Painting Late Roman Oval Shields with Transfers
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to paint and apply LBMS transfers to 28mm Late Roman oval shields, with step-by-step instructions and common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Answer
For clean, durable Late Roman oval shields, paint the shield face in your chosen base color, apply the LBMS transfer over a gloss varnish, then seal with matte varnish and weather to match your army.
Why Transfers Beat Freehand for Late Roman Designs
Late Roman shield patterns are intricate and repetitive, with geometric motifs and Christian symbols that are time-consuming to paint by hand. Transfers give you a consistent, sharp result across a whole unit, especially when you're fielding dozens of infantry.
The trade-off is that transfers sit on top of the paint, so they can look flat if you don't integrate them with shading and weathering. The steps below show you how to make the transfer look like part of the shield rather than a sticker.
Step-by-Step: Painting and Applying Transfers
- Clean and prime the shield: Wash the plastic shield in warm soapy water to remove mold release, then prime with a rattle can or airbrush. Use a light gray or white primer so the transfer colors stay bright. Skipping the wash can cause paint to bead or flake later.
- Paint the base color: Apply two thin coats of your chosen base color, typically red, white, or buff for Late Roman shields. Let each coat dry fully before the next. Thin coats preserve detail and prevent brush marks.
- Apply gloss varnish: Brush or spray a coat of gloss varnish over the shield face. This creates a smooth surface for the transfer to adhere to and helps hide the carrier film. Gloss is essential: matte surfaces cause silvering under the transfer.
- Cut and soak the transfer: Cut out the LBMS transfer close to the design, soak in water for about 30 seconds until it slides freely, then position it on the shield. Use a damp brush to slide it into place. Do not soak too long—over-soaking makes the transfer curl and tear.
- Press out air bubbles and excess water: Use a soft cloth or cotton bud to gently roll out air bubbles and water from under the transfer. Start from the center and work outward. Rubbing too hard can tear the transfer; use light pressure.
- Seal with matte varnish: Once the transfer is dry, spray or brush a coat of matte varnish over the whole shield. This kills the gloss and protects the transfer during handling and gaming. Test on a spare shield first to ensure the varnish doesn't react with the transfer.
- Weather and highlight: Apply a wash to the shield edges and recesses, then drybrush the center to bring back the raised detail. This blends the transfer with the rest of the miniature. Keep weathering subtle—Late Roman shields were often kept in good condition.
Product Used in This Guide
- Late Roman Oval Shields x 48: This pack includes 48 shields and allows you to carry out conversions, replace metal shields with plastic shields, or use LBMS transfers with other miniature manufacturers. You get plenty of shields for a full unit, and the plastic surface is ideal for applying transfers without the need to strip metal.
Late Roman Oval Shields x 48
