Omar Khalid
Warhammer 40k is a franchise created by Games Workshop, and the miniatures are the main attraction. Originally, miniatures were produced using a white metal alloy that included lead. However, in 1987, Citadel, a company that produces metal, resin, and plastic miniature figures for tabletop wargames, began to produce plastic miniatures as well under the name Psychostyrene and Drastik Plastik. The switch to plastic was due to the fact that plastic casting is better, and the economics of plastic make it more suitable for large runs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of switch to plastic | 1987 |
| Company that switched | Citadel Miniatures Limited |
| Previous material used | White metal alloy including lead |
| New materials used | Plastic, resin, polystyrene |
| Reasons for switch | Economics, lead poisoning concerns, better casting, cheaper production |
| Games | Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer 40,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Citadel Miniatures began producing plastic miniatures in 1987
Citadel Miniatures Limited is a company that produces miniature figures made from metal, resin, and plastic for tabletop wargames such as Warhammer Fantasy Battle and Warhammer 40,000. In 1976, Bryan Ansell co-founded Asgard Miniatures but left in 1978 to form Citadel Miniatures with funding from Games Workshop.
Originally, Citadel Miniatures produced miniatures using a white metal alloy that included lead. However, in 1987, Citadel began producing plastic miniatures under the names "Psychostyrene" and "Drastik Plastik". The switch from metal to plastic miniatures was likely due to the superior qualities of plastic casting, which allows for more intricate and detailed designs. Plastic is also a cheaper alternative to white metal, which saw a surge in prices around 2010. Additionally, lead is toxic and can cause poisoning, especially in children, so it was important to find a safer alternative.
Citadel has continued to produce white metal miniatures alongside plastic ones, as plastic is only economically viable for large production runs. Some models are a combination of both materials, with the body and head made of metal, while the arms, weapons, and accessories are plastic. In 1997, Citadel transitioned to using a lead-free type of white metal, further emphasizing the importance of creating safe and non-toxic miniatures.
Games Workshop, the creator of the Warhammer 40k franchise, has also experimented with resin miniatures, though the general consensus is that these kits are inferior to plastic ones. Today, Games Workshop no longer produces metal miniatures, and their Warhammer 40k line primarily features plastic and resin miniatures. The switch to plastic miniatures has allowed for more intricate and detailed designs, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
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Plastic is cheaper to use in large quantities
Plastic is a popular choice for miniatures because it is durable, lightweight, and easy to handle. It is also a cost-effective and readily available option, making it ideal for mass production and large-scale projects. The ability to produce plastic miniatures in large quantities at a low cost per unit makes it a popular and affordable option for consumers.
While plastic moulds can be costly to produce initially, they are a worthwhile investment for popular products with high sales volumes. This is because the upfront cost can be quickly recouped through large-scale production and sales. On the other hand, metal miniatures are more cost-effective for smaller production runs due to the low cost of the raw material.
However, it is important to note that plastic miniatures may have injection marks or mould lines, and they are prone to breaking, making them less durable than metal alternatives. Metal miniatures are also favoured for their intricate details and classy appearance. Resin miniatures, another common material for miniatures, offer high levels of detail and are lightweight, but they are more expensive and fragile.
The choice between plastic, metal, and resin miniatures depends on specific project needs and preferences. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages, and some projects may even utilise a combination of materials to leverage the benefits of each. For example, a miniature may have a metal body and head with plastic accessories and weapons.
In the case of Warhammer 40K, the franchise's miniatures were originally produced using a white metal alloy that included lead. However, in 1987, Citadel began producing plastic miniatures under the names "Psychostyrene" and "Drastik Plastik". Citadel continues to produce white metal miniatures alongside plastic ones, leveraging the economics of both materials for different production runs.
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Plastic miniatures are less toxic than their metal counterparts
Plastic miniatures are generally considered less toxic than their metal counterparts. This is because metal miniatures were originally made using a white metal alloy that included lead, which is toxic to humans. In 1987, Citadel began producing plastic miniatures, and in 1997, they switched to a lead-free white metal due to concerns about lead poisoning.
The use of plastic in miniatures offers several advantages over metal. Plastic miniatures are typically more durable, lightweight, and easier to handle and transport than metal miniatures. They are also more cost-effective and suitable for mass production, making them a popular choice for large-scale projects and custom miniatures.
However, some people still prefer metal miniatures for their perceived higher quality and classic look. Metal miniatures are often considered more detailed and precise than plastic ones, making them a popular choice for fantasy and historical board game miniatures. Additionally, metal miniatures are long-lasting and durable, despite being heavier and more expensive to manufacture and ship.
Resin is another material commonly used for miniatures, offering high levels of detail and precision. While resin miniatures are lightweight and easy to paint, they are more fragile than plastic or metal miniatures and require careful handling. Resin is also toxic in its "wet" form and as dust, requiring users to take precautions during the modelling process.
Overall, plastic miniatures offer a safer and more affordable alternative to metal miniatures, particularly those made with lead. While metal and resin miniatures may offer higher levels of detail, plastic has become a popular choice for its durability, ease of production, and lower toxicity compared to other materials.
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Resin miniatures were briefly the main way Games Workshop produced models
Citadel Finecast resin was described as a "soft" resin that provided a much higher level of detail for the customer. It was also lightweight, less prone to chipping, and easier to convert and transport. However, the transition from metal to resin generated debate among customers due to increased prices. Many Finecast models exhibited a porous texture, which could make it challenging to achieve a perfectly smooth paint finish. Some customers also considered the resin kits to be of poor quality and preferred to avoid them.
Games Workshop has since stopped using Finecast resin and now offers a higher-quality resin for their miniatures. Today, many Warhammer 40k miniatures are made of plastic, specifically polystyrene, which allows for crisp detail in the reproduction. Some models are a combination of plastic and metal, with arm-less bodies and heads made of metal, while the arms, weapons, and accessories are plastic.
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Plastic casting is superior to pewter
Plastic casting has several advantages over pewter casting. Firstly, plastic is a safer material to work with than pewter, as pewter historically contained lead, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled. Although lead has not been used in pewter since the 1970s, there is still a risk of lead contamination when using old pewter scrap. Plastic, on the other hand, does not pose the same health risks.
Plastic casting is also more cost-effective than pewter casting, especially for large runs of miniatures. Plastic is a less expensive material than pewter, and plastic casting requires fewer steps and less equipment, making it a more economical choice. Additionally, plastic miniatures can be produced with crisp and detailed features, enhancing their visual appeal.
Another benefit of plastic casting is the ease of reproduction. Plastic miniatures can be mass-produced with consistent quality, ensuring that each piece is an exact replica of the original design. This consistency in quality and detail is more challenging to achieve with pewter casting, which often requires more complex techniques and equipment.
Plastic casting also offers greater flexibility in the manufacturing process. Plastic miniatures can be designed with interchangeable parts, allowing for customization and variation within a single mould. This versatility is more limited with pewter casting, as creating multiple moulds for different designs can be more costly and time-consuming.
Furthermore, plastic casting is more accessible to hobbyists and enthusiasts. The materials and equipment needed for plastic casting are often readily available, and the process itself is relatively straightforward. This accessibility has contributed to the popularity of plastic miniatures as a hobby, with many individuals enjoying the process of assembling and painting their plastic models.
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Frequently asked questions
Citadel Miniatures, the company that produces metal, resin, and plastic miniature figures for tabletop wargames like Warhammer 40,000, began producing plastic miniatures in 1987.
Plastic casting is better than pewter, which was previously used. Plastic miniatures are also cheaper to produce in large quantities, and paint does not chip as easily on them.
Yes, originally miniatures were produced using a white metal alloy that included lead. In 1997, Citadel switched to a lead-free white metal due to concerns about lead poisoning.
Yes, while some newer miniatures are made of resin, many are still made of plastic.
