3D-Printed Miniatures Ready to Paint: A Prep Checklist
By Dynafabs
Getting a 3D-printed miniature ready for a painting commission: supports, clean-up, bases and paint tiers, so your print reaches Some Miniatures ready.
Ordering a 3D-printed miniature is only half the journey if you want it to look finished on the table. The other half is paint. Since Dynafabs prints and Some Miniatures paints, we wanted to share a practical checklist for getting a printed mini ready to hand over to a commission painter, so the brief is clear and nothing gets lost between the two steps.
Start with the questions the painter will ask
The easiest way to prepare is to look at what Some Miniatures' Get a Quote form actually asks. Alongside your name, email and country, it asks:
- Are you supplying the model?
- Would you like me to build and clean your models?
- Would you like me to make a base for your model?
- What level of painting would you like for your models?
- Where did you hear about Some Miniatures? (feel free to say Dynafabs)
There is also a free-text box for anything else about your models. If you can answer every one of those before you enquire, you will save a round of back-and-forth emails.
Supplying the model: decide what arrives at the painter
If you are printing with Dynafabs, the answer to "are you supplying the model?" is yes. That means thinking about the state the model will be in when it arrives:
- Fully assembled or in parts? Many miniature files come split (arms, weapons, heads, bases). Some painters prefer to paint sub-assemblies separately so they can reach recessed areas, then glue at the end. Say which you have.
- Supports removed or not? Tell the painter honestly whether support marks have been cleaned up. That is exactly why the form asks about building and cleaning.
- How many models? A single hero and a 20-model unit are very different jobs, so give the count up front.
Build and clean: the bit people underestimate
Every printed miniature has some clean-up: small nubs where supports touched, the odd seam, and sometimes a visible layer line on a curved surface. Primer and paint do not hide these; a good highlight can actually draw the eye straight to them.
You have two sensible options:
1. Clean it yourself with a sharp hobby knife, fine files and a light sand, then send it over ready to prime. 2. Ask the painter to build and clean it, using the option on the quote form, and let them prep it the way they like.
Either is fine. The important thing is that it is a deliberate choice rather than a surprise when the parcel is opened.
Bases: pick before you print
The form also asks whether you want a base made. Decide this before you place your print order. If your file includes a sculpted scenic base, we can print it with the model. If you would rather have Some Miniatures build a base, a plain round base or no base keeps your options open. Mention any game-legal base size you need for your system.
Choose your painting level
Some Miniatures list five tiers on their home page: Bronze ("tabletop quality"), Silver ("tabletop plus"), Gold, Platinum and Diamond. You can browse examples in their Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond galleries.
A handy rule of thumb: rank-and-file troops are often fine at a tabletop tier, while your general, a centrepiece or a display model is where higher tiers earn their keep. Prices are set by Some Miniatures, so ask them for a quote rather than guessing.
Match the print to the paint job
A few print choices make the painter's life easier:
- Detail level: for 28–32 mm miniatures, ask for fine detail when you request your print quote. Higher-tier paint jobs show off crisp sculpt detail, but they also show off rough surfaces.
- Material: if a piece will be handled a lot in games, mention it so we can talk about a tougher option. Our materials guide covers the trade-offs.
- Colour of the print: a plain single colour is usually best for a model that is going to be primed and painted. Save multicolour prints for models that will not be painted.
Show them your army
If your miniature needs to match an existing force, include photos and colour notes. Some Miniatures have faction pages for Warhammer ranges such as Necrons, Orks, Tyranids and many Space Marine chapters, and you can browse their painting page to see whether a style matches yours.
FAQ
Can I send a Dynafabs print straight to Some Miniatures? You arrange the painting commission directly with Some Miniatures through their quote form. Mention that the model is a Dynafabs print and tell them how it will arrive.
Do I need to prime it first? Ask the painter. Many prefer to prime models themselves so they control the surface.
Who quotes for what? Dynafabs quotes the print at dynafabs.uk/quote; Some Miniatures quote the painting.
Got a miniature file waiting? Upload it at dynafabs.uk/quote for a print quote, then get the finish you want from Some Miniatures.
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