How does KC paint the figures? (1 Viewer)

[GJB22]

This may be a stupid question, but how does KC paint all their figures? Do they have hundreds of skilled painters or is it done by computer? Could someone please explain this?

 

[lenswerks]

According to the "Made In China" article in November 2007 TS&MF magazine K&C employs approximately 2,000 painters and that each team of 6 to 10 painters can complete several hundred figures a day.

 

[JPB]

2000 painters... cool!

 

[oberstoskar]

Is K&C now the biggest toy soldier company on earth? I used to think it was Britain's

 

[plasmapulse]

I understand K&C figures are produced in batches of 100 of the same figure to maintain that quality look. I don't know about WB but those figures speak for themselves.

However, the amount of painters used doesn't impress me. A one man company like Little Legion will deliver top quality because it's a small operation. There are many more of those small operations. For the big ones it's a challenge to maintain a high level of quality throughout. Especially with large runs. I do admire that about them (WB and K&C).

 

[Steven Chong]

Both K&C and Britains do not own the factories that produce their figures. They contract with factories that produce cast, painted metal items like souvenir Golden Gate Bridges or Effel Towers, though they generally stay with a regular group of factories. These factories employ the thousands of employees necessary to produce the large quantities of painted figures.

 

[lenswerks]

Thanks. Employ meaning to use 2,000 painters. The article is very interesting and includes comments by Andy, Frontline, NMA, Figarti, East of India and Britians.

PS TFT should sell this magazine on-line. I know when I buy the magazine I always include some figures. It will increase your sales.

 

[GJB22]

Has anyone ever noticed a difference in KC figures. As far as I can tell, the pictures on their site match the figures I own exactly. How do they maintain such consistent quality, you'd think there would be varients? I guess there are alot of skilled painters in China?

 

[Steven Chong]

... How do they maintain such consistent quality, you'd think there would be varients? I guess there are alot of skilled painters in China?

At his talk during the Symposium, Rick Wang of Figarti mentioned that there is an assembly line type process to painting in the Chinese factories, with one painter painting shoes, one painting basis uniform color, etc. The less skilled painters paint the rough details while the more skilled add the shading, eyes, etc. Afterwards, figures are checked and any mistakes are corrected.

 

[Tex]

well, they do a pretty darn good job! I have never found any defects with the paint on my figures.

 

[Louis A. Cortez]

I did find a variation on one of mine. The Mexican wounded fellow. I have five of them and one of them has a larger brown spot at the bottom of his left leg than the other four. Not very noticible but I did find it as I was admiring them. But the painting is very consistent.