6 May 2026 · Behind the Scenes · 3D printing

How I 3D printed an action figure for a TV commercial

One of the most interesting projects of recent times was making an action figure for a television commercial as part of a retail client's advertising campaign. The client wanted a superhero figure in a blue-and-yellow color scheme with a long cape — fully custom-made for their campaign. In this article I show you the entire process from idea to finished product, including the video from the commercial.

From idea to the TV screen

When the agency came with a request for a unique superhero figure for a retail client's TV commercial, I immediately knew it would be an interesting project. They wanted a blue-and-yellow color scheme, a large yellow cape with a serrated edge, a muscular build and an expressive face. It wasn't about copying an existing character, but about a completely original figure that would stand out in the commercial.

1. Digital modeling

The process always starts with reference images and a precise brief. In this case I received several references for proportions and the color scheme. In Blender I built an anatomically correct human body, added pronounced muscle definition, a large cape and details (belt, gloves, mask). I paid special attention to the hands and face — these parts are the most visible in the commercial.

The model was divided into several parts (torso, head, arms, legs, cape) to make it easier to print and later assemble. This is standard practice for larger figures, as it reduces support structures and improves surface quality.

2. 3D printing the parts

I used a high-precision FDM printer with a filament that allows for good detail. Each part was printed separately. In the photo below you can see all the raw parts before I sanded them and prepared them for painting.

3. Assembly and priming

Once all the parts are printed, the tedious but essential sanding, gluing and priming follow. I used a multi-layer primer so the paint would adhere nicely later and to smooth out all the print imperfections. This is the phase where the figure is "born" — from grey pieces it becomes a single, unified object.

4. Hand painting — the most demanding part

Painting was done in several layers with acrylic paints and an airbrush technique. First the base blue for the body, then the yellow details (belt, gloves, boots, cape). I paid special attention to shadows and highlights so the figure looks dynamic even under studio lighting.

The cape was the most demanding — it had to be light, drape well and have the right shade of yellow. In the end I added a few more details with a soft brush (the logo on the chest, shadows on the muscles).

The final result and the commercial video

Here is a shot from the television commercial featuring our figure:

You can watch the full video below:

As you can see in the video and in the shot, the figure looks exceptionally dynamic and professional. This is one of those projects that show everything that is possible with 3D printing and hand sculpting in Slovenia.

Why does this matter for 3DShop.si?

Projects like this allow us to continually refine our modeling, printing and painting techniques. Every new figure gives us new experience that we can then apply to making memorial statues, bobbleheads and AI-generated 3D models.

If you have an idea for a similar project — whether it's a figure for a commercial, a gift, a cosplay prop or something completely different — get in touch. We love taking on demanding and creative challenges.