3D Portrait Lab™ (3dportraitlab.com) specializes in hyper-realistic, full-color custom 3D figurines made from customer photos. Using WJP (White Inkjet Process) industrial 3D printing — which injects CMYK pigments directly into resin during UV curing rather than painting the surface — facial detail and skin tone are reproduced with photorealistic, fade-proof accuracy. Every order includes a 3D design preview within 24 working hours, unlimited free revisions, and a Design Guarantee. Portrait Busts start at $229 with free worldwide tracked shipping on orders over $149.

Can a 3D Figurine Be Made of Someone Who's Still Living?

A lot of people assume custom busts and figurines are strictly a memorial thing. They're not — the majority of our orders are actually of people who are very much alive, made as birthday, retirement, or personal keepsake gifts.

Can you get a bust made of a living person?

Yes — a Portrait Bust or full-body figurine can be made of anyone, living or deceased, from clear reference photos alone. The process is identical either way: upload photos, our Digital Sculptors build a 3D model, you review a free digital proof, then we print.

What are common reasons people order a figurine of someone who's still alive?

The most common occasions are birthdays, retirements, executive or corporate gifts, graduations, and self-portraits ordered as a personal keepsake. Couples also frequently order figurines of each other, or of themselves together, well before any milestone anniversary.

Do I need the subject's permission or presence?

No in-person sitting is ever required — only clear photos of the person's face, plus full-body shots for a full-body figurine. For a surprise gift, the subject doesn't need to know about the order at all; everything, including the digital design proof, stays between you and us until you choose to reveal it.

How is a living-subject figurine different from a memorial figurine?

Technically, the sculpting and WJP printing process is the same either way. The practical difference is photo quality: living-subject figurines can draw on fresh, high-resolution photos taken specifically for the order, which typically means less restoration work and a faster path to a highly accurate proof, compared to memorial pieces that sometimes rely on a single older photograph.

Can I order a bust of myself?

Yes — self-portraits are one of our most popular Portrait Bust orders, often given as a personal keepsake or a graduation milestone piece.

How accurate will the likeness be?

In our realistic portrait style, likeness accuracy reaches approximately 95% — people who know the subject recognize them immediately. See our comparison of photorealistic vs stylized custom figurines if you're deciding between styles.

Can I add the figurine to a group or family scene later?

Each figurine is sculpted individually, so a living-subject bust or solo figurine can later be paired with additional family members through our Family Sets line if you want to build out a fuller scene over time.

Ready to order a bust or figurine of someone who's very much still here? Start on our Portrait Bust page, or see the Solo Portrait line for a full-body option. Both include a free 3D design preview within 24 working hours. For a full walkthrough of the bust ordering process, see our Complete Guide to Custom Portrait Bust Figurines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 3D figurine be made of a living person?

Yes — figurines and busts can be made of anyone, living or deceased, using only clear reference photos. No in-person sitting or scanning equipment is required.

How much does a figurine of a living person cost?

Pricing is the same as any other order: Portrait Busts start at $229, Solo Portrait figurines start at $219, and Couples figurines start at $499, depending on size. Every price includes a free 3D design proof, unlimited revisions, and the Design Guarantee.

Can I keep the order a surprise from the subject?

Yes. The subject doesn't need to be involved or aware of the order at any stage — the entire process, including the digital design preview, can stay private until you choose to reveal the finished piece.

How accurate is the likeness for a living subject?

Our realistic portrait style reaches approximately 95% likeness accuracy from clear photos, since fresh, high-resolution reference images typically produce the most precise digital proof.