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EnglishWhat Is the Difference Between the AI Preview and Artist Proofs at Couple of Things?
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The AI preview and the artist proofs serve two different stages of a custom bobblehead order. The AI preview is a design-exploration tool: it helps you visualize a rough idea before you commit, but it is not a photograph of your figurine and not an exact guarantee of the finished piece. The artist proofs are photos of the actual handmade polymer-clay sculpture, sent for your review before the piece is baked — this is the stage where you can request changes.
In short: use the AI preview to decide what you want, and use the artist proofs to confirm what is actually being made.
AI Preview: For Exploring the Idea
The AI preview is offered as an optional step when you start your custom bobblehead. Its purpose is to help you explore a design direction — pose, outfit, general look — before placing the order.
What it is:
- A way to test a design idea visually
- A rough guide to how your choices might come together
What it is not:
- A photograph of your finished figurine
- An exact guarantee of the final handmade result
Because the finished piece is sculpted by hand in polymer clay, the AI preview should be treated as a starting point for your design notes, not a promise of the outcome. If a specific detail matters to you, the more reliable path is to describe it in your design notes and supply reference photos.
Artist Proofs: For Approving the Real Sculpture
After you place your order, the artist sculpts your figurine by hand. Before the piece is baked, you receive sculpture proofs — images of the actual handmade work — for your review.
At this stage you can:
- Inspect how your pose, outfit and details were interpreted
- Request changes before approving the piece for baking
Approval matters because baking is a point of no return for the clay work. Reviewing the proofs carefully is your opportunity to catch anything that doesn't match your intent.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| AI Preview | Artist Proofs | |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | A design concept based on your idea | The actual handmade sculpture |
| When it happens | Before ordering | After ordering, before baking |
| Can you request changes? | It informs your design notes | Yes — changes can be requested before approval |
| Is it a guarantee of the final piece? | No | Closer to the final piece, but still a handmade item |
| Main purpose | Explore and communicate your idea | Verify and approve the real work |
What Neither Stage Guarantees
Both stages are part of a handmade process, so small variations between any preview or proof and the final baked figurine are inherent to the craft. Neither the AI preview nor the proofs should be read as a pixel-exact reproduction. If a detail is non-negotiable — a specific uniform, a particular prop, text on the base — put it in your design notes and include clear reference photos so it can be addressed during the proof review.
How to Use Both Stages Well
- Before ordering: Try the AI preview to settle on a pose and outfit direction, then write design notes describing anything the preview can't capture.
- When uploading photos: Use a clear, front-facing photo in good light, add side views and separate outfit references where useful, and identify the main photo if you upload several.
- At the proof stage: Compare the proofs against your notes and reference photos, and request changes before approving the piece for baking.
- Before checkout: Review your selections, the total price and your design notes in the ordering studio — optional props and additional people affect the final price.
Production typically runs 3 business days to 2 weeks, depending on design complexity and how quickly proofs are approved, with shipping following production.