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Author Topic: How much does it take to create a miniature.  (Read 3412 times)

Offline gimzod

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 296
How much does it take to create a miniature.
« 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.

Offline Prof.Witchheimer

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Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #1 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.
« Last Edit: February 10, 2014, 03:14:47 PM by Prof.Witchheimer »

Offline Belgian

  • Scatterbrained Genius
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Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #2 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
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former user

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Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2014, 07:18:58 PM »
this reads like one has to invest 250 - 400 € in casting one figure?

Offline Conquistador

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Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #4 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
Viva Alta California!  Las guerras de España,  Las guerras de las Américas,  Las guerras para la Libertad!

Offline gimzod

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 296
Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2014, 08:01:15 PM »
Hum interesting. Anyone know where i could find a sculptor?
« Last Edit: February 10, 2014, 08:51:08 PM by gimzod »

Offline Vermis

  • Scatterbrained Genius
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    • Mini Sculpture
Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #6 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. And some guy around here has a signature link for a forum all about mini sculpture...
« Last Edit: February 10, 2014, 08:56:01 PM by Vermis »

Offline Belgian

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Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2014, 09:12:31 PM »
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

Offline Commander Vyper

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Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2014, 09:44:06 PM »
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! :D
Now water can flow....or water can crash...be water my friend.
Sifu Bruce Lee.




Offline gimzod

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 296
Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2014, 10:02:07 PM »
Thanks i'll have a look and see what i can find.

Offline Malamute

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Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #10 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.
« Last Edit: February 10, 2014, 10:24:26 PM by Malamute »
"These creatures do not die like the bee after the first sting, but go on age after age, feeding on the blood of the living"  - Abraham Van Helsing

Offline gimzod

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 296
Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #11 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.

Offline Dolmot

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1499
Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #12 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.

Offline Belgian

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    • Wargame News and Terrain
Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #13 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/

Cheers

Offline Bergil

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 765
  • Toy maker
Re: How much does it take to create a miniature.
« Reply #14 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.

 ;)

 

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