Turnaround Time

[EArkham]

What\'s considered a good turnaround time for a commissioned paint job?

I\'m hoping to improve my turnaround time, and I\'ve identified several delays: waiting for ordered models & bits to arrive, waiting for a client to respond to questions (even the fast ones can sometimes take up to 24 hours), and the weather (which is often timed perfectly to those days I need to prime or clearcote). Depending on the project, I may also have to wait a day for things like snowbases or green stuff to dry.

There\'s not much I can do about any of these delays, but together they\'ll often cause a project to take at least two weeks. That\'s way too long in my opinion.

Thoughts? How long does it take you? Even if you don\'t do commission work, how long does it take you from the point you start work to the end of a project?

Kep

 

[lono]

How long is a piece of string? lol

It really depends on the project. I have single minis I\'ve been doing little bits on for months, and a Tyranid army aproaching 700 points that I\'ve been working on for less than a week.

In your case though I don\'t really see why you couldn\'t get around most of the delaying factors you mention.

Obviously delivery is something out of your hands, but find out what the client wants straight away and you will be able to get started as soon as possible.

As for spraying, you can do this indoors if you need to, so I don\'t see how weather is a factor. Get yourself a box to spray into and open the windows for the most basic setup!

Green stuff can be painted over whilst wet and will still harden as normal so that shouldn\'t be an issue. Start painting it straight away.

 

[Highbulp Billy]

Originally posted by lono
How long is a piece of string? lol

Twice the length from middle to end My mum used to irritate me a lot with that answer so I thought I\'d share.

As for turnaround on mini painting, I\'m even less use as a hardly ever finish a mini to any standard let alone sellable

 

[Herb the bitter]

Sadly nowadays I would consider a month fast. Due to family obligations/fatigue it usually takes 2-3 months for me to get something done to (and I use the term loosely) \"display standard\".

 

[GreenOne]

Mine is about 1 year, and nobody complains lol

 

[EArkham]

Hee. Okay, assume the string is three 25-28mm figures. That sounds like a good median project size (somewhere between one figure and one five man squad or dread).

Spraying inside the house is absolutely not going to happen. I\'ve tried this before with a box, windows open, and a fan pulling the spray outside and to say it was a problem is an understatement. That\'s just not going to happen again.

Kep

 

[ZaPhOd]

I refuse to do any commissions with strict deadlines anymore due to my total lack of painting time. I will negotiate at the start and make my loose schedule very clear. For example, I currently have one commission for a respected member of our community here that consists of two largish figures (about 40 to 45mm) and I have suggested a turnaround of about two months. I received them maybe 2 weeks ago, and they are now based and primed. Over the course of the next one or two months, I will have them finished as well as at least one other mini (for myself or eBay).

If you want the job done by tomorrow, don\'t bother asking me to do it LOL

 

[mickc22]

I prefer the \'no rush, when you get them done\' kind of commission, much less stress

 

[ZaPhOd]

Oh yeah... stress = less fun = lesser quality product in my opinion. Kinda like taking on jobs for minis you really don\'t want to paint. Doesn\'t make any sense to me either.

Of course, if you actually try to make a living doing this (like some studios etc), then everythign I have written is probably as relevant as a pair of

 

[GreenOne]

As for spraying, I do it
Inside my room...
With something similar, and any window fan, there is no intoxication... a tube in the back takes the fumes out.
A simple encense will get rid of the smell within an hour.

 

[uberdark]

well considering i just spray primed 4 guys in a closed off room and then ran out the weather isnt much of a factor for me. when it comes to commissions like lets say a five man space marine squad with little conversion and simple bases i usually give them 2 weeks. if you want extended conversion and elaborate bases then thats a different thing. that could take up to 2 months at least if i am working with greens and huge elaborate bases. it just depends on a how long the string is as lono states.

and not to mention we all paint at our own rates. myself i can paint 40 goblins to table top standard in one day. is it fun to do. hell no and you end up looking a bit like a wild ogre on crack by day\'s end.

hope this helps.

 

[johnboyjjb]

Originally posted by EArkham
1) waiting for ordered models & bits to arrive,
2) waiting for a client to respond to questions (even the fast ones can sometimes take up to 24 hours),
3) and the weather (which is often timed perfectly to those days I need to prime or clearcote).
4) Depending on the project, I may also have to wait a day for things like snowbases or green stuff to dry.

Kep

1) You take an order for a mini to be painted/customized. You then order what you need. The parts arrive and then the clock should start. (That\'s strictly my opinion)

2) Record questions that you ask frequently and create a questionnaire so that you can get most of the redundant stuff out of the way.

3) Move some place sunny and warm - I\'m sure Lloyd has a suggestion on a place that meets those criteria.

4) Green stuff and snow bases are things you are already aware of taking longer so you can factor them into your time estimates.

How long should it take to turn a commission? Given and 8 hour work day I would turn 2 Rank and File troops out in a day. (I define Rank and File as something simple - like Brettonian spear men. Also, since all units in a squad are going to be similar, I would think that 2 squads would be doable as well. Number of troops wouldn\'t make that large of a difference per mini.) An 8 hour work day should allow you to complete one basic hero figure. I would anticipate 2 days or more for an advanced hero figure. Basing would also not be considered in these time estimates.

Does that help?

 

[hakoMike]

Whatever you do, don\'t get into my \"army in a month\" thing. They will suck the life out of you.

For the five man squad, two weeks is not unreasonable. I refer back to the rules of business on this one: you can have it fast, good, or cheap. Pick any two.