Helmet Shield questions

[FFbullrider]

For the guys who make firefighter helmet shields regularly do you use a die to cut them out or are these all hand cut?  I don't have a press but I was trying to decide if it was worth having a mallet die made.  If you do have a die did you design the shape yourself or is there a common form to borrow? 

Also do you paint your shields or are they dyed.  I saw one the other day that looked great but was painted (something I had not considered)

 

thanks for or the help.