Custom Shoulder Pads for Table Top Games

I've had many questions on how to have your custom design made into a shoulder pad, so I've created this small tutorial on the best way to get started to get incredible custom bits for your table top army.

Getting Your Custom Shoulder Pad Started
First thing first, is finding an image that best represents the design you would like to have on your Shoulder Pad.  The image does not have to be super detailed, as long as the shape of what you are wanting can be clearly seen.  Here is a great example of an image that works.

As you can see here, it's a simple picture of a Jester's hat.  In this example the client wished to have this hat on top of the iconic table top gaming skull, and the result was this 2D representation of the design requested by the client.  The 2D representation of an image on a shoulder pad will consist of a siloette of the image or icon wanted, and then relieved onto the shoulder pad.

3D representations of images and icons are also capable of being done, and can offer quite a bit more detail and flare to your table top army, here is a link to the same Jester Hat on a Skull but in a 3D format.  And a printed and painted image of it can be seen below.

3D Custom Shoulder Pad

Now with some of the details out of the way, you're probably asking how much things cost.  Well there are two pricing structures for Custom Shoulder Pads and it depends on what design type you want.

2D Custom Shoulder Pads
2D Custom Shoudler Pads have a commission fee of $25.  This fee covers the cost of having your chosen design created in a 3D format that can then be printed to be used for your table top army.  These shoulder pads are then bundled into sets of 20, started at a cost of $1.25 each, or $25 total for the White Detail Material.  For those wishing to have more detail and quality in their shoulder pad, Frosted Ultra Detail is the way to go, and these are also bundled into sets of 20, at a cost of $1.50 each, or $30 total.

3D Custom Shoulder Pads
3D Custom Shoulder Pads have a commission fee of $50.  This fee will also cover the cost of having your chosen design created in a 3D format for printing and use in your table top army.  Because 3D design use more material, they cost slightly more per shoulder pad, but the detail is well worth it.  These shoulder pads are bundled in packs of 20 also, and begin at $1.75 each or $35 total for White Detail Material.  Or you can purchase them in Frosted Ultra Detail at $2.00 a pad in bundles of 20.


What are the Different Materials
White Detail Material is a form of plastic that gives a .2mm level of detail.  This material works quite well for medium detail designs that do not require text or very small levels of detail.  It is rated to a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit so it shouldn't be melting in your car.  For more information feel free to visit the material page here.

White Detail Material

Frosted Ultra Detail is also a form of plastic that gives a .1mm level of detail, or twice the sharpness of White Detail Material.  I often recommend this material for anything that has small designs or text, or where you would like your design and custom bit to come out extra crisp.  This material has a rating of 176 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you live somewhere you can cook eggs on the sidewalk, this is the material you should go after.  For more information feel free to visit the material page here.

Frosted Ultra Detail on the Left

Ordering your Custom Shoulder Pads
After the commission for your Custom Shoulder Pad is completed, you will be provided with a link that will be simuliar to this one, http://shpws.me/2ERl.  This link contains your commissioned bit where you can choose the material you like and then purchase it from Shapeways at the cost shown in the page.  Here you will also be able to choose with material you will like to purchase in the upper right hand corner (It will show either Frosted Ultra Detail or White Detail Material, and by Clicking it you can switch between the two and see the price). 

After purchasing your bits it will generally take 10 business days for your order to be shipped, but there can be delays with some materials when there is a high demand.  For more information on status of materials you can find it here.

Also for Shipping information and costs please click here.

If you have any other questions about the process or how to get your very own Custom Shoulder Pads and/or bits for your Table Top Army feel free to email me or comment on the post.

Thanks!