For those of you who would like to try creating their own team, here is a brief guide to the process. If you don’t have any experience in miniature modelling, you will find it very hard to cope with the tasks below. Also, adequate knowledge on how to use a graphics design application on a PC is needed. If you possess only one of the skills but you lack the other, a good idea would be to work as a team with a friend. Anyway, I would like to wish a good luck and lots of patience to anyone who will give it a try!! Step 1 - Research
Research is the first you will have to do. Every piece of information regarding the team’s kit (colours, brand of kit, sponsors, numbers’ font etc) must be gathered before you start designing the kit. If you want to give personal characteristics to your figures, photos of players should be gathered during this phase, too. | Step 2 – Kit design
Using a graphics design application on your PC, create a file depicting the kit of the team. Add as much detail as you want. Usually, badges, sponsors’ logos and numbers on the shirt are fine, but you can also add shorts’ details, names, league logo on sleeves, socks details etc. You can download logos’ pictures from the teams’ sites on the internet. |  | Step 3 – Decals printing
Print the file you created on a decal paper sheet. You can use either an inkjet or a laser printer, provided that you use the correct decal paper type. Also, you can use white or transparent paper. My recommendation is not to use transparent when you print white letters on dark background. Depending on the type of decal paper, you might have to apply a coat of enamel clear varnish on the sheet. |  | Step 4 – Preparation of figures
Using an “X-Acto” cutter, trim all the flash (remains of plastic from moulding) from the figures, to make all surfaces smooth. Apply a coat of glossy transparent varnish on the surfaces you are going to adhere the decals on. Let dry for at least 10 hours. |  | Step 5 – Decals application
Cut the decals to the appropriate size, and dip the small pieces into cold water in a shallow small plate. Let them soak for about 10 seconds. With the help of the “X-Acto” cutter put each decal in its place on the figure. Let decals dry for at least 1 hour. When the decals have dried completely, apply another coat of glossy transparent varnish or decal fixer. |  | Step 6 – Kit painting
Start painting around the edges of the applied decals. This is to ensure you are not going to spoil the decals by mistake on a later stage. |  | Complete the painting of the kit, trying to use the closest shades of colours to the printed ones. If you use new unpainted figures, avoid painting the white colour as much as you can. If you use acrylic paints, the time allowed between painting different colours is minimal. If you use enamel paints, you will have to wait for one colour to dry before you apply another one (this can take more than an hour, especially when you apply a light colour over a dark one). |  | Step 7 – Personal characteristics creation
Use modelling clay and your “X-Acto” cutter to shape the hair of players with individual hairstyles. You don’t have to be a sculptor to do this, but it is one of the most difficult steps of the process. Ensure the stability of the hair by applying instant glue on it, after you have finished the sculpting. Paint the appropriate flesh tone and hair colour. If the player has any other particularities (wristband, tattoo etc), painting of these will mark out the individuality of the figure. Shoes colouring and painting of brand logos also adds realism. |  | Step 8 – Securing the paint
Apply a thick coat of matt transparent enamel varnish all over the figure’s surface. This will protect the paint from peeling and decals from detaching. |  |
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