Shadow play was originally carved with thick paper, but after a long time of use, it was found that thick paper works were easily damaged, so cowhide, sheepskin and donkey skin were used instead. With the long-term use, it is found that donkey skin is more wear-resistant, mildew-proof, easy to color and not deformed than other raw materials. Therefore, in the middle and late Qing Dynasty, the works of shadow play were mostly made of donkey skin, which was finished by carving, coloring, ironing and connecting. From then on, people used to call shadow play "donkey shadow play". The birth of a film requires the creation or reproduction of a songbook, which is then processed according to its contents. The first step of the process is peeling: firstly, soak the leather soft, smooth it, scrape off the fur, polish it evenly, make it translucent to the sun, and then dry it.

Craft 2: Drawing: Draw the required figures and other figures on the leather surface with sharp tools.

The third operation: spread the skin on the board and carve it with a meat cleaver.

Step 4: Dyeing: Dye the leather after carving. In the past, cinnabar, Huang Dan, mercuric chloride and some plants were used as main dyes.

Process 5: Assembly: After cutting and dyeing, flatten it with a heavy object and sew the joint with hemp thread.

Thus, a vivid, vivid and verve shadow play, in the hands of skilled craftsmen, has become a kind of aura of life dancing. The above shadow play production process belongs to Sichuan shadow play production process. The production methods of shadow play in different places are basically the same, and they can learn from each other. However, the materials used in different regions are different, and cowhide, sheepskin and donkey skin have become the main raw materials for making shadow play in various regions. With the improvement of manufacturing technology, people have explored several high-tech technologies such as "pushing the skin to touch the knife", "trimming" and "ironing goods". It laid the foundation for the characters and animals in shadow play to develop in a delicate and delicate direction.

The production of shadow play seems simple, but the technical level is very strict.

Judging from Jia Jia, the only inheritor of Qiqihar donkey shadow play, only the works, songbooks and props of shadow play are kept, and to some extent, there is still a lack of "palm-signing" stunts that can really make shadow play move, which is very regrettable.