How much does it take to create a miniature.

[gimzod]

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.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

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.

[Belgian]

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

[former user]

this reads like one has to invest 250 - 400 € in casting one figure?

[Conquistador]

I vaguely remember (or at least think I remember)    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?   

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

[gimzod]

Hum interesting. Anyone know where i could find a sculptor?

[Vermis]

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. And some guy around here has a signature link for a forum all about mini sculpture...

[Belgian]

A sculptor? There's a few here, IIRC, and there's this topic at Frothers. 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

[Commander Vyper]

A sculptor? There's a few here, IIRC, and there's this topic at Frothers. And some guy around here has a signature link for a forum all about mini sculpture...

Including your good self Warren!

[gimzod]

Thanks i'll have a look and see what i can find.

[Malamute]

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.

[gimzod]

Well i'm not looking to sell the miniature. What i'm after is a female British army soldier for my modern zombie gaming.

[Dolmot]

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.

[Belgian]

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/

Cheers

[Bergil]

Skies the limit really, I run out of fingers when counting the number of miniature sculptors I know.