After testing our first version of the box and noting what refinements were needed, we knew one feature could take the experience further: customization. Giving kids the chance to personalize their jets would make the DIY process feel complete and uniquely their own.

We began by exploring different leathers, focusing on types and colors that aligned with the jet theme. One exciting find was a camouflage-printed leather that looked perfect—but since it wasn’t available commercially in bulk, we couldn’t move forward with it.

Our second idea was to use stamps, starting with the Pakistani flag on the jet’s tail. On the white buffalo crust leather, the design looked striking, especially since it was stamped in green ink. But stamps proved too limiting: every new design would require a new stamp, and the method only worked effectively on the white jets. We needed something more flexible.

That led us to stickers. Our first attempts used plain colored sticker papers cut into shapes, but without details; they didn’t pop visually. We then attempted to cut detailed stickers on a Cricut Maker 4, but the margin of error kept slicing into the designs themselves. After several more trials and about five different vendors, we finally arrived at the right combination of finish, cut, and adhesive.

The result was exactly what we had been aiming for: stickers that worked on both the green and white jets, captured the look of the original Thunders, and gave kids the freedom to decorate their jets however they wished. That balance of guidance and creativity was exactly what we were looking for—and that’s how we knew stickers were the way forward!