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So what does everyone prefer 3D or Transfers for the Chapter shopper pads?

I tend to prefer the 3D look myself that’s why I usually buy the Ultramarines upgrade kit.

I'm using both for my Emperor's Spears army. Haven't decided yet which I like better.

I prefer transfers. They are a biscuit to get to look right but when they do they really improve a model's overall look.

I think 3D on command units is good and transfers on rank-and-file are good. The trick is to use the special solutions on the transfers. It's a pain but when used right they really make the transfers look a lot better.

I prefer to use transfers on marine shoulderpads. I think the markings would be something that is painted on the armour, and transfers achieve that look. You can enhance it by adding scratches and other weathering.

I used to prefer 3D. Now with microsol/set, I’m swinging back to transfers.

I prefer neither. hand painted all the way!

Gitdakka wrote:
I prefer neither. hand painted all the way!

I did that for my previous chapter, but for my new one I wanted more elaborate chapter icon, so I decided to preserve the remnants of my sanity and order some printable decal paper.

I like 3D, so I am using both some Shapeways upgrades and the official Crimson Fists shoulder Pauldrons.

Depending on your Chapter, look for 3D printed emblems instead of the full Pauldron. That way you can use them on practically everything.

 casvalremdeikun wrote:

Depending on your Chapter, look for 3D printed emblems instead of the full Pauldron. That way you can use them on practically everything.

All off those that I have seen have looked super thick and lumpy and terrible.

I think the inquisition side of Deathwatch only works in 3D. The other is hand painted simply because they are all one of and you can't see my screw ups that way.

I prefer the way transfers look but I also like 3D emblems for the convenience.

Gitdakka wrote:
I prefer neither. hand painted all the way!

TBH, I thought that sounded a "bit" arrogant ... then I saw your Razorback in the gallery and almost shat myself

I guess, if you've got it, flaunt it

Thanks for all the replies.

I’ve not glued them on yet so I could always save them for a Deathwatch Kill Team.

I do like 3D pads but looking at the 40k artwork I think transfers would probably fit the look as if they were painted on like someone said here.

I’ll just have to have a test run at getting the transfers on probably.

If you use transfers, I recommend getting bottles of Micro Sol and Micro Set. I haven't have any issues with transfers since I started using them.

 Crimson wrote:
If you use transfers, I recommend getting bottles of Micro Sol and Micro Set. I haven't have any issues with transfers since I started using them.

Will do thanks.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 BaconCatBug wrote:
I think 3D on command units is good and transfers on rank-and-file are good. The trick is to use the special solutions on the transfers. It's a pain but when used right they really make the transfers look a lot better.

I’ll use this idea.

While looking through artwork and some videos of 30k and 40k it seem as it’s a mix of both but it comes across as the 3D would fit the Officers.

 Crimson wrote:

 casvalremdeikun wrote:

Depending on your Chapter, look for 3D printed emblems instead of the full Pauldron. That way you can use them on practically everything.

All off those that I have seen have looked super thick and lumpy and terrible.

Yeah I agree. I bought a bunch for my Ultramarines and once they're on they don't even look like an omega...

Oh and it sticks out like 1/8" off the shoulder pad

 War Drone wrote:

Gitdakka wrote:
I prefer neither. hand painted all the way!

TBH, I thought that sounded a "bit" arrogant ... then I saw your Razorback in the gallery and almost shat myself

I guess, if you've got it, flaunt it

Thanks! Glad to hear you liked it!

 Crimson wrote:

 casvalremdeikun wrote:

Depending on your Chapter, look for 3D printed emblems instead of the full Pauldron. That way you can use them on practically everything.

All off those that I have seen have looked super thick and lumpy and terrible.

Weird, the Crimson Fists ones I have are decent. Not too thick. One can definitely tell the difference between them and the official ones, but they definitely work well for my Dark Imperium Primaris Marines.

Transfers by a long shot for me. 3D may be easier once you have them, but getting them in the amount one would need for their chapter is expensive.
Transfers also look far better since the lore shows the vast majority of them painted on the armour, with very few exceptions such as characters that might have some gold embossed icons.

I find once you figure out a good method to apply the Transfers onto the curved surface of the shoulder pad, it becomes easy from then on.
-Personally, I apply 'Ard Coat to the surface, let dry, then apply the Transfer, removing most of the water under it but rolling the brush from center to edge
-Then I cut 2 slits at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions to allow the curve and apply generous Lahmean medium on it
-Any remaining water under the transfer will 'suck' the Lahmean Medium under the transfer and as it dries, it adheres the transfer firmly onto the surface
-Apply further Medium layers and push out air bubbles as needed

-

I'd rather have 3D shoulder pads any day. Transfers for some (maybe even most) chapters just don't bend around the shoulder pad easily at all. I had a very tough time getting transfers onto my Dark Angels Assault Squad. It's just a big transfer that you have to force to lay nicely over a curved surface. And, it just doesn't lay on that curved surface easily.

I know an Ultramarines player at my local shop that used to cut a line down the middle of the open part of the "U" in the Ultramarine chapter badge. That made it much easier for him to get the transfer to lay smoothly over the shoulder pad.

Unfortunately, Dark Angels really don't have that option. So, I'd rather have 3D any day.

SG

Like Crimson said, Micro Sol and Micro Set will get transfers to sit down very well on shoulder pads. I've never really been able to get transfers right without them.

 Galef wrote:
Transfers by a long shot for me. 3D may be easier once you have them, but getting them in the amount one would need for their chapter is expensive.
Transfers also look far better since the lore shows the vast majority of them painted on the armour, with very few exceptions such as characters that might have some gold embossed icons.

I find once you figure out a good method to apply the Transfers onto the curved surface of the shoulder pad, it becomes easy from then on.
-Personally, I apply 'Ard Coat to the surface, let dry, then apply the Transfer, removing most of the water under it but rolling the brush from center to edge
-Then I cut 2 slits at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions to allow the curve and apply generous Lahmean medium on it
-Any remaining water under the transfer will 'suck' the Lahmean Medium under the transfer and as it dries, it adheres the transfer firmly onto the surface
-Apply further Medium layers and push out air bubbles as needed

-

I’ll try this thanks.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Luciferian wrote:
Like Crimson said, Micro Sol and Micro Set will get transfers to sit down very well on shoulder pads. I've never really been able to get transfers right without them.

Yeah I’ll definitely buy them.

I've never used Micro Sol or Micro Set, but I suspect they achieve a very similar affect as using 'Ard Coat and Lahmaean Medium.
What theses do is create surface tension that "pulls" the transfer onto the surface as it dries.

Kinda like Cheerios being attracted to the rim of a bowl of milk.
It also seals it down and Lahmaean medium cuts out the shine of the transfer.

-

 Galef wrote:
I've never used Micro Sol or Micro Set, but I suspect they achieve a very similar affect as using 'Ard Coat and Lahmaean Medium.
What theses do is create surface tension that "pulls" the transfer onto the surface as it dries.

Kinda like Cheerios being attracted to the rim of a bowl of milk.
It also seals it down and Lahmaean medium cuts out the shine of the transfer.

-

Microset helps set the decal and make it adhere better to the surface while microsol is a softener that basically "melts" the decal down so it adheres perfectly to contours and removes any trace of the carrier film.

 Coolyo294 wrote:

 Galef wrote:
I've never used Micro Sol or Micro Set, but I suspect they achieve a very similar affect as using 'Ard Coat and Lahmaean Medium.
What theses do is create surface tension that "pulls" the transfer onto the surface as it dries.

Kinda like Cheerios being attracted to the rim of a bowl of milk.
It also seals it down and Lahmaean medium cuts out the shine of the transfer.

-

Microset helps set the decal and make it adhere better to the surface while microsol is a softener that basically "melts" the decal down so it adheres perfectly to contours and removes any trace of the carrier film.

Ah, thanx
That's pretty much what I use the Lahmaean Medium for (and to down the shine), but it sounds like Micro Sol & Set are better designed for it.

-

The 3d ones from shapeways seem way to thick.

personally if i was to do it again, id get gw conversion kits and make a press mold to keep it as tight and proper.

though they dont make blood raven ones so i may need to get into sculpting.

So I've never heard of micro sol and set but after seeing some videos it looks like a must.

Where can I grab some just a crafts store?

 fraser1191 wrote:
So I've never heard of micro sol and set but after seeing some videos it looks like a must.

Where can I grab some just a crafts store?

I ordered mine from Amazon. And a must they are!

I'm glad you asked this because I've been brainstorming the same thing. This thread has convinced me to go transfers. Just need to figure out how to make my own.