"Help needed with gluing paper flags" Topic

Hi,

Can someone help with a tutorial for making flags with pre printed flags on paper (Like GMB flags etc..). How to glue them without edges showing and stains on them and a nice fluent wave pattern in them like the wind is blowing. I guess practice and skills would be an expected reply, but are their tips and tricks to it?
Looking forward to any tips and links for help on this matter.

Regards

I use paper flags, and glue one half and the bit that wraps round the pole with a smear of UHU glue, then spread any blobs evenly with a flat edge.
I then join the far ends (fly end) and match them carefully before gently pressing the flag together round the pole, starting in the middle and working out. Any glue that escapes I carefully wipe away, again away from the flag. Once its had a chance to dry, I bend the flag between my fingers, or a paintbrush handle to get the required look.

Often you will have to paint the edges a matching color to kill any unsightly white that broke through as a result of an imperfect cut or alignment.

I clear the edges with a pen before gluing and a light touch up after.

I also bend the flag, but do it when the glue is still wet.

Thanks for the tips. Went looking on youtube and found some inetresting tips, like painting the inside (white) of the flag in the colour of the edge. I use a matt glue but still find smudges on the flag. If I remove with a whet cotton tip, the paper gets damaged. Should I let the glue dry first?
Rgds

Cut the flag out very carefully and then fold it to ensure that the corners of the fly meet perfectly; make a good sharp crease.

Open it up again and put a thin smear of PVA evenly across one side.

Lift the whole thing and place the crease along the pole (making sure it's the right way up) and then carefully bring the two sides of the flag together ensuring that you've lined it up again – if you haven't squeezed too hard you will have a little play for a few seconds.

Once you're happy, press the whole thing together firmly immediately shape the flag the way you want. Some people do this around a paint brush but any gentle folding will do just avoid creasing the paper.

When the glue dries, the flag will be pretty firm and you can paint the white edges.

To strengthen, I first glue the paper flag to some very thin soft card – such as comes with Mini figs or Peter Pig packs of figs. It is this that I then wrap round the pole and fold waves in. This is my method for 15mm. To further strengthen I gloss then matt varnish.

I'm in complete agreement with 22ndFoot. Two points: usually I use PVC/Elmer's glue--and a very thin coat. And what I'll do is press the fly end together, then lower it in position from above the finial and squeeze from the fly to the hoist--then adding any waviness to the flag, and as 22ndFoot says, going back afterwards to color the edges. Note that a set or cheap markers often works well, If you use regular paints, match well, and try to just brush the white. because you're not likely to match exactly.

I too agree with 22nd foot, the only difference is I put a cut to size piece of thin metal in between the two halves. I find the metal wrap around wine bottle tops works wonderfully. Some are a very thin tin. This makes the flag fold well and hold in place.

The flag will maintain its shape and folds once the glue has dried, so the foil between the paper seems like an unnecessary step, but if it works for you then go for it.

I use a piece of aluminum foil between the sheets of paper and glue with PVA. The flag is then easily shaped and holds it.

I use Alenes Tacky Glue. First I carefully cut the flag out and prefold it to make sure everything lines up and prefit it if needed (correction are easiest if done at this step). I then smear a little glue on both sides and smear it around using my finger (not much glue is actually needed). I then place the fold around the pole and then carefully close it. I then work the flag around the pole to ensure a tight fit (sometimes a tweezers is needed). I then make sure all lines up good. Finally I put some folds, creases and bends to the flag. Simple process.

Tips: size the back (white side) with some white paint before gluing. This will enable the sides of the flags to be slid around to match up correctly. Since there will always be some white showing, paint the edges of the flag.
I like to make some folds in the flag to represent it moving in the wind.

As 22nd Foot said. Definitely paint your edges, makes a world of difference.

Yes, I paint my edges too, or use a felt tip pen!