Benjamin Moore’s “Startling Orange” appears to be the closest match to Princeton Orange – it’s just slightly lighter / brighter. If you’d like something slightly more subdued / a bit darker, take a look at Behr’s “Tart Orange”. Any paint store (including the big box hardware stores) should be able to mix paint to match another brand’s color. A fun background fact: the official Princeton orange is Pantone color PMS 158, which is the closest ink match to the swatch of cloth showing the orange adopted by the trustees in 1959 and kept in the archives for historical reference..

Absolutely! Budget $1,000+ for professional services, or seek donated services from an alumni artist in your group. Some groups have had great success reaching out to art-focused alumni.

DIY is a fantastic option! Estimated cost for paint and supplies is $100–300 for the medium and large tigers, and likely $50-100 for small tigers, depending on design complexity and tiger size. Consider making the painting process itself a group event — it’s a great family-friendly activity. For group events, we recommend having your base color coat and any basic elements already painted and dry. Use the Icon Poly Paint Guidelines (PDF) if you have a fiberglass tiger.

Get creative! Here are some popular approaches:

• Run a design contest — solicit ideas (sketches and/or AI-generated mockups), then have your group vote
• Use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate design concepts and variations. See our gallery of design inspiration below!
• Incorporate your city’s landmarks, colors, and culture into the tiger’s design
• Reference Princeton’s orange and black as a base and add your regional flair

Yes — a few key ones from the fabricator:

• Wear plastic (non-powdered) gloves when handling the sanded surface to avoid oil transfer
• Do not use mechanical sanders — hand sand only
• Your tiger has a small drilled breath hole on the underside — do not seal this hole, as it’s important for the sculpture’s longevity
• For fine lines, use acrylic paint pens or bottles with needle-type tips
• Icon Poly loves to see your work in progress! Share photos on their Facebook page

Download the complete Icon Poly Paint Guidelines (PDF) for the full set of recommendations.

Contact Icon Poly directly at info@iconpolystudio.com or 308-468-9411 for destination-specific international shipping quotes.

Wayfair does not offer international shipping. However, if you are traveling to the US for Reunions, work, or pleasure, you may be able to purchase the small tiger while in the US and then bring it home as checked baggage. We recommend checking your country’s customs guidelines for importing decorative items. 

Small resin tiger: lightweight, easy to carry. Medium sitting tiger: ~30 lbs. Large standing tiger: ~45–50 lbs. Plan your transport and display logistics accordingly — the large tiger in particular requires multiple people to move safely!

The fiberglass tigers are built for indoor or outdoor display! Fiberglass is weather-resistant, and with the recommended automotive-grade urethane clear coat (3 coats), your tiger will be well-protected from UV, rain, and the elements — similar to the painted cow sculptures you see in cities around the world. We recommend periodic inspections for any signs of wear and touch-ups as needed to keep your tiger looking its best. 

The small resin tigers are better suited to indoor display with occasional outdoor appearances. A sealer like Polycrylic can help provide reasonable protection for exposure to elements; however, we suggest using the resin tigers at outdoor events when the weather is good!