Custom Models / Sculpts

[MicroHammer]

I know I've seen some mention of people getting commission sculpts and casts done, I was curious how you would even go about finding someone who could do them.

I have some projects I'd like to get done but I'm not capable of sculpting them myself. I guess I'm just looking for more resources of information on how I would even go about getting them done or finding someone to do them.

[mlkr]

I asked myself the same question some time ago. This is one of the answers I got that might be helpfull to you as well...

Sculpting:
A 10mm single figure costs about $80 to get sculpted.


If you plan on making the sculpt/sculpts available for other buyers you need to take into account the mass production. Spincasting if you want them in metal.

Spincasting:
You need a Master mold. Costs about $50.
Cleaning and prepping the masters cost about $80
A production mold needs to be made and costs about $80
A production mold fits about 24 miniatures and gets around 300 spins before worn out.

Then there is the matter of marketing, packaging and shipping. No idea.

Resincasting:
No idea. But I'd say you need good equipment to succeed with resincasting in 10mm. This statement is based on my own small little experiments

I do not have any leads on sculpters but I hope this information helps. Cheers!

[Stormwind]

The first thing you need is money - because turning out a unit isn't cheap.

You need to hire someone to sculpt your models, paying per figure or more for a strip as the old GW ones are.  Then you need to take those original sculpts and send them off to a caster who will make master moulds and create pewter copies.

For EPIC proxies, most of them are made using 3D programs like Blender, then sending those computer files to a specialised 3D printer.  Then those high resolution plastic printed models are used as the basis for a caster, much as in the traditional model.

Defeat in Detail was an outfit producing some great 6mm science fiction models that went through several Kickstarters with flying colours and lots of funding - but the cost for each sculpt in the stretch goals went up higher than expected and the owner had to sell all of the stock and designs onto Vanguard miniatures which was set up.

[Dave]

Ask around on forums for a sculptor, or google for freelancers. I found Bob from a post on TMP.

[Stormwind]

Sorry, I just re-read my post and it comes off as dismissive.

New miniatures are wonderful - it's just that there's lots of obstacles to making them!