FRP & resin sculpture
FRP and resin - complex shapes, light weight, controlled cost.
- Shanghai Xionglan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (brand: Xionglan Art)
- Shanghai-based workshop · delivery in 67 Chinese cities
- 10 capability groups / 102 individual techniques · design, fabrication and installation in-house
- Phone +86 156 0163 6249 · Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00 (CST)
Fibre-reinforced plastic is cast from a mould, so it can hold complex, hollow, undercut forms at a fraction of the weight of metal or stone. It is the standard material for themed work, mascots and shapes that would be impractical to fabricate.
Commissioned work in frp & resin sculpture normally runs from 6 to 30 m², with 5–13 working days in production from approved drawings. The reference range for this technique is CNY 0+ per m², quoted itemised. It sits within our Sculpture Fabrication capability, alongside 13 related techniques, and the 4-point deliverable below is what a commission includes as standard.
When frp & resin sculpture is the right answer - and when it is not
FRP - glassfibre-reinforced plastic - is chosen where a form is complex, large and needs to be light, and where a small number of copies are wanted. It suits themed props, sculptures, mascots, character work and large organic shapes. It is a poor choice where the surface must read as stone or metal from very close up, and it should not be specified for heavily loaded structural roles without engineering.
How the work is actually carried out
A master pattern is produced - carved, modelled or 3D-printed - and finished to the quality the mould will reproduce. Moulds are taken in sections sized to release the geometry, and the laminate is built up by hand with the reinforcement orientation chosen for the loads the piece will see. The shell is stiffened internally where spans demand it, and the finish coat is applied and finished to the intended surface. Pigment is either in the gelcoat or applied over, with the choice made against the exposure and the cleaning the piece will receive.
Typical applications
Typical specifications
| Process | Mould-making, hand lay-up or vacuum infusion |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 3-8 mm shell over internal frame |
| Finish | Gelcoat, automotive paint, faux stone or metal |
| Sizes | From 0.2 m to 20 m+ |
| Capability | Sculpture Fabrication |
| Reference range | CNY 0+ per m² |
| Techniques in this capability | 14 |
| Coverage | Shanghai base, nationwide delivery, overseas projects on request |
Reference price bands for FRP & resin sculpture
Indicative only, based on the scope normally quoted for frp & resin sculpture. A firm price follows a site survey and an itemised quotation split into material, labour, finishing, packing and freight.
| Pricing basis | Priced per piece or per project rather than per square metre |
|---|---|
| Reference range | CNY 0+ per m² |
| How we quote | Itemised: material, labour, finishing, packing and freight shown as separate lines |
Build tiers for frp & resin sculpture
FRP & resin sculpture is not one product at one size: the table below is the same scope ladder we quote on, so you can see where your project sits before asking for a price.
| Build tier | Typical area | Production days | What changes at this tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 6–30 m² | 20–45 | Up to 30 m², one substrate and one access setup, 20–45 days in the workshop. |
| Tier 2 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 3 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 4 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 5 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 6 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 7 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6 m² and above, multiple substrate types and phased access, 3–8 days with a join and numbering plan. |
What we deliver
- Concept sketches and a scaled maquette for sign-off
- Structural calculation and internal armature where required
- Fabrication, welding, surface finishing and protective coating
- Delivery, on-site assembly and foundation coordination
Faults we see most often in frp & resin sculpture
Each of these is a field failure rather than a workshop one, and each is cheaper to prevent at enquiry stage than to correct after installation.
- Skipping pattern finishing, on the principle that the mould smooths detail; a mould reproduces every flaw faithfully and permanently.
- Building thin laminates on large pieces without internal stiffening, producing a surface that drums and flexes.
- Specifying FRP for exterior use with a finish that will chalk and fade faster than the client expects.
What to settle before an overseas project starts
| Quantity | FRP pays for itself from the second copy. For a single piece, other methods may be cheaper; tell us the quantity and we will advise honestly. |
|---|---|
| Weight and handling | Lightweight is the point, but tell us who moves and installs the piece so the stiffening and lifting points suit them. |
| Exterior exposure | Outdoor FRP needs a UV-stable finish and, often, a clear coat. Tell us the latitude and the exposure. |
Working with us from overseas
Enquiry to installation, one point of contact. Export packing, shipping, commercial terms and quality control →
Design intent and what drives the cost
| Technique | FRP & resin sculpture |
|---|---|
| Positioning | FRP and resin - complex shapes, light weight, controlled cost. |
| Floor area normally quoted | 6–30 m² per commission |
| Typical production window | 5–13 working days from approved drawings |
| Main cost drivers | Area and repetition; substrate preparation; detail and modelling time; surface finish; access and working hours |
| What we quote separately | Material, labour, finishing, packing, freight and site measures - each as its own line |
Representative work
Sculpture Fabrication projects photographed on completion.
Sculpture Fabrication — Cast bronze sculpture
Sculpture Fabrication — Mirror-polished stainless sculpture
Sculpture Fabrication — Animal & mascot sculpture
Sculpture Fabrication — Stone sculptureCommon questions
Is FRP strong enough outdoors?
How is a big piece transported?
How long does a large sculpture take end to end?
Discuss frp & resin sculpture
Send photographs, drawings or a 3D file with approximate dimensions. You will get a technique recommendation, a reference price band and a production schedule.
Other techniques in this capability
- Mirror-polished stainless sculpture
- Brushed stainless sculpture
- Coloured stainless sculpture
- Perforated stainless sculpture
- Cast bronze sculpture
- Forged copper sculpture
- Stone sculpture
- Cement / GRC sculpture
- Figure sculpture
- Animal & mascot sculpture
- Abstract sculpture
- Landmark sculpture
- Garden & landscape sculpture