Board Game Miniatures Painted: Make Your Figures Pop
By Dynafabs
Get board game miniatures painted by Some Miniatures, from tabletop to display level, plus custom printed inserts and trays from Dynafabs.
Plenty of board games now arrive with a box full of grey plastic figures. They look fine, but once they're painted the whole table changes: heroes stand out, monsters look properly menacing, and it's much easier to tell at a glance whose piece is whose. If you've been eyeing that stack of unpainted board game miniatures and wondering whether to get them done, this post walks through how Some Miniatures can paint them and how Dynafabs can print the extras that make a game night run smoother.
Why paint board game miniatures at all?
Some Miniatures' founder, Jonathan, says on their home page that he started out simply wanting to play Dungeons & Dragons and paint miniatures, and that one of the things he wants to help people do is make "your latest board game that came with some miniatures pop". Painted figures are easier to read across the table, nicer to hand round to friends, and turn a game you love into something you'll want on display between sessions.
It's also a time question. Painting a full board game's worth of figures yourself can take months of evenings. Handing the job to a commission painter means the game gets played with painted pieces now, not "one day".
Picking a painting level for a board game
Some Miniatures offers several painting levels, from Bronze ("tabletop quality") up through Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Their gallery explains that the tabletop standard covers miniatures "for tabletop standards as well as individual figures for Dungeon and Dragons plus several board games", with models painted to full detail with good highlights.
A sensible approach for most board games:
- Lots of matching minions or monsters: a tabletop level keeps them looking sharp on the table without going overboard on the big batch.
- Hero characters and the big boss: these get picked up and looked at the most, so a higher tier with extra highlights and shading is often worth it.
- A centrepiece figure: if your game has one show-stopper model, that's the one to treat as a display piece.
If you're not sure which level suits your game, their FAQ says they're happy to talk it through before you commit and brainstorm a style that works for you.
How the commission works
From the Some Miniatures FAQ, a few practical points worth knowing:
- Quotes: fill in their Get a Quote form with as much detail as you can, and they say you'll likely get a quote within the hour. Adding your postcode helps with the delivery cost.
- Sending figures: you can post your own figures (with a photo showing their condition and whether they need assembly or cleaning), or they can buy the figure for you.
- Updates: they photograph your models when they arrive, send an update halfway through and a final picture at the end.
- Getting them back: every model is individually wrapped in bubble wrap and packed in a sturdy box. They're based just outside London and ship across the UK and internationally.
- Payment: PayPal or bank transfer.
Already painted the figures badly years ago? The FAQ says they'll *sometimes* strip and repaint models, depending on the figure and the amount of paint or damage, so ask first.
Where Dynafabs fits in
Dynafabs doesn't print copies of the figures that come in your board game box: those belong to the game's publisher. What we can do is 3D print the things around them, from your own designs or files you have the rights to use:
- Box inserts and organisers so painted figures travel safely and don't rub against each other.
- Token trays, card holders and dice towers to speed up setup and pack-away.
- Original or properly licensed tabletop minis, such as extra heroes or scenery from designers who sell files for printing, which can then go to Some Miniatures for painting so they match the rest of your set.
For figures that will be painted, resin usually gives the crispest detail, while sturdy organisers and trays are often best in PLA or PETG. Our resin vs FDM guide and materials page explain the trade-offs, and you can upload an STL or 3MF for an instant price on our quote page.
Tips before you send off your game's figures
1. Count and photograph everything so you know exactly what went out and what came back. 2. Write down any colour ideas, for example matching each hero to a player colour, which makes the game easier to read. 3. Keep cards and boards at home. Only the figures need to travel. 4. Plan storage now. Painted figures deserve an insert that stops them chipping, which is a perfect job for a printed organiser.
FAQ
Can Some Miniatures paint figures from any board game? Their site says they've painted miniatures from many ranges and brands, including figures for board games. Send details through their quote form to check your specific game.
Can Dynafabs print replacement figures for my board game? Only from original designs or files you have the rights to print. We won't copy a publisher's figures, but we're happy to print inserts, trays, accessories and licensed minis.
Do I have to use both businesses? No. You can go to Some Miniatures just for painting, or to Dynafabs just for printing. Our collaboration post explains how the two fit together when you want both.
Ready to level up game night?
Get your board game figures painted through Some Miniatures, and if you'd like a custom insert, token tray or original minis printed to go with them, get a Dynafabs quote. Your next game night could look a lot more colourful.
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