Spots on the Internet (2021)

[Guest]

I don’t see how that makes sense. Printing two different box tops is more expensive than printing one, and printing two sets of instructions is generally more expensive than printing one set with a few extra pictures to cover both versions.

Though printing a larger decal sheet is probably more expensive than printing a smaller one, would it really be more expensive than two different smaller ones? I kind of doubt it, because the major cost in the markings would be in the screens used to print the transfers, of which you’d need two rather than one.

The cost of the modifications to the actual plastic of the kit are either the same in both cases (if a sprue needs to be added to cover the extra parts) or would actually be cheaper (if the parts can be included on an existing sprue).

[minitnkr]

Sunk Cost.

[Guest]

That’s only an argument when it comes to variants of a kit that has already been released previously. Planning a kit to have multiple different versions before any of them are released is different from building on the sunk cost of the kit you already have.

[Tim Marlow]

I don’t see how that makes sense. Printing two different box tops is more expensive than printing one, and printing two sets of instructions is generally more expensive than printing one set with a few extra pictures to cover both versions.

Though printing a larger decal sheet is probably more expensive than printing a smaller one, would it really be more expensive than two different smaller ones? I kind of doubt it, because the major cost in the markings would be in the screens used to print the transfers, of which you’d need two rather than one.

The cost of the modifications to the actual plastic of the kit are either the same in both cases (if a sprue needs to be added to cover the extra parts) or would actually be cheaper (if the parts can be included on an existing sprue).

Printing two different box tops is surely no more expensive than printing one. If you have only one box top you need to print twice as many to cover the same number of boxes, assuming equal sales in both scenarios. As each box top will cost the same regardless of the picture on the box the only cost variable is the generation of the artwork.
The same is of course true for the instruction set. Assuming equal sales, the cost of stuffing both alternative boxes is equal. However, if the 2 in 1 variant box requires the addition of a page or two to the instruction set to cover the variant and it’s decal options, then this does have a cost impact. Extra paper used across the production run means a significant cost impact.
The difference in Decal cost is possibly moot, although I would expect the manufacturer to print these on larger sheets and guillotine them to size. Producing print screens is going to be the same for both scenarios, because both need to be produced. The increase in costs for the extra decal sheet for joint use could actually be significant though, because you will need to produce a larger decal sheet.
The manufacturing run is likely to be in the many thousands of units to recoup mould production costs, and a few pennies multiplies remarkably when properly analysed in that context.

[Airborne01]

From MiniArt - new kit coming soon.............
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1158986[/ATTACH]
Well, that's definitely a turnip for the books --- look-alikes will be sprouting everywhere I reckon!

[Isitme]

Exactly that! The kit that does “both“ jobs has a higher production cost due to the included alternative parts and decals and in turn this reduces kit profit. This reduction may be marginal but it’s there..If a buyer wants to build both kits, they buy it twice, doubling this loss.
On the other hand, if the manufacturer produces two different kits and the buyer buys both the manufacturer gets full profit margin on both kits.
Yes, they need to produce two sets of box art and two sets of instructions, but those are one off costs that are subsumed in the kit production economics anyway.

Very true Tim,
If you take a look at the Takom offering for the Mark IV 'Male, Female and Hermophodite for example, all basically the same kit but with an Extra sprue added. Or for example the 1/48 scale P-51D from Hasegawa/Tamiya - same kit - just extra decals.

[Guest]

Any one else confused by all this ?
The manufacturer must have costed all these variations in before deciding to produce. Maybe they have prior knowledge of the market requirements by feed back from their main dealers .

[adt70hk]

Any one else confused by all this ?
The manufacturer must have costed all these variations in before deciding to produce. Maybe they have prior knowledge of the market requirements by feed back from their main dealers .

Yep.

[Gern]

Any one else confused by all this ?
The manufacturer must have costed all these variations in before deciding to produce. Maybe they have prior knowledge of the market requirements by feed back from their main dealers .

Interesting discussion on the pros/cons of both options, but John does have a point. Won't the manufacturers have done their research to pick their best option? Having said that, maybe their best option isn't the best choice for us. They have to look at their profits and maybe they'll pick the option which gives them the most - any extra profits available to them are going to come out of our pockets whether we buy two different kits or two identical kits with options.

[Dave Ward]

On the ICM Facebook page - renders for their upcoming OV-10D Bronco in 1/48

To be released in December......
Dave

[Guest]

Printing two different box tops is surely no more expensive than printing one. If you have only one box top you need to print twice as many to cover the same number of boxes, assuming equal sales in both scenarios. As each box top will cost the same regardless of the picture on the box the only cost variable is the generation of the artwork.

Printing has a start-up costs, to cover the printing plates, setting up the press, etc. If you have 5000 copies printed of something they might cost you £1 each, while having 10,000 done might only be 80p each (prices made up for this example, but it’s this kind of difference). Thus, a single run of 10,000 will end up cheaper than two runs of 5,000 — even if those two runs are exactly the same, because printers usually just make a new set of plates when you order a second print run.

That doesn’t include the artwork, BTW, which is probably the most expensive individual part of the whole box.

Extra paper used across the production run means a significant cost impact.

Which is why I said “printing one set with a few extra pictures” which which I meant: not increasing the instructions’ size but being creative with DTP to find room for the additional pictures needed.

Producing print screens is going to be the same for both scenarios, because both need to be produced. The increase in costs for the extra decal sheet for joint use could actually be significant though, because you will need to produce a larger decal sheet.

Again, this kind of printing has a start-up cost, so printing two different things is more expensive than printing one thing twice as much. The cost of the printing itself will be a far greater factor than that of increasing the paper size a bit for a few extra markings, I suspect.

The manufacturing run is likely to be in the many thousands of units to recoup mould production costs, and a few pennies multiplies remarkably when properly analysed in that context.

Yes, that is exactly my point

[Isitme]

On the ICM Facebook page - renders for their upcoming OV-10D Bronco in 1/48
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1159027[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]n1159028[/ATTACH]
To be released in December......
Dave

This is just what we are discussing - very nice to have a 1/48 version with the FLIR pod etc, but next will come the earlier version the -10A with the original nose!!!!!

[Dave Ward]

This is just what we are discussing - very nice to have a 1/48 version with the FLIR pod etc, but next will come the earlier version the -10A with the original nose!!!!!

Already announced - release November
Dave

[minitnkr]

Nice upgrades on the Bronco. Almost tempts me to try a wingy thing.

[Lee W]

Another from CSM...

https://www.themodellingnews.com/2021/09/build-review-pt-ii-135th-scale-italian.html?m=1#more

Lee