"Making ACW Regimental Colors" Topic

My friend's son has developed a consuming interest in American Civil War historical miniatures. My friend is a fantasy/science fiction miniature wargamer ("Where have I gone wrong?" he wails). His son has participated in countless Warhammer 40,000 miniatures games playing with his own masterfully painted Space Wolves space marines so I can teach him very little on how to paint miniatures. However, creating ACW regimental colors (aka flags, standards, etc.) proved a mystery to him. He said he and a lot of his Warhammer friends thought you had to buy these historical ACW colors and were put off by the added expense. In case this proves true elsewhere, below for what it's worth is what I taught him on making your own ACW regimental colors.

1. Buy the following at your favorite hobby store:
a. Decal Paper (I use Testors but any will do)
b. Buy a bottle of Decal Set solution (I use Testors…)
c. Buy a can of clear modeler's spray. (I use Testors…)
2. Search the Internet for sites with copywrite free picture of ACW colors.
3. Download a picture of the ACW color you want to your computer. I usually put mine on Window's desktop screen.
4. Open this file with your favorite graphics program. The "Paint" graphics program that comes free with Windows will do nicely.
5. Edit the picture as needed (crop, etc.) and hit "Copy".
6. Open a new document in your favorite word processor (I use Word) and Paste the picture into it
7. Adjust the size of the picture so that several copies of the picture will fit on the sheet of the decal paper you bought. I use 28mm and can fit 14 on a sheet but the process is the same for 15mm or smaller except obviously you can fit more on a sheet.
a. Using the word processor's graphics feature edit the image of the color until it is as sharp as you can make it. You will probably have to experiment with the contrast and lighten/darken as needed.
b. I make one copy of the color/flag and when I'm satisfied with the size, color, and sharpness I use Copy/Paste to organize as many on the decal paper as will fit.
8. Adjust your printer for the best color and resolution. This process is usually separate from your word processing edit. I use an inkjet printer but I'm told a color laser printer will work just as well. Run several proof copies of your colors sheet on regular paper.
9. When you're satisfied with the proof, put a sheet of the decal paper in your printer and print the colors.
10. For inkjet, let dry for at least an hour
11. Spray the decal sheet with clear modeler's spray. One thin coat is enough. Do not over spray!
12. Let set for at least 4 hours.
13. If your standard-bearer figure doesn't come with a cast flag blank, make one while the decal sheet is drying. I use very thin metal sheets that come with an adhesive back. They're available at any good auto parts store.
14. When the decal sheet is dry, cut a color from the sheet.
15. This is the tricky part. Put the cut decal in a flat saucer of warm water to soak while at the same time coat a place on the metal sheet with the Decal Set liquid. When the decal begins to slide off the backing and while the decal setting solution is still wet, slide the decal on the metal sheet. Tweezers and toothpick are essential tools for this process.
16. Use a toothpick to manipulate the decal on the mental sheet so that it is squared up on the sheet.
17. Let dry.
18. Put on the standard bearers standard pole.
19. You're done!

For the free flags go to warflag.com go to the ACW section and download. Also there are instructions on printing paper flags to use directly with his figures.

pvernon

Warflags is a wonderful site and I would urge ACW miniature wargamers to use it. But its selection of ACW flags is limited. If you want the specific colors carried by historical regiments you will have to go elsewhere on the Internet.

I think the cost of the supplies is a lot more than just buying the flags from various places for a buck or two. Especially when you add in the time involved and the number of errors you may well run into.

But as a GW gamer, I am amazed he would be put off by paying, what $1.50 USD or so for a cotton jim paper flag? I suppose GW would charge $20 USD for a similar production of a "genuine" space wolves banner…..

I painted all mine by hand. (Years ago when my eyes were good.)

donlowry

Me too. I have a ton of old Heritage/Confederals ACW figures that came with thick cast flag blanks that gave you little choice. But I no longer have the eyesight, or the steady hand, or to be frank the patience for such detail work any more. So now I rely on technology to do the same job.

Another vote for Cotton Jim! Cheap, but high quality. All of my flags are from Mr. Russell.

I was not familiar with Cotton Jim. His stuff is great and I urge everyone who needs 25mm or 15mm ACW flags to patronize him. I myself am now reserving the technique I described in my original post for those specific ACW regimental flags he doesn't have a reproduction for.

mosby65: I don't blame you. I would've too if they'd been available at the time. My ACWs are old Scruby so-called 9mm figures (actually about 13mm. The flags are small but at least not curled or tattered.