Miniatures are highly detailed representations of creatures and characters. Modern 3D printers can now produce minute detail such as a dragon’s scales or dents in armor. Here are the best 3D printers for printing miniatures and tabletop models.
Resin Printers vs. Filament Printers
Some 3D printers can’t produce the high level of detail needed for miniatures. It’s important to understand the differences between resin and filament (FDM) printers. ..
There are two types of 3D printers: FDM and SLA. FDM printers use melted plastic to create 3D objects, while SLA printers use UV light to harden liquid resin to form the object. ..
The main problem with filament printers is that they are unable to produce great details, minus a few exceptions. Resin is overall better for miniature and figurine production because it can capture the tiniest details.
There are still some uses for FDM printers in the world of miniature gaming. They print much faster and the material is cheaper than resin, making them a good choice for creating terrain and large models of buildings. However, filament printers are better for creating smaller items, such as models of small buildings or trees.
Resin printers are great for creating miniatures, but they have their own set of risks. Resin is toxic, so you’ll need a well-ventilated space to work in. You’ll also need to wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the toxicity, since ventilation alone won’t be enough. In addition, SLA printers are much slower than FDM printers, so your costs will be higher overall. ..
What to Look for in 3D Printers for Miniatures and Tabletop Models
3D printers print at resolutions of around 100 microns, which is smaller than the resolution of most displays. This means that 3D prints will not look as good as prints that are made with higher resolution displays.
There are two resolution measurements in 3D printers: XY plane and Z-axis. XY-plane resolution measures the dimensions of a 2D planar print or the layer height, while the Z-axis is the thickness of a printed layer. Quality miniatures for tabletop games demand a resolution of at least 50 microns, but the latest printers like the Saturn 2 can achieve a fine resolution of 28.5 microns.
The next thing to consider when purchasing a 3D printer is the build volume. This will tell you how big your models can be. You’ll need to decide what you want to create in the future - will you only print miniatures, or do you want to print larger models? 3D printers require maintenance, so it’s important to research how easy they are to use. Choose one that suits all your needs as best as possible. ..
1. Anycubic Photon Mono 4K – Best for Beginners
3D printers are becoming more and more popular, and anycubic Photon Mono is one of the entry-level 3D printers on the market. It excels in speed and usability, making it a great choice for those just starting their miniature printing hobby. Its price is also low, making it an ideal option for those who are looking for a budget-friendly 3D printer.
This 3D printer uses an LCD screen to cast UV light on the resin. This makes the printing time very short, around 1 to 2 seconds for each layer. But Anycubic Photon Mono has a very limited build volume that will restrict the size of your miniatures and models. You won’t be able to print in heights above 6.5 inches (165mm). This is a good enough size for regular DnD miniatures, but figurines or buildings are out of the question.
2. Anycubic Photon Mono X – Best for Speed
This 3D printer from Anycubic is designed for large-scale prints. It is a resin printer with an LCD screen that is capable of achieving a printing speed of 60mm/hour. Besides the impressive speed, Mono X can print large-scale 3D models as it has a build volume of 192 x 120 x 245mm.
Anycubic Photon Mono X is a high-resolution 3D printer that can print fine details at a high speed. It has a touch screen user interface and can be controlled with the Anycubic app on your iPhone or Android device. ..
3. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K – Best Mid-Range Printer
The Anycubic Photon Mono is a less expensive alternative to the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K that offers similar specs. It can print miniatures up to 6.5 inches high and uses a monochrome LCD to cast UV light to harden the resin.
This 3D printer is great for printing small miniatures at XY resolution, with its z-axis resolution of 0.01mm.
4. Phrozen Sonic XL 4K – Best for High Precision
If you are looking for a professional 3D printer that can produce high-quality, high-detailed prints, the Sonic XL 4K from Phrozen Sonic might be the perfect machine for you. This machine was developed as an entry-level dentistry 3D printer with a parallel UV LED matrix system for high XY plane accuracy and quick resin curing. It has a large print volume of 190x120x200mm, and accuracy of an impressive 10 microns. The Sonic XL 4K is popular among jewelry designers, so it’s more than enough for miniatures.
The Sonic XL 4K 3D printer is amazing for bringing out all the details in your miniatures, and it will bring your DnD or tabletop games to a new level.
5. Elegoo Mars 2 Pro – Best Budget Printer
The Mars 2 Pro is a high-quality printer that costs just $180. It prints quickly and has a mono LCD display that’s only 2K resolution. However, this printer is not as powerful as some of the others on the market, so it may not be suitable for larger builds.
The Mars 2 Pro 3D printing machine from Elegoo is perfect for intricate details and small prints. With its XY resolution of 50 microns, and Z-axis accuracy of 0.00125mm, it can handle even the most delicate details with ease. Additionally, the CHITUBOX slicer and tools make this machine perfect for hollowing out 3D models before printing, which will save both time and material.
6. Elegoo Saturn 2 – Best for Going Big
If you want to print bigger miniatures of monsters or your favorite game characters, there are two options: using 3D printers with smaller build volumes and gluing the pieces together, or using Elegoo Saturn 2 to print them in one piece. The second option is always better as you won’t risk the glued parts falling off or warping over time. ..
The Saturn 2 has a fine XY resolution of 28 microns and a Z-axis resolution of 0.01mm. But its most impressive feature is its large print volume of 218.88×123.12×250 mm. You can use it to either print one big piece, or to print a batch of multiple miniatures in one go.
7. Creality Ender 3 V2 – Best for Printing Terrain
The Creality Ender 3 Pro filament printer is a new model that offers many new features that were lacking on earlier models. It has a 220x220x250 mm build volume, which makes it the perfect choice for larger projects.
Among them are color LCD, silent mainboard, tool drawer, and many more. You can use Ender 3 V2 to print wargames miniatures, but you will have to sand them to get rid of the layer lines. But this 3D printer excels when it comes to printing terrain due to the high precision level and low price of the plastic.
Ender 3 V2 is a high-precision filament printer that can produce resolutions of 0.1mm on both the XY plane and the Z-axis. This makes it a good value for filament printers of its small size, and it is comparable to SLM printers designed for creating detailed miniatures. ..
8. Raise3D E2 – Best for Variety of Materials
Raise3D E2 is a 3D printer that prints in a duplicate or mirror mode. It has a flexible heated printing bed which makes it an ideal machine for printing with different materials. That means that you can create miniatures and terrain not only from plastic but also from carbon fiber, glass fiber, metal, or wood fill. Impressive!
The E2 3D printer has a large build volume of 330x240x240mm, ideal for terrain and buildings for tabletop games. It has a video offset calibration system for the build plate and easy-to-use software. However, this is a professional 3D printer and its price reflects this. Aside from the high price, the only other downside of this machine is that it requires thorough cleaning that will take a lot of time.
Which 3D printer would you choose and why? Let us know in the comments below!
