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3D printer for miniatures


The Best 3D Printer for Miniatures in 2022

Video games may be the dominant role-playing platform, but a significant number of people still like to play games face to face. Unfortunately, miniature models for gaming can be very expensive. For enthusiasts, 3D printing their characters is a viable, and potentially money-saving alternative. The key question, particularly for those new to 3D printers, is how to find the right model. Finding a good balance between price and performance is always a challenge. This article looks at the important features to consider when making your decision, and rounds up our picks for the best 3D printer for miniatures in five key categories.

— Best Overall: Anycubic Photon Mono 4K Resin 3D Printer
— Best Budget: Elegoo Mars 2 Pro Mono MSLA 3D Printer
— Best for Beginners: Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer
— Best Resolution: Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K Resin 3D Printer
— Best Printing Speed: Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K LCD Resin 3D Printer

How We Picked the Best 3D Printer for Miniatures

A wide variety of machines can be used for creating 3D printed figures, but there’s little point in buying a larger machine than necessary. As a result the machines we chose are relatively compact, and none are particularly expensive. Here are the other factors we considered when making our selections: 

Precision: Generally speaking, the ability to create fine detail is more important than build volume (model size). However, versatility means other types of models can be constructed too, thus allowing for maximum value from your purchase. While we concentrated on the machine’s ability to print 3D miniatures, our picks can create other models as well.

Ease of Use: Like all 3D printers, those for miniatures fall into two basic categories: resin and filament. Resin allows more detail but isn’t very pleasant stuff, and can be tricky to work with. Filament is ideal for beginners, but doesn’t produce the same level of detail. While resin printers take most places on our list, we have included a filament model to illustrate the benefits.

Brand and Price: It’s not difficult to find very cheap machines capable of producing 3D printed miniatures. However, results can be disappointing. While we have tried to minimize costs where possible, we have restricted our picks to brands that are known for quality and reliability.

Best 3D Printer for Miniatures: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Anycubic Photon Mono 4K Resin 3D PrinterTop Quality Miniature Printing. Anycubic

Why It Made The Cut: The Anycubic Photon Mono 4K 3D printer offers everything that most miniature model enthusiasts need with terrific detail at a very competitive price.

Specs:

— XY precision: 35 microns
— Layer Height: 10 microns
— Build Volume: 6.49 inches L x 5.19 inches W x 3.14 inches H

Pros:

— Highly detailed miniature
— Minimal setup
— Relatively easy to use

Cons:

— Not the best for beginners
— Poor customer support

The original Anycubic Photon Mono caused quite a stir when it was introduced, with new levels of performance from an affordable 3D resin printer. Now the higher resolution 4K version delivers even more detail, and for 3D miniatures, there is no better printer for the money. 

The 6.23-inch monochrome screen has a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels, or 727 PPI. Horizontal precision is 35 microns. Combine that with a layer height of just 10 microns and the result is class-leading detail. The high contrast ratio (the difference between exposed and unexposed pixels) makes for particularly crisp edges and corners. This device is quite fast too, with a maximum speed of up to 50mm (2 inches) per hour. The machine comes ready to use, just requiring leveling. The touch screen panel is easy to use, and the free Photon Workshop software provides all the necessary control.

There is little to fault about the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K. It isn’t the easiest introduction to printing 3D miniatures for beginners, but that’s true of any resin printer. This one is more straightforward than many. Problems with the machine are rare but unfortunately a number of buyers found the company very slow to respond when issues have occurred.

Best Budget: Elegoo Mars 2 Pro Mono MSLA 3D PrinterExcellent Value for Money. Elegoo

Why It Made The Cut: The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro is the latest development of a model that has seen numerous improvements in terms of print quality and speed, yet remains very affordable.

Specs:

— XY precision: 50 microns
— Layer Height: 10 microns
— Build Volume: 5.1 inches L x 3.25 inches W x 6.3 inches H

Pros:

— Good detail for the price
— Built-in carbon filter
— Industry-standard software

Cons:

— Larger pixels
— Noisy fans

Those people looking at budget-friendly 3D printers for creating miniatures will certainly want to consider the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro. Experts often compare it with our top pick, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K, and the two are separated by relatively small differences.

The print screen on the Elegoo is 6.08 inches with 2K resolution, giving 2560 x 1620 pixels, though PPI (pixels per inch) is not quoted. Vertical pixels are 10 microns (which is typical of many resin 3D printers), and horizontal pixels are 50 microns. While the statistics aren’t as impressive as 4K machines, in real-world use the differences in detail are actually quite small. The definition on finished models is not as high as some other 4K printers can provide, but you have to look closely to see the difference. The printer’s speed is a competitive maximum of 50mm (2 inches) per hour.

As with many competitors, the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro comes ready to run except for leveling. The 3.5-inch touch screen is easy to use, and the supplied software comes from leading independent developer, Chitubox. This printer also comes with active carbon filters that do much to absorb the unpleasant smells that resin 3D printing produces (for safety you should still allow plenty of ventilation).

The filters do seem a little fiddly to replace, and the fans are a bit loud, but these are minor complaints. The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro produces very good 3D miniatures, and for gamers looking to save money, it is a viable alternative.

Best for Beginners: Creality Ender 3 V2 3D PrinterEasier to Learn With. Creality

Why It Made The Cut: The Creality Ender 3 V2 consistently tops independent reviews of 3D printers for beginners. It combines modest cost with high-quality construction and great versatility.

Specs:

— XY precision: N/A
— Layer Height: 120 microns
— Build Volume: 8.66 inches L x 8.66 inches W x 9.84 inches H

Pros:

— Easier to use than resin printers
— Impressive build volume
— Non-toxic filaments

Cons:

— Modest definition
— Assembly required

Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. When compared to even the lowest resolution 2K resin printers, a filament printer like the Creality Ender 3 V2 provides noticeably lower definition. Layers are thicker, and although nozzles as fine as 20 microns are available, they can never capture the same detail. Additionally, like most filament 3D printers, the Creality Ender 3 V2 requires extensive assembly that will take at least a couple of hours.

You might wonder why we would recommend this machine as among the best 3D printers for the beginners to start miniature modeling. There are several reasons. Filament 3D printing is much more forgiving than resin. While proper ventilation is still important, the filament itself is non-toxic and it’s also cheaper than resin. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Creality has renowned customer support to help people overcome any problems, and there is also a huge online community for learners to take advantage of.

The Creality Ender 3 V2 has a considerably larger build volume than its resin-based rivals, thus providing greater versatility when it comes to the type and size of model that can be created. It is not the best 3D printer for miniatures if you’re an experienced, full-on gaming enthusiast, but for beginners and those playing with family and friends, it could be the ideal choice.

Best Resolution: Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K Resin 3D PrinterExcellent Precision and Speed. Anycubic

Why It Made The Cut: The Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K is the latest generation of this impressive family of 3D printers, giving the enthusiast greater precision, faster production, and larger volume.

Specs:

— XY precision: 34 microns
— Layer Height: 10 microns
— Build Volume: 9.6 inches L x 7.8 inches W x 4.8 inches H

Pros:

— Reproduces very fine detail
— Fast printing
— Good build volume

Cons:

— Comparatively expensive
— Poor customer support

For the keen 3D miniature maker, everything about the Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K is impressive. It’s in effect a major upgrade to our top pick, the 4K model. The screen is larger at 9.25 inches and the resolution is 5,750 x 3,600 pixels. Horizontal pixels are just 34 microns, the smallest in its class. It’s fast too, printing at up to 80mm (3.15 inches) per hour.

The result when printing 3D miniatures is an outstanding amount of fine detail, particularly for faces, hair, fur, dragon scales, etc. What’s more, the extra build volume allows for larger figures, modest-sized pieces of terrain, or for several small models to be printed at the same time. all with the same high definition.

The price will take this printer out of the reach of some 3D miniature modelers, but for others, the quality of the finished pieces will be worth the investment. It does take patience to set up properly, and while faults are few, buyers have the same complaints about poor customer support from the company as they do with the 4K model.

Best Printing Speed: Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K LCD Resin 3D PrinterRapid High-Definition Output. Phrozen

Why It Made The Cut: The Phrozen Sonic Mini consistently ranks among the top 3D printers for miniatures, and in addition to high precision offers very fast output.

Specs:

— XY precision: 35 microns
— Layer Height: 10 microns
— Build Volume: 5.2 inches L x 2.9 inches W x 5.1 inches H

Pros:

— Highly detailed miniatures
— Very fast printing
— Competitive pricing

Cons:

— Modest build volume
— Not particularly quiet

The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is a direct competitor for the Anycubic Photon 4K, and makes a strong argument as the best 3D printer for miniatures. They are frequently the top two in independent reviews. While the Anycubic model takes our top spot for its combination of quality and value, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K has a definite advantage when it comes to speed.

Its screen size is 6.1 inches, and in this case 4K resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels with 722 PPI. Horizontal pixels are 35 microns, and layer height is 10 microns. Technically the Phrozen and the Anycubic have almost identical print specification, and the detail for 3D miniature printing is excellent. However, the Phrozen can run at an impressive 80mm (3.15 inches) per hour, which is around a 30 percent improvement over its closest rival.

As is typical, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K only needs leveling before printing can start. It has a clear LCD for many functions, and comes with industry-standard Chitubox software. The Phrozen does have a slightly smaller build volume than the 4K Anycubic, but we doubt buyers of either 3D printer would be disappointed.

Things To Consider Before Buying a 3D Printer for Miniatures

When we looked at these 3D printers for general-purpose use, build volume (model size) was one of the key factors, as was cost. While machine quality, reliability, and speed are also considerations, when choosing a 3D printer for miniatures it is usually the amount of detail that is the priority. The trick is understanding how to assess definition (or resolution) properly. It’s an area that is understandably confusing, so let’s clarify.

The X and Y axis are effectively the width and depth of the print screen that the model will be built on. The Z axis is the height. With resin printers, the print screen has a major impact.

A higher ‘K’ number (2K, 4K, etc.) means higher resolution, but doesn’t necessarily translate to better detail. While a 4K screen has many more pixels than a 2K screen, the actual size of the pixels can vary, so the true measure of definition is either pixel size (smaller pixels are better) or the number of pixels per inch (PPI). The more PPI, the better the definition. Pixel size is usually provided but PPI is often not.

The other vital statistic is the layer height. Each 3D miniature is built of hundreds, or possibly thousands of layers. Thinner layers mean fewer noticeable steps, and thus a smoother finish. So the absolute best detail comes from a resin 3D printer that has the smallest pixels, and the thinnest layers.

Filament 3D printers aren’t quite so complicated. They don’t have high resolution screens, so the deciding factors are nozzle size and layer thickness. In truth, filament printers can’t come close to resin models in terms of detail. However, they are easier to use, don’t produce toxic vapor, and many produce a level of detail that is perfectly adequate for their needs.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to print miniature models?

The size and complexity of the 3D model, and the settings of the 3D printer all have an impact so it is almost impossible to say how long it takes to print miniature models. Even small ones are likely to take at least an hour, but complex models could be ten hours or more.

Q: Is it legal to 3D print Warhammer figures?

It is legal to 3D print “Warhammer” figures, or any other figure that is copyrighted, as long as they are for personal use playing with friends or family, for example. It is illegal to sell them, and they are not allowed in tournament play.

Q: Can I 3D print and sell miniatures?

You can 3D print and sell miniatures of your own unique designs. You cannot copy figures that are copyrighted (like “Warhammer” figures, “Dungeons & Dragons”, etc.). You can’t normally print and sell files you download from the internet either. Generally they are marked for non-commercial use. Many of these files are free, but even if you pay for them, that doesn’t grant you the right to profit from making them. It is important to check the license agreement or you could be liable to prosecution.

Q: Do I need a resin printer for miniatures?

It is largely a question of priorities. Filament (FDM) 3D printers can create good quality models and are easier to use, however, resin 3D printers produce higher detail, and smoother results. If the latter is important, then a resin printer will definitely be the better choice. Our top picks have excellent examples to help you decide.

Q: What is the best material to 3D print miniatures?

If using a resin printer, we would generally recommend starting with the material recommended by the printer manufacturer. For example, Anycubic and Elegoo both produce their own brand resins. Many other resins are available, and you can experiment once you have become accustomed to your 3D printer.

For filament printers, PLA is usually recommended for miniatures. It is inexpensive, easy to work with, available in a vast range of colors, and very durable.

Q: Are 3D printers for miniatures worth buying?

Absolutely. Each of our top picks is a quality machine, and while you might start out looking for the best 3D printer for miniatures, don’t forget that any of these devices can produce a whole range of other 3D models and components too.

Final Thoughts

It isn’t easy picking the best 3D printer for miniatures, and in truth, each of our picks has its advantages. The Anycubic Photon Mono 4K takes the top award because it offers a combination of performance and value that are hard to beat. There are faster machines and there are machines that can produce more detail, but each is more expensive, and for many miniaturists the gains may not be worth the extra cost.

The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro also has a lot to recommend it, and we particularly like the carbon air filter which makes it a lot easier to live with. It can’t match the Anycubic for detail, but considering the lower price, the quality is very good.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.


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6 Best 3D Printers For Miniatures in December 2022 (D&D & More)

The rise of video games has pushed tabletop games to the fringes, but those who enjoy these games are often die-hard fans. With custom characters and models for games becoming so pricey, many have decided that buying a 3D printer for miniatures and printing their own custom models is the way forward.

Miniatures commonly refer to games like Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons and 28mm miniatures, but 3D printing miniatures can mean any kind of small model.

This article gives advice about the best 3D printers for miniatures for both models and terrain you can buy based on your priorities, preferences, and budget, as well as key tips for printing miniatures – and beyond the specs, the factors that actually make a difference to miniature print quality.

BUDGET PICK

Anycubic Photon M3

High quality 4K screen for low price

Larger build volume than Photon Mono 4K and Elegoo Mars 3

Available at anycubic here Amazon here

QUALITY PICK

Anycubic Mono X 6K

Higher-quality 6K LCD screen

Much larger print area for printing many miniatures in one job

Available at anycubic here amazon here

FOR TERRAIN

Creality Ender 3 V2

Lower quality than a resin printer, but ideal for terrain

Great low-cost entry-level printer

Available At Creality here Amazon here

Why 3D Print Your Own Miniatures?

Rather than being limited by the models featured in the catalogs of miniatures companies, and having to pay in excess of $10 per model, with a 3D printer you can print whatever you want, and also save up to 90% on the purchase price!

Some designers online publish their miniature files for free online (we include the best places later on), but even premium models are extremely cheap – often just a few dollars. And when you buy these, you get to keep the STL file, so you can print the model over and over again.

A 3D printed figurine we printed on our Elegoo resin printer.3D printed ring miniature – only resin printers are capable of this level of detail.

Some premium files even come with their slicer profiles pre-made so that you just need to import the file, and print.

So for deciding whether to buy or 3D print your tabletop miniatures, the main two factors are choice, and price.

The Best 3D Printers for Miniatures

NamePrinter typeBuild volume (mm)XY ResolutionPriceWhere to buy for best price?
Elegoo Mars 2 ProResin129 x 80 x 16050μm$220Elegoo here
Anycubic Photon M3Resin163 x 103 x 18040μm$300Anycubic here
Elegoo Mars 3Resin143 x 90 x 17535μm$300Elegoo here
Anycubic Mono X 6KResin197 x 122 x 25034μm$569Anycubic here
Phrozen Sonic Mini 8KResin165 x 72 x 18022μm$699Phrozen here
Creality Ender 3 V2FDM220 x 220 x 250$279Creality Store here
Ender 5 PlusFDM350 x 350 x 400$579Creality Store here

How Much Does It Cost to 3D Print Miniatures?

It costs around $1 per miniature 3D print on average, though this will vary depending on the size of the model, and the type of resin used. A 1L bottle of resin will print between 30-35 miniatures of a reasonable size, with hobbyist resins costing $20-40.

Remember however that you’ll use some resin on miniatures on supports, so only around two-thirds of your resin goes into the actual models.

Why Not To Use FDM For 3D Printing Miniatures (But You Should For Terrain)

While FDM 3D printers have larger print areas, and the filament is cheaper and non-toxic, you can’t get anywhere near the same level of detail. And minuscule details are the key to amazing-looking miniatures.

You’ll see the layer lines on the model, and will need a fair amount of finishing and post-processing to reach your quality standards. To put it into perspective, if you saw an FDM-printed miniature in a shop, you probably wouldn’t buy it.

But, you can print the larger, rougher parts with an FDM printer, such as terrain, backgrounds, and accessories like towers, bridges, and other cool add-ons. Often these parts will be wider than desktop LCD printers can fit, but an FDM printer like the Ender 3 should be able to print it, and if not, a larger printer like the Ender 5 Plus surely can.

Overall, we recommend buying a resin printer for miniature models, and an FDM printer for terrain and accessories. However, if you’re a complete beginner and resin printing is intimidating, then you can still print adequate quality miniatures with an FDM printer.FDM printed terrain for miniatures. Source

The Best 3D Printers For Miniatures 2022 – Reviews

We picked both FDM and resin printers depending your preferences. The first part features the best resin printers for miniatures in every price range, and then the best FDM 3D printers for miniatures we recommend are listed.

3DSourced is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Best Resin 3D Printers For Miniatures

Elegoo Mars 2 Pro Mono — best low cost resin 3D printer for miniatures

  • Price: $250 — Available at Elegoo store here / Also available on Amazon here
  • Maximum print volume: 5.1″ x 3.1″ x 6.3″

An LCD 3D printer capable of fast speeds and very fine details despite the low price, the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro has fast become a mainstay in desktop 3D printing. When we tested it for our Elegoo Mars 2 Pro review, we were very impressed with the quality it delivered at such a low price.Clank 3D print we printed on the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro

For makers who have experience with 3D printing and are comfortable with the added complexities of resin printing, the Elegoo Mars could be your perfect 3D printer for miniatures and tabletop models. It can print smoother models with clearer, crisper finishes than FDM printers, and the resins used do not cost as much as they used to.

  • We also recommend an Elegoo washing and curing station — Available on Amazon here

The 2K 6″ LCD screen gives the printer great precision for solidifying resins, with layer resolutions between 0.01-0.2mm available. It comes with CHITUBOX, the highly-praised resin 3D slicer which slices models quickly to save you time, and also includes useful features such as tools that hollow out models before you print to lower material costs, if you don’t mind slightly less durable parts.

Overall, the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro Mono is one of the best low cost resin printers around, and for creating miniatures, if you have the tech know-how, you may find resin printing meets your needs best.

Top value: If you’re happy with a 2K LCD, the Mars 2 Pro is your best option. If you have the money, opt for the Elegoo Mars 3 or Photon M3.

We were impressed with the details of the miniatures we printed with it.

Cons

Newer, higher-spec printers have since been released – however, most cost more.

Anycubic Photon M3

  • Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here
  • Build Volume: 163 x 103 x 180 mm
  • XY Resolution: 40 microns
  • Minimum Layer Height: 10 microns

The newly released Anycubic Photon M3 hits its stride in miniature making by bundling in better specs at the same price as its predecessors, the Photon Mono and Mono 4K.

These enhancements are most pronounced with a larger 163 x 103 x 180 mm build volume. This might not seem like much on paper, but means the Anycubic Photon M3 can produce much larger single models or batch print more copies of the same in one sitting than the Mono 4K, let alone the original Mono.

The extra z-height lends itself well to taller models, excellent if you’re working to produce large figurines for display purposes.

The Anycubic Photon M3 and Mono 4K both use a monochrome 4K LCD, but the Photon M3’s larger 7.6” screen handles the larger build volume. In numbers, this means a slight downgrade to a 40 micron XY resolution compared to the Mono 4 K’s 35 microns, but at these low numbers, the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye, even for veteran miniature aficionados.

We still recommend the Photon M3 over the Mono 4K for the larger build volume – at this level, a 5-micron difference is not going to make a difference, even in the most precise of miniatures.

Against the standard Mono’s 2K LCD, there’s no competition: the Anycubic Photon M3 delivers far better fine details and features on even the most complex Warhammer and D&D figures. It does so fast as well, with a solid 50 mm/h print speed, which equates to roughly 30 minutes per 28 mm model.

Extremely affordable.

Perfect for larger miniatures – especially taller models.

Cons

Slightly lower resolution than the Mono 4K – but this is because of the larger screen and build volume on the Photon M3.

Anycubic Mono X 6K

  • Price: Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
  • Build Volume: 197 x 122 x 250 mm
  • XY Resolution: 34 microns
  • Minimum Layer Height: 10 microns

Positioned as an upgrade to the popular budget Mono X, the Anycubic Mono X 6K doesn’t reinvent the wheel as much as building upon those solid foundations and fantastic build quality.

Leading this is a jump to a 6K display, an enhanced light matrix to improve curing uniformity, and a larger 9.25″ LCD. In practice, this means a high level of print quality and a sharper 34 micron XY resolution across a larger surface.

For miniature makers, this means a noticeable jump in quality over the Mono X, especially on finer parts such as hairs, scales, horns, armor detail, and facial features.Printed on the Mono X 6K. Credit: u/MaxHereticus66

This applies to large and small figures or models thanks to the Anycubic Mono X 6K having a roomy 197 x 122 x 250 mm build volume for a resin printer. In other words, the Anycubic Mono X 6K is as suited to printing large Warhammer tanks, knights, and warhounds as classic space marine 28 mm miniatures.

We highly recommended the Mono X when it was the best-quality mid-range resin printer around, and the Mono X 6K builds on this wonderfully. However, if you want to save money, the Photon M3 is a great shout if you’re comfortable with 4K resolution, as the Mono X 6K costs double the price.

For amateur Warhammer players and those partial to the occasional Friday night D&D session, the Photon M3 remains the most cost-effective option. But, for next-level resolution, the Mono X 6K is the best out there.

The Mono X was already a top pick – now it’s upgraded.

6K LCD offers superb rendering of intricate details.

Even larger build volume for producing many miniatures at once.

Cons

Expensive compared to budget 3D printers for miniatures.

If you don’t need all 6K quality, opt for a Photon M3, Photon Mono 4K, or Elegoo Mars 3.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K

  • Price: Check latest price at Phrozen here
  • Build Volume: 165 x 72 x 180 mm
  • XY Resolution: 22 microns
  • Minimum Layer Height: 10 microns

Widely considered one of the best consumer-grade resin 3D printers on the market, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is ideal for super high-quality miniatures, whether for tabletop gaming, display, or war gaming. 

If you can stomach the price tag, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is as premium as the best 3D printers for miniatures get – unless you go full industrial.

The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K offers a best-in-class 22 micron XY resolution. It outperforms much-loved resin printers such as Elegoo Mars family and Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K and Mono 4K. In action, this type of resolution renders even the tiniest features in exquisite detail, even on small 28 mm miniatures.A 4K print on the left, and 8K on the right. Source: Geek Gaming Scenics

Now, for all its ability to create superb miniatures, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K does have one major drawback compared to other resin printers – a smallish build volume.

It sits at 165 x 72 x 180 mm, putting it on par with much cheaper alternatives like the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K.

This is necessarily a downside if you’re printing single large figures, but it does reduce the scope for batch printing multiples simultaneously, so if you want to produce large volumes for your business or home games, consider Phrozen’s Sonic Mighty range, the Anycubic Mono X 6K, or Elegoo Saturn S.

Overall, if you’re looking for the best quality miniatures, and aren’t too worried about a slightly smaller build volume, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is largely unrivaled.

Best-in-class 22 micron XY resolution.

Perfect for small 28 mm figures with precise features and details.

Cons

Small-ish build volume for the price.

Best FDM 3D printers for miniatures

Creality Ender 3 V2 — Best 3D printer for miniature terrain

  • Price: Check price at Creality Official Store here / Available on Amazon here
  • Size: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
  • Resolution: 100 microns

Considered one of the best cheap 3D printers around, the Ender 3 is famed for its reliability and effectiveness for the price. It comes as a 3D printer kit, but takes under an hour to assemble and it’s really easy – just 20 screws.

It’s an FDM printer, so it cannot reach the same level of precision as an Elegoo or Anycubic resin printer. However, it’s one of the best FDM 3D printers for terrain for miniatures, as it prints reliably, cheaply, and has a decent print volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm.

If you want to avoid resin printing you can use it to print miniatures, but they won’t have the same level of precision, and you’ll need to do some sanding and general post-processing to get them closer to the level you’re happy with.

But, the Ender 3 V2 is the best printer in its price range for terrain, and PLA filament is very cheap and super easy to print with. The only issue could be if you want to print large towers or terrain that doesn’t fit within the build volume.

Best low-cost FDM kit – easy to build and print with, and it’s reliable and durable.

Very upgradable: many extruder, bed, hotend, and other upgrades available.

Cons

Not well suited to miniatures – stick to terrain, and strongly consider a resin printer instead.

Ender 5 Plus – best 3D printer for miniatures terrain

  • Price: Check latest price at Creality here / Amazon here
  • Build Volume: 350 x 350 x 400 mm
  • Printing Accuracy: 100 microns
  • Layer Thickness: 100-400 microns

If you’re leaning towards a budget FDM printer like the popular Ender 3, but its build volume doesn’t quite measure up to the size of terrain you’re planning to print, the Ender 5 Plus is a great alternative.

It supersizes the build volume to a generous 350 x 350 x 400 mm, ideal for those sprawling backdrops for your tabletop and D&D adventures that simply won’t fit on a stock Ender 3.

As low-cost consumer-grade printers go, this volume size is up there and should cover all your terrain needs. It’s particularly suited to intricate ruins, battlefields, towers, rocky outcrops, dungeons, and the like – perfect for heightening that crucial sense of immersion.

Aside from the large format, Ender 5 Plus also features some handy benefits over the Ender 3. It comes with a BLTouch automatic bed leveling probe to save time and effort, so you can concentrate on bringing to life terrain.

There are also dual z-axis lead screws to improve stability and, by extension, overall print quality. Elsewhere, it boasts a filament sensor that alerts you if the filament runs out or breaks, so you won’t waste any more time than you need on a print that won’t complete.

The Ender 5 Plus is priced over double what you’d expect to pay for the Ender 3, but if you can stretch your budget, it’s a do-it-all terrain printer that’s well worth the extra money.

Massive 350 x 350 x 400 mm build volume.

Convenience features like automatic bed leveling and filament sensor.

Ideal for large backdrops and terrain models.

Cons

More than double the price of the Ender 3 and Ender 3 V2.

Important Specs & Factors To Consider Buying a 3D Printer For Miniatures

Layer Height

Different 3D printers have different minimum layer heights, for example the Elegoo Mars 3 has a minimum layer height of 0.01mm, or 10 microns. The Creality Ender 3 V2 has a minimum layer height of 0.1mm, or 100 microns.

The smaller the layer height you choose for your models, the better the quality, and the less visible the layer lines will be. 

However, the lower the layer height, the more layers you’ll have in your model, which increases the time it takes to print, and also increases the chance of a failed print.

We advise that you don’t need to go all the way down to 0.01mm on your resin 3D printer with miniatures – 0. 03-0.04mm is a good range for great quality. To put that into perspective, in a 6cm tall resin miniature print, with 0.05mm layers, that is 1200 layers to print.

Screen Quality and Precision: Do you need a 4K, 6K, or 8K Screen? And Should You Buy a Mono 3D Printer?

The most important thing is to pick a mono 3D printer. They cure and print resin layers often 3x faster, and often last up to 4x longer, too, so they’ll save you money and hassle replacing parts continuously.

We recommend you opt for a 4K resin printer if you can afford it, as they’re not too much more expensive than 2K MSLA printers now, and you will notice an improvement in precision, especially on details like hair and beards, or hands and fingers on your models. If you have the money, go for an 8K printer – but it isn’t a necessity.

However, do not look solely at the specs when determining if a printer is high quality. 

A 2K screen with a printer made from high-quality parts – such as build plate bolts and resin vat locks that can handle low layer heights and retain accuracy and aren’t prone to threading – will produce better miniature models than a shoddily built 4K printer.

Focus on buying a well-made printer made by a reputable company with a high-quality screen.

High-quality brands include Anycubic, Elegoo and Phrozen in these lower price ranges, and we highly recommend these if you’re printing miniatures at home or other precise resin models.

That being said, there are noticeable differences at each resin quality level – mostly after you’ve primed the models.

Corners will look a bit sharper, and certain facial features and muscle definitions will come out better generally – but you can still create very good models on 4K or even 2K LCD screen resin printers, you just get that extra sharpness when you go up to 6K or 8K.

How Speed and Size Works with a Resin Printer

Resin printers work differently from FDM printers. Instead of printing one part at a time as an FDM printer’s extruder traces the layer, LCD printers flash an entire layer at once, so no matter how many models are being printed within the build plate, they’ll all print in the same amount of time.

So, the only factor that determines how long a resin print job will take is the height of the tallest model. 

This makes the build size of a resin printer important, as the more models you can pack into the area, the more models you can print in one job – in the same amount of time. Large 3D printers can print potentially 20+ miniatures at once – though most hobbyist printers can print around 3-4 reasonably sized miniature models.

Things to Remember When 3D Printing Resin Miniatures

Resin is toxic and irritant – never touch it directly, and if you do, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Wear a mask to avoid the fumes, generally try to avoid the room when printing, and if possible put the printer near ventilation.

There is post-processing involved after printing – you’ll need to scrape the resin prints off the build plate, remove the supports (wear gloves), wash the resin off of the prints with isopropyl alcohol, dry them, and cure them in UV light. Then, optionally you can fix any imperfections, prime and paint them for your custom look. We recommend buying your brand’s wash and cure station to save you time and hassle.

You will need to replace parts – the two main culprits are FEP films, and screens, which will need to be replaced over time. This puts you out of action for a while, and costs money.

Read more: is 3D printing miniatures cheaper (we calculated the exact cost for FDM and resin printing miniatures)

What makes a good 3D printer for miniatures

  • Precision: measured in microns, this is key for how detailed even the smallest features of your models will be. The best resin 3D printers for miniatures often reach 35 microns, for great details. FDM printers can’t reach these same resolutions.
  • Print area: since MSLA printers cure entire layers of resin at once, larger build areas mean you can print even more models in the same amount of time.
  • Stable, metal frame: a heavy frame is less influenced by other variables such as the vibrations that can affect model quality, even slightly. High-quality parts are key to accurate miniatures, so pick up a printer by a reputed brand known for making well-built products.

Best Practices for FDM 3D Printing Miniatures

  • Nozzle size: using a small nozzle makes for better precision on printers, and though they print slower, this isn’t a big problem when printing small models that do not take long anyway.
  • Slow printing speed settings: if you have the fastest 3D printer around, such as a delta 3D printer, you should slow it down when printing small, precise models. You may want to reduce speed to as low as 20-30mm/s.
  • Infill percentage: you may want to change this based on how strong you want your miniatures to be. If you want to save on material costs and don’t mind giving up some part strength, you can reduce infill to 10%, though some hobbyists who want solid models may go for a higher infill percentage.
  • Retraction settings: optimize retraction settings to prevent oozing and stringing of filament, which can occur especially often with PLA.
  • Post-processing: not directly related to your printer, but you can decide whether to paint your model, sand or polish it to enhance its finish.

However, we still recommend resin over FDM for miniature printing. You can read a more in-depth comparison in our article comparing FDM and resin 3D printing for miniatures.

Where to find files for miniature 3D prints?

Here are some sites that host free and paid files:

  • MyMiniFactory
  • Cults3D
  • Thingiverse (all free)
  • Gambody (specialized in video game/comic book models)
  • Pinshape

And here are some articles where we recommend miniature-related prints:

  • Dungeons and Dragons 3D print files
  • Warhammer 40K 3D prints
  • 3D printed figurine files
  • 3D printed anime figure files
  • 3D printed dice towers
  • 3D printed dragon files

Post-Processing and Painting Miniature Prints

Really, a miniature isn’t truly finished without some post-processing love and attention. After all, 3D printers can only go so far when it comes to bringing out the lush detail and intricacies of a model.

Support Removal

First, remove any support structures by either removing them by hand or using clippers, or in the case of soluble supports, immersing them in the appropriate liquid, usually water. 

Cleaning and Sanding

Next, you’ll want to clean and improve the print surface to remove blemishes, blobs, marks from the supports, and other imperfections. 

We recommend ordinary sandpaper or a sand sponge – they are cheap, effective, and come with grit coarseness levels for quick sanding, smoother finish, etc.

Alternatively, you can buy a small nail grinder with different attachments suited to miniature post-processing. You can also use a hobby knife, scalpel, or precision needle files for those hard-to-reach places.

Glue Parts Together (If Multiple Parts) and Fill In Holes

After cleaning up the print, glue or attach parts of the mini using a bonding agent (you can also do this after painting if you prefer), and fill in any drainage holes, seams, gaps, and cracks using a brush and a mix of resin and baby powder.

Be sure to cure the newly-applied resin mixture afterward. You can use non-cure products like the excellent Apoxie Sculpt to fill in gaps.

Priming and Painting

Next stop, we have painting. First, we’ll need to prime the minis to create a strong first layer for successive layers of paint to adhere well. 

Both spray and brush paint options are viable – any old primer from your hardware store will do. If you’re looking for a brand name, we recommend Tamiya Surface Primer. 

Two light coats are a good option to be on the safe side. Allow plenty of time for the primer to dry properly.

Finally, paint your miniature. Standard miniature etiquette and techniques apply here. We recommend using regular acrylic paints found at any hobby store such as Vallejo Game Color. We recommend investing in different brush sizes to cover the painting of everything from large single-color portions to small intricate details. 

From there, take your time painting, and remember, practice makes perfect. Your first minis might not look perfect, but stick with it, and they start coming out great in no time.

Is it legal to 3D print Warhammer models?

It is legal to 3D print Warhammer figures as long as you do not try to sell them or use them for any other kind of commercial use. Patent laws prevent anyone from selling any object based on someone else’s intellectual property. If you design the model yourself however, if it isn’t identical or a total imitation of another’s copyrighted work, then you aren’t infringing on their copyright or patents.

However, keep abreast to new changes in laws that affect where creators and IP holders stand legally. For example, the 2021 Appropriations Act changed the way holders of IP and perceived infringers interact. This article is also useful for a general understanding of where you stand with 3D printing and intellectual property.

We would like to conclude this article by reminding readers to be careful, as intellectual property (IP) laws prevents the creation, download or 3D printing of trademarked characters. You can get into trouble if you print a trademarked character such as a Pokémon, with some large companies becoming increasingly studious in pursuing people breaking these laws.

Is it worth buying a 3D printer for miniatures?

If you plan on printing large numbers of miniatures, it is definitely worth buying a 3D printer for miniatures. You can print any model you want rather than buying whatever’s available, and for a fraction of the price. You can get started for cheap by spending under $300 on an Anycubic Photon M3 or Elegoo Mars 3.

What is the best material for 3D printing miniatures?

Resins are the best material for 3D printing miniatures, as they have fine details like faces and weapons that filament won’t be able to match. Some of the best affordable resin materials are made by companies like Siraya Tech, Anycubic, and Elegoo, letting you print fantastic details on your miniatures within your budget.

90,000 manufacturing miniatures 28mm, dioram, game locations using 3D printer

09.03.2022

Content

  • How to choose a 3D printer for miniatures
    • Advantage of 3D printing for miniatures 9000 9000 FDM
      • 9000 LCD/ DLP
  • Printing examples
  • Top printer rankings
    • FDM
    • LCD
  • Totals
3D printing finds its application in various fields, not only as a production machine, but also as a reliable hobby assistant.

Miniature figurines with amazing detail attract the eye. A little grotesqueness and slightly wrong proportions (otherwise it would be inconvenient to play or transport such a “little one”) are more than compensated by detailed elaboration and an abundance of small, at first glance, insignificant details. These are no longer just small table soldiers, but heroes with their own unique history.

Warhammer 40k 9 miniature soldier0044

Miniatures come in different sizes: from 6mm and more. The most popular today is the 28mm format. The creation of such figurines is really almost jewelry work.

A 3D printer will help not only in the production of miniatures, but also in related areas, such as the creation of figurines, details of game locations, or, for example, elements of dioramas. To understand the advantages of 3D printing over classical manufacturing methods, it is worth remembering how such models are usually made at home.

Advantage of 3D printing for miniatures

Not everyone was ready to shell out a substantial amount for the purchase of a set of table soldiers, and sometimes the necessary heroes simply were not on sale. Then baked and self-hardening plastics for modeling were used.

First you need to make a wire frame, so the finished figure will turn out to be more durable, and it will be much easier to keep all the proportions. The wire frame can be attached to the stand, which will make the miniature statue more stable, and it can be easily fixed in any position without fear of smearing small parts with your fingers.

Wire frame for miniature

Gradually, layer by layer, the volume of plastic increases on the frame. Each layer must be baked or dried well, depending on which plastic is used - self-hardening or baked.

Gradually, we begin to add small details and work out the details. In fact, this is a very painstaking process that requires perseverance and some sculpting abilities. For a convenient study of small details, you may need special stacks for modeling, but they can be successfully replaced with improvised tools.

Sculpting tool set

The result is such a miniature statue.

Miniature 28mm baked plastic

By the same principle, large table figures, or some elements of dioramas, can be made.

Sometimes a sculptor is more accustomed to working with plasticine. Then, after sculpting, the stage of preparation and casting of the figurine into a silicone mold is added. This method is suitable for small-scale production of a small desktop army.

But it is necessary to properly prepare the figurine for casting. The finished "warrior", most likely, will have to be divided into several parts, so that it would be more convenient for the caster to remove the molds and make castings. During the cutting process, it is worth adding a few locks so that the finished castings can be easily assembled, like pieces of a puzzle.

Molded figurine against silicone mold

Some craftsmen have learned to cast metal copies. Such soldiers are usually made of low-melting metals (for example, lead) and cast in plaster molds. Sometimes a special silicone is used, but it is a little more difficult to achieve good shedding of a small product in a silicone mold.


Cast metal soldier

In addition to making figurines from scratch, some craftsmen remake ready-made miniatures. This is called conversion.

Conversion in miniatures is a refinement, stylization or alteration of a finished figure. Unfortunately, not every hobbyist has good sculpting skills, and this alteration helps to achieve good results regardless of artistic skills. The main thing is to act very carefully.

Conversion helps enthusiasts achieve amazing figurine detail, add some detail, change the pose, or create a new character that is not yet on sale.

Lord of the Astral Claws turned to Chaos

In addition to making the figures themselves, modelers create colorful locations to immerse themselves in the world of their favorite game. This is true not only for 28mm miniatures, but for example for DND games. Such voluminous locations allow you to immerse yourself in the world of your favorite game much better and make the game more exciting.


Game location for board game Warhammer40k

The creation of such locations is painstaking work, and both improvised and special equipment are used as material.


Role play location

A 3D printer allows you to produce miniature figures and game locations much faster. On the Internet you can find many paid and free models of 28mm figures from different universes or various elements of locations - houses, fences, mechanisms, etc. Adapting or slightly changing the finished 3D model for yourself is much easier than cutting and gluing a finished figure. And creative people with modeling skills are unlikely to have difficulties with the transition to “digital clay”.


Warhammer40k universe 3D miniature model

And of course, dioramas are worth noting. This is a separate art form with a scene or location frozen in time. Dioramas come in different sizes, but each of them impresses with its detail and careful study.


Diorama based on the game STALKER

Each diorama is unique, so the craftsmen use improvised materials to make it. Everything is limited only by the imagination and ingenuity of the artist.


Diorama “Desert Hero”

The main advantage of 3D printing is high detail and repeatability. If you need to make a small batch of miniatures, it will be much easier to print them than to cast, for example. Casting small items is a painstaking process that requires some skill and equipment. It is very difficult to achieve good pourability of small products the first time.


From model to finished figure

And for the manufacture of piece products, such as a diorama element, a 3D printer can replace many materials and tools for modeling. In addition, by using and combining different materials, it is possible to create models that are difficult or almost impossible to create manually. For example, using a special polymer, you can print optically transparent products that can imitate glass.

Which technology to choose


To begin with, it is important to determine the requirements for the printer - will it be used only for the manufacture of 28mm personal army or should it be a universal printing machine? It is important to understand what size the finished model will be, how detailed it should be, and how much time can be spent on post-processing.

Depending on this, it is worth deciding on the technology by which the 3D printer will work. You can choose one of two technologies - FDM or photopolymer printing (there are several technologies, but DLP and LCD printers are currently popular).

FDM

FDM 3D printers use a plastic filament as a material. In a heated extruder, the filament is melted and extruded through a thin nozzle, so layer by layer, a three-dimensional model is grown.


Working principle of FDM 3D printer

Layer thickness and nozzle diameter can be changed in some printer models. The minimum layer is usually 0.1 mm. In some models of 3D printers, a layer of 0.05 is available, but for printing with such a layer, it is important to choose the right many settings and the print speed will be quite slow.

Pros:

  • Large print area

  • Many different materials are available for every “taste and budget”

  • Inexpensive Consumables

Cons:

Of course, FDM printers are hardly suitable for making miniature figures, but they can be successfully used to print large souvenir figures, create game locations and some parts of dioramas.

LCD/DLP

The principles of operation of LCD and DLP printers are very similar. The material used is polymers that harden under the action of UV light. The only difference is that an LCD printer uses an LED matrix in conjunction with an LCD screen as a source of UV radiation, while a DLP uses a projector.

Working principle of photopolymer 3D printer

Pros:

  • The ideal surface of the finished figure

  • Many different materials available

  • High print accuracy even for the smallest items

Cons:

Photopolymer 3D printers are able to create miniature products that cannot be made using FDM technology. This technology will be an ideal choice for creating miniatures, small poster models, etc.

Print examples


Robot printed on Asiga Pro 4k


Figurine made with Phrozen Sonic Mini 4k


28mm 3D printed miniatures

3D Printed Halloween Miniature

3D printed play models


FDM Cube Thrower


Figure making process from 3D model to painting

Best Printer Ranking

FDM

Creality3D Ender 3 (Build Kit)

Features:

Print technology: FDM/FFF

Working area size: 220x220x250 mm

Number of extruders: 1

Max. extruder temperature: max. 255℃

Closed Camera: No

Heated table: Yes

Plastic type: ABS, PLA, PETG, Flex, Decorative plastics, others

A popular and unpretentious 3D printer that many makers liked. Creality3D Ender 3 is sold as a kit (assembly kit), but thanks to the detailed instructions, there should be no problems with assembly.

Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus

Features:

Print technology: FDM/FFF

Working area size: 200*200*180mm

Number of extruders: 1

Max. extruder temperature: max. 260°C

Closed Camera: Optional

Heated table: Yes

Plastic type: ABS, PLA, PETG, Flex, Decorative plastics, others

Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus is an updated version of the Duplicator 6. The new modification adds automatic calibration, printing resume after a power outage, and others. You can immediately purchase a printer with a closed case, this will allow you to easily print with composites. Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus will become a trouble-free workhorse, and thanks to the “omnivorous” extruder, even a beginner will be able to print exotic materials without any problems, such as soft flexes or rubbers.

FlashForge Creator Pro 2

Features:

Print technology: FDM/FFF

Working area size: 200x148x150 mm

Number of extruders: 2

Max. extruder temperature: max. 240°C

Closed Camera: Yes

Heated table: Yes

Plastic type: ABS, PLA, PETG, Flex, Decorative plastics, others

FlashForge Creator Pro 2 is an almost professional dual extruder 3D printer. Thanks to the closed body, Creator Pro 2 has no problem even with composite materials, and two extruders allow the use of soluble support for complex models. Moreover, FlashForge extruders are independent, this allows you to print 2 mirror or identical models at the same time. This allows you to speed up the production of the same type of models. FlashForge Creator Pro 2 will not only be a good home printer, but also a great helper for a workshop or small production.

LCD

Anycubic Photon Mono 4K

Features:

LCD display resolution: 3840x2400 (4K)

UV wavelength: 405 nm

Working area size: 132x80x165 mm

Layer thickness: 0.01-0.15mm

Inexpensive, but fairly modern 3D printer with a 4K monochrome display. Anycubic Photon Mono 4K will be a good tool for printing miniature models.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

Features:

LCD resolution: 6.1" 4K Mono LCD

XY positioning accuracy: 35 microns

UV wavelength: 405 nm

Working area size: 134x75x130 mm

Layer thickness: 0.01-0.30mm

The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is a compact high resolution 3D printer. It allows you to get accurate models even with an abundance of small details. Sonic Mini 4K is a good choice for those who need to print quickly and accurately.

Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K

Features:

LCD resolution: 9.3" 4K Mono LCD

XY positioning accuracy: 52 microns

UV wavelength: 405 nm

Working area size: 200x125x220 mm

Layer thickness: 0.01-0.3mm

With a larger work area, the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K allows you to quickly produce large models or small batches of small items. Such a 3D printer will be a good help for a small workshop or a hobby circle.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K

Features:

LCD resolution: 7.1" 8K Mono LCD

XY Positioning Accuracy: 22 µm

UV wavelength: 405 nm

Working area size: 165x72x180 mm

Layer thickness: 0.01-0.3mm

Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is one of the representatives of 8K photopolymer printers, which can still be counted on the fingers of one hand. The high resolution LCD-matrix allows you to print figures with amazing surface quality and amazing detail. Such a printer is suitable for demanding printers who care about accuracy and the perfect surface of the finished model.

Totals

3D printers are gradually showing themselves to be great helpers in many areas, not only in medicine and industry, but also in home hobbies. Thanks to 3D printing, it is possible to produce small figurines or elements of dioramas much faster, paying more attention to the elaboration of details, rather than painstaking modeling or the search for exotic materials.

And digitalization makes it much easier to share your work and finished models in the community or adjust them to your needs, for example, change the scale or adjust the pose.

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