Painting 28mm Late Roman Shield Designs: Step-by-Step Guide

Quick answer

For most painters, the fastest route to consistent late Roman shield designs on 28mm miniatures is to use purpose-made transfers, such as LBMS sheets designed for Victrix Late Roman Infantry. If you want a unique look, hand-painting is rewarding but demands steady hands and reference material. Either way, start with a smooth, gloss-varnished shield face so the design sits flat and edges disappear.

Prepare the shield surface for transfers or paint

A clean, smooth shield face is the foundation for any late Roman shield design. After assembling your 28mm miniature, sand the shield front with fine-grit sandpaper (800–1000) to remove mold lines and rough texture. Wash the miniature in warm soapy water to remove mold release agent, then let it dry completely. Prime the shield as you would the rest of the figure. Once the base color is dry, apply a thin coat of gloss varnish (brush-on or spray) to the shield face only. This glossy layer gives transfers a slick surface to slide on and prevents silvering, where air trapped under the decal creates a cloudy film.

Apply transfers: cut, soak, position, seal

If you are using transfers, work one shield at a time. Cut the design from the sheet with sharp scissors or a hobby knife, leaving a small border. Soak the transfer in lukewarm water for 20–30 seconds until it slides freely on its backing paper. Wet the shield face with a drop of water or setting solution, then slide the transfer into place with a damp brush. Blot excess water with a tissue, press down gently, and let it dry. Once dry, apply a decal setting solution if you have it, then seal with a coat of matt varnish to blend the transfer edge into the shield. A common mistake is rushing the soak or skipping the gloss undercoat; both lead to torn transfers or visible film.

Hand-painting shield patterns: build from simple shapes

For hand-painted shield patterns, start with a solid base color and let it dry completely. Sketch the main design lightly with a pencil or thin paint. Late Roman shields often feature geometric motifs, Chi Rho symbols, or unit emblems. Work from large shapes to small details, thinning your paint to a milk-like consistency for smooth lines. Use a fine-tipped brush (size 0 or 00) and brace your hands together for stability. If you make a mistake, let it dry and paint over it with the base color. A common pitfall is trying to paint the entire design in one pass; building up thin layers gives cleaner edges and avoids ridges.

Protect the finished shield and match the rest of the army

After the design is fully dry, apply a protective varnish. A matt varnish over the whole shield reduces shine and unifies the finish. If you used transfers, check for any silvering or lifted edges; a second coat of varnish can help. For consistency across a unit, decide on a limited palette of shield designs and repeat them across your figures. This mirrors historical practice, where units often carried uniform shield patterns. If you are mixing transfers and hand-painting, keep the style consistent—either all transfers or all hand-painted within a single unit—to avoid a patchwork look.

Step-by-step shield design workflow

1. Clean and prime the shield: Sand the shield face smooth, wash the miniature, and prime it. Apply a gloss varnish to the shield face only. Checkpoint: the surface should be free of dust and lumps; gloss should be dry before proceeding.
2. Apply transfer or sketch design: For transfers: cut, soak, slide into place, blot, and let dry. For hand-painting: lightly sketch the main shapes with thin paint. Mistake to avoid: handling the transfer with dry fingers or rushing the soak.
3. Seal and blend: Once the design is dry, apply a matt varnish over the entire shield to protect it and reduce shine. Checkpoint: the transfer edge should be nearly invisible; if not, apply another varnish coat.

Product facts

• Late Roman Infantry Shield Designs 9: This is 1 sheet of LBMS Late Roman Shield Design 9. The sheet includes 12 shield transfers. These are designed to go with the Victrix Late Roman Infantry. Celtae Seniores. Auxilium Palatinum. These were the 4th most senior Auxilium Palatinum unit in the western half of the empire. The Chi Rho symbol was said to be... This sheet provides historically grounded designs for a specific late Roman unit, saving you research time and ensuring your miniatures carry accurate symbols. The 12 transfers are enough for a small unit or several characters.