Hobby links
List of hobby links we collected so far
- Gaming
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- Games Workshop
The official website of the company which produces the games we play.
- Initiative Magazine
Initiative magazine is a new digital publication focusing on boardgames, RPG's and Skirmish and War-games and the miniature figures that accompany them.
- Customeeple
Customeeple are Celacanto, Cabalier and Tayga, 2 graphic and web designers and a podcaster and history teacher, but mostly 3 avid boardgame players that together decided to create a new website that could join both their professional profile and the games that they play. They are 3 active people with a lot of experience in the professional world and we want to transform this experience to improve your game life. Their philosophy its to keep our working process as simple and fast as possible to ensure efficiency and easiness to their customers and also themselves.
- Miniature manufacturers
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- Andrea Miniatures
One of, if not the best.
- Black Scorpion miniatures
Fantasy, SF, historical, collectors' and roleplayer's miniatures.
- Enigma Miniatures
A great range of superbly sculpted miniatures.
- Perry Miniatures
The Perry brothers' company. On this website you can find an awesome range of miniatures for historical wargaming.
- Infamy Miniatures
Infamy Miniatures is a new company producing high quality 32mm scale resin models. From concept to sculpt, casting through to painting, some of the very best artsists and craftsmen around ensure that each Infamy miniature is totally bloody awesome. Alongside the miniatures, Infamy Miniatures are developing the world of Infamy and a skirmish game set within it. Opportunistic rabble rousers, crime lords, kingpins and undesirables battle for supremacy in a steampunk styled alternative London that you can be be a part of.
- Phlegyas Art
You will probably want to know why we have chosen the name Phlegyas for this project. Well, Phlegyas is a protagonist fromm Greek mythology, a ferryman of souls, the one who takes protagonists to the other part of the Stige, the infernal river. Like Phlegyas, we also transport our protagonists to a new and different dimension, to an imaginary reality, a new worls. We hope that you will fall in love with the stories of our protagonists int he same way as we did while realising them with great passion and pleasure.
- Scale 75
"Between history and legend." SCALE 75 is the reflection of a particular philosophy in the world of modelling. A different image, a new concept in presenting figures with a clear aim to be a benchmark in both the national and international markets. It has become a part of the SCALE75 world where you can enjoy the great personalities, heroes, myths, legends, villains and warriors throughout history, created from the most revolutionary artistic concepts of modelling. Character, movement, detail, strength and epic are the distinguishing features of all our creations. We work with the best professionals and renowned artists in the world of modelling to give life to our characters. All our products are part of a careful process of creation, from the very conception of the idea, then reviewed by the best historians, modellers and painters to the quality and finish of the miniatures. Only in this way all of our characters will form a prominent part of your showcase. Delve into the different eras with our collections, discovering in them the highest-quality figures made of white metal at a 75mm scale and limited series. All ready to be assembled and painted by you. Dream about history and wake up with SCALE75.
- Terrible Kids Stuff
Terrible Kids Stuff is an amateur project of miniatures’s production made by S-Team under the supervision of Sergeant BlackArt. Our products are sold exclusively through our online store and during many events in which we will participate. The decision not to go through the distribution channels was taken to propose our products at limited prices, guaranteeing a constant and timely customer service.
- Kabuki Models
Kabuki Models is a multi-national, widespread company that produces high quality miniatures and models for hobbyist and collectors of tabletop and miniature games.
- Figone
Figone is a company run by Jeremie Bonamont Teboul. It creates dramatic figurines for fantasy, sci-fi and historical settings in 32mm, 54mm, 90mm and have a gorgeous bust range. All are high quality figures for collectors, sculptors and painters. They also publish manuals and books and DVDs about painting and sculpting
- Scibor Miniatures
Scibor Monstrous Miniatures company manufactures miniatures and bases for different kinds of war games, role playing games as well as for collectors
- Savage Forged Minis
SavageForgedMinis is a website where you can find personal work and sculptures Dennis Zarnowski did for his range of models and customers. You can buy in the shop section bust´s and figures of the SavagForgedMinis colection.
- Zealot Miniatures
With a range that includes Fantasy and Sci-Fi, we hope that there will be something to spark the imagination of every miniature collector. We offer our services to companies and individuals. If you require Design, Sculpting, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting/ Engraving or Resin Casting; feel free to contact us to discuss your project. We are always happy to help and advise the best way that we can assist make your ideas reality. Zealot Miniatures can help you with all stages of model production. Design, 3D Printing, Casting and More. For more information or a quote, please do CONTACT US
Phone: +44 (0) 1258 454332
Business Hours: 9:00 – 6:00 M-F
Address: Zealot Miniatures, Down Road, Pimperne, Blandford Forum, DT11 8UP, UK
- Avatars of War
Avatars of War supports The 9Th Age project, with the creation of compatible miniatures and printed promotional material, as well as the future printing of rulebooks and army books for the wargame Fantasy Battles: The 9Th Age™! We believe that The 9Th Age™ has arrived to change the fantasy miniatures industry as we've known it, where creating miniatures & printed material to support the mainstream fantasy wargame will not be anymore exclusive to one company, but open to independent miniatures companies.
- Kromlech
Established in 2010, Kromlech is a company from Poland producing models, bits and modelling accessories for gamers and collectors. Their products are cast in best quality resin and they make every effort to deliver only flawless casts to our customers. If you are looking for beautiful centerpiece models or just need some conversion bits then you have to check their complete range of products at www.bitsofwar.com.
In their webstore you will find lords of demon hosts, orc hordes, agents of imperium, human warriors , superhuman legionaries and more.
- Shieldwolf Miniatures
Shieldwolf Miniatures(TM) is the largest and leading 28mm scale miniature manufacturer in Southeast Europe and in continuous growth. It is specialized in the Fantasy World it has set up and it is one of the very few companies worldwide producing groups of interchangeable/modular miniatures (regiments) in both hard plastic and resin. The range also includes or has planned for 54mm scale centerpiece collectibles, fantasy busts and terrain.
- Cartoon Miniatures
Cartoon Miniatures is a small team devoted to create awesome miniatures. Our aim is to produce high qualite, intresting looking figures for hobbyists and painters
- Artefakt
Artefakt is a young artist organization founded late 2015 in Zagreb Croatia. We are an organization aimed at producing concept, character and creature art as collectable figures and for the entertainment industry. We are bringing together digital modelling, 3d printing and traditional sculpting as well as painting methods as we conceptualize our models digitally having the freedom of the virtual media but at the same time produce series of cast sculptures. We are trying to bring together the best of both worlds in our production methodology. Our plan is to produce various collectable figure sin a unique style and make a recognizable brand. We are also available for various commissions creating concept art in various digital and physical forms as well as bringing your concepts to life as 3d models, renders, figures etc.
- Michael Kontraros Collectibles
A company dedicated to producing and selling of high quality figures in a variety of scales for fantasy enthusiasts, collectors, sculptors and painters. The concepts are selected for their originality, excitement and to provide variety for the painter. “Michael Kontraros Collectibles” is also happy to hold regular Master Classes in the state of the art workshop, where anyone can learn to sculpt. With your enthusiasm and support, I look forward to continuing this wonderful and exciting journey.
- Triglav Model
Triglav Model is a trademark of resin model kits, which represent various products of Yugoslav military industry and vary in scale and materials. 'Triglav model' was established as a garage company with a vision to become a successful world-known brand.
- Mr Lee's Minis
Although they started in 2015 with a single figure, Mr Lee's Minis have now grown to become a collection of artists working together to bring new and exciting figures and busts to the minaiture community. Ultimately they are a platform that allows artists to focus on what they do best; sculpting, painting, concept artwork; while an admin team works to help them produce, package, market, sell, distribute, and handle the day to day operations.
- Nordlys Miniatures
Nordlys Miniatures is a small Scandinavian miniature company, producing high quality miniatures for painters, modellers and collectors. Their general aim is to deliver sculpts and inspirational paintjobs that give you options and are fun to paint. And are also inspiring and inviting you to create your own version and story.
- Scientificmodels
Scientificmodels is a small Italian company that produces and sells quality miniatures with a scientific theme and more. They offer services to museums, 3D printing and much more.
- Crecy Models
The models on the crecymodels catalog are assembly kits to be assembled and painted for an adult audience. It is possible to have the model painted, in this case the price will vary from the type of painting chosen, it is also possible to have the models both in the case of the figures and in the case of dinosaurs with customized liveries. Their models are made of white metal (figurines) and resin (dinosaurs). At the cost of the model you must add the cost of shipping that will vary from the weight and place of destination.
- Daniele Found Miniatures
I’m Daniele. I’m a sculptor. I sculpt miniatures for passion, and I find themselves a way to express my personal art. Through them I vent my ideas and my imagination. All The miniatures are limited and numbered, taking care of every detail of the entire creation process. I hope that the love and passion that I use to create each individual piece will be source of fun and happiness for you. :-) My art site is dedicated to all people who love a miniature’s world, and consider them as a pure art as it is. Happy Painting and Sculpting
- Bestiarum Games
"Our goal at Bestiarum is to explore the truly dark world of Doaden, a world inspired by the greatest horror stories. Each month, we expand this universe with a bundle showcasing the nightmarish monsters, twisted cults, and bizarre gods that inhabit this world. Along with high quality STL's ready for printing we provide lore for each faction and epic adventures for various RPG systems so that you can dive into this decaying and unforgiving world with your friends and face the horrors within."
- Ramshackle Games
Ramshackle Games embraces the pathetic aesthetic, the horrific and the weird. Come and look around our web store. There are loads of cool models suitable for skirmish gaming.
- Zone Miniatures
Hungarian manufacturer of historical miniatures
- Fireball Figurines
Fireball Figurines is a Croatian company that designs and sells 3D printed figurines for games like Dungeons & Dragons, as well as other tabletop games. This "project" started out of a love of gaming and creativity, which eventually turned a hobby into a professional business.
- Miscellaneous
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- Kris Kuksi
An amazing display of sculpred atrwork by Kris Kuksi.
- Lumos Hobby & Art
Zagreb's friendliest hobby store!
- Systema Gaming Scenery
We are a new company from Slovenia and we're making laser cut MDF scenery for tabletop wargames. We're specialising in 28mm Sci-Fi terrain, but we want to do other genres and scales in the future as well. Our goal is to provide you, our fellow gamer, with good looking, affordable, easy to assemble, modular terrain for your miniatures to fight over and explore, because a good looking table can make all the difference in this beautiful hobby of ours!
- Leo Modeli
- Cro-Hobby
Firm from Cakovec that specializes in selling models and modelmaking materials. UMS "Agram" members have a standing 10% discount.
- Kerr & King
We passionately believe in the hobby and are totally committed not only to the production to the very finest wargames scenery, terrain and accessories but to deliver them to the gaming community at a very affordable price.
We are constantly striving to improve our products either through better methods and techniques or sourcing even better quality materials.
Originally started in a garden shed our 'Voodoo Lounge' Production Facility continues to work flat out to provide you with the fastest (a relative term when dealing with zombie workers) possible turn round on your orders. We aim to despatch within 2-3 days of receiving payment dependent on stock levels and items, some of our catalogue is cast to order.
- Battlefield Berlin
Beside the Online Shop we also run a Store in Berlin, Germany. Here you can have a look at all the nice miniatures in real, play games and talk to other gamers.
Battlefield Berlin
Gneisenaustr. 43
10961 Berlin
Tel: 00493045088708
Openingtimes:
Mo, Wed, Fr: 10-19
Tue und Thu: 10-20
Sat: 10-18
- Escenorama
Since 2007 Escenorama design and manufacture scenery kits, bases and accessories to decorate wargames. All our articles are made in high quality resin and need to be assembled and painted.
- Wolf Design
Wolf Design j.d.o.o. is a company founded in Zagreb in 2014. Our goal was wooden and plastic model design, primarily for tabletop games, airplane models and wooden accessories (business cards, bookmarks, etc.).
- Ebenezer's Emporium
Down below a forgotten crooked city, amongst smog ridden streets and rat infested gutters, you may come across our peculiar little shop. Our craftsmen, blacksmiths and alchemists work hand in hand, day and night to craft some of the most fascinating objects for you to enjoy.
We specialise in the creation of gaming accessories for miniature war-games. From playing cards to terrain we create everything a gamer needs to further enhance their gaming experiences. So enjoy your visit and feel free to contact us should our shop not have what you are looking for.- Gamer's Grass
Gamer's Grass presents a wide variety of grass tufts in several colors, blends, shapes and sizes. They hope to offer a very easy and fun way to add realistic vegetation to your models or scenery. Their tufts very easily pop-out from the plastic sheets where they come from and are ready to use.
- Hostel Bureau Zagreb
A newly-renovated, modern designed hostel with full service operating 0-24/7 allows you to relax and rest in every sense of the word. Have a shower, surf the Internet, use the kitchen facilities, order breakfast, enjoy a cup of coffee on the balcony or in our bar, make new friends from the whole world and at the same time save money; the prices are really fair! The hotel is located in the very centre of the imaginative and playful Zagreb, only a few minutes from the main square Trg bana Jelačića, in a quiet an peaceful yard isolate from traffic noise.
- Uschi Van Der Rosten
Releasing products which makes our customers able to master scale modelling challenges as fast, easy and professional as possible, that is what our job is all about. Uschi´s products are based on my own experience as an award winning scale modeller. We never will release a product that doesn´t meet the requirements mentioned above.
- Tabletop World
Who we are
We are two friends who, back in 1997, started to create scenic pieces for our own gaming table. As time passed, our skills evolved and the projects became more and more complex and challenging. In 2007, having reached the high-quality level, we've decided to start production and casting of highly realistic terrain features in resin, suitable for wargames and static modeling.
Why Tabletop World
Because quality is our highest priority. When constructing models we always pay attention to the smallest details and want them to look as close to real life as possible. For instance that is why we actually build our stone walls stone by stone just like they did in medieval times. It may be very time consuming but it is worth the effort and the only way to really achieve the natural look of a stone wall.- JustPine Terrain
JustPine terrain was created with the idea of a group of friends who wanted to play their games at the next level. In 2018 they began printing terrains that were used at their table games. In 2019 they are starting to realize the idea of setting a new standard in the tabletop world.
- Martin Welberg Scenic Studios
Scenic supplies for the demanding modeler.
- Diorama Presepe
Professional material for building scenery from Italy
- DIY Connect
3d print, silicone molds, resin casting, electronics, almost everything you can DIY
- GreyMountain Reviews
This blog aima to supply a review service for available miniatures and related products that is as honest and constructive as buyers and manufacturers deserve. Without honesty a customer can have too high an expectation for a product and a manufacturer cannot grow and improve. Their Facebook page will be updated when new content is created too so give it a follow please. What they will not do however is review miniatures without intellectual property rights. Using someone else's work to produce something for commercial gain is something they don't agree with as all people involved in the creation and sale of a miniature should benefit in some way and without concept art and ideas many miniatures would not exist.
- Back 2 Basics
On 11.12.2021 Back to Basics become a offical trademark of Miniatures d.o.o. They started with the first workshops at Elementary Schools and Secodary schools in Slovenia. The number of circles has been increasing over the years. On average, more than 100 children regularly attend the school once a week.
- Big Bear Miniatures
Hungarian online store specializing in historical miniatures
- Swood.si
Unique wooden bases from Slovenia. From one of a kind to small batches.
- Playsupport
Playsupport is a business that offers painting and 3D printing services for miniatures, as well as support for 3D printing of miniatures.
- Painting
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- Coolminiornot
Definitely the biggest and most famous miniature painting portal. Here you can really see how miniatures can become a very big canvas. This is a must see.
- Figure Painter Magazine
Figure Painter Magazine is a new independent magazine dedicated to sculpting, painting, displaying, collecting and gaming with miniature figures from all genre's. The magazine will have details on new releases, reviews, interviews with the industries top painters and sculptors, show reports, tutorials and a user gallery so feel free to upload you miniature images for submission and the best new image each month will receive a free resin plinth courtesy of Model Display Products.
- Wamp
Wamp is probably the friendliest miniature painting forum on the web. Its also one of the fastest growing and continually tries to improve the community through its projects. These range from tutorials, reviews, interviews and its forum to the Minipainting Wiki and Portal Magazine. The Wamp store was set up primarily as an avenue to support Wamp members and the products they produce, Many of these projects are very small and the store enables us to help promote their work to a bigger audience and in turn helping these projects grow and facilitate further work. The store contains products from companies and artists around the world under one roof. All the items for sale are ones we personally like and would buy ourselves. Our hope is that through the support of its customers we can grow the Wamp store and introduce even more quality products that enable us all to enjoy our hobby even more.
- Hangar 18 Miniatures
Hangar 18 Miniatures is an online boutique store for miniature painting and modeling. The store is run and managed by a group of avid miniature painters and modelers with over 50 years of combined experience. We share the same vision: providing the best quality models, painting supplies and modelling tools that we personally use and recommended. You may not find many options of painting and modeling tools here simply because we hand picked and tested every single item. If we don't feel 100% confidence on the tools and/or models, you won't see it on this site. "By Modelers For Modelers," That's our guarantee.
- Secret Weapon Miniatures
Secret Weapon Miniatures produces high quality, pressure cast resin bases for wargaming models and miniatures as well as a full line of weathering pigments, washes, conversion accessories, scenic kits and photo etched brass detailing sets.
Keep your eyes on the Secret Weapon blog, or join us on Facebook, for previews, product updates and special promotions.
- MDP Model Display Products
Model Display Products is an online store that features among it's own series of plinths and bases the following:
- Miniatures & Busts
- Modelling Tools
- Modelling Accessories
- Gaming Bases & plinths
- Mr Black Publications
Mr Black Publications is a new company that will publish a series of Hobby Modelling and History books and magazines. In addition the company will sell books and magazines from other publishers, scale models kits and accessories and also Pro Built & Painted Models.
- Green Stuff World
- Modelling materials, special tools and other resources for scultors and steampunker enthusiasts who love creativity above all. Discover us!
- Fallout Hobbies
Fallout Hobbies is starting with the production of high-end decals using an advance new printing process no other hobby store is using yet. But that’s just the beginning. Over the next few years they’ll be offering so much more, from aftermarket finishing products to highly stylized new war-game terrain and possibly electronics kits.
- BrokenToad
BrokenToad grew from the belief that it is possible to have high quality hobby products at affordable prices. To achieve this we try to go the extra mile to discover what hobbyists actually want rather than to dictate what we think they need and with over 20 years’ experience in the miniature hobby world we feel we have the first-hand experience to know what a hobbyist expects and deserves from a product. We love our little niche community of hobbyists and hope we that we can help to make it a slightly more pleasant place to spend time doing what we all love.
- Gardens of Hecate
Gardens of Hecate is the first craft from Zagreb that offers services of sculpting, makinga and painting miniatures and tabletop terrain for wargames, board games and RPGs.
- Miniatures d.o.o.
The first beginnings of the website began in 2005, when Dejan Murko started his entrepreneurial career in the vicinity of Ljubljana and sold plastic models through online forums. In 2008, Tadej Began took over the online store. In 2010, the store moved to Celje, when it was taken over by Žiga Selčan and Matjaž Selič. In 2012, the online store became part of Miniatures d.o.o. Since its establishment, the company has been striving to bring together related hobbies and interest groups in the field of promoting creativity and technical culture.
Latest articles
- Painting a Floral Kimono Ivan Knezović, 5th May 2026
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Pigmentation principles: why powdered pigment doesn't work
- • Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) — IR around 2.7 → excellent coverage, strongest white pigment
- • Zinc oxide (ZnO) — IR around 2.0 → good coverage
- • Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) — IR around 1.59 → poor coverage, filler
- • Calcium sulfate / gypsum (CaSO₄) — IR around 1.52 → almost transparent in a binder, filler
This means that gypsum and chalk, although white as a powder, become almost transparent in the formulation of a coating or mass. They do not compete with the pigment — they are subordinate to it. That's why a small amount of pigment easily and evenly colors a gypsum or chalk-based mass, while the same amount of pigment in a mass containing TiO₂ would be barely visible.
3. Agglomeration — the enemy of even color
Pigment powders do not exist as perfectly separate particles. Due to electrostatic attractive forces and surface tension, the particles spontaneously group into clusters called agglomerates or aggregates. Agglomeration is particularly pronounced in: fine particles (the smaller the particle, the higher the surface area to volume ratio, so the attractive forces are relatively stronger) pigments with a high specific surface area, such as carbon black high temperature or humidity conditions When pigment powder is mixed with filler or binder powder, the agglomerates do not break down—they remain as compact clusters. The visual result is an uneven color: dark spots where pigment particles have accumulated, and pale areas where they are absent. The user then concludes that "more pigment is needed"—but this is not true. The problem is not a lack of pigment, but its poor distribution.
4. Dispersion — meaning properly dispersed pigment
Dispersion is the process of breaking up agglomerates and evenly distributing individual pigment particles throughout a medium (water, oil, binder). A well-dispersed pigment means that the particles are as evenly distributed as possible — each filler or binder particle "sees" the pigment, not just the neighborhood of the agglomerate. Dispersion is achieved by mechanical and chemical means:
- • Mechanical: mixing with high shear forces (mixers, mill aggregates, ultrasound). Mixing with a spoon or spatula is not sufficient to break up agglomerates.
- • Chemical: the use of dispersants and surfactants that adsorb to the surface of the particle and prevent it from re-adhering to neighboring particles.
5. Why liquid colorant works better than powdered pigment
Liquid colorants are not just pigment dissolved in water. They are ready-made systems that contain: Pigment — already dispersed to the level of individual particles or very small clusters Dispersants and surfactants — which keep the particles separated and prevent re-agglomeration Liquid medium — which allows the pigment to be evenly distributed throughout the material being colored before that material begins to set or dry When a liquid colorant is added to the mixing water (e.g. in gypsum, concrete, mortar), the pigment is already in an ideal state of dispersion. The same amount of pigment is evenly delivered to each part of the mixture. The color effect is therefore much more intense than with dry-mixed pigment — with a significantly lower total amount of pigment. The same logic applies to paints and varnishes: pigment pastes and dispersed pigments provide better coverage and color uniformity than pigments that have not undergone the dispersion process.
6. Practical application — gypsum example
Gypsum is a good example because it illustrates all the above principles at once. Because it has a low refractive index (~1.52), it is not a true white pigment — it does not resist staining when mixed with a binder. This means that a small amount of black pigment can easily and evenly color the gypsum mass. Why then does it happen to many people that they have to add a large proportion of pigment in relation to the mass of plaster? Because they mix the pigment in powder form directly into the gypsum powder. Pigment agglomerates (especially Fe₃O₄ or carbon black) remain intact, the distribution is uneven, and the result is disappointing. The conclusion "we need more" is wrong — we need better.
Correct procedure:
Add the colorant (or pigment dispersed in water) to the mixing water Mix the water with the colorant well Only then add the gypsum and mix until a homogeneous mixture This way, the pigment is distributed throughout the entire mass before the gypsum begins to set. The result is an even, intense color with a much smaller amount of pigment than with dry mixing. For those who do not have access to professional colorants, a good alternative are liquid pigment additives available in building paint stores — usually in the form of small bottles intended for tinting wall paints. It is the same principle: the pigment is already dispersed in a liquid medium with additives that prevent agglomeration. Added to the mixing water, they give a more even result than powdered pigment with a significantly smaller amount.
Conclusion
The intensity and uniformity of color in a mass depend not only on the amount of pigment — they depend on how well the pigment is dispersed. A pigment powder mixed with a powder of another material almost always gives worse results than a pigment that has been previously dispersed in a liquid medium, in the presence of dispersants. When you encounter the problem of "the pigment does not color enough," it is worth asking yourself: is the problem not in the way it was added — and not in the amount.
" ["content_hrv"]=> string(9431) "Ovaj tekst nastao je nakon druženja srijedom na kojem se razvila rasprava o pigmentaciji gipsa. Kako nisam uspjela sve objasniti na licu mjesta, odlučila sam to složiti na papir — a principi o kojima je riječ ionako vrijede šire od samog gipsa.
1. Što je pigment — i što nije
Pigment je tvar koja daje boju tako što selektivno apsorbira određene valne duljine vidljivog svjetla i reflektira ostale. Crni pigment apsorbira gotovo sve valne duljine; crveni apsorbira plavu i zelenu, a reflektira crvenu. Važno je razlikovati pigment od punila. Punila su bijele ili neutralne tvari koje se dodaju u boje, premaze i mase kako bi povećala volumen, poboljšala teksturu ili snizila cijenu — ali same po sebi ne daju snažnu boju ni dobru pokrivnost. Tipična punila su kalcijev karbonat (kreda, CaCO₃), kalcijev sulfat (gips, CaSO₄), barijev sulfat i slični materijali. Razlika između pravog pigmenta i punila nije samo u boji — leži u fizikalnom svojstvu koje se zove indeks refrakcije.
2. Indeks refrakcije i pokrivnost
Indeks refrakcije (IR) opisuje koliko se svjetlost lomi i raspršuje kada prolazi kroz neku tvar ili nailazi na njezinu površinu. Što je veći, to čestica jače raspršuje svjetlost — i time djeluje neprozirnije, "pokrivnije". Nekoliko usporednih vrijednosti:
- • Titanijev dioksid (TiO₂) — IR oko 2,7 → izvanredna pokrivnost, najjači bijeli pigment
- • Cinkov oksid (ZnO) — IR oko 2,0 → dobra pokrivnost
- • Kalcijev karbonat (CaCO₃) — IR oko 1,59 → slaba pokrivnost, punilo
- • Kalcijev sulfat / gips (CaSO₄) — IR oko 1,52 → gotovo transparentno u vezivu, punilo
Ovo znači da gips i kreda, premda su bijeli kao prah, u formulaciji premaza ili mase postaju gotovo prozirni. Ne natječu se s pigmentom — podređuju mu se. Zato mala količina pigmenta lako i ravnomjerno oboji masu na bazi gipsa ili krede, dok bi ista količina pigmenta u masi koja sadrži TiO₂ jedva bila vidljiva.
3. Aglomeracija — neprijatelj ravnomjerne boje
Pigmenti u prahu ne postoje kao savršeno odvojene čestice. Zbog elektrostatičkih privlačnih sila i površinske napetosti, čestice se spontano grupiraju u nakupine koje se zovu aglomerati ili agregati. Aglomeracija je posebno izražena kod: sitnih čestica (što je čestica manja, veći je omjer površine i volumena, pa su privlačne sile relativno jače) pigmenata visoke specifične površine, poput carbon blacka (čađe) uvjeta visokih temperatura ili vlage Kada se prah pigmenta umiješa u prah punila ili veziva, aglomerati se ne raspadaju — ostaju kao kompaktne nakupine. Vizualni rezultat je neujednačena boja: tamne mrlje tamo gdje su se nakupile čestice pigmenta, i blijeda područja tamo gdje ih nema. Korisnik tada zaključuje da "treba više pigmenta" — ali to nije točno. Problem nije nedostatak pigmenta, nego njegova loša raspodjela.
4. Disperzija — što znači pravilno dispergiran pigment
Disperzija je proces razbijanja aglomerata i ravnomjernog raspoređivanja pojedinačnih čestica pigmenta kroz medij (vodu, ulje, vezivo). Dobro dispergiran pigment znači da su čestice što ravnomjernije raspoređene — svaka čestica punila ili veziva "vidi" pigment, a ne samo susjedstvo aglomerata. Disperzija se postiže mehaničkim i kemijskim putem:
- • Mehanički: miješanje s visokim smičnim silama (mikseri, mlinski agregati, ultrazuk). Miješanje žlicom ili lopaticom nije dovoljno za razbijanje aglomerata.
- • Kemijski: upotreba dispergirnih sredstava (dispergatora) i surfaktanata koji se adsorbiraju na površinu čestice i sprječavaju njezino ponovno lijepljenje za susjedne čestice.
5. Zašto tekući kolorant radi bolje od pigmenta u prahu
Tekući koloranti nisu samo pigment otopljen u vodi. To su gotovi sustavi koji sadrže: Pigment — već dispergiran do razine pojedinačnih čestica ili vrlo malih klastera Dispergatore i surfaktante — koji drže čestice razdvojenima i sprječavaju ponovnu aglomeraciju Tekući medij — koji omogućuje da se pigment ravnomjerno rasporedi kroz materijal koji se boji još prije nego što taj materijal počne vezati ili sušiti Kada se tekući kolorant doda u vodu za miješanje (npr. kod gipsa, betona, žbuke), pigment je već u idealnom stanju disperzije. Svakom dijelu smjese ravnomjerno se isporučuje ista količina pigmenta. Efekt boje je stoga mnogo intenzivniji nego kod suho miješanog pigmenta — uz znatno manju ukupnu količinu pigmenta. Ista logika vrijedi za boje i lakove: pigmentne paste i disperzirani pigmenti daju bolju pokrivnost i ravnomjernost boje od pigmenata koji nisu prošli proces disperzije.
6. Praktična primjena — primjer gipsa
Gips je zahvalan primjer jer ilustrira sve navedene principe odjednom. Budući da ima nizak indeks refrakcije (~1,52), nije pravi bijeli pigment — u smjesi s vezivom ne pruža otpor bojanju. To znači da mala količina crnog pigmenta može lako i ravnomjerno obojiti gipsanu masu. Zašto se onda mnogima događa da moraju dodati veliki udio pigmenta u odnosu na masu gipsa? Jer pigment miješaju u obliku praha direktno u prah gipsa. Aglomerati pigmenta (posebno Fe₃O₄ ili carbon black) ostaju netaknuti, raspodjela je neujednačena, i rezultat je razočaravajući. Zaključak "treba više" je pogrešan — treba bolje.
Ispravni postupak:
Kolorant (ili pigment dispergiran u vodi) dodati u vodu za miješanje Dobro promiješati vodu s kolorantom Tek tada dodati gips i miješati do homogene smjese Na taj način pigment bude raspoređen kroz cijelu masu još prije nego gips počne vezati. Rezultat je ravnomjerna, intenzivna boja uz višestruko manju količinu pigmenta nego pri suhom miješanju. Za one koji nemaju pristup profesionalnim kolorantima, dobra alternativa su tekući pigmentni dodaci dostupni u trgovinama građevinskih boja — najčešće u obliku malih bočica namijenjenih nijansiranju zidnih boja. Radi se o istom principu: pigment je već dispergiran u tekućem mediju s aditivima koji sprječavaju aglomeraciju. Dodani u vodu za miješanje, daju ravnomjerniji rezultat od pigmenta u prahu uz znatno manju količinu.
Zaključak
Intenzitet i ravnomjernost boje u nekoj masi ne ovise samo o količini pigmenta — ovise o tome koliko je taj pigment dobro dispergiran. Prah pigmenta miješan u prah drugog materijala gotovo uvijek daje lošije rezultate od pigmenta koji je prethodno dispergiran u tekućem mediju, uz prisustvo dispergirnih sredstava. Kada se susretnete s problemom "pigment ne boji dovoljno", vrijedi si postaviti pitanje: nije li problem u načinu na koji je dodan — a ne u količini.
" ["created"]=> string(19) "2026-05-04 12:54:47" ["modified"]=> string(19) "2026-05-04 20:10:17" } ["Member"]=> array(10) { ["id"]=> string(3) "108" ["group_id"]=> string(1) "2" ["first_name"]=> string(5) "Dunja" ["last_name"]=> string(6) "Singer" ["first_name_mask"]=> string(5) "dunja" ["last_name_mask"]=> string(6) "singer" ["username"]=> string(5) "Dunja" ["password"]=> string(40) "772414a5d6b32309f32f46e9009f1e550809c62d" ["born"]=> string(19) "2006-01-01 00:00:00" ["created"]=> NULL } } Dunja Singer, 4th May 2026 - We visited: Warhammer World – pt.3 Ivan Vedak, 4th May 2026
- We visited: Warhammer World – pt.2 Ivan Vedak, 4th May 2026
- We visited: Warhammer World - pt.1 Ivan Vedak, 27th April 2026
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