"How Much to Commission a 15mm Figure?" Topic

Seems like there are a lot of posts from people along the lines of, "gee, I'd like to see such-and-such figure made in XYZ scale."

Rather than wishing, would people be willing to put up the money?

For example, let's say that you want a particular historical figure in 15mm. How much would you have to offer a manufacturer in order to commission that figure and put it into general release?

You can do it for $250 USD or less. $150 USD for a sculpt, $100 USD in molds. Les if you can share a mold where, for example, you just want Hood minus the arm and leg or whatever.

That's some expensive sculpting! Although it does depend on what you want done, and how detailed/tricky it is.

£30.00 GBP-50 for a regular sculpt, and then £40.00 GBP for a master mould.

The main problem you'd have is putting a figure in a mould on it's own isn't viable, so you'd need more figures, or have to share space with the manufacturer/other people. That would then leads to the ownership of the mould issues, etc. which would need ironing out.

There are ways to work it all out, and we've done something similar for several people in 10mm.

My unstated assumption is that Gamer X wants Company Y to add a figure to an existing range.

There is always the "300" Club at Eureka where they will do specific figures once pledged orders exceed 300. So on your own 300 x .65 equals $235 USD

I paid $3 USD per millimeter for a sculpt then about $30 USD-$50 to have a master and production mould made.

To have a company then cast them is normally so many dollars per pound, maybe $20 USD- $30 USD per pound. Hard to say now what the per pund rate is since the metals price has changed.

The company that did my work is no longer in business, GFI.

The 300 club actually needs orders exceeding 600 figures from 10 different customers to get up.

Depends a lot on who you get to do the sculpting. Sandra Garrity wants like $250.00 USD for a 15MM sculpt. she is on the high end.

Someone else who is just starting out might do it for $150.00 USD

molding if you just do it from a shared mold of the master casting wouldn't be more then $25.00 USD probably.

If your suggestion is sensible and viable some manufacturers will just add it to their range. If it isn't you are just being silly and can live without it.

The last one is probably your best bet. My group asked Peter pig if it was possible to add some 'government troops sitting down' to use in his rowing boats from his pirate range. We wanted them to represent British troops in a Gibraltar game we put on. We sold the idea to him as an extension to his range. I can't remember how many we actually ordered from him, but I guess that was a factor. I hope he has sold some to other people as well!
I presume a reasonable pledge to buy so many and the chance of additional sales might make it worth the while of the manufacturer doing it. I guess as long as it doesn't take up to much of their time and they can break even then they will do it if they can. It would build customer loyalty and their good name etc. Giving up time they could spend on making big sellers might be a problem for them though.
I also helped (along with others) to pursuade him to model Kaytuska rocket loading troops. That was done by direct email and by getting other people to express interest on here. Again, I would love to know if he has sold enough to have made it worth his while.
The hobby is full of manufacturers who do it because they love it. Always worth asking them if they would make something for you. Just donlt be offended if they wouldn't. It isn't cheap to make new molds and involves a lot of that precious resource, time!

We make lots of things that probably aren't worth it commerically, but because we want them for ourselves :-)

And your always willing to help us customers to Geoff, like strange requests for a dozen T34 – 85 turrets and numerous odd request from Torrington farmers!

I doubt if many things are 'worth it' commercially, but gald that all the manufacturers make them!

Chas was looking at the T34-100 and T34-122 earlier…

Maybe you should tell him to look at the French Citroen Kegresse P19 halftrack instead….:-)…..sorry for digressing from the thread.

But I think there isn't a simple answer to the original question. It could vary from nothing to several hundred pounds. Best bet is to to ask a selection of manufacturers to see if they have any interest in making it as part of their range or for a quote.

Thanks for the clarification on Eureka

£50.00 GBP for a 15mm master? Blimey got paid that for freelance stuff 20 years ago more like £150.00 GBP these days.
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In Japan they will be testing 3D photo booths during the holidays. You step into a booth and rather than a photo you get a 3D figure of yourself, in full color btw.

US Carriers are already manufacturing or printing parts for the F-18 and 22 on board. So too do the new ships have the ability to reproduce most of their selves while at sea.

In the not too distant future you'll be able to print your figure on a computer in a 3D printer. Then prices will really tumble.

Bob Coggins

Im going to have to make 'no comment' here otherwise it will start the whole 3D printer discussion off again lol Plenty of that on other threads already………
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