https://www.reddit.com/r/Scalemodel/comments/1id136l/question_about_warning_sticker_placements/
created by Garmouken on 29/01/2025 at 18:41 UTC
0 upvotes, 2 top-level comments (showing 2)
In the interest of transparency, I am a Warhammer 40k fan and mostly build/paint those models. However, I have run into an issue. I want my warning labels and stickers to make sense on my models. I wasn't able to find what I was looking for on Google, but I wanted to reach out to you guys hoping you might know what I'm looking for. Is there a guide on how warning labels and stickers are placed on Military vehicles?
Comment by Garmouken at 29/01/2025 at 18:42 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
A guide that won't get me on a watchlist would be preferable hahaha!
Comment by the_boring_af at 30/01/2025 at 00:09 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You just have to come up with a "story" that works for you and your subject. Think about why a warning or other label might be necessary. Is the surface hot? Is there a risk of being pinched, crushed, or otherwise maimed by moving parts? Does a vent, exhaust, thruster, or similar discharge in an area that would be hazardous to someone moving and working on or around the vehicle? Is there something functionally critical that might be nice to have labeled either on the surface or under a hatch or panel of some kind? Is there a reason you might want someone to NOT do something in or on a particular area? Like walking, storing stowage, painting over, etc.These are all great reasons to have a label of some kind.
Since you're dealing with fictional vehicles anyway, nobody can tell you you're "wrong" no matter what you do, but I think having a "justification" in mind goes a long way towards enhancing believability, even if realism isn't strictly the goal.
My personal opinion? Less is more. 1000 warning stickers/stencils are easily ignored, but a handful of important ones make an impact on the hypothetical in-universe user. And don't for get to weather them in a manner consistent with the rest of your finish. A dirty, chipped, rusty, THING, with bright white warning tables could make sense in certain contexts, but, generally, you would expect them to more or less match the state of the rest of the vehicle.
Good luck!