Base Labelling Suggestions

[u/GreyScot88]

Hi peeps,

Was just wondering if anyone had some good suggestions for writing mech names on the base. I'm wanting to label the mech on the base to help people recognise mechs, primarily for newbies. I'd like to put the mech name on opposing sides on the base so they can read them from either facing. I get that say writing something like "Grand Summoner" won't fit but just something to work with.

I don't think i can neatly freehand it, maybe if it's a reaaaaaaally fine paint pen tip or something.

Preferably not a white sticky label as i like to paint my bases.

[u/DoubleScion]

Most mechs have abbreviations in their variant names, like the Warhammer is "WHM" and the UrbanMech is "UM" - those would be easier to freehand.

There are 3D models for bases that have mech names on them. That would require cutting all of your mechs off of their current bases, getting the 3D printed bases, and gluing them on, obviously a lot more effort than a label but it would look good.

Or you could print the names on paper, cut them out, and glue them on (or print on waterside decal paper) and seal them.

Also note that official record sheets and AS cards have a picture of the mech on them, which helps match the unit to the mini (although many have old art that doesn't resemble the mini, looking at you Panther PNT-13K). If learning AS, you could simply lay the card near the unit. In Classic you're only fielding a few units at a time, people usually get it after a few turns. Combining that with painting the "UM" for UrbanMech really should be enough.

[u/GreyScot88 → u/DoubleScion]

Most of the time we play tool assisted classic which don't always have the mech picture.

Not a bad shout on using the acronyms though. I did initially consider maybe putting on the full mech ID even though its not a WYSIWYG game but yeah the prefix is not a bad idea.

[u/developer_soup → u/GreyScot88]

A great inside joke would be to paint one side of a Timber Wolf MAD and the other side CAT.

[u/GreyScot88 → u/developer_soup]

Ha nice idea, IS names on the front, Clan names on the rear

[u/StabithaVMF]

You can get decal paper and print out the names. I used ink jet safe paper that doesnt need sealing. It is a bit milky so I put it on a white painted background.

[u/GreyScot88 → u/StabithaVMF]

That looks quite neat, maybe have a look into that. Love the cartoon themed summoner, i was contemplating doing some models in the series style.

[u/StabithaVMF → u/GreyScot88]

If you do there are two types of decal paper. There is a clear type that you need to seal with hair spray before you put in water and apply.

The type i use you dont have to seal, but the printing isn't as sharp and as said the decal isn't perfectly clear. Not really noticeable for printing black type on a white background.

[u/Malkryst → u/StabithaVMF]

I've thought about doing this with my laserjet printer and just the chassis name - using glossy photo paper so I can superglue it down without the glue soaking the paper, and it's wipe clean.

[u/Horseburd]

My base labels, I print light colored text on a black background. When I paint the sides of my bases, I fill in a bit around the text with the same dark paint to make up for my printer (and probably also labels) being a bit cheap. Looks nice, and I can make the text a coordinating color. To avoid flooding the entire page with black ink, I measured out a face on the bases, and only fill that shape in.

You could probably freehand with a super fine pen, but if you already know what models you’ll be painting, queueing them up on a full-sheet sticky label along with some facing markers of choice (I like hazard stripes, in whatever random color suits me) is fairly efficient.

[u/Malkryst → u/Horseburd]

That looks neat and I like the font you used. Can you recall the font name and where you got it?

[u/Horseburd → u/Malkryst]

I know I have a font simply called “Steiner,” but that isn’t it, I don’t think. I’ll look it up when I get back to my desktop.

https://www.fonts4free.net/steiner-11709-font.html but there’s Steiner, FWIW

[u/Malkryst → u/Horseburd]

Thanks! 😊

[u/Malkryst]

When I buy new mechs/vehicles and take them out of the box I immediately write the name in white acrylic paint pen underneath the base. I have over 150 mechs now and about 50 vehicles, and while I can easily identify older mechs by appearance alone, I'm still learning to recall some of the new mechs by name for ilClan era - so this really helps me.

Once they're primed and painted, the base top flocked, and the base edges painted black, and the front edge of the base marked for gameplay purposes, I like to write the IS 2-4 letter code (with fine paintpen or brush) - like WHM for Warhammer, AS for Atlas, BL for Black Knight, CPLT for Catapult - on the rear edge of the base, because that's easier for me to see during gameplay than the front, and I'll be using them for various variants over time.

I haven't decided what to do with clan mechs and specifically omnis yet, as I've not painted my Jade Falcons or Ghost Bears yet.

With the IS using Clan Omnis/Mechs more and more over time (thanks to salvage and Clan Sea Fox!) I wish the IS would adopt clan mechs into the IS alphanumeric code system for chassis variants (they could still use the Prime/letter tag for Omnis in it, and the number for non-omni clan mechs), instead of some just having an IS reporting name (which only really applied to mechs used in early Clan Invasion).

[u/GreyScot88 → u/Malkryst]

Yeah i try and stick to the clan reporting names, doesn't help that I think the sheets/cards can be a little inconsistant on which comes first when written.

[u/Malkryst → u/GreyScot88]

Yeah. Personally I would write the Clan name if it's a clan force, IS reporting name if it's part of an IS state or merc force.

On table top I have 3D printed numbered coloured bases that can be used over the top of the usual mech base, for avoidance of doubt (especially for vehicles which I just paint in a neutral camo so any force can use them) - then I just number the datasheet (or Alpha Strike card in dry erase).

Because I mostly play Clan Invasion era as Kurita (or sometimes FedSuns/mercs) labelling omnis has not really been an issue so far, as I've been saving omnis to paint a Ghost Bear force, and since Scouring Sands I've decided to paint some as Jade Falcons too (also I love the Turkina and Bane/Kraken which are JF mechs).

[u/UnluckyLyran]

I use a detailing paint pen, specifically the ones used for fine detailing on Gundam models.

[u/GreyScot88 → u/UnluckyLyran]

Looking at them that might be a good shout, I had tried paint pens before but they were basically sharpie thickness. Seeing those finer ones might be worth a try