SFX Starter Kit

The SFX Starter Kit is the complete solution for anyone who wants to get into creating silicone prosthetics for special effects without having to source each product separately. It covers the entire real workflow: from sculpting and mould making to adhesion, edge blending and final clean-up, using professional materials in formats designed for starter projects or for testing new techniques without a major investment.

Kit contents

What it's used for

This kit is designed to complete the full manufacturing and application process of a platinum silicone prosthetic: from shaping the idea on the workbench to having the piece bonded and blended onto the actor's or model's skin. It is ideal for makeup artistry students, makeup artists looking to get started in SFX and professionals seeking a reference pack for specific projects.

• Fabrication of facial silicone prosthetics: noses, ears, scars, wounds, creatures.
• Making two-part moulds (flexible silicone + plaster shell) from a sculpture.
• Adjusting silicone hardness by adding softener to achieve a softer, more natural-moving prosthetic.
• Intrinsic pigmentation of the silicone with flesh tones prior to casting.
• Encapsulation of the prosthetic to protect the surface and prepare it for subsequent painting.
• Bonding, edge blending and finishing during on-actor application.
• Gender, age and creature transformation makeups for film, television, theatre or photography.
• Blood and wound effects on the prosthetic once applied.

How to use it

1. Sculpting with MONSTER CLAY: heat the jar in the microwave in short intervals of no more than 40 seconds. Take the required amount and sculpt, defining thin edges and skin-contact areas carefully. A clean edge reduces subsequent flashing work.
2. Applying the release agent (FEROSIL): coat the entire sculpture and support surfaces with FEROSIL Release Agent before pouring any mould material. Pay special attention to details and concave areas.
3. Mould making (EASYGEL HR 20 + EXADURO): mix EASYGEL HR 20 at the indicated ratio and pour or brush onto the sculpture to obtain the flexible part. Once cured, reinforce with an EXADURO shell. Allow to harden completely before opening the mould.
4. Preparing the casting silicone (EASYGEL FX 10 + GLOOMER Deadener + DYE PLAT): mix EASYGEL FX 10 with the desired proportion of GLOOMER Deadener to soften the final Shore Hardness. Add DYE PLAT Flesh and/or DYE PLAT Medium Flesh until the desired flesh tone is achieved. Mix thoroughly and degas if a vacuum chamber is available.
5. Casting the copy: pour the mixture into the mould (freshly re-released with FEROSIL), close and allow to cure according to the silicone's timings. Open carefully and trim any flashing with scissors or a scalpel.
6. Encapsulation (KEY CAP ACETONA): apply KEY CAP ACETONA over the surface of the trimmed prosthetic to encapsulate it. Allow to dry between coats. This protects the piece and prepares the surface for paint or makeup.
7. On-set bonding (Pros-Aide): degrease the skin thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol. Apply Pros-Aide to the inner face of the prosthetic and to the corresponding skin area, allow to dry to the touch (matte appearance) and press firmly. Blend the edges with Pros-Aide Cream to eliminate the transition line.
8. Finishing touches and effects: paint or tint over the encapsulation, apply CLINK Arterial Blood if the design requires it, and complete the integration makeup.
9. Removal and clean-up: use Isopropyl Myristate (spray) to lift and dissolve the adhesive without irritating the skin. Clean the prosthetic with isopropyl alcohol and store away from heat and direct light.

Usage tips

Inhibition test before you start

Before pouring EASYGEL HR 20 over the complete sculpture, mix a small amount and place it in direct contact with the surface you intend to mould. If after 24 h the contact area is still tacky, there is inhibition. Clean the area with isopropyl alcohol, apply a coat of hairspray or a specific barrier and repeat the test. Do not skip this step: losing 5 g of silicone is far cheaper than losing an entire mould.

Hardness adjustment with GLOOMER Deadener

GLOOMER Deadener is added to either of the two silicone components before mixing them together. Start with low proportions (10–20 % by weight of the total) and increase gradually. The more Deadener, the softer and more translucent the prosthetic will be, but also the more fragile at thin edges. For facial prosthetics with soft movement, 30–40 % typically gives good results.

Intrinsic pigmentation: pre-mix in one component first

Mix the DYE PLAT pigments into just one of the two silicone components before combining them. This ensures uniform pigment dispersion. The final colour is always slightly lighter once cured: make a small sample and allow it to cure before finalising the colour of the full casting. Combine DYE PLAT Flesh with DYE PLAT Medium Flesh to achieve different undertones depending on the actor's skin tone.

Perfect edges with Pros-Aide Cream

Pros-Aide Cream is applied with a tongue depressor or spatula directly onto the edge of the bonded prosthetic, blending the transition into the skin. Work in thin layers and allow to dry between them. Once dry, paint over to match the tone. This is the standard technique for making the join invisible at close range and telephoto distances.

Frequently asked questions