In recent years, Lego buildings have seen a surge in popularity across generations. What was once a beloved childhood hobby has already emerged as a global creative community. Lego fans around the world have embraced a new era — the one named with customization. They will be pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with these iconic plastic bricks.
In this article, let’s explore this exciting evolution by delving into the innovative ways Lego lovers are customizing their creations, the significance of personalization, and the websites that have become hubs for these endeavors.
Understanding Custom Lego Bricks
Defining them unlocks doors to endless possibilities in the Lego universe. Unlike standard pieces Lego provides, custom bricks are unique creations crafted by a vast amount of builders. They usually come in diverse shapes, sizes, and colors, providing you with greater creative freedom. These bricks are created from the same high-quality plastic as official Lego pieces, so they ensure compatibility.
Custom Lego pieces have a historical presence dating back to Lego’s early times. Builders have always sought ways to enhance their creations. However, with the rise of the internet, online communities enabled enthusiasts to share their innovative ideas, with new creativity sparked. Custom Lego design has experienced a revival.
Methods of Customization
Painting
This technique is a preferred option if you’re looking to add unique details to your Lego creations. Many skilled and artistic builders enhance minifigures, bricks, and accessories by using specialized paints and brushes. This method allows for innovative designs and fine details that bring to life Lego characters and scenes not yet seen in the market.
Printing
Another option for you is custom printing, where digital graphics are applied to the Lego elements you want. This method ensures precision and consistency so it makes an ideal choice for replicating detailed patterns or logos on minifigures, tiles, or bricks.
Lego-compatible Accessories
For those seeking additional flair, third-party Lego-compatible accessories are readily available. These accessories include custom weapons, clothing, even specialized lighting kits. This method will offer you endless opportunities to personalize your finished creations.
Creative Expression and Collectible Value
Customizing Lego sets isn’t just a hobby; it’s a form of personal expression and boundless creativity. It’s where builders transform plastic bricks into unique works of art. Lego builders showcase their passions and talents by reimagining iconic movie scenes with specific minifigures or crafting entirely new universes.
Custom bricks hold immense value in terms of collectibility. That’s because rare and meticulously customized pieces can become coveted collector’s items, fetching high prices, especially in the Lego community. These unique pieces not only showcase the builder’s skill but also highlight Lego’s endless potential.
Prominent Custom Lego Websites
In the vast realm of Lego customization, online platforms and websites play a key role. They connect enthusiasts, showcase distinctive designs, and offer a treasure trove of unique Lego pieces.
The online world offers a wide range of options, each catering to different requirements. Let’s explore some prominent websites based on specific needs:
1. Buy Existing Custom Lego Pieces
BrickLink
Renowned as one of the largest marketplaces for Lego parts, including all kinds of custom or rare elements. It’s a go-to platform for finding that missing piece or unique additions to your builds.
Check out the website.
Brick Pimp
It serves custom designs and worldwide shipping for Creator Modular City fans. They mainly provide personalized printed LEGO parts, string, nets, stickers, LED light bricks, and anything you can think of.
Check out the website.
Brick Owl
A global hub for buying and selling Lego pieces, with a focus on custom and collectible items. Whether you’re after accessories or unique bricks, you’re absolute to find them here.
Check out the website.
2. Custom Minifigures
Minifigures.com
It specializes in creating minifigures. You could choose from a wide range of themed and personalized options to add unique characters to your Lego world.
Check out the website.
Minifigs.me
It customizes Minifigures for events like weddings and birthdays. It also offers a selection of pre-designed minifigures inspired by popular culture, including movies, TV shows, and video games.
Check out the website.
Citizen Brick
Known for its high-quality and detailed minifigures. They offer a diverse selection of minifigs for direct purchase, often with quirky and humorous themes.
Check out the website.
3. Custom Lego Bricks with Photo & Text
Brick Engraver
Specialize in customizing LEGO bricks, tiles, and more in bulk. It also personalizes the specific LEGO creations, from trophies to Minifigs, and street signs to decorations.
- The Website Page: Check more
- Available Pieces: Tile&bricks in specific types
- Price: $3/PC (not including shipping)
- Customization Channel: Customization Tool
The Brick Gift House
Have collaborated with Disney, MARVEL, and LEGO, providing prints for various global initiatives. They specialize in crafting unique custom gifts using authentic LEGO parts.
- The Website Page: Check more
- Available Pieces: Tile&bricks in various sizes
- Price: Above £1.25/PC (not including shipping)
- Customization Channel: Email submission
Build Me Mini
A UK-based provider, who explores its diverse range, including custom displays and collectibles, and supplies major UK gift retailers and serves over 10,000 customers.
- The Website Page: Check more
- Available Pieces: Tile&bricks in specific types
- Price: Above £5/PC (not including shipping)
- Customization Channel: Email submission
Bedrukjeblokje
A Dutch provider, offering unique printed parts to personalize your LEGO® city or structures. Explore monthly additions and customize LEGO® pieces with text and photos.
- The Website Page: Check more
- Available Pieces: Tile&bricks in various sizes
- Price: Above €1.25/PC (not including shipping)
- Customization Channel: Customization Tool
Eclipsegrafx
Offer top-quality custom printed building blocks, Minifigures, and kits, driven by a passion for LEGO-inspired design innovation.
- The Website Page: Check more
- Available Pieces: Tile&bricks in specific types
- Price: €1.25/PC (not including shipping)
- Customization Channel: Email submission
Affordable Non-Lego Custom Bricks
While we explored various custom Lego websites, let’s dive into a non-Lego platform that offers budget-friendly options and a wider selection. The best part? These bricks are entirely compatible with Lego.
JMBricklayer
- The Website Page: Check more
- Personalized Designs: Support text or images
- Available Pieces: Tile&hinge in various shapes, sizes, and colors
- Price: $5.99 per piece (Free Worldwide Shipping)
- Customization Channel: Customization Tool
- Special Offer: Buy one, get one free!
Challenges and Considerations
Quality control is crucial for ensuring that customized elements align with Lego’s reputation for precision engineering. Builders must exercise caution and have thorough research when choosing custom pieces to avoid disappointment.
Moreover, navigating intellectual property concerns is vital. Creating unique Lego pieces inspired by copyrighted themes or characters can raise legal issues. Builders should respect intellectual property rights and explore creative alternatives that don’t infringe on protected content. It’s a delicate balance between innovation and legality in the world of custom Lego building.
Conclusion
Customization is the heart of Lego buildings, offering a canvas for personal expression and innovation. As you delve into the world of custom Lego, embrace the limitless possibilities it brings. The future holds exciting prospects for custom Lego, shaping the evolving landscape of the Lego community.
57 Responses
I would print family members names. It would be awesome to immerse them into my brick world.
Absolutely! Printing family names on Lego pieces is a great way to make them a part of your Lego world!
I’d love a movie poster brick with one of the best posters of all time: Jaws!
Absolutely! A Lego brick featuring the movie “Jaws” poster would be fin-tastic!
I would print great diorama, along with specification sheet, for Mech JML Zenith Rev. “Zenislev”, a mech from my favorite mech-game series, Front Mission.
I would build the mech from custom bricks, and its background would be this diorama, next to it there would be a specification sheet, and everyone could see this masterpiece.
That sounds like an amazing project! Creating a diorama for Mech JML Zenith Rev. “Zenislev” is a fantastic idea. Displaying it with a spec sheet adds that extra touch of professionalism and detail to showcase your masterpiece.
If I was designing a model for myself, I’d make a dark, Halloween type, marionette doll. But I’d probably end up making one for my daughter of her cat.
A Halloween marionette doll is a fantastic idea! And making a mini version of your daughter’s cat is just adorable! It’s all about adding that personal touch to our creations.
If I could print anything it would be my kids names and birth dates and customize a set for each of them
Printing your kids’ names and birth dates on LEGO pieces is such a heartwarming idea! Creating customized sets for them would make it even more special and meaningful.
Great article thanks so much I did not know about half of these companies!!
Thank you! Delighted the article introduced you to new possibilities in the LEGO world!
I would print all my family names and date of birth! Thank you for the chance ????
I would print custom profile pictures for my friends and I!
Custom profile pictures on LEGO pieces would be an awesome way to showcase friendship!
If I Could Print Anything on one Lego Piece or Multiple ones, I would print on a board/display (better) held by a Lego robot, the Laws of Robotics of Asimov
Designing a board/display held by a LEGO robot with Asimov’s Laws of Robotics is a brilliant idea for a LEGO piece!
I would print my face ???? would be awesome to have my own face on a mini figure
A fun and unique representation of yourself
I thought of printing on the Lego stone on my tomb : No respawn …Name…this game had one life only !
Unique and intriguing!
I would print on my Lego tomb stone : No respawn, in this game you’ve got only one life!
what a funny idea! lol
I would like to print a doggy paw for dogs we rescue and because Jenn is a Vet Tech. I think it’s appropriate for the household.
a heartwarming and thoughtful idea, especially with a vet tech in the household!
My nickname of what my grandson calls me. OPA…
OPA,” what an endearing nickname from your grandson!
My boys would probably print their names to put in their buildings
Imagine a mini Lego city with buildings proudly displaying their names, it’s like they have their own Lego metropolis!
My kids would probably try to make mini figures that looked like them.
Mini figures that resemble them would be awesome.
I also plan on using one of the mini fig customization companies to get each member of the family their own custom mini fig so thanks!
That’s wonderful!
I would print a QR code with the link for the assembly instructions
That’s a genius idea!
I bet it would be fun to create a model of your own town with local store names!
Adding a personal touch makes the LEGO creation even more special.
I would print album covers on it to reflect the albums I own in real life so that I can add it my custom build (I trying to build replica of my bedroom)
That’s an awesome idea!
I think I am going to try to get my boys some that have their names on them! Then they cannot fight over them!
Great idea! Personalized Legos with their names will make them even more appealing
I am loving reading all these ideas and I just noticed those candy bar legos. They are so cute.
Sure, lovely creations
I love the idea of album covers from favorite bands!
I love them too!
My boys just told me they would like their favorite anime characters printed
Fantastic ideas!
I just ordered some of the lego compatable accessories! I hope my boys love them!
Awesome! I’m sure your Lego boys will
If I was going to print on just one Lego piece, I would put a gecko for good luck.
Sounds perfect!
A picture of me, just to remember to my brother that the set is mine
Smart ideas! Lol
I could print an anime drawing.
Sounds great!
Find custom superhero’s would be cool too!
Certainly!