Introduction
I have a number of ideas for new sets ranging from large scale ACW armies to individual figure skirmish sets. Each set would include a variety of troop types, scenery and other bits and pieces - enough stuff that you can simply get on and think about which scenario you want to play next.
If you find the idea of paper armies interesting it would be great if you would take a moment to fill in this survey:
If you find the idea of paper armies interesting it would be great if you would take a moment to fill in this survey:
What period/subjects would you like to see as a paper army set?
General Instructions
You can download a sample counter sheet here.The minimum equipment you will need to assemble your new paper world is a printer connected to your PC, paper, paper glue (I’m using a “Power Pritt” glue stick which works fine) and scissors.
Other stuff you may like to use includes stiff card (for making more durable bases for your units), a good craft knife and a cutting mat.
These simple instructions apply in general to constructing all of the counters and scenery.
1. Print out your chosen sheet of units using Adobe Reader. The sheets are designed to be printed on A4 paper so when printing ensure that the “Choose Paper Source by PDF page size” option is chosen.
The illustrations will ordinarily print in a very dark brown or beige shade – if you would prefer them to be printed in black and white only then you can usually select the option from your printer’s preference screen.
The illustrations will ordinarily print in a very dark brown or beige shade – if you would prefer them to be printed in black and white only then you can usually select the option from your printer’s preference screen.
2. Cut the individual counters out – carefully cutting away the black border of each counter.
3. Fold the counter in half ensuring the corners match exactly. If you decide to trim the counter to shape later (stage 6) this is vital to ensure that the images on both sides of the counter match.
4. Fold the base section of the counter using the edge of the toned base as a guideline.
5. Apply paper glue to the main (upright) section of the counter – but try not to get it on the folded base part yet! I have found it works well to stiffen the paper if you use a flattened object (like the lid of the glue stick) to flatten and press the glued sides of the counter together.
Leave these counters to dry. The wet glue can make the paper soft at this stage but when it is dry the paper is quite rigid.
6. If you intend to trim the excess paper from the upright section of the counter it is easiest if you do it now. I think it looks best if you leave a thin border (2-3mm) around the edge of the printed illustration.
7. Apply glue to the bottom of the base area and attach it to stiff card (60mm X 40mm rectangles for the standard counters). Use a flat object (the top of the glue stick lid!) to rub and press the top of the base down eliminating any air bubbles etc from the base.
8. Leave it to dry and you are ready to go.
The finished Light Horse unit (above) has had an orange Parliamentarian flag added to show control.
NotesLarge counters may warp slightly as they dry (tall pikes etc) but generally I have found that you can straighten the stiffened paper by bending it in the desired direction once it is dry.
Notes
Large counters may warp slightly as they dry (tall pikes etc) but generally I have found that you can straighten the stiffened paper by bending it in the desired direction once it is dry.
Variations
Coloured paper – the counters look very much improved if you use coloured paper. I have used plain ivory/manila coloured paper that matches the cloth (a plain contractors cotton dust sheet from a DIY store) I use for the battlefield very well. I’ve printed a few counters on darker parchment effect paper which also look good.Base sizes – Obviously you can adjust the base sizes by cutting them to the desired size or by gluing them to even larger card bases. You could alter the footprint area of the building counters in this manner to better define built up areas etc.
Laminated Counters – I’ve experimented a bit with laminating the counters before assembling them. They are certainly very durable but you may need a better glue to assemble them than standard paper glue.
| Billy Bones Workshop |
 |