Marty loves to make puppets for people!
Marty offer all kinds of custom works, but the one that comes up most often is a one-of-a-kind Sock Puppet based on a real person or your idea! (And often a portrait of that puppet, too!)
Marty's most common custom puppet is that of a friend, loved one, beloved character, or wedding couple.
Custom Puppets start at $200 per puppet.
It is an additional $200 if you would also like a Sock Puppet Portrait of your puppet. The portrait comes as a 2”x3” small framed photo, and $10 per additional 2”x3”. Larger and custom sizes are available, please inquire.
Contact Marty for a proper quote
Marty has created custom puppets for The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, The Made Visible Foundation, Fastest Land Animals Band, Leroy's Place, Hubbington's Furniture, many other businesses, and dozens of individuals.
Marty is committed to getting your design right, and to making the process participatory and fun.
What follows are slides from a commission for a Sock Puppet Portrait of the iconic horror character, The Babadook.
After getting ideas and direction from the client, Marty begins with an intial stage of sketches on paper that are sent to you for direction and approval.
Once approved, Marty begins constructing parts that he then models without affixing.
Again, the client gives feedback before the next round.
The final round has final looks and choices before the color and more refined edits of the portrait get done.
The final work gets all packed up and sent wherever you might like...
For puppets based on real people, Marty starts from some photos, but he also asks that you send him some info about the person.
Custom puppets of people are, essentially, caricatures, so let Marty know specific elements that he can focus on, whether they are physical or just aspects of this person's personality.
Pictured here is a favorite commission in which a family asked that Marty immortalize their beloved and beaten-up Honda Civic, Bif, in sock puppet form.
For puppets based on your idea, you can either send Marty a written description or a sketch or doodle of your own.
While Marty Allen retains the image rights and asks for the ability to use the image into perpetuity, you also have access to the image files and can use them freely for non-commercial purposes. Larger portraits or custom sizes are available at other rates.
If you are with a commercial organization and looking for licensed character, there is a different rate and process, please contact Marty.
Please note that what's stated are Marty's starting rates. There is room for negotiation, both up and down. Marty is empathetic to the fact that $200 is a lot of money for a sock puppet, but please understand that the process actually takes a very long time.
Add an additional $50 to shoot if you need two puppets shot in one picture ( Marty requires an assistant for these shoots).
Please contact Marty with any questions or to schedule a puppet. How quickly Marty can execute the piece depends on his current work-load at the time, though it is typically at least one month.
It is also possible to negotiate rush fees and so forth.