How best to treat the paper flags that come with Perry plastics?

[Captain Blood]

I've just decided I can't be bothered to spend hours hand-painting a Yorkist royal banner for my new Perry plastic faction, so I will probably (finally!) use one of the versions included on the paper banner sheets that come with the various WOTR sets...

Obviously though, I don't want to end up with a horrible stiff, shiny little bit of cardboard or bent paper as a result.
I want to be able to curl it beautifully and naturally, as though flourishing in a gentle summer's breeze...

What to do for the best results?

All answers gratefully received

[Malamute]

Ok, cut to shape, use PVA to cover one half, fold over wire spear and curl whilst wet around a pencil, cocktail stick/screwdriver shaft etc until you have the desired ruffled look.

Try angling the curling tool slightly maybe at 45 degrees when you make the curls so its not entirely linear. Ie not having the tool always parallel to the flagpole(hope that makes sense) then you will get  a free flowing look.

Then when dry don't forget to touch up the edges of the flag in the appropriate colour so as not to see white paper edges.





These were my first attempts with the Boot Hill flags. To get the curls tighter just fold the flag further round the curling tool, continually  shaping whilst the flag is still damp.

[Axebreaker]

I treat them the same way I do all flags and cut them out and use paper glue sticks and glue them together around the flag pole. Then I use a thin smooth pencil to wrap the flag in shapes I like and then wait a little bit for the glue to dry. Then I paint the edges in the appropriate colours. When this is done I apply W&N matt varnish with a brush. I'm sure you know this, but for the sake of fullness do not use spray varnish on any paper flags ever. Perry ones can probably take it as they use a different print then say GmB, but to make it a habit always use the liquid brush formulas. Actually I use liquid W&N varnish on everything nowadays on both flags and figures.

I hope this helps.

Christopher

[olicana]

I concur and....

If the 'bends' fall out slightly in the drying period, heat up the flag on the top of a radiator or similar then bend again - the bends set like rock when cool.

Also - have you considered this idea? Why have them as just one unit? see link

http://olicanalad.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/top-tip-flags.html

[whiskey priest]

I'm sure i read somewhere that you can use PVA and glue the flag flat but then when it's dry, heat it on a radiator and this will allow you to shape it as the guys suggest but while 'dry'.
I personally do as the guys suggest but just 'scrunch' the flag with my fingers. I will spring back slightly so you kind of have to over scrunch it but you get a decent effect.


edit : I may have read it elsewhere than in the previous post !

[Captain Blood]

Thanks gentlemen for the advice.
So slathering it in superglue is not the answer then? 

[Malamute]

Thanks gentlemen for the advice.
So slathering it in superglue is not the answer then?  

As per a dear friend of ours?  

No need, the PVA will set it quiet hard enough.

[Tellus]

May be this is something for you Richard a Tutorial about bending Flags.
Unfortunately it's in german ( I hope you were able to practice a bit more, since we met last time  ) but I think the pics are self-explanatory.
What he is doing in generell is using part of a tomato-pulp tube to create the bends. Usually he glues the flag on to it with one side and after it's dry he glues the other part onto the other side, leaving the tube piece in the flag. This time, he says the the flag came off the tube piece, so he just glued the two flag parts together.

http://www.sweetwater-forum.de/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=15939

[Captain Blood]

Thank you Marc 

(Nein, mein Deutsch ist noch sehr scheisse!  )

I usually paint straight onto tomato puree tube foil for my flags, so maybe applying the paper print over the top is the answer... We shall see...

[Silent Invader]

Just bend/roll like Nick (et al) and stiffen with superglue 

[EndTransmission]

I'll be interested to see how you get on with this. Your other option is Citadel6 banner transfers. Each of their banner sets comes with transfers for a set of banners and a thin metal sheet cut to the shape and size of each banner, with tabs to wrap around your pole/lance/whatever