From the workshop

A Beginner’s Guide to Heraldic Waterslide Transfers

sky14 September 2025

Tools for applying transfers: scissors, a water bowl, a pipette, a hobby knife, a brush, tweezers and a sheet of shield transfers

Whether you are building historical miniatures, custom wargaming armies, or simply want to add a touch of authenticity to your models, heraldic waterslide transfers are one of the easiest ways to achieve stunning results. This guide will take you through the basics of what they are, how to use them, and how to get the best finish possible.

What Are Heraldic Waterslide Transfers?

Waterslide transfers (sometimes called decals) are thin printed designs that slide off their paper backing when soaked in water. Our transfers feature historically accurate heraldic symbols and coats of arms, perfect for shields, banners, and miniature heraldry.

Sheet of heraldic shield transfers with scissors and a hobby knife

What You’ll Need

Heraldic waterslide transfer sheet
Sharp scissors or hobby knife
Small dish of water
Tweezers or soft brush
Clear gloss varnish (optional but recommended)

Step-by-Step Application

Prepare the Surface Paint and varnish your miniature’s shield or banner. A smooth, glossy surface helps the transfer adhere without air bubbles.
Cut the Design Carefully cut out the heraldic design as close to the edge as possible.
Soak in Water Place the cut piece in water for 10–20 seconds until it starts to slide off the backing paper.
Position the Transfer Using tweezers or a brush, gently slide the transfer onto the miniature’s surface and adjust its position.
Smooth and Set Dab away excess water with a soft cloth or cotton swab. Press gently to remove any bubbles.
Seal the Design Once dry, apply a thin coat of varnish to protect the transfer and give a uniform finish.

Four steps: cutting a transfer from the sheet, soaking it in water, sliding it onto a shield, brushing it down

Tips for Perfect Results

Always work with clean, dry hands.
For curved surfaces, use a decal softening solution to help the transfer conform smoothly.
Let everything dry completely before handling your model.

A brush smoothing a red lion transfer on a knight miniature's shield

Why Use Heraldic Transfers?

Hand-painting heraldry is rewarding but time-consuming and can be frustrating for beginners. Waterslide transfers let you achieve a historically accurate look quickly — and with professional-level precision.

The same miniature before and after: a plain blue shield, then with a red and blue heraldic transfer

Comments

Tommy17 January 2026

Hello! I have purchased Reconquer Design stl’s and resized them to 54mm scale. Do you, or can you reproduce these shield decals to that scale. I was even thinking of other 54mm medieval figures that could use your shield decals as well. Thanks!

1. Samir Majstoric17 January 2026
  
  Hello Tommy,
  Thank you for your interest. Quite a few people have already asked me the same thing, even whether I could do a resize for 15 mm. That is not currently
  in my plans, but I can make an exception for custom orders if you plan to order more than 10 sheets (please note that the sheets are A6 format, and at 54 mm
  scale a maximum of 2–6 designs can fit on them).
  What would you like to order? If we proceed, I will need the shield dimensions at that scale in order to do an accurate resize. I personally do not print figures,
  so I would need some assistance with that.
  
  All the best,
  
  Samir