate the edges of bald caps.

Also available in a larger format: Key-Cap Beads (in bead form to dissolve in your own acetone).

Phase 5 — On-set application

Isopropyl Alcohol 99.9% — 50 ml

The first step of adhesion is degreasing: cleaning the area of skin where the prosthetic will be applied with IPA at 99.9% removes grease, sweat and traces of cream that would prevent the Pros-Aide from bonding. It is also used to clean the silicone on the inner face of the prosthetic before applying the adhesive.

Pros-Aide — 15 ml

Pros-Aide is the industry-standard medical-grade acrylic adhesive for attaching silicone, latex and foam latex prosthetics to skin. It is applied to the inner face of the prosthetic and to the actor's skin, allowed to dry to the touch (matte appearance) and then firmly pressed to activate the bond. The holding strength is very high and it resists sweat and movement.

Pros-Aide Cream — 15 g

The cream version of Pros-Aide Cream has a denser consistency that allows you to load and sculpt on skin. Its main use in the kit is to blend the edges of the prosthetic into the actor's skin: it is applied with a spatula along the transition line, smoothed out, and once dry, painted over to make it invisible.

Phase 6 — Effects and removal

CLINK Arterial Blood Bright — 20 g

CLINK Arterial Blood is the bright red artificial blood applied directly to the already-painted prosthetic for wound, scar or creature effects. It is compatible with silicone and can be applied with a brush, spatula or nozzle. Also available in other variants: Venous Medium (dark), Aged Dark (coagulated) and Clotted Wound Filler (wound with volume).

Isopropyl Myristate (spray) — 100 ml

At the end of the shoot, Isopropyl Myristate dissolves the Pros-Aide and allows you to remove the prosthetic from the skin without pulling or irritation. Simply apply the spray around the perimeter, wait a few seconds and peel gently from the edges. It also cleans the inner face of the prosthetic of adhesive residue for storage.

Included tools kit

The kit also includes the FX Application Kit, a basic set of tools for each phase of the process:

• Steel pick — for sculpting fine detail and textures in Monster Clay. Sold separately: Steel Makeup Mixing Spatula.
• Stainless steel plate — mixing surface for adhesives and makeup. Sold separately: Steel Spatula/Plate.
• Dental spatula — for working edges, fills and Pros-Aide Cream. Sold separately: Flashing Dental Spatula (set of 4).
• 5 wooden tongue depressors — for mixing silicones and plaster. Sold separately: Wooden tongue depressors (box of 100).

Frequently asked questions