Jump to content

Making Squad Badges from Plasticard


Recommended Posts

Hi folks, I was wondering if anyone tried to make the squad markings from plasticard.  I tried to make a tactical squad marking by hand and that came out ok, but I am sure that there is a way that is more precise.  After looking the idea up, it seems that laser cutting may be too much.  I do have access to a cricut, but I need to figure out how to make my own designs and get it small enough for it to work.  Is there any other ideas out there that would work?  I would think that it would not be that hard for a print shop to do this job with one of the many machines that they use for drafting and sign making, however, has anyone have any experience on this idea?

Do you mean like a banner type placard or something?

 

Easy enough to make if you find an image you like, print it, use spray adhesive to mount it to the plasticard, cut out and clear coat....DONE.  Same can be done for banner making with the careful use of a controlled heat soutce to make "waves" in the plasticard....woodburner tip, soldering iron or even heat gun and a rigid appropriately contoured surface (terra cotta or even ceramic clay to have under the plasticcard as you apply the heat.

 

Not too sure what you are trying to make though.

That is another option as well.  Where would someone go to get that done?  I saw some brass etching tools at a craft store that I visited recently, but I would prefer someone who is actually skilled in doing this, and most likely cheaper than figuring it out myself. 

From a quick Google, I found a recent forum where people had posted links to companies they'd used. Some off that list for you:

 

Saemann Ätztechnik (Germany)

Photo Etch Consultants Ltd (UK)

Chempix (UK)

Grainge and Hodder Ltd (UK)

Photofabrication Limited (UK)

 

You might also contact Hasslefree Miniatures too, as I'm sure they'd be able to either do some for you, or else advise you on how/where to get it done (they are usually very helpful like that)

Brass etch also uses nasty chemicals and requries a modicum of safety so not sure as to its appropriateness.  I'd third the Putty approach, for the cost it might be better to cast up your own shoulder pads from a plasticard or putty master using a master out of resin and RTV silicon moulds...Try to seal up any undercuts through...

I am not ruling that out, but plasticard is something that I want to try first.  I am not that skilled with putty. 

You don't need to be, all the work is done in other media.

 

  • make an icon that you want to copy, e.g. out of plasticard
  • stick firmly to a flat hard surface e.g. a ceramic tile, or just a bigger piece of plastic
  • take some silicone molding putty and press it over the icon, give it a good squidge to make sure it has got into all the gaps. I like to flatten the back off the blob too.
  • allow to set (the putty I use takes 5 minutes or so)
  • peel the mold off the icon, you should have a perfect image of what you made.
  • put the mold on a hard flat surface
  • mix up some greenstuff and push it into the mold, get it into all the corners

At that point, you can just leave it to go solid, remove it and stick it on, or if you are brave you can let it set a little, then press it against the surface you want it to stick to, peel off the mold and (fingers crossed) the gs icon has stuck to the surface.

 

Honestly, amount of sculpting ability required is zero. I've used this on whole armies, I avoid having to sculpt anything myself by using other objects as masters e.g. I used space wolf icons for my Middenheim wolf banners, and I'm using cheap earrings as the master for roses in my Vampire army!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.