3D Printed D&D Miniatures: Resin Detail for Your Tabletop Hero

Your character has a backstory, a signature weapon and three sessions' worth of bad decisions. What they probably do not have is a miniature that looks like them. Resin 3D printing solves that: a mini of your exact hero, at the right scale, with detail fine enough to paint the eyes. Here is how it works and what to expect when you order one.

Why resin, not filament, for minis

There are two common 3D printing methods. FDM pushes melted plastic through a nozzle and builds the object in layers around 0.2 mm thick. Resin (SLA/MSLA) cures liquid photopolymer with light, with layers as thin as 0.03–0.05 mm and pixel-level detail in the horizontal plane.

For a 28–32 mm figure, the difference is night and day. FDM will give you a recognisable shape with visible stairs on every curve. Resin gives you the clasp on a belt, the individual feathers on a helmet crest, the texture of chainmail. That is why resin is the usual choice for miniatures. If you want the full comparison, read FDM vs resin printing.

Scale and size guide

Scale	Human figure height	Typical use
28 mm "heroic"	~28 mm to the eyes, ~30–32 mm overall	Standard D&D and Pathfinder minis
32 mm	~32 mm to the eyes, ~35 mm overall	Slightly larger, easier to paint
54 mm	~54 mm (measured differently by different makers)	Display piece, collector's scale
75 mm and up	75–150 mm	Statue-style centrepiece, not for the grid

Base sizes follow the creature's size category on a 1-inch grid: 25 mm for Medium, 50 mm for Large, 75 mm for Huge. Bases can be printed separately when the model allows it, so you can swap in a themed base later.

Getting a model of your character

You have three routes, from cheapest to most personal:

1. Ready-made miniatures. Sites like MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse and Cults host thousands of fantasy figures, many free or a few dollars. Search by class and race ("tiefling warlock", "dwarf cleric") and you will usually find something close. Filter by "supported" or "pre-supported" files to save preparation time.
2. Character creators. HeroForge and similar tools let you build a figure from parts, pick a pose, then buy an STL for printing. This is the sweet spot for most players: fully customised, no sculpting needed. Note that these files usually come with a personal, non-commercial licence, so check the creator's terms on whether a print service may print your file for you.
3. Custom sculpting. For a character with unique gear, a homebrew race or a specific pose from your art, a digital sculptor builds the mini from scratch. It costs more and takes longer, but the result is one of a kind.

Whichever route you take, send us the STL file and we will check it for printability: wall thickness, fragile spikes, weapons that need supports. Note that some models are sold with personal-use licences only, which affects whether a studio can print them; see licences and commercial use.

What "detail" really means on a resin mini

Resin printers work at 0.03–0.05 mm layer height, and the light source has a pixel size of roughly 0.02–0.05 mm. In practice that means:

• Facial features and expressions are legible at 28 mm.
• Thin weapons such as rapiers and staves print, but standard resin is brittle, so they are often thickened slightly or printed in a tougher resin blend.
• Fine text on scrolls or shields is readable under a magnifier, which is a fun detail for painters.
• Hollow interiors are possible for larger figures, cutting resin use and weight.

After printing, each mini is washed in isopropyl alcohol, cured under UV light and checked for support marks. Support contact points leave tiny nubs; the visible ones are sanded so the surface is ready for primer.

Painted or unpainted?

Most players want to paint their own hero, so an unpainted grey mini is the usual choice. Grey resin takes primer well and shows detail clearly. If you would rather receive a finished figure, ask about painting when you request a quote: a tabletop-ready style (base coats, washes and highlights) or a more detailed display finish. Our beginner's guide to painting miniatures covers the basics if you want to try it yourself.

Not just heroes

Once you have a printer in your corner, the whole table opens up:

• Monsters. Owlbears, giant spiders, a dragon that fills the battle map.
• NPCs and villains. The BBEG deserves a mini that is not a repurposed goblin.
• Party sets. All five characters in a consistent style, a great group gift.
• Terrain and props. Doors, treasure chests, a tavern bar, spell-effect markers.

For a DM running a long campaign, ordering a monster batch before a big arc is a small cost that makes a session memorable.

The price depends on the size of the figure, the resin type and whether painting is included, so we quote each order individually. Larger batches take longer, since every print has to be washed and cured. Ask about packing and delivery options when you order.

Ready to order?

Send your STL (an original or licensed file, or your own file for personal use) or a description of your character through the contact form and Fantasy Lab 3D will reply with options and a quote. You can also DM us on Instagram @fantasylab3d.almaty.