Novice Inquiry (1 Viewer)

[JL01]

I am new to the hobby and have a question about the manufacture of modern toy soldiers and would appreciate being directed to a resource where I can learn about the process myself and/or any pertinent information you might be willing to share.

Specifically, how are the figures made? I can wrap my mind about some mass production of the unpainted metal figures but how does the painting process work? Are they really hand-painted? If so, how does a company sell a figure for $50 and make a profit? I would imagine the labor and time that goes into completing a figure would have a cost-basis of far greater than $50. Even taking into account the lower cost of labor outside of the so-called Western democracies I don’t see how the economics add up.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[joesgis]

Hello and welcome,

I'm not aware of a resource like the one you're looking for, but the info is out there and could be pieced together from multiple sources with a little searching. The brief answer is most everything is produced in China and hand painted in assembly line fashion. Figures that have intricate art (like what you might see on an ancient shield) are either pad printed (tampography) or decals are used, so not always entirely hand painted.

Welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy the hobby!

Joe

 

[Alexander the Great]

Based on what I know, I would agree with what was mentioned earlier. It is a production line approach in China, each painter assigned to a specific part of a figure versus in Russia when for high end figures one artist/painter is responsible for the entire figure...

 

[chasbo]

Terrific question. I would think there has to be some kind of computer aided paint lathe in the production and then touched up from there. Just no way some of the intricate tiny patterns seen on some Russian figures can be produced by hand that neatly.

 

[zblang]

The Russian figures (the top stuff) are I fact done by hand
The patterns on robes and blankets are amazing. To watch an artist paint it is shocking - they are meticulous and it takes a very long time.