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Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: gimzod on February 10, 2014, 03:03:44 PM

Title: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: gimzod on February 10, 2014, 03:03:44 PM
Hello everyone.

Does anyone have any idea how much it cost to have a 28mm miniature made. I've been thinking of making one for my zombie games and would like to know how much i would need to be made.
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on February 10, 2014, 03:12:33 PM
It's really up to the sculptor and wealth of detail on your miniature. 100-250 EUR for a single average 28mm figure would be a good start. Though there are plenty of sculptors working for less and also some who are asking for more. It's up to you to decide how expensive your sculptor should be.
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Belgian on February 10, 2014, 07:15:18 PM
Depending on the needed quantity you would also need a master and production moulds which cost around £75 each if I recall correctly (the production moulds probably round the £50) +  the used metal, cleaning of the master models, ... or you could go for resin, think that's a bit cheaper for low quantities. Cheers
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: former user on February 10, 2014, 07:18:58 PM
this reads like one has to invest 250 - 400 € in casting one figure?
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Conquistador on February 10, 2014, 07:35:58 PM
I vaguely remember (or at least think I remember)  :o  that it is more cost effective per figure (for metal) to produce the maximum number of models the mold can hold?  I suspect the economy of scale rules come into play here?   o_o

I would think a single figure is like a "boutique" <insert anything> in respect to the start up cost being a big part of the cost of producing the figure?

Gracias,

Glenn
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: gimzod on February 10, 2014, 08:01:15 PM
Hum interesting. Anyone know where i could find a sculptor?
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Vermis on February 10, 2014, 08:48:54 PM
Hum interesting. Anyone know where i could find a sculpture?

A sculptor? There's a few here, IIRC, and there's this topic at Frothers (http://frothersunite.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=11325). And some guy around here has a signature link for a forum all about mini sculpture...
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Belgian on February 10, 2014, 09:12:31 PM
A sculptor? There's a few here, IIRC, and there's this topic at Frothers (http://frothersunite.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=11325). And some guy around here has a signature link for a forum all about mini sculpture...

We certainly have Paul Hicks, Ratnik, Mark Fuller and Andrew May here on laf but I'm sure there are even more sculptors on this forum.

Cheers
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Commander Vyper on February 10, 2014, 09:44:06 PM
A sculptor? There's a few here, IIRC, and there's this topic at Frothers (http://frothersunite.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=11325). And some guy around here has a signature link for a forum all about mini sculpture...

;) Including your good self Warren! :D
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: gimzod on February 10, 2014, 10:02:07 PM
Thanks i'll have a look and see what i can find.
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Malamute on February 10, 2014, 10:12:49 PM
You don't need a production mould made unless you intended to sell it.

If you want a one off figure pay the sculpting cost(as others have said from approx£100 upwards) and Find a mould maker (Griffin moulds for example) approx £50 for a master mould plus cost per spin of the mould plus metal.

Its not cost effective to have one solitary figure cast, but you might find someone who will add it a master mould and spin you a few castings.

Or, if you just want a one figure and have no need to cast it pay the sculptors fee and simply paint up the green master.
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: gimzod on February 10, 2014, 11:36:18 PM
Well i'm not looking to sell the miniature. What i'm after is a female British army soldier for my modern zombie gaming.
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Dolmot on February 11, 2014, 12:28:14 AM
If you only need a single model and it can be derived from something that already exists, someone should be able to convert it much cheaper than a complete new sculpt from scratch - let alone moulding and casting costs.
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Belgian on February 11, 2014, 10:07:24 AM
Dave from Majestic Bear Miniatures used to do conversions and sculpting so maybe he can help. Here are some examples of his work: http://www.majesticbear.net/conversions/ (http://www.majesticbear.net/conversions/)

Cheers
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Bergil on February 11, 2014, 10:14:14 AM
Skies the limit really, I run out of fingers when counting the number of miniature sculptors I know.

 ;)
Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: maxxon on February 11, 2014, 12:16:41 PM
I think Matt from MiniWarGaming mentioned in one of his videos that they paid 2500 dollars per master miniature when they were making the Dark Potential game.

I presume that must include full commercial reproduction rights and their line is fairly unique, i.e. not easily convertible from something else.

Michael Perry can whip out a Napoleonic grenadier in no time flat, partly because he's done tons of them and partly because he has things like suitable dollies, equipment masters etc. ready. Sculpting something totally new from scratch based on a verbal description or concept sketches is much harder.

If you just need a single, there's no sense on making molds. Just pay to have it converted or even sculpted from scratch and paint the original.

Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Conquistador on February 11, 2014, 02:33:45 PM
Dave from Majestic Bear Miniatures used to do conversions and sculpting so maybe he can help. Here are some examples of his work: http://www.majesticbear.net/conversions/ (http://www.majesticbear.net/conversions/)

Cheers

I wonder how you or what you would convert for M-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-c-e in S-p-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-c-e figures?

I am being serious but let's not go there (hijacking is bad manners) but the conversion angle is very thought provoking.  It puts a whole new light on personalized miniatures.

Gracias,

Glen

Title: Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
Post by: Belgian on February 11, 2014, 06:40:42 PM
Skies the limit really, I run out of fingers when counting the number of miniature sculptors I know.

 ;)

Sure, just recently stumbled upon his page and saw his sculpting nd conversion work. Just remember that RedShadows here on Laf is also a sculptor.  ;)