Architectural Techniques

Working with Oiled Manilla

This guide explains how to use oiled manilla—an oiled, durable, fine-cut card ideal for small-scale modelling—to create detailed furniture, architectural elements and textured surfaces. It covers selecting thicknesses, preparing templates, fixing artwork, and cutting intricate shapes cleanly using scalpels and metal rules. Techniques such as scoring, bending, layering, sanding for woodgrain, and shaping louvred slats are demonstrated, alongside advice on staining, painting, and assembling pieces with superglue. With its strength, sharp edges and wood-like finish, oiled manilla is shown to be a versatile material for refined 1:25 model components.