Frequently Asked Questions

Most common:

Do you do paint commissions?
Yes, if I have availability! Paint commissions for miniatures start at $60 (in addition to the cost of the miniature) and might take 2-4 weeks to complete, depending on size, complexity, and schedule.
Can you 3D print a file I have, including Hero Forge models?
Usually, yes! I have 2 different kinds of printer that are good for different things. Print limitations, though, might be the size of the print and/or the quality of the STL file (not all files are prepped correctly for printing and may produce failed or even more fragile prints). So I usually like to check files before I can determine if I can print it.
Can you design a 3D print for me?
Unfortunately I'm not a 3D modeler. For custom designs, you'll need to find a 3D modeler and have them generate an STL file that I can print. You might also be able to create your own character on sites like Hero Forge.

About 3D Prints, Models & Processes

What's the difference between "regular resin" and "premium resin"?

Premium Resin is a bit more durable and flexible that basic, cheap resin that can snap like dried pasta. Premium Resin is recommended for models that have skinny, thin, or protruding features that might snag or snap if the print falls to a hard surface.

The Regular Resin I'm now using is a plant based resin that is also slightly flexible, but a little softer, and less durable. This is recommended for thicker, larger, sturdier models.

In both cases, these are still resin prints, and neither are completely indestructible. If you can't decide which material is best for your print, message me!

What kind of quality/resolution can I expect with your 3D prints?

My current resin printers produce 2K HD resolution prints. When the settings are dialed in correctly, which comes from experience, details are more pronounced and layer lines are hardly noticeable. If you've received 3D resin prints from other vendors and were disappointed with how "swollen" or "puffy" they looked, it's because the settings were wrong...

FDM (filament) prints are usually for the larger models I offer, where the details are less complex. While I typically print at .04mm layer height (very fine), prints may have still some visible layer lines and/or rough patches that need to be sanded, but a lot of the times, these become less noticeable after priming and painting. I also try to position the parts in a way where the rough patches occur in less visible areas (like under the body).

Do you clean or prepare miniatures before shipping?

Yes, I try to clean, sand, and make sure the prints I send pass my QC before sending.

The process of resin printing has a few steps where it might create subtle flaws, like where the supports needed during printing are removed once printed. This may leave little divots on the model. I try to sand or smooth these spots out, but can't always see every single instance of them. Usually these become more visible during painting. They're easy to clean, just scrape the areas with an Xacto blade or use sand paper.

For FDM prints, I try to sand and smooth as best I can, without going into a deep dive. A lot of rougher areas will be hidden or become less noticeable once you paint it.

Do the prints come assembled?

If I feel it's safe to do so, you'll find an option to have the model assembled in add-ons. Models that do no have this option are either printed whole, is too delicate or too large to ship assembled and will be shipped in pieces.

There's a chance some parts might detach during the shipping process and would need to be glued back on. A gel type superglue is recommended to have on hand, just in case.

Some of the larger prints might have gaps where pieces are glued together and need to be filled in (green stuff putty is good for this). It just depends on how much the gaps might bother you.

What colors can you print?

I only print whichever color(s) I'm currently running. A lot of the times these colors are chosen by their performance and/or availability, and not because of the color. This goes for both resin and FDM (filament) prints.

CURRENT COLORS:

Premium Resin - CHARCOAL GREY, semi-transparent.
This durable resin comes in other, more transparent colors that may be used where it makes sense (clear risers, spectral wings, air elements, etc).

Regular Resin - GRAY
A plant-based resin that comes in other colors, but grey has proven to have the best results.

FDM Prints - BLACK
Typically done in black, but can also vary as I test other filaments. Some larger prints that require multiple piece MAY include parts with different colors.

All prints should be primed before painting.

What size/scale are the models you print?

As a quick guide of the Collections of Models I offer from artists I'm licensed to print:

  • Artisan Guild builds at 32mm scale, though a lot of human-sized minis fit onto 1" bases. Some of the boss monsters, however, are bigger than D&D sizing (like their manticore or hydra).
  • Duncan Shadow Louca builds at around 28-30mm scale? A lot of his models do fit onto bases that meet D&D base sizing (1", 2", 3", etc), though his designs of creatures are bit more bulky (like the goblins, mousefolk, etc).
  • Brayan Nafarrete seems to build at a similar scale that DSL (above) does.
  • EC3D seems to build at D&D sizing.

    If you're looking for a particular scale, let me know! I can double check a model and/or print at the size you're looking for.

    • Can I use prints for cake toppers?
    You can! However, resin is not food safe and should not be in direct contact with food. I recommend placed the print(s) on top of a food safe plastic platform before placing on top of any cakes or food items.

    After you have received your print(s)

    What is this white stuff on my print(s)?
    It's resin dust from sanding. I tried to smooth out any marks from support removal after printing, which might require sanding. See above on cleaning prints.
    Why is my resin print sticky or wet?
    This might be residue from the cleaning process that is required after printing. Each print is cleaned with Isopropyl Alcohol to remove as much uncured resin as possible. This is why it's recommended to prime your mini before painting, and to make sure to keep prints away from pets and young children as resin is toxic and not food safe.
    Why is my hollow print leaking?
    Larger models need to be printed hollowed as a solid print tends to rip off the build plate during printing. In order to avoid having trapped uncured resin inside the hollow print, they will have air and drain holes. Each print is submerged in isopropyl alcohol during the cleaning process and may be left to dry for at least 24hrs, though it might not be fully dried in that time frame. This is why it's recommended to leave the air and drainage holes open so your model continues to dry. If you fill all of the holes in, it might trap moisture and expand causing the print to crack from within over time.
    My mini arrived damaged. Can I get a replacement?

    If this happened, I apologize! I try to pack minis as safe as possible, but accidents do occasionally happen.

    First make sure that if you purchased an assembled miniature that the breaks didn't happen at the glue points. In some cases, where parts were glued on (usually as wrist joints, wing joints, or the feet glued to the base), the glue might not have held during shipping and the parts just need to be re-glued.

    If the print was broken anywhere else, then we'll go through the process of filing a claim with the shipping carrier and I'll try to get a replacement print to you.

    In most cases, prints aren't truly broken, they just need a little more glue.

    What glue should I use to assemble my mini?

    I recommend using a gel type super glue like Loctite or Gorilla Glue. The watery super glues don't suction the parts in place very well.

    I also recommend finding something to prop your mini and pieces against so that pieces can be held in place while the glue cures. Otherwise, if you have patience to hold the pieces together yourself, then by all means, go for it!