How much does it cost to design a paper model?

[yankeekilo]

Originally Posted by Siwi

I take the same view as Dave; if I were to design and sell models I'd just want to break even and maybe fund purchasing others' designs.


Hope this isn't considered off-topic, but thought I should share some things I hear about the plastic model situation and also apply to model railways/railroads right now.


There seems to be a trend towards amazingly detailed and accurate kits, aimed at the serious experienced modeller, which command a high price, and presumably feed the sales of increasingly sophisticated tools and equipments. Certainly the results of this in the right hands are stunning and a world away from the acceptable but flat looking builds from the heyday of plastic models - but in doing so, possibly because it's the only business strategy that works right now, the companies risk stifling beginners unless this is used to keep entry-level stuff accessible.
What I also hear is that there's no overall decline of interest in the hobbies, in fact it may well have grown thanks to social media and certainly isn't just confined to older generations; rather people like the results and are quite prepared to invest the time and patience to achieve it but are put off by the cost. Several model train Youtubers have pointed out just how much markup there is on rolling stock and for balance how manufacturing and shipping costs have also increased. One really interesting analysis was more positive and pointed out that there is now starting to emerge a pushback in the form of more DIY building, especially centered around 3D printing and scratchbuilding. 3D printing does have its limitations but can make the plastic kit hobby more like ours, as someone can learn to design and make the kits themselves or modify existing ones.

I think if we keep publicising paper modelling we could attract some of this crowd. The great thing is that there isn't such a massive price gap between the most basic and most complex paper kits compared to plastic ones.

that happens to me brake even

[aansorge]

Such an interesting discussion, thank you YK.


I hope that 3d printing will do to plastic modelling what PCs and printers did to paper modelling for me, allow me to build my father's ship, thr USS Rupertus based on an available model of the USS Higbee (and about a hundred photos he had and that were on the internet).

[Play7]

Originally Posted by Butelczynski

Going by polish model designers I doubt they get thousands of dollars for their designs. There is many of them and their work is made easier every year as new graphics software is hitting the market.

Model outlets used to print in tens of thousands of copies, now they are down to few thousands max. Modeling isn't as popular as it was and paper modeling wasn't that popular to begin with, certainly not as popular as plastic modeling was and we all know that hobby is also hurting now although it seems like it rebounded but I wonder if this is just fake marketing.

As the co-owner of the Polish publishing “ FlyModel” and as one who is “breathing “ Polish paper models for over 35 years , I can say - it is expansive .
Each of our designers is a independent and we have to purchase the finished product from him and it is in the $$$ low thousands . Not to mention our own costs to bring it to print and publish .
As an paper modeler for more then 60 years and one who tried to bring this wonderful hobby to the US , I can say in sorrow , too bad .

[yankeekilo]

Originally Posted by aansorge

Such an interesting discussion, thank you YK.


I hope that 3d printing will do to plastic modelling what PCs and printers did to paper modelling for me, allow me to build my father's ship, thr USS Rupertus based on an available model of the USS Higbee (and about a hundred photos he had and that were on the internet).

very good point, for sure we have started to see a lot of nice 3d print models tat were unavailable as plastic models, the thing is that 3 d models still quite expensive!

[yankeekilo]

Originally Posted by Play7

As the co-owner of the Polish publishing “ FlyModel” and as one who is “breathing “ Polish paper models for over 35 years , I can say - it is expansive .
Each of our designers is a independent and we have to purchase the finished product from him and it is in the $$$ low thousands . Not to mention our own costs to bring it to print and publish .
As an paper modeler for more then 60 years and one who tried to bring this wonderful hobby to the US , I can say in sorrow , too bad .

very cool to know details like this, I've heard that, some publishers spend a lot of money to issue a new paper model design

[jleslie48]

for my saturn V, I used paper, pencil, and then laid out the parts using microsoft word. Today I'd use libreoffice. cost: time only.