The item I was so looking forward to getting just so happens to be a packet of paper flags from Pete's Flags. These flags are wonderfully detailed and the color range is perfect for scale modeling. Pete also prints on high quality paper ( my early samples even came on printable cloth paper). Those who follow some of the Renaissance and Medieval gaming blogs are probably already familiar with these banners. I stumbled into Pete's work when I began following Simon Chick's most excellent and dedicated blog http://je-lay-emprins.blogspot.com/ about a decade ago.
Proof that cool things can indeed come in small packages.
For the longest time I was held prisoner by the notion that all my banners needed to be hand painted, and yes, a well painted banner is something to really appreciate. I think my bias for a long time was twofold. Firstly, it felt a little bit like cheating. Secondly, I found it difficult to make pre-printed banners look anything like as good as painted ones.( The old Freezywater banners always looked like they were printed on the back of cheap cereal packets). In recent years I've come around to the potential of ready-made banners.
Nearly completed 15mm retinue for Edward IV using Pete's Flags paper banners.
Swiss war council Early Swiss DBA IV/41
Painting banners and flags by hand can be very satisfying but very time consuming.
This shot is a good one to illustrate just how good ready-made banners can be. The one on the right I painted myself. The one on the left is by Pete's Flags.
These flags were made from the stock color sheet inside the box of Perry Miniatures using very simple techniques.
Accessible high quality printing has really made it possible for small dedicated period specialists like Pete's Flags to make top shelf stuff. But even the best ready-made flags need to be mounted in the right way to get the most out of them. This is something I faltered at for a very long time and chalked up to simply being a limitation to working with paper and not lead foil, I then happened upon a Youtube video about preparing paper flags and it was an eye opener. Its not that I was "doing it wrong". I was just doing it "not quite right". Little sub steps make all the difference. Now even stock flags that come with newer plastic miniatures start looking good. I still really get a lot of satisfaction when I complete a banner by hand but wanting to get more troops on the table/in the cabinet has got me embracing adding more pre-printed banners into my armies now.
Unable to find the exact video I followed, I will attempt to give some simple suggestions on preparing paper banners:
1. Always use a fresh Xacto blade when cutting paper banners
2. On the reverse of the flag ( the parts you will apply the glue to) its a good idea to apply a small boarder of a dark color ( brown for instance) along the edges and at the top and bottom of the hoist. This will make it easier to conceal the white color of the underlying paper when the flag is folded.
3. Make a mixture of PVA glue and water in a small shallow container. (Something like 2:1 PVA to water works well for me ). If it is too watery drain excess water or add more PVA.
4.With small wide brush apply the thinned PVA to the back of the flag and let sit for a few seconds ( actually :30 seconds or so should allow enough time for the PVA to soak into the paper).
5. Carefully mate the two halves of the banner around a preferably pre-painted banner pole ( the painted pole will help hold the banner in place better than bare brass or plastic).
6. Carefully squeeze the excess PVA out of the edges of the folded flag. Hopefully you did not use too much glue and this should be easy.
7. Once excess PVA is removed make sure both halves of banner all the way up to the hoist itself are completely mated ( I do this by squashing the banner within and old book). You should be left with a perfectly flat flag. Let sit for about 2-2 1/2 minutes. ( this is important. If you wait too long the flag will set and be difficult to manipulate without puckering the paper. If you bend the flag too soon it may slip and or pucker too).
8.Using a small paint brush (000 or the like) use the slender end of the brush as a former and at a slight diagal angle to the banner pole bend the flag around the brush. Repeat in opposite direction as you work towards the fly end of the banner. Don't be afraid to 'dog ear' or lightly crumple the final result just to get a more organic look. Set aside until dry.
9 As a final step I like to paint the edges in the color of the flag itself to make the transition look as seamless as possible and hide any remaining white that shows through. ( if you painted did step 2 this is less necessary).
If you like the look, give it a try.
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