The Hands Behind the Apes

Designer Bradley on the design and craft behind Nervape Artifact, in conversation with Nervape James.

In this series of posts, Bradley—the designer and craftsman behind the Nervape Artifact figures—in conversation with writer Nervape James, will share rare insights and behind-the-scenes photos of his creative process at his workshop in Savannah, Georgia, USA.

James: First off, for those who may not know who you are and your role at Nervape Studio, could you please give us a brief introduction?

Bradley: I’m Bradley. I design Nervapes in 3D and bring them into the physical world. Besides that, I work on UX/UI at Nervape Studio.

James: I’m curious about your workshop. Roughly how big is the space?

Bradley: What you’re seeing in this photo is one side of my garage—a standard two-car space. Due to the weather here in Savannah, Georgia, I currently only use the left and right sides of my garage for tasks that require a compressor and ventilation. The rest of my workflow takes place in the attic. Altogether, the workspace I use is probably under 100 square feet—not huge by any means. Depending on what we build in the future, I might find ways to make better use of the rest of the garage.

James: Oh wow, that’s a quaint workspace. Is this the birthplace of Nervape (the first Nervape figure, the Nervape Original)?

Bradley: Yes, I’ve moved several times and built many prototypes over the years, but this garage is where the very first Nervape Original was born—and where all future Nervape Originals will take shape as the first step of the Nervape Artifact production process.

James: That’s amazing. Please share how the workshop has evolved from the start of Nervape to how it is now. For example: Have you had to expand the space? Buy a lot more new equipment/tools?

Bradley: Back in 2019, my workspace was just a spare desk in the dining room, and all I had was my brother’s barebones FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printer. That was around the time I first came into contact with 3D-printed parts at school. I ended up using the printer more than my brother did, and began learning industrial 3D modeling tools to bring my ideas to life. As I dug deeper, I started to see the limitations of FDM—which led me to invest in my first resin printer, one I still use to this day.

Over the following years—before I moved into my current place—I added a second resin printer of the same model to serve as a resin testing platform, along with a basic wash-and-cure station (a setup to clean the printed objects with isopropyl alcohol and harden them with UV light). And that was it. My workspace during that time could be anywhere in the apartment—whichever corner had enough room for the machines. It wasn’t exactly a healthy setup, though.

In 2022, I moved into a full house with a garage. I finally got a proper FDM printer, which allowed me to print models as large as our Nervape 3x. I set up the printers in the attic and fixed the ventilation issue with a large carbon filter.

Since I started printing Nervape figures, I’ve often wanted to give them away to people I met at conferences. But with limited tools at the time, all I could produce were hollow 3D-printed Nervapes—fragile and far from ideal.

Now, with a full garage to work with, I’ve been able to upgrade my production process. I brought in a compressor, a vacuum chamber, and a pressure pot, and began experimenting with resin casting. The mold design alone went through more than ten revisions before reaching an ideal form. And just as everything started coming together, it all took off at once: we debuted Nervape Vest, Nervape Dot (our mini Nervape figures), and Nervape 3x—all made in my workshop, with 3D printers and a bit of help from an airbrush.

To meet growing demand, I invested in three more larger resin printers, created over 30 silicone molds, upgraded to a much larger pressure pot, and built myself a better paint booth—and that’s where my workshop stands today.

James: That’s quite a journey! And the fact that you did most of that on your own is really impressive. Can you please share what some of the tools/items are in the picture above?

Bradley: The two bottles on the left are unmixed epoxy resin—they’re the primary material I use to create Nervape Originals.

Next to them is a blue silicone mold that didn’t turn out quite right—it’s a defective one I kept for reference.Above the bottles on the table is a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, which I use to clean up any spilled resin.

The oddly shaped hooks near the top are 3D-printed holders I designed to support Nervape 3x parts during airbrushing.

In the top-right corner, there are three power tools: a drill for mixing resin, a heat gun for removing bubbles and keeping the resin warm, and a blower for clearing out dust or residue from silicone molds.

Below that are some of the tools I use every day—things like a caliper (a ruler with pincers), tape measure, flashlight, and a hammer. The black box in the bottom-right corner is a power supply I’ve been using to experiment with electroplating—no success yet, but still trying.

James: I like how organized all the tools are. In these next photos I see you’re in the process of creating a Nervape Dot figure. Can you share what you are doing on the picture on the top with the spray?

Bradley: I’m applying a clear coat to the figure. Since the Nervape Dot is made from 3D printing resin, it tends to scratch easily and sometimes sheds fine powder. Adding an automotive-grade clear coat significantly improves its durability. This step is essential for all 3D-printed parts we release to the public.

James: Why do the figures need to be placed on those sticks?

Bradley: The stick acts as a handle and keeps the figure in place throughout the entire coating process—that way, I don’t have to hold hundreds of Nervape Dots by hand while the clear coat dries.

James: Ah got it, very smart. Can you share some interesting facts about creating the Dot? For example, how is the process different from creating the Nervape Original?

Bradley: In short, Nervape Dot is 3D-printed and clear-coated in my workshop, while the Nervape Original uses a more traditional resin casting technique. In essence, the materials differ, the processes differ, and so do the types of labor and tools involved.

A resin printer is capable of producing extremely fine details, so making a Nervape Dot is relatively straightforward: it begins with 3D modeling, followed by the complete resin printing workflow—printing, cleaning, and curing—and finishes with minimal sanding and an automotive-grade clear coat.

By contrast, creating a resin-cast piece (Nervape Original) requires significantly more effort. First, you need a master piece polished to perfection, then use it to make a silicone mold. While it may sound simple, achieving ideal results demands both knowledge and experimentation. I’ve been producing resin Nervapes since 2022, and because my space and equipment for large-scale casting are limited, I have gradually developed a workflow and custom tools to improve efficiency. Even so, there is still plenty of room for further refinement.

James: Is it particularly difficult to make a figure that small or is it easier? How so?

Bradley: It really depends on what processes are involved. If you’re only making the shape, then with the right settings, a resin printer can handle most of the work—aside from cleaning and sanding.

But if you’re painting a figure at that size, it’s a nightmare for me. I often see people painting Warhammer figurines online, and all I have is respect.

James: Got it! Well, much respect to you, Bradley. Thanks so much for giving us an inside look into your workshop and the Nervape creation process! Be sure to follow Bradley (@Bradley_SHD) and me (@Nervape_James) on X for updates. Also, everyone be sure to look for more behind the scenes content as we roll out our Nervape Artifact collectibles. Stay tuned!

September 10, 2025