Shield Transfers!

[Moggy]

ARRGGGHHhhhhhhhh.......... just discovering the joy of applying shield transfers. 1 Unit down and 5 to go.



Derek

[Colonel Kilgore]

Which firm's transfers are you using, Derek?

Simon

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Never used transfers myself - I've never had success with them and found them tricky to apply even on 1:72nd models so I hand paint everything from 1:144th WW1 aircraft markings up to 25mm standards and banners. I find the whole process cathartic. I've just had fun creating some 15mm Hoplite emblems...

Neil

[Moggy]

Using little big men. They are quite good really. have a range to cover a variety of different makes of figures which helps.  I have found it suprisingly easy considering my kak-handedness. Have done 3 units out of 6.  Only problem I have faced in not getting the trqansfers central sometimes. Not to bad with the left/right but have a few to high or low. Ah well, will put this down to the individual craftmen who made them.

Derek

[pbeccas (Paul)]

Little Big Men.  I've used their 15mm and 28mm shield transfers.

[Leman (Andy)]

Really like their 28mm Dark Ages shield transfers. Planning a future project which will use 6mm transfers.

[Colonel Kilgore]

I have a few of these that Stewart kindly gave me to try out on some PP Vikings.

Any top tips in their use?

Simon

[martin goddard]

My thoughts on transfers.
Use tweezers to drop transfers into water but fingers to slide onto figure.
Slide them on with generous amounts of water. Usually warm.

Then press them quite hard with a kitchen tissue (not toilet tissue) to squeeze out the water.
Usually works well.

Varnish lightly after a couple of days drying.
Ronseal general purpose varnish.  ie Ronseal interior matt varnish.


martin

[pbeccas (Paul)]

Always paint the face of the shield white before applying.
Decal softener allows the decal to flow into the nooks of the shield.

[Colonel Kilgore]

I usually gloss-varnish the surface to apply the decals too first too.

Are Little Big Men standard "waterslide" transfers (other than having to cut them out first)? I find the instructions on the website most perplexing and over-complicated if that is the case!

Simon

[Panzer21]

I usually gloss-varnish the surface to apply the decals too first too.

Are Little Big Men standard "waterslide" transfers (other than having to cut them out first)? I find the instructions on the website most perplexing and over-complicated if that is the case!

Simon

If memory serves, LBM transfers are the "wrong way around" compared to typical decals you may be used to in Airfix kits; that is the side which contacts the surface is opposite the paper not against it, so you don't slide them off onto the surface .
Neil

[Colonel Kilgore]

Thanks Neil - that's a much clearer way of explaining it!

Simon

[SimonC]

Any top tips in their use?

Use them quickly!  they do 'go off' and you cannot peel the backing off. Ones I have left for over a year -or so- were unusable

[Colonel Kilgore]

Whoops - that is good to know!

Simon

[Lluis of Minairons]

This is how LBM transfers work, according to their own website:



Never tried those, though; I've always worked with regular waterslide decals.

Lluís