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Custom Built Brick Sets brought to you by - Your friendly neighborhood Brick Brigade

***NOTE*** Most kits will ship out within 1 week of the order date. Estimated delivery time is approximately 1 and 1/2 - 2 weeks for Domestic shipments and 3 - 4 weeks for International. Occasionally I run out of parts which delays shipping. Large sets have a 6 week delivery time. If the order is significantly delayed, you'll be sent an order confirmation and estmated ship date and will receive a bonus item for the delay.

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Making a Custom Lego Minifig Military Soldier

Step 1. Plan your minifig character:

Step 2. Research the custom Lego minifigure design

Step 3: Pick the color of the Lego minifigure Torso and Legs Assembly

Step 4. Design your custom Lego uniform (unless Lego has one that will work)

Step 5: Decide what gear your soldier should have (Brick Arms, Brick Forge, Brick Mania or Woody's Custom, or try my method, use them all!)

Step 6: Pick a Head that gives your character the right personality. The expression really makes a difference to express the custom Lego minifigures attitude and mood.

Step 7: Assemble your soldier

Step 8: Give your character a cool name

How to Make, Print, and Apply your own unique Decals -

Software Required:

Photoshop 7 or higher, CS3 or CS4 Recommended

or Illustrator 10 or higher, CS3 or CS4 Recommended

Equipment Required:

Computer with decent Graphics Card

Color Ink Jet Printer

Materials:

Inkjet Waterslide Decal Paper - I ordered from www.papilio.com

Decal Film - Clear Flexible Fixative

Polly Scale Acrylic Clear Coat Gloss - I ordered from www.micromark.com

(Keeps gloss look for Head, Torso, or Legs)

Decal Setting Solution

Sponge Applicator/Blotter

(Recommended by www.fineclonier.com - high quality decals)

Papertowels

Other:

Clean work space

Step 1. Download Minifigure Part Templates .

Download the templates and import/place them into the Photoshop or Illustrator file.

Make sure you use a high resolution when producing the decal, which can always be reduced down before printing.

Step 2. Collect Reference

Import a photo of a complete minifigure front view so you can check positions of eyes, mouth, belts etc. You can line it up right next to the design and use guides to check your work. Download images of the uniform or design you are interested in producing. Do not copy another deign, be original. Research your design thoroughly so

you have plenty of examples to use during production.

Step 3. Make your Decal

Begin designing your decal and make lines as thick as the ones in your minifig example. Your design can go past the borders of the template, which can be trimmed when cutting out your decal. This way you can make sure that the design will cover the lego part completely.

Step 4. Prepare items for application of decals.

A. Order plain parts with no printing. If you want to print on a piece that already has printing, remove existing printing from part with Gordons Miracle Shine or other Brass Cleaner and a non abrasive sponge. Sponge must have a rough side.

B. See instructions that came with your supplies. Read carefully before using any of the solutions. Use the sponge applicator to apply the Polly Scale Acrylic Clear Coat Gloss. Try no to get excess solution on other parts of the Lego parts (as best you can). Apply the coating as evenly as you can to the part you want to decal. Let dry overnight in a clean well ventilated area. Safety first.

Step 5: Print Your Decal

A. Once the solution on the part you want to decal has set, it's time to add your decal. If you haven't already printed out your decal, open the software you used to create the image and mak any last minute changes. Make sure you have the correct waterslide decal paper. Since the paper is not cheap, make sure you arrange the items to print in the top most area of your layout. This way you can use the left over portion to print again. Now, before printing, make sure you adjust the settings so the ink will set properly when printed. Follow the printing instructions that come with the paper you purchased. In my case, I set the print paper type option to High GlossFilm.

B. Print your custom Lego minifigure decal.

Step 6: Apply Fixative to the Sheet of Decals

I use a product called Decal Film, Clear Flexible Fixative. It works well but must be applied in several coats. Make sure you apply the spray in even coats, holding the can 8 to 10 inches away from the paper. Cover the paper in 6 to 10 even coats waiting atleast 1/2 an hour between application of coats. Repeat 3 to 4 times, building up a nice coating on top of the decals. Make sure you spray in a clean well ventilated area, usually it's best to spray outside. Read the instructions, warnings, and safety instructions on the side of the fixative carefully.

Why do we have to do this? It's all about red. Red runs really easily, that's why desaturating any red color in your artwork is always a good idea. Let the decals dry overnight or atleast 8 hours.

Step 6: Cut out the decals

I use a product called Decal Film, Clear Flexible Fixative. It works well but must be applied in several coats. Make sure you apply the spray in even coats, holding the can 8 to 10 inches away from the paper. Cover the paper in 6 to 10 even coats. Repeat 3 to 4 times, building up a nice coating on top of the decals. Make sure you spray in a clean well ventilated area, usually it's best to spray outside. Read the instructions, warnings, and safety instructions on the side of the fixative carefully.

Why do we have to apply fixative? It's all about red. Red runs really easily, that's why desaturating any red color in your artwork is always a good idea. Once the decals are completely dry, cut as close around your design as possible and try to avoid the decal wrapping too far around the edge of the front of the torso. So the decal won't easily peel off at the edges.

Step 7: Apply the Decals to the Torso of your Custom Military Soldier Minifig

First prepare a small bowl of warm water, afew sheets of papertowels, and tongs of various types. I bought a set of various types of tongs at walgreens, the best type is one that has a flat head (see below) , because you can use it to slide under the decal after it has loosened up in the warm water.

A. Spread out some the papertowels on a clean dry surface. Arrange your tools.

B. Take one of the decals and soak it in the water for 30 seconds or until it becomes loose.

C. Position the Torso between the thumb and index finger of your left hand, with head pointing out.

D. Remove the decal from the water and positon directly over the torso assembly.

E. Grab the widest corners of the decal backing with the same thumb and index finger of your left hand.

F. With your right hand, slide the decal backing from under the decal, making sure you line up the

decal in the center of the torso.

G. The glue starts setting very quickly so if it's off center you may have to reimmerse it in the water and

start over.

H. Once the decal is positioned correctly, use the edge of a oiece of papertowel or napkin to soak up

excess water, then place the torso with drying decal in a safe,dry area to let the glue set for atleast

8 hours.

I. Once dry, apply the Decal setting Solution with the sponge applicator (make sure you clean the

sponge applicator after each use - clean with tap water). Make sure apply the solution with even strokes

covering the entire decal. Try no to get excess solution on other parts of the Lego parts (as best you can).

J. Let dry for another 8 hours.

Your done, great job!

This process make s the decal extremely durable.

Tips and Tutorials

Here's a great how to create, build, design and detail custom Lego models, sets, kits and minifigures resource page. I'll be adding more tips and tutorials as often as I can. Why you ask? Because building with Lego is so wonderful , I must share!