4D modelshop workshop services

finished artwork, e-mailed to us can usually be returned within 48 hours

We can turn your artwork into:

dry transfers - produced as single colour, multi colour or foil (silver, pale gold, rich gold) transfers

photo realistic film - photo quality dry transfers

direct image transfers

Artwork preparation

We will colour match your transfer to any pantone, metallic or other reference. Transfers can be produced with either a low or high tack adhesive on them depending on your requirements.

For single colour transfers provide the artwork in black with a colour reference.

For multi coloured transfers it is best to provide separated artwork with a reference for each colour. We can separate artwork for you at a cost of £48.00/hr.

Artwork produced by us on computer from your annotated sketches will be faxed, emailed or posted to you so you can confirm that it is correct before the transfers are made.

This service is typically used by product designers for logos, numbering and lettering, or by architectural model makers for detailing on buildings such as windows and doors.

We have also undertaked work for the hobby market, producing detailing for trains and military vehicles.

• Artwork can be e-mailed to us or sent on disc in any windows format, ideally as an .EPS .DWG .CDR. .DFX or .Ai file.

• We do accept image files such as .JPG .TIFF .GIF .BMP but you must make sure that these images are at a resolution that makes them crisp (i.e. 300dpi for .JPG).

• MAC users should save artwork as an .EPS, Ai, freehand or Photoshop files.

• embed fonts and convert to paths.

• If you are using special fonts, include the font suitcase with your order.

• It is useful to include notes with your artwork indicating any relevant information such as: final size, colour, whether you are repeating an image etc.

If you do not wish to prepare your artwork, we do offer an artwork preparation service at a cost of £48.00/hour.

E-mailed artwork will incur a cost of £16.00 for downloading & preparation.

You will find specific information on how to prepare your artwork for acid etching, and laser on the appropriate page.

We can take your three dimensional master and replicate it as many times as you require.

Master

Your master should ideally be made from metal. It can be made from softer materials such as resin wood, perspex, polystyrene or milliput, but for fragile masters a more expensive mould will have to be made.

The mould is made in two pieces so your master must be constructed in such a way that there are no undercuts, otherwise the casting may become trapped in the mould.

Please call for advice on how to make your master before you start.

We cast in white metal alloys and coloured resin.

Metal castings are made using a centrifugal casting method and is suited to the replication of smaller masters.

Typical projects include:

• Architectural Model Detail

• Fine Art Installations

• Jewellery

• Souvenirs

• Corporate Gifts

• Games & Toys

The maximum size of the master being 90mm x 90mm x 15mm deep.

Resin castings is more suited for smaller production runs of larger, more bulky items or items that are too intricate for white metal casting.

The resultant resin casting is cream in colour and can be sprayed with acrylic and cellulose finishes.

Coloured resins are available but they tend to be more brittle and the tones tend to vary. The casts have a with a very smooth finish with any surface detailing being vividly reproduced.

Resin casting takes place in a vacuum chamber to alleviate the formation of surface bubbles.

The pricing for the casting is broken down into two parts. Firstly there is a set up charge for the moulds. Secondly there is a charge per item cast.
Mould set up starts from £115.00.

For more details, please call 020 7264 1288 or email us.

• Typical projects:

• Thomas the Tank Engine animated / real life film (Canada)

• James Bond 007 film set (UK)

• Legoland tourist park(Europe)

• Millennium Dome model (UK)

• The Event Horizon 'biosphere' (Warner Films)

We undertake custom tree and plant builds for clients with specific requirements which do not lie within our standard range of trees.

Our experienced production team will construct a tree/plant following any criteria that you set down. Each tree is individually hand made and we pride ourselves with the level of detail that we can achieve.

You may merely require a specific colour foliage on one of our standard trees, or need a larger scale tree.

Trade Account customers can take advantage of our range of stock texture finishes to modify their tree foliage (Texture Gallery). We can also pantone match textures, please contact us for details.

Texture Gallery

Trade account information

We can also make up textures to your pantone reference, please contact us for details.

We often undertake custom work for film and television.

eg: The 300mm Silver birch was made for the Thomas the Tank Engine live action/animated film. The trunk and branches were constructed from twisted wire with individually brass etched leaves attached.