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Hey,

I am looking at starting a small business in creating my own series of miniatures.
I have the business documents somewhat hammered out at least in rough form.

I am currently looking into the methods used to create minis...

I am a amateur 3D artist that has experiences with Autodesk 3DS, Autodesk Maya, and Blender 3D
I have no experience with CAD software. But that is soon to change.

I am currently looking for some advice on my first miniature line.

Personally I am a bit nervous as this is my first foray into miniature modeling. I have modeled characters, weapons, and
the like before for non commercial use in video games. Just nothing for sale.

What would your advice be?

Read as much as you can from the News & Rumors forum. Look how other companies operate.

Start with something easy but in demand. Make things that people can incorporate into Warhammer 40k armies.

ph34r wrote:Read as much as you can from the News & Rumors forum. Look how other companies operate.

Start with something easy but in demand. Make things that people can incorporate into Warhammer 40k armies.

Ok, sounds good but would this go against GW Policy of recasting? or am i misinterpreting it?

My recommendation would be to start small, practice on some test designs first, see if you can market them to other mini companies (chapterhouse, maxmini, etc. etc.), once you start getting a feel for how it all works, etc. then start branching to your own company

Benjamin385 wrote:

ph34r wrote:Read as much as you can from the News & Rumors forum. Look how other companies operate.

Start with something easy but in demand. Make things that people can incorporate into Warhammer 40k armies.

Ok, sounds good but would this go against GW Policy of recasting? or am i misinterpreting it?

You will find that it is possible to create parts that find use in Warhammer armies without recasting GW parts.

ph34r wrote:

Benjamin385 wrote:

ph34r wrote:Read as much as you can from the News & Rumors forum. Look how other companies operate.

Start with something easy but in demand. Make things that people can incorporate into Warhammer 40k armies.

Ok, sounds good but would this go against GW Policy of recasting? or am i misinterpreting it?

You will find that it is possible to create parts that find use in Warhammer armies without recasting GW parts.

Like robed figures... Everyone always needs robed figures for Cultists, and Genestealers, and inquisitor retinues, preachers, redeptionists, etc etc... But it is hard to find good ones that aren't spoiled by iconography and other paraphernalia.

Basically follow the example of Scibor and Chapterhouse. They make parts that are compatible with GW kits without using GW IP directly.

40k is where more money is at, but if you are up for it, there are niches in the fantasy market that would make good money.

One example is if you could come up with a generic vampire model or two that don't look like utter crap. GW"s current vampires are a joke, and Reaper models are mostly too cartoony for my taste. I'd gladly buy some vampire models off you if you included some different weapons and a shield etc.

Also look at GW's armies and find ones that don't offer a plastic General/Hero kit. These armies have an opening that you could cash in on. Avatars of War does this, but they strictly do fantasy, so you doing sci fi would work to your advantage.

There is very much a demand for "microbrew" kits for GW games, you just need to research what models people are wanting.

Show off your skills with a range of minis either fantasy or sci fi.

Doesn't have to be a huge amount at first.

You can also supplement your coffers by producing a range of cool 'not' styled conversion bits and pieces.

Really though, make a name for yourself with outstanding original work. That's what will eventually get you noticed. Its a long hard road though.

And plan ahead for expenses, casting, distribution, site etc etc. Its not cheap and the last thing you want is to invest more than you can.
Always remember that most companies in this biz are very very small and thats because this is not a high profitable thing, if you from the start know that margins are closer to zero when starting up and that you will take years until the ball starts to run, then you will do ok.

I totally disagree with the suggestion that you should make something that can obviously fit with GW, I think this would be a big mistake. Maybe I should rephrase that, it would gather you a short term benefit, but in the long term would not be sustainable.

Take a look at most of the companies that started off making derivative products for GW I.P., the ones that are now, relatively successful, have all gone on to create their own products independant of GW I.P. the ones that have maintained their "drivative" stance are right where they are, as small businesses probably run out of the owners shed!

I'm not saying to only make GW addons, but there IS money to be made in doing so, CHS has proven that.

I just want my decent vampire model already!

Aerethan wrote:I'm not saying to only make GW addons, but there IS money to be made in doing so, CHS has proven that.

I just want my decent vampire model already!

If you want a vampire model you could look at the miniatures from GameZone or Enigma, or even Avatars of War......

http://dreamforge-games.blogspot.com/ Read the Dreamforge blog, the owner has chronicled a rather frank account of getting into the miniature wargames business.

How are the rest of your hobby skills? All accounts I've read about 3D printing indicate that the parts need to be cleaned and sanded before they are suitable for casting. Creating a 3D image is just the first step.

Be aware that the small market is flooded with small miniature companies. Only start if you have really good ideas or quality sculpts. We don't need more greatcoats, Nazi Ork heads or Dreadnought arms, everybody does those.

Hey everyone,

WOW!

I never expected to get this many replies in such a short amount of time.

Now Conversion parts aside what would you like to see in terms of full sculpts?

A decent Vampire I could agree with - Have not seen a good classic fantasy vampire in a while. (Dracula, Nosferatu, etc.)

Also in what materials. I know that there is Resin, Plastic, and Metal.

Plastic being very easy to work with at least for the customer. However it is not as durable as metal.
Resin I am unsure about as I have never touched the stuff nor have I worked with it.
and of course metal.

Also I am going to get started on some 3D Models today in Blender 3D. One of which will be dedicated to everyone here that has posted thus far.
You do not know how much you have helped me

Noone starts business with 10.000$ plastic moulds. So it's resin or metal.
Why not start small and ask Chapterhouse or Troll Forged, if they accept one miniature "sculpt" for their range.

BTW one range with potentially high demand that is almost completely absent today is Xeno terrain.
But everything depends on the quality of design. Having bought a CAD program doesn't make you Raging Heroes.

Kroothawk wrote:Noone starts business with 10.000$ plastic moulds. So it's resin or metal.
Why not start small and ask Chapterhouse or Troll Forged, if they accept one miniature "sculpt" for their range.

BTW one range with potentially high demand that is almost completely absent today is Xeno terrain.
But everything depends on the quality of design. Having bought a CAD program doesn't make you Raging Heroes.

Yes, I am aware that buying a CAD program does not make me a business or a one man production line.

However it does open a series of doors for me.

http://www.shapeways.com/

That is basically how I plan to start out and getting profits for my small fledgling (to be) business.

While it will take time to make stuff for my online store. This is just a way of saying thank you to the kind and knowledgeable
people of DakkaDakka. See you guys on the other side

Benjamin......you will get some naysayers in it cant happen and they will point a finger and hold theyre 40K books tight.......but Female Space Marines........there are always someone out there trying to make them or wanting them.......there is a pretty strong niche of people who would buy them up.............bright side is.............no other comapny has touched them yet

I don't know how much money you're thinking of making from this but it would be safe to assume not a lot, unless you find that you start doing very well.


Actually I see the future as people selling the design for something rather than the physical product. Few people will be able to afford a 3D printer but there are sites already where you can send your CAD design and they print if off. What will happen in future is that hobbyists will upload their designs and people will browse the site and click on stuff they like to buy. The company will take the money and print and send out the piece, while the designer will get a small cut. Apart from the time spent designing the 3D model, it will cost the designer nothing, and if they make a really popular piece they could have a tidy earner.

Howard A Treesong wrote:I don't know how much money you're thinking of making from this but it would be safe to assume not a lot, unless you find that you start doing very well.


Actually I see the future as people selling the design for something rather than the physical product. Few people will be able to afford a 3D printer but there are sites already where you can send your CAD design and they print if off. What will happen in future is that hobbyists will upload their designs and people will browse the site and click on stuff they like to buy. The company will take the money and print and send out the piece, while the designer will get a small cut. Apart from the time spent designing the 3D model, it will cost the designer nothing, and if they make a really popular piece they could have a tidy earner.

That is pretty much what shape ways is - It is a prototyping site that allows you to preview your 3D <Insert figure name here>.

I do not expect to make any money off this in all honesty...

It is for the love of the hobby. Call me crazy : D

Either design something unique or find a group of products (such as the vampires or some Xenos Terrain) and tap into that market. Supply and demand my friend, supply and demand
Also you will need to get your name out there as a designer aswell as for your company for advertisement. You could try a few stints of designing for another model company (such as CHS or anyone else) to gain some knowledge first hand of what goes into running a buisness like that. Even just emailing them for information on what is needed can be helpful.

WW2 demand > 40k

Ok, here is my plan as of now.

1. Get a name for myself through another company (Chapter house, etc.) like many of you have suggested.

2. At the same time further my own goals through Shapeways.com (I am going to try and keep in touch with the community as much as possible as well.)

3. When the time comes I will start my own business

I am going to try and get some stuff done tonight in terms of learning the Autocad interface.

Thank you every one. You have been very helpful.

Benjamin Stanley

Delephont wrote:I totally disagree with the suggestion that you should make something that can obviously fit with GW, I think this would be a big mistake. Maybe I should rephrase that, it would gather you a short term benefit, but in the long term would not be sustainable.

I don't think it is about making stuff specifically for 40k (for example a lot of chapter house stuff), that would be a bad idea and likely draw the attention of GWs legal dept. It is more about people being able to use your miniatures with other games, and perhaps being able to use other miniatures with your game. The more compatible you are with other systems, the easier it will be for you to find people willing to give your stuff a try. That's going to be pretty important for a new company.

Benjamin385 wrote:

Howard A Treesong wrote:I don't know how much money you're thinking of making from this but it would be safe to assume not a lot, unless you find that you start doing very well.


Actually I see the future as people selling the design for something rather than the physical product. Few people will be able to afford a 3D printer but there are sites already where you can send your CAD design and they print if off. What will happen in future is that hobbyists will upload their designs and people will browse the site and click on stuff they like to buy. The company will take the money and print and send out the piece, while the designer will get a small cut. Apart from the time spent designing the 3D model, it will cost the designer nothing, and if they make a really popular piece they could have a tidy earner.

That is pretty much what shape ways is - It is a prototyping site that allows you to preview your 3D <Insert figure name here>.

I do not expect to make any money off this in all honesty...

It is for the love of the hobby. Call me crazy : D

That's the right starting point for any company in this industry. Start with the foundations, not expecting profits and improving your skills is the way to go... Just be very careful with money investments and things will flow from there.
Its a very hard industry because profit margins are slim and there's not much room for mistakes. By mistakes I mean, small companies with little money to invest, sometimes go bust when some minis they invested in casting don't sell well... yes its that unforgiving.

Hey everyone -

Once again I would like to thank you for your support

I am going to invest in some software so that I can make better sculpts with.
This is money that I have been planning on investing for a while now.

also for those of you who have a twitter account you can follow me here for some awesome updates.

I am going to try and keep intouch with the community as much as possible.