A raw 3D print looks good, but a painted one looks incredible. Whether it's tabletop minis, a cosplay prop or a dragon for the shelf, here's the process we use.
1. Clean up the print
Remove supports with flush cutters, then lightly sand any nubs. Wash off dust with warm soapy water and let it dry.
2. Prime it
Primer helps paint stick and shows up any marks you missed. Spray light coats from about 25 cm away, outdoors, on a dry day. Use grey for general work, black for dark or moody figures, and white for bright colours.
3. Base coats
Thin your paint with a little water until it's like milk, then apply two thin coats rather than one thick one. Thick paint hides detail.
4. Washes and dry brushing
A dark wash runs into the recesses and adds instant depth. When it's dry, drag an almost-dry brush with a lighter colour across the raised edges. These two steps make beginner paint jobs look professional.
5. Seal it
A matte varnish protects your work from handling. Use gloss only on eyes, gems or anything meant to look wet.
Want a figure printed to paint? Check out our gallery or upload a model for an instant price.
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