Colour Printed Laser Cut MDF Terrain

[undertaker]

Browsing through Gamemat.eu today I noticed this lot on sale.
That is MDF laser-cut terrain, but pre-painted!

How long has this innovation been around?
Is it just me, or is this a game-changer? Literally, just pop it out and assemble it. Like the oldschool card Necromunda terrain, but much more durable. And if you can print a weathered rusty pattern, then why not something more interesting, or at least different shades for walls and floor?

 

[MusingWarboss]

I’ve seen similar a long time ago. I think MiniWargaming has a whole table of stuff like this on their YouTube channel. It was a reddish colour. Quite expensive if I remember. Might check that one out as it looks interesting.

 

[MusingWarboss]

I even went and found the video for you!

 

[ClockworkOrange]

Dunno why it’s never occurred to me before but this is just sponge painting the MDF sheet? Easy to do.

 

[undertaker]

It's 40% more expensive than the same unpainted set on their site. Not bad tbh.
Sponges. I hadn't thought of that. I suppose if you laser-cut your own MDF, then you could just sponge the sheet before cutting it.
Anyone know where you can buy the pre-painted laser-safe MDF?

 

[dabbk]

Anyone know where you can buy the pre-painted laser-safe MDF?

What do you mean? I dont think anyone sells pre-painted MDF, but I'd be lying if I said I didnt think about it.
The problem with lasercutting is that it leaves traces of burnt stuff, especially with MDF/HDF. So IMO you would have to paint it AFTER lasercutting.
If there is no required alignment (eg: rust pattern all over) then the sponge work should work well and not be too hard.... One issue with painting it while "on sprue" is that you would not get any paint on the cut sides, if that makes any sense? Not that it looks too bad, as above example demonstrates.

 

[ClockworkOrange]

Yeah I’d not thought of that - that’s why they’ve gone for a brown colour scheme so the burning goes with the paint, clever.

 

[undertaker]

What do you mean? I dont think anyone sells pre-painted MDF, but I'd be lying if I said I didnt think about it.

I figured the terrain manufacturers are getting their pre-painted/laminated MDF from somewhere, rather than doing it themselves. Having looked at some of the offerings from Bandua though, it does look like they do it themselves with very specific designs.

And it seems the way they overcome the 'burning on the underside' is to just layer it!
The edges are still the burnt MDF colour though and are calling for the paintbrush.

Judging by this photo that popped up on my random media when I logged in today (how did it know!?) it might not even be necessary to layer it. The railings seem coloured on both sides and don't show any burn marks.

Van Sarr

• Sacinator
• Aug 20, 2018