2025 Maschinen Krieger (Ma.K) Competition – Now Live

2025 Maschinen Krieger (Ma.K) Competition – Announcement & Rules

🚀 The Maschinen Krieger Competition is Back!

Whether you’re a diehard veteran or total newbie, this is your chance to paint, build, and show your skills to the world.

  • ✨ Free to enter. Winners only.
  • 🎁 Epic Ma.K prizes.
  • 🧑🏭 No gatekeeping. No pressure. Just build.

Get started, get dirty, and get in there!

📬 Stay in the Loop

Want early access to kits, studio drops, and behind-the-scenes previews?

  • 📅 Deadline reminders + exclusive build tips
  • 🧠 First access to new Digital Guides & limited kit bundles
  • 🔥 Premium content drops before they go public

🗓️ Timeline

  • Now → Snap your “Ransom Note” photo and begin building
  • September 30 → Final deadline for completed entries
  • Late October → Winners announced

1️⃣ Who Can Enter?

  • Open to all modelers worldwide – beginners and pros alike
  • Must be your own work (no commissions or AI-generated models)
  • If the box says Maschinen Krieger or SF3D, you’re cleared for deployment
  • Kits must be unpainted at the time of entry. Minor assembly is okay.

2️⃣ How to Enter

📸 Snap a Starting Photo

Take a picture of your unpainted kit (on runners or partially assembled is fine) next to a handwritten note:

"Ma.K Competition 2025 by [Your Name]"

🎨 Start Building & Painting

You’ve got until September 30 to complete your build. Customization is encouraged!

📢 Share Your Progress & Final Build

Entries are only accepted in the following places:

  • 📷 Instagram: Tag @paintonplastic and use #PaintOnPlasticMaKComp2025 for WIP updates
  • 💬 Discord: Post in the official #2025-comp-wip thread (Patreon-only)

🖼️ Submitting Your Final Entry

When your build is finished and ready for judging, please do the following:

  • ✅ Post 3–5 clear photos of your completed model
  • ✅ Include the category you’re entering in your caption:
    Suits / Vehicles & Mecha / Dioramas / Humor / Scratch Builds
  • ✅ Use the final entry hashtag:
    #PaintOnPlasticMaKComp2025_Gallery ← for finished entries only

📷 On Instagram

  • Tag @paintonplastic
  • Use both hashtags:
    #PaintOnPlasticMaKComp2025 (general)
    #PaintOnPlasticMaKComp2025_Gallery (finished entries)

💬 On Discord

Post your final photos in the Paint on Plastic Server, inside the #2025-comp-gallery-final private channel (Patreon-only).

🚫 Do not post finished builds in the WIP thread — we might miss them!

🚫 Important – No Email or DM Submissions

To keep the competition fair and manageable, entries sent by email, private message, or other methods will not be counted.

Only Instagram and the official Discord threads are valid entry channels.

🤫 Not a Fan of Social Media?

Don’t use Instagram? No problem.

You can also participate via the Paint on Plastic Discord — a low-noise, ad-free, studio-focused chat group with dedicated channels for WIP, feedback, and final entries.

Discord access is available to Paint on Plastic Patrons.
Join us on Patreon to get access — and help support the creation of more guides, kits, and competitions.

3️⃣ Categories & Judging

Categories

  • Suits (AFS, PKA, SAFS, etc.)
  • Vehicles & Large Mecha (Lunadivers, Falkes, Nutrockers, etc.)
  • Dioramas & Vignettes
  • Humor & Creative
  • Scratch Builds / Customs

Judges

  • Lincoln Wright
  • TJ Haller
  • Grant Mayberry
  • Kow Yokoyama Sensei – will personally select a few of his favorites

Judging Criteria

  • Technical Execution – Build quality, assembly, and detailing
  • Creativity & Originality – Unique design, modifications, and vision
  • Presentation & Storytelling – How well the piece conveys a scene or narrative
  • Overall Artistic Impact – The final effect and wow factor

🏆 Winners announced late October 2025 — Featured on Paint on Plastic, YouTube, and social media!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to buy a specific kit to enter?

A: Nope! If the box says Maschinen Krieger or SF3D, you're good to go.

Q: What if my kit doesn’t have a box?

A: No problem! As long as it’s an official Maschinen Krieger kit and still unpainted, you’re eligible. Just include a photo showing the runners or parts with your handwritten note.

Q: Can I enter a kit I already started?

A: If it’s already painted, no. But if it’s partially assembled and still unpainted, that’s fine. Snap your “Ransom Note” photo and you’re good to go.

Q: Can I submit multiple entries?

A: Yes, but only one per category.

Q: What format should my images be in?

A: High-resolution JPEG or PNG. Ensure good lighting and clarity.

Q: What size or format should my photos be?

A: If you’re posting to Instagram or Discord, the platform will handle photo size. Just make sure the images are clear, well-lit, and focused on the model. I recommend 2 to 3 hero shots, and then 1 to 2 close-ups or detail shots.

Q: Where do I submit my entry?

A: There is no form, email, or DM option. Entries are only accepted via:

  • 📷 Instagram using #PaintOnPlasticMaKComp2025
  • 💬 Discord WIP and final gallery channels (Patreon-only)

Q: Can I share WIP (Work in Progress) updates?

A: Yes, and it’s encouraged! Use Instagram or the Discord thread to show off your progress, cheer others on, and build momentum.

Q: How are winners selected?

A: A judging panel (including Linc) will review all entries. The Fan Favorite category will be community-voted.

🔥 READY TO COMPETE?

  • 📸 Snap your starting photo and get building
  • 📷 Tag @paintonplastic and use #PaintOnPlasticMaKComp2025
  • 💬 Post WIPs or finished builds in the correct Discord channel (Patrons only)

🗓️ Final deadline is September 30, 2025
📢 Winners announced late October 2025

Follow @paintonplastic on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for updates.