Custom Puppet Design & Creation
Shipped across Radhika Residency, Tilak Nagar
I design and build custom puppets for brands, films, ads, and events, using both handcrafting and 3D printing, and can perform with them if your project needs it.
Pricing Guide
Custom Brand Mascot & Hand Puppet
Design & Prototyping
- Sketching: 2-3 initial 2D concept sketches based on your brief (human, animal, or object).
- Consultation: Session to finalize expression, skin tone, and personality traits.
Construction Specifications
- Core: Hand-sculpted high-density foam skull and body (approx. 20-24 inches height).
- Finish: Camera-grade fleece or faux fur covering designed to hide seams.
- Mechanism: Standard mouth plate with sweat-resistant inner lining for grip.
- Limbs: Attached arms with flexible fingers and 2 detachable black metal control rods.
Styling
- Apparel: One set of custom-tailored clothing (shirt, jacket, uniform) scaled to the puppet.
Mechanical Ventriloquist Figure
Mechanical Engineering
- Control System: Internal pistol-grip headstick for one-handed head rotation and feature control.
- Movements: Slot-jaw moving mouth plus two mechanical triggers (choice of side-to-side eyes, raising eyebrows, or wiggling ears).
- Triggers: Precision lever triggers mounted on the control stick.
Body & Build
- Head: Hard-shell resin or reinforced composite cast for consistent mechanical action.
- Torso: Soft-stuffed body with wooden/PVC shoulder board for realistic upright posture.
- Hands: Molded resin or latex hands painted to match facial skin tone.
Aesthetics
- Finish: Airbrushed skin tones and theatrical-quality wig or styled hair.
- Costume: Full 3-piece suit or character-specific attire including shoes.
Realistic Creature & Animatronic Prop
Advanced Fabrication
- Process: Custom clay sculpting, mold creation (fiberglass/plaster), and casting.
- Material: Platinum Silicone or Foam Latex for realistic skin texture and translucency.
- Texturing: Detailed surface work including scales, wrinkles, and pores.
Animatronics & Rigging
- Mechanisms: Cable-controlled or servo-based systems for jaw snapping, eye blinking, or limb movement.
- Support: Internal 3D-printed structural skeleton and external support rig for heavy props.
Production Ready
- Kit: Includes a specialized repair kit for on-set paint or adhesive touch-ups.
About Custom Puppet Design & Creation
I’m Satyajit Padhye, born into a family where puppet-making is just part of life. For me, making a puppet is about building a character, not just an object. Each one has its own quirks and story, and honestly, some are tougher to crack than others.
What I Build
- Brand mascot puppets that really stick in people’s minds (like Vichaar Kar for Sahyadri Hospitals)
- Puppets for films, ads, and TV - sometimes wild stuff, like realistic animals or 3D printed character puppets for a movie set
- Giant puppets for events or stage shows. Once did a 12-foot puppet for Paani Foundation, and yeah, it’s as crazy to handle as it sounds
How It Happens
- First, we chat about what you want - even if it’s just a vague idea or a doodle, we’ll start from there
- I sketch and tweak until the character feels right
- Everything is made in my Mumbai studio, mixing old-school handcrafting with newer tricks like 3D printing if needed
Beyond Just Building
- Sometimes, I stick around to perform with the puppet myself, especially if you want that extra bit of life in your project
- Every puppet gets a bit of that old Padhye family soul, but I’m always up for experimenting with fresh ideas and tech
"Ase shekdo bhawle yetil ani jatil..." (Hundreds of puppets will come and go...) but every one’s got its own vibe.
Meet your Expert
Satyajit Padhye
368 connects in last 3 months
My Story
Hi, I’m Satyajit. Puppetry’s been in my blood for ages – my dad, granddad, all of us. Honestly, people always thought it’s just kid stuff, but nope, adults love it too! I even became a CA because, you know, stability, but puppets kept calling. Now, it’s my full-time world, and my wife and daughter are in it too. Labhle amhaas bhagya bolto Marathi (lucky to speak Marathi), lucky to share this joy.
My Work
Ventriloquism & Puppetry Shows - I perform for live events, TV, and films, mixing Marathi ventriloquism performances with local humour.
Custom Puppet Character Design - I create custom puppet characters for ads, brands, and even special 3D printed celebrity puppets.
Not Just for Kids - My scripts are witty, interactive ventriloquism for adults too, not just children.
Legacy with a Twist - From giant puppet event shows to experimenting with tech and AI, I keep our 100-year-old art fresh.
