About 4D

Since 1994, 4D has supplied the precision tools and raw materials that architects, designers, prop makers and modellers build with, from Evergreen polystyrene and K&S metals to Styrofoam, foamboard, adhesives and the knives to cut them.

Where 4D came from

4D modelshop opened in 1994 and became a central hub for the creative community, serving model makers across London, the UK and internationally. The shop on Leman Street was a landmark for professionals and enthusiasts alike, and the website carried a wealth of resources: job boards, freelancer listings, course and company directories, and a library of guides.

When 4D modelshop ceased trading, that mattered to a lot of people. It mattered to us too: J Perkins had supplied 4D since it opened.

A new chapter with J Perkins

4D is now owned and run by J Perkins, a family-owned distributor that has traded since 1975. The webshop moved from modelshop.co.uk to 4d.shop, and orders now ship from our facility in Kent.

Our aim is for 4D to remain what it was: a central hub for the model-making community. The job board, freelancer listings, course and company directories and the guides now live at model.shop. We are also committed to the continuation of the New Blades show.

Who J Perkins are

J Perkins is a separate company with its own history. It has supplied the modelling trade since 1975, starting in a South London warehouse and now operating from a purpose-built facility in Kent. The team has hundreds of years of combined experience, and we understand this work because we are modellers and builders ourselves.

Our focus is the essentials: the materials, glues, paints, tools and accessories that creative projects are actually made of. We represent many of the world's leading brands, and we supplied 4D modelshop from the day it opened in 1994 right through to the end.

What has changed, and what has not

The catalogue is larger than it was, because we have added our own range alongside 4D's. Dispatch is faster, because we hold stock ourselves. The menu structure is different, which takes some getting used to. We are still refining it.

What has not changed is what we sell and who we sell it to. If you cannot find something you used to buy, get in touch and we will help.

Frequently Asked Questions

4D is now managed by J Perkins, who supplied 4D modelshop from the day it opened. We're committed to continuing the webshop's legacy and serving the model-making community.

Because we supplied 4D modelshop for so long, we already stock many of the same products, including Evergreen polystyrene, K&S precision metals, Zap super glues and epoxies, UHU glues, Excel knives and blades, and an extensive wood selection.

We have been working hard to restock everything you love. If you can't find what you are looking for, give us a call.

Almost all of the products from the old site are on the new one, and in some categories we carry a wider selection than before, so those are now available too.

The new platform and the wider range meant we had to restructure the menu. We will keep refining it as we get feedback. If you can't find something, contact us and we will be happy to help.

Orders placed by 3pm, Monday to Friday, are dispatched the same day.

Express delivery with DPD usually arrives the next working day, though we can only guarantee two working days.

Our physical shop is no longer open, but the webshop is faster than ever and we offer express shipping on all items. If you are looking for something in particular, call us and our team will point you in the right direction.

Unfortunately all the encrypted passwords could not be migrated, so you will need to create a new account.

Many people may find they already have a Shopify account, since it is such a ubiquitous ecommerce platform.

Supporting the next generation of makers matters to us. Students get 10% off every order placed through 4D. Call our team and we will verify your student email address and issue your discount code straight away.

The quickest and safest way to order is directly on the site. If you would rather talk it through, or you are having trouble, call us on 020 3026 1003 and we will be happy to help.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to migrate past order history from the old website. If you need a copy of an old invoice or have a query about a previous order, please email us with as much detail as possible (e.g., date of purchase, order number), and we'll do our best to assist you.

We know how much you relied on the resources from the previous site. We have been migrating our library of professional guides, industry directories and creative content to its new home. You can find all of it at model.shop, the community hub powering the next generation of 4D.