How to Order Parts From a Blueprint: A 4-Step MOC Buying Guide
The short version: sourcing parts from a blueprint is a four-step loop — export the parts list, sort it into three piles (already own / must buy / substitutable), order through the right channel, then check every line on arrival. The cheapest split is domestic compatible parts for basic bricks and original-brand parts for the key pieces.
Finding the instructions is one thing; rounding up the parts is the step that stops most builds. There is a standard workflow for ordering against a blueprint, and once you learn it you stop wasting evenings hunting through drawers and shipping returns back and forth. Below, the whole process is broken into four steps, with a channel comparison table at the end. Follow it in order and you can source a full model in one pass.
Step 1: Export the parts list (BOM)
Everything starts with the parts list, better known as the BOM (Bill of Materials). Here is how to get it:
- Open the parts list page that belongs to your blueprint (most BrickPlan blueprints ship with a complete list);
- Export it as CSV or XML so it is easy to organise and easy to send to a seller;
- Check the totals first — total piece count and missing-piece count — so you know what you are dealing with before you spend anything.
Every row in the list carries a part number, a color, a quantity and a name. All four columns have to be present, otherwise the seller cannot pull the order accurately.
Step 2: Split the list into three piles
Resist the urge to order straight away. Sort the list by what you already have:
- Parts you already own: cross them off the list so you do not buy them twice;
- Parts you must buy new: purchase these by exact part number, especially rare parts and rare colors;
- Parts you can substitute with domestic compatible parts: basic bricks, plates and internal structure parts — swapping in compatible parts saves a substantial amount.
This step is where the budget is won or lost. Most people blow their budget on a parts order because they paid original-brand prices for basic bricks that could have been substituted.
Step 3: Order through the right channels
Different parts belong in different channels:
- Basic bricks and plates: buy domestic compatible parts by weight — the lowest unit price;
- Special parts and rare colors: buy by part number from loose-part stores;
- Missing parts: first check whether the brand's official free replacement service covers you;
- Bulk stocking: when the budget is tight, buy secondhand parts sold by weight — common parts in quantity;
Before you order, always verify the part counts and merge your orders. Shipping is the single easiest place for a loose-part store to push you over budget, so never split an order that could have been combined.
Step 4: Inspect the delivery
Once the parcel arrives, check it line by line against the list: is the quantity right, is the color right, are there obvious color mismatches or flash and burrs on the parts? If something is missing or wrong, contact the seller for a replacement straight away — do not wait until you are halfway through the build to discover it. Storing parts in boxes sorted by color and type will also make the build itself much faster.
Main sourcing channels compared
| Channel | Price | Authenticity | Minimum order / shipping | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic loose-part stores | ★★★★★ | Medium | Low threshold | Basic parts, bulk stocking |
| 1688 wholesale | ★★★★★ | Medium | High minimum order | Common bricks by the kilogram |
| Official Bricks & Pieces | ★★☆☆☆ | Very high | High unit price | Special colors, key parts |
| Secondhand / parted-out market | ★★★★☆ | Medium | Depends on seller | Discontinued parts, whole-set part-outs |
| Blueprint-matched part packs | ★★★★☆ | Medium-high | Flat price | Sourcing everything in one click |
Mixing channels across a single list is the cheapest approach: domestic compatible parts for basic bricks and internal structure, original-brand parts for visible surfaces and special colors.
FAQ
Q: How do I order parts from a blueprint without missing anything? A: Export the full parts list (with part number, color and quantity), sort it into the three piles — already own, must buy, substitutable — tick each line off, then check the delivery against the list item by item. Get through all four steps and you will rarely miss a part.
Q: Where do I export the parts list? A: From the parts list page attached to the blueprint, as a CSV or XML file (most BrickPlan blueprints include a complete list). After exporting, verify the total piece count and the missing-piece count, and make sure the list contains all four columns: part number, color, quantity and name.
Q: Roughly how much does it cost to source a whole MOC? A: The spread can be tenfold, depending on what the model is made of. Static display models that are mostly basic bricks are cheap; models with a high share of Technic special parts and motors are noticeably more expensive. Substituting domestic compatible parts for basic bricks while buying original-brand parts for key pieces is the lever that controls the budget.
Q: What is the cheapest way to source an order? A: Three things: substitute domestic compatible parts for basic and internal structure parts while keeping original-brand parts for visible surfaces and special colors; stock common bricks by the kilogram and buy rare parts individually; verify counts and merge orders before checkout to spread the shipping cost.
If you would rather skip the site-by-site hunting, browse high-resolution brick MOC blueprints on BrickPlan — every blueprint comes with a complete parts list. Export it, run the four steps above, and you can source the whole model in one go without going over budget.