"How do you make Flag Dude's Style of Flags?" Topic

Now that Flag Dude has called it quits, I have need to make a few more flags on my own to complete my AWI collection.

Anyone know how he achieved the crinkled, wavy effect of his flags. They are very unique and I feel like there is some technique or trade secret to it.

I figured now that he is retired there is no harm in asking.

Anyone have any ideas?

Tell me as well!!! Mine look like total crap.

I had Scott Macphee paint up some 10mm battalions and his flags are very well done. When I try his shared technique, it looks like a five-year-old attempt. Yet I can paint 10mm very nicely as well. It's my modeling Achilles heel.

I placed two orders with him last year. It's better to write a letter and mail it to him. Always gotten my orders that way. He always responds.

I think it was the paper that he used and it may have reacted to some heat. Not really sure

Yeah that paper was SUPER thin.

Rusty, do you need 15mm or 25mm size?

I thought he was still in business, at least at conventions. And special orders?

Rick is still in business, selling those amazing flags. Best in the world, in my mind.

I recently received an order very quickly. Same fabulous quality.

Snail mail may be better than ordering through the website.

Tom

I just got a message from Rick that my last order is being shipped.

Is there a company making flags that is second best if Flag Dude is no longer making flags? Any recommendations?

RE: Is there a company making flags that is second best if Flag Dude is no longer making flags? Any recommendations?

Yeah, ME! I make flags in every size, from 5/6mm up to 28/30mm, and can do 40mm and 54mm as well. Basically, I sell an entire sheet of flags for $10 USD, on adhesive backed paper. The smaller the scale, the more flags you get.

For 28mm, I have 10 sheets for the US Civil War, each with 24 flags.

Cheers,
Daniel
Six Sided Simulations.

Daniel,
Happen to have a 15mm VMI Cadet flag?

The key for getting the right "crinkle" like Rick does is to use lots of glue, white glue. I was at his house a few years back watching him make them and he would slather on the glue, crinkle it as much as he wanted and then set it aside to dry. You might even mix a little water in with the glue to keep it more fluid. Rick was all about doing it the cheapest yet best way possible. No special tricks or technology, he just kept at it until he figured it out.

new rank after long service 3rd grenadier de la garde renactment guys

RE: Happen to have a 15mm VMI Cadet flag? Hmmm. Let me check! I can certainly make one! PM me or email me.

The best and easiest way to get good folds and crinkle is to place a piece of aluminum foil inside the flag when you glue the two halves together.

Good luck on finding a 15mm VMI flag. I had a friend hand paint on for me and turn out great. You might be able to see it here if you do a close up. I would take a photo of it but we just moved and my figs are still packed.

link

This company will make flags to order.

maverick-models.com

Hi Cleburne1863,

I have never heard of doing that trick with the aluminum foil before. Do you think it would work for a 15mm flag, say a standard for Renaissance or Napoleonic wars?

Cheers!

Gallo

The link below shows French Revolution flags I did. I scanned the images and printed to scale on plain paper. I then wrapped them around the flag poles using white glue and then crimped/wadded up them. I then immediately straightened them out again. They stiffened with an uneven look like they are waving in the wind. The pictures are a bit too far off, but it was really easy, and I was very pleased with the effect. Perhaps not as good, but similar to The Flag Dude -
link

Earlier I made a large number of Marlborough era flags by scanning and printing out on paper. Again, plain paper scans, but these were not wadded up -
link

I have recently made some flags by printing double-sided on printable cloth. Worked very well. You can then "paint" the cloth with white glue and form them how you want and they will dry rigid -
link

I do my 28mm flags on linen paper (used for resume's) then do the glue and crinkle method described.

Gallo,

Yes. I have a 15mm army and make 15mm flags all the time.

wow those colours of DukeWacoan look very impressive

Thanks Clemburne! I will try your method, do some experiments and see how it goes.

Cheers!

Gallo

Back in day we used the foil from champagne and wine bottles.

Most of my painting is in 10mm these days and I make my own flags up in MS PAINT, printed out on an ink-jet printer.

I think the secret of success is to allow the white glue time to soak into the paper before wrapping the flag round the pole and shaping. Once the glue has soaked in a bit, the paper becomes quite soft and can be shaped easily. Wrap the flag around the pole, gently squeeze out the excess glue and furl to taste around an old paintbrush or cocktail stick. You need to be quite gentle as the flag will now be relatively fragile.

If you try too soon then the paper will still be quite stiff and resistant to furling.

Just how long you wait will depend on your paper but I find that a couple of minutes is plenty for standard printer paper. Having seen Rick's flags at SALUTE, I would guess he's using something similar to airmail writing paper in thickness which is what allows him to get that phenomenal effect.