Download or physical kits?

[Vermin_King]

I'd rather have unbuilt kits on my hard drive rather than in boxes

[Kevin WS]

Vermin King and Miles - too true!

[rickstef]

Depends on the subject matter, and if the kit I am interested in is available as a download or pre printed kit.

sometimes I have bought both versions, just to support the designer

[airdave]

If I were a designer/seller, I would prefer to sell printed kits.
-Not as easily duplicated/pirated...at least not to the same quality.
-I can control the final look of the model and interfere with editing/recolouring.
-I can earn more money on each kit (if the kits sell).
-Larger format models are possible.
-Bigger (more parts/pages) kits are also cheaper to produce in volume.

Having said all that, I prefer downloaded digital kits for how fast and easy it is to produce and publish and sell and distribute to more modellers.
And, much less, but more immediate profits for the seller.

[aansorge]

I am drawn to experimenting with different paper. that and color consistency suggest downloading.

[SteveB]

I prefer the immediacy and flexibility of downloads. It's so easy to modify parts or reprint any bits when you make a mistake. The only downside I've found is the quality and permanency of some printing inks. I'm currently building Shawn Dymond's HMLS Centipede - had to change a blue cartridge during printing and now some parts have faded to a very definite pink!

[Isaac]

I don't think it is an either/ or decision. Printed models are the old standard since no electronic media was available until the last 20-30 years. Quality back then was variable. However, there are vast improvements in both commercial printing and quality of card stock. So if available, and I can get it in reasonable time ( like a month or two ), I will order the printed kits ( and scan a back up in case of screw up in building ). Also, I usually order 5-10 kits at a time and thus am not in a hurry at all.
Lastly for me, Some models are on large sheets ( like A3 ) and those are not easily printed at home, so I have to get a pre-printed version

I also enjoy the downloaded versions for two reasons. There are many options out there. Both paid and free. I do support both the paid as well the free versions like on our forum ecards or DGA site. However, I am not in the collection/hoarding mode. I will only download ones I will build or likely to build. Another reason for the downloaded versions is when I travel and like to build simpler models and many of those are available for free download as needed.


Isaac

[Kevin WS]

Thanks for all the new comments!

Basically only 55 odd responses so far??

[asettico]

I prefer to download kits, because, as other modeles told in the thread,
if something goes wrong (and it does go!), I can reprint as many time as I need
to fix the error. And in this particular time I try to avoid contacts as mush as I can.

Furthermore, I performed a coloring of a B/W model (indeed just once, I am not a designer)
using the offset technique: instead of modifiy the pdf file (in that case, one that I bought),
I created a new one with only the needed areas filled with the wanted color, so
I printed first the color layer, I reloded the sheets in the printer, and finally
I printed the template.

I don't dislike printed kits, I already bought some books with model and
instructions abd I planned to buy others; by the way, I received the very first
one as a gift when I was 11 or 12, when I didn't know yet the name of this art.
It's more confortable for sheets bigger that A4 format and for the print quality.

[Kevin WS]

Thank you leblau!