There’s something really satisfying about taking a freshly printed resin miniature and turning it into a character that feels like it has stepped straight out of a fantasy world. Whether you’re painting an entire army, creating a centrepiece model, or just experimenting with your first miniature, the painting process is where your models truly come to life.

3D printed resin miniatures can capture incredible levels of detail, but getting the best results comes down to a little preparation, the right tools, and a bit of patience. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert painter — every amazing army starts with that first brush stroke!

Here are some simple tips to help you get the most from your resin miniatures.

1. Clean and Prepare Your Miniature First

Before reaching for the paintbrush, it’s important to make sure your miniature is ready for painting.

During the 3D printing process, small amounts of resin residue can sometimes remain on the model. Give your miniature a gentle clean using warm soapy water and a soft brush or toothbrush. This helps remove any leftover residue and allows your primer and paint to stick properly.

Once cleaned, carefully remove any remaining supports or small printing marks. Take your time here — rushing the preparation stage can make painting more difficult later.

A small amount of sanding can also help smooth any rough areas. Fine-grit sandpaper works best, and remember that resin dust should not be breathed in, so always take care when sanding.

2. Use a Good Primer

Priming your miniature is one of the most important steps in the whole process.

A primer creates a surface that paint can grip onto, helping your colours look brighter and reducing the chance of paint rubbing away during gameplay.

Spray primers are often the easiest option for miniatures. Apply several light coats rather than one thick coat, keeping the spray moving to avoid covering up those amazing details.

Popular primer colours include:

• Black primer – Great for darker armies, monsters and dramatic shadows.
• White primer – Ideal for bright colours and vibrant fantasy models.
• Grey primer – A great all-round choice that works well for most miniatures.

There’s no single “correct” choice — experiment and see what works best for your painting style.

3. Choose the Right Paints

Most miniature painters use acrylic paints because they are easy to work with, dry quickly, and come in thousands of colours.

Brands designed specifically for miniatures are a great choice, but you don’t need a huge collection of paints to get started. A basic selection of colours can go a surprisingly long way.

A good starter set might include:

• Black and white
• A few primary colours
• Metallic paints for weapons and armour
• Brown tones for leather, wood and bases
• Skin tones
• Washes for adding depth

Remember, you can always mix colours together to create new shades.

4. Start With Thin Layers

One of the biggest mistakes new painters make is applying paint too thickly.

Thick paint can hide the tiny details that make resin miniatures special. Instead, thin your paints slightly and build up colour gradually with multiple layers.

It may take an extra coat or two, but the final result will look much cleaner and more professional.

Think of painting miniatures like building a character — the details come together step by step.

5. Use Washes to Bring Out Details

Washes are a miniature painter’s secret weapon.

A wash is a thin, darker paint that flows into the recesses of a model, creating natural shadows around armour, clothing, scales and weapons.

For example:

• A black wash can add depth to armour and weapons.
• A brown wash works brilliantly on leather, wood and earthy colours.
• A darker shade of your base colour can create subtle shadows.

Even a simple paint job can look dramatically better after adding a wash.

6. Highlight the Details

Once your base colours and washes are complete, highlights help your miniature really stand out.

Simply apply a lighter version of your original colour to raised areas where light would naturally hit.

Examples:

• Light grey along the edges of black armour
• A brighter skin tone on faces and hands
• Silver highlights on weapons
• Lighter colours on fur or cloth

You don’t need to go overboard. Small highlights can make a huge difference.

7. Don’t Forget the Base

A great miniature deserves a great base.

A simple painted base can work perfectly, but adding texture can make your models feel part of a real battlefield.

Some easy basing ideas include:

• Sand or gravel
• Static grass
• Small rocks
• Broken pieces of scenery
• Mud effects
• Snow effects

The base is often the finishing touch that turns a painted model into a complete miniature.

8. Seal Your Miniature

Once your masterpiece is finished, protect your hard work with a varnish.

This is especially important if you plan to use your miniatures for tabletop gaming, where they will be handled regularly.

A matte varnish is the most common choice as it gives a natural finish, but gloss or satin varnishes can also work well for certain effects.

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

The best thing about painting miniatures is that there are no real rules.

Try different colour schemes. Test unusual combinations. Create your own unique characters. Some of the coolest armies come from painters who decided to do something completely different.

Your first miniature might not be perfect — and that’s completely fine. Every painter improves with every model they complete.

Final Thoughts

Painting 3D printed resin miniatures is a hobby within a hobby. The printing creates the foundation, but your creativity brings the model to life.

Whether you’re painting a single hero, a terrifying monster, or an entire tabletop army, enjoy the process. Take your time, learn from each miniature, and most importantly — have fun.

The best painted miniature is always the one you’re proud to put on the table.