Pour Map

What is a Pour Map?

A visual diagram or annotated reference image showing exactly where each color, effect, or pigment should be placed on a toy during a custom pour, used to communicate color placement between buyer and maker.

Why Is a Pour Map Needed?

When placing a made-to-order custom with specific color preferences, words alone often fail. Saying "red on top, black on the bottom" leaves enormous room for interpretation. A pour map eliminates ambiguity by providing a visual blueprint that shows the maker exactly where each color begins, ends, and transitions. Collectors typically create pour maps by taking a stock photo or line drawing of the toy model and annotating it with color zones, gradient directions, and effect placement using basic image editing tools or even hand-drawn markups.

What Does a Pour Map Include?

A thorough pour map specifies several elements. Primary color zones show which areas receive which base color. Accent placement indicates where secondary colors, shimmer, or marble effects should appear. Gradient direction clarifies whether colors should fade top-to-bottom, tip-to-base, or in another orientation. Effect density communicates how heavy or subtle sparkle, shimmer, or color swirl should be in each zone. The best pour maps also reference specific swatches or signature colors from the maker's catalog so there is zero guesswork about which exact pigments to use.

How Does the Map Translate to Reality?

Even the most detailed pour map is a guide, not a guarantee. Silicone pouring is an artisanal process where pigments interact with each other, gravity pulls colors during curing, and each pour produces slightly different results. Experienced makers interpret pour maps through their knowledge of how specific pigments behave in liquid silicone. A skilled maker will tell you if your requested design is achievable as mapped or suggest modifications that will produce a better result. This collaborative conversation between collector and maker is one of the most rewarding aspects of the custom pour process.

What Are the Community Standards?

Many makers include pour map templates on their websites — blank reference images of each model that buyers can download, annotate, and submit with their order. Some makers require a pour map for any multi-color custom order, while others accept written descriptions for simpler colorways. The community has developed informal conventions: arrows indicate gradient direction, dotted lines show fade zones, and color-coded highlights correspond to specific pigments. For custom ordering, a clear pour map reduces revision requests, miscommunication, and disappointment. Start building your perfect custom design by exploring the models available at LustMonster.com.