Best 3D Printers for Miniatures & Tabletop Gaming
Miniature printing is where resin printers shine. The difference between FDM and resin for a 28mm miniature is night and day — resin captures details that FDM physically can't reproduce at that scale. If you're printing D&D minis, Warhammer figures, or any tabletop gaming pieces, resin is the answer.
What to look for
XY resolution
Measured in microns (μm). Lower is better. 18-28μm captures armor rivets, facial features, and weapon details on 28mm figures.
Build plate size
Bigger plates = more minis per batch. A 6-inch plate can fit 10-15 standard minis. A 10-inch plate fits 30+.
Z-axis precision
Layer heights of 0.02-0.05mm are standard for minis. Virtually all modern resin printers achieve this.
Community profiles
Elegoo and Anycubic have the most community-shared resin profiles and settings for miniature printing.
Our picks
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
- • $269 — Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
- • Enclosed for ABS/ASA and quieter printing
- • Auto-leveling for hassle-free setup
- • 18μm XY resolution for fine detail
Creality Halot-Mage S
- • $459 — Creality Halot-Mage S
- • Enclosed for ABS/ASA and quieter printing
- • Auto-leveling for hassle-free setup
- • 17μm XY resolution for fine detail
Common mistakes to avoid
- ×Buying a 4K printer when 12K is available at the same price — resolution matters enormously for minis
- ×Using cheap resin that yellows or becomes brittle after curing
- ×Not investing in a wash & cure station — hand-washing with IPA works but is tedious
- ×Over-curing prints — they become brittle. Follow recommended cure times per resin.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I print miniatures with an FDM printer?
Yes, but with caveats. FDM works for terrain, buildings, and large-scale figures. For detailed 28mm minis, resin is dramatically better.
How much does it cost to print a miniature?
A single 28mm mini uses about 3-5ml of resin ($0.10-0.25). Resin printing is surprisingly cheap per mini — the printer and cleanup supplies are the main costs.
Is resin safe to use at home?
Yes, with precautions. Wear nitrile gloves, work in a ventilated area (open window + fan at minimum), and never pour uncured resin down the drain. Many hobbyists print in a garage or spare room.
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