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Hi all,

What do people think is the better approach for Chapter symbols on shoulders? Sculpted detail moulded on to the pad, or decals applied to the surface? My experience with decals is minimal.

I'm thinking of turning my demi-company of Space Marines into a minor Chapter and don't fancy freehanding all of the Chapter symbols- they won't just be a recoloured 1st Founding either. Going to be enough work doing the quartered scheme.

If folk generally think the moulded option is easier, what is a good place to obtain 3D printed custom pads within the UK? I don't have access to a 3D printer.

Thanks in advance.

Sculpted chapter badges for me.

I never liked applying decals to the rounded surface of Marine shoulder pads. It was too much of a pain to get a flat, smooth finish. That's before we consider precision issues with placing them centrally.

I much prefer sculpted symbols for both reasons. It's also something that works well on GW models because they tend to have an abundance of other deep, detailed features.

I’ve used both. There are pros and cons to both. While placement of transfers can be rough, microsol/set helps a LOT. Sculpted are always in the right spot, but how tidy a painter are you?

Overall I like he transfers better, but as my primary army is Ultramarines, I’ve get a practically infinite supply of them for free, while I need to buy upgrade packs for sculpted ones. So might be biased.

Honestly, in terms of time investment they're about the same - dependant on complexity of the symbol of course. I generally do both sculpted and transfers (Raven Guard, so the symbol isn't THAT complex...). It also depends what you prefer looks-wise. Sculpted pads have a particular look to them, often somewhat ornate, looking like a piece of equipment that is high-status or relic in nature, whereas transfers look (spray)painted on, and can be made to look more so with chipping, weathering etc. If you want chipping on a moulded pauldron, you may have to go in with a modelling knife or some other type of sculpting tool. I don't generally bother with significant weathering, so I don't often worry about that kind of thing.