New functionality drop – the Doogs Studios shop now features pre-orders.

But…why?

Pre-orders have a rocky reputation in the modeling space. I mean…years on, AMK’s F-14 debacle is still a running joke.

When the time horizon is kept in check, though, I think they create a win-win for everyone. Nobody complains about Andy’s Hobby Headquarters running pre-orders, after all.

Reason 1 – Load-balancing production

Launching a new product calls for a number of elements to come together. Once parts are finalized and ready for production, the following things all need to happen:

• Parts need to be turned into batched, supported, print-ready STL files. Not a big deal with, say, aircraft wheels. But it can be a lot when it’s 1/16 tracks.
• Final parts need to go through rendering to create all the necessary product art.
• If it’s not an extension of an existing line (i.e. another type of 1/35 VVSS Sherman track), packaging needs to be worked out. What size box does it need? What FDM boxes or cages need to be printed? What size labels does it need? And if those things don’t already exist, they need to be created.
• Instructions need to be created. And product pages.
• At least part of the product needs to be assembled and photographed for product artwork.
• Labels have to be ordered.
• On top of all of that, the parts need to get into the production process. Printing, washing, drying, curing, and in the case of tracks, removing them from their supports and packing them into boxes.

Pre-orders let me get a product up before all those elements come together.

Reason 2 – Saner production planning

I’ve had some products launch and immediately go gangbusters. And others that still have sales in the single digits. Educated guesses can be made, but they don’t always line up with reality.

A product that starts racking up the pre-orders is a useful signal.

Reason 3 – Time to market

From time to time, I find myself designing for kits that aren’t even out yet. As of this writing (Feb 2026), the two that immediately leap to mind are Tamiya’s forthcoming M24 Chaffee and Takom’s T28.

I’m designing tracks for both. I have solid 1:1 track dimensions for both. I have the AFV Club kit to benchmark in the case of the Chaffee.

But until I can get the kits in my hands and ensure, for myself, that the tracks fit the sprockets and do what they’re supposed to do, I can’t call them final and certainly can’t in good conscience sell them.

Pre-orders let me get them out there with a promise that they will be released as soon as I can get them finalized.

What’s in it for you?

That’s simple. You get to snag the hot new products at a 20% discount. Which in the case of things like 1/16 tracks, is nothing to sneeze at.

How to spot a pre-order

It’ll literally say pre-order on the thumbnail. And the product description. And the add to cart button.