Vallejo Xpress Color: Full Review & Guide 2026 | Mr Resin

Hey, makers! Today we're going to take a deep dive into one of those paint ranges that, honestly, has changed the game for me when it comes to painting armies and printed pieces: the Vallejo Xpress Color range. If what you're looking for is to paint faster without sacrificing results that leave people speechless, stick around — this is for you. In my experience, they're the secret weapon for bringing my 3D printer resin creations to life in record time. I've got you covered!

What is Vallejo Xpress Color paints? The magic in a bottle

If you're wondering what the heck these paints are, forget the technical jargon. They're like a magic potion for those of us who are into painting minis and the maker lifestyle.

Think about this: can you imagine being able to apply the base color, create automatic shading, and even bring out the first highlights with a single brushstroke? Well, that's essentially what I've achieved with Xpress Color.

A single coat, automatic shading

The secret behind Xpress Color lies in their formula. They have a very liquid consistency and a property called capillarity that is genuinely impressive. When you apply them to a figure, the paint flows in an almost intelligent way:

• It flows straight into the recesses: The paint slides into the deepest areas of the miniature, darkening them and creating shading automatically. Say goodbye to lining by hand for hours!
• It pulls away from raised areas: At the same time, the pigment retreats from raised surfaces and edges. This allows the light color of the primer to show through, acting as a first highlight and generating instant, striking contrast.

For me, this effect is a complete 180 in the way I work. Projects that used to take me weeks of painting coat after coat, I now knock out in just a few days with a more than solid result.

Since they launched, Xpress Color paints have become super popular, especially among the wargames crowd — Warhammer and the like — and, of course, among us 3D printing enthusiasts. The time savings are wild: I've gone from spending two hours on a 28mm figure to just 30 minutes. They're an incredible tool for any painter who values their time.

Let's get to work: How to use Xpress Color like a pro

Alright, we've covered the theory. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to the fun part: how do we get the most out of them? Don't worry — after countless tests, I've put together a straight-to-the-point guide for you.

The first thing — and I want you to burn this into your memory — is preparation. A good primer is practically 90% of the success with this range.

The key to success: a light, even primer coat

Xpress Color paints need a smooth surface so the paint can flow on its own. That's why my number one recommendation is to always use a good Vallejo primer spray.

After trying almost everything, this is my personal cheat sheet for choosing the base color:

• White: My go-to option for 80% of jobs. Achieves the most vibrant colors and stunning contrast.
• Light grey: A fantastic alternative if you're looking for a slightly more muted or "realistic" finish. Transitions are smoother.
• Zenithal (white over black): This technique is a bit more advanced, but the results are on another level. You print in black and then, only from above, apply a coat of white. When you apply the Xpress Color, you get spectacular shading and highlighting with almost no effort.

If you want to nail this part, I recommend you check out my guide on miniature priming, where I explain everything in detail.

Application: my hands-on experience

There's not much mystery here: the trick is loading the brush with just the right amount. Not too much, not too little. My method is simple: I load the brush well, offload a little onto the palette, and apply a generous coat over the area. Then I let physics do the rest.

My golden tip: if you see a pool forming on a flat area, grab a second clean, slightly damp brush to "steal" that excess and spread it around. It works like a charm!

My little secret is the Xpress Color Medium. This liquid is an absolute game-changer. It lets you thin any color in the range without losing its properties, ideal for achieving glazes or a more translucent tone.

My most useful Xpress Color paints (the ones you can't do without)

Walking into a store and seeing that wall full of Xpress Color paints pots can be a little overwhelming. I know. Where do I even start? Don't worry, that's what I'm here for. I've done the dirty work for you and here are the pots I buy three at a time.

• Dwarf Skin: The skin tone you can't go wrong with for humans, dwarves, or elves.
• Copper Brown: My all-purpose brown: leather, wood, bags, belts...
• Black Lotus: A very dark grey for shading black without it looking like a featureless void.
• Storm Blue: A dark, versatile blue for wizard robes or sci-fi armor.
• Snake Green: The perfect green for orc and goblin skin.

A friendly tip: if you're just starting out, I recommend the Xpress Color Starter Set. It comes with a very well thought-out selection that covers almost all the basic needs.

And then... there's the Xpress Color Intense range. Keep an eye on these — they have incredible pigmentation and saturation. My favorites are Intense Imperial Yellow and Intense Vampire Violet.

The great battle: Vallejo Xpress vs. Citadel Contrast vs. Army Painter Speedpaint

Now let's get into it. The million-dollar question: how do the Vallejo Xpress Color paints compare to their biggest rivals, Citadel Contrast and Army Painter Speedpaint? I've burned many hours testing all three ranges, so I'm going to share my experience straight with you.

Flow, finish, and the dreaded "reactivation effect"

The first thing you notice is how the paint behaves. The Xpress Color paints have a flow that's close to perfect, giving you total control. Citadel Contrast paints tend to be denser and Army Painter Speedpaints are an explosion of saturation.

But where Vallejo really stands out, in my opinion, is the finish: completely matte. This unifies the miniature and leaves you with a perfect surface if you want to add highlights afterwards. Contrast paints lean more towards satin, and the original Speedpaints also had that shine issue (although 2.0 has improved it).

And now we get to the key point: reactivation. This happens when you paint over a dry layer and the one underneath "wakes up" and blends in.

• Army Painter Speedpaint (1.0): Famous (for all the wrong reasons) for this. They reactivated just by looking at them.
• Citadel Contrast: They reactivate a little, but you have to work at it.
• Vallejo Xpress Color: Once dry, they do not reactivate at all. Zero. This reliability, for me, is everything.

Comparison Chart: Contrast Paints

In my experience, the Vallejo Xpress Color paints are the most well-rounded and versatile option. Their matte finish, zero reactivation, and fantastic value for money make them the perfect tool for most projects.

When to use Xpress Color vs. traditional paint?

Now, let's be honest. Xpress Color paints are amazing, but they're not for everything.

• When YES: They're perfect for painting entire armies, monster hordes, scenery or any large project where time is of the essence. The result is more than good and the speed is unbeatable. They're the perfect dance partner for pieces printed with Elegoo resins or Anycubic resins.
• When NO: For that competition figure or display piece where you want to control every last highlight. There, the traditional technique of layering paints is still king.

Advanced techniques: Mixing with Game Color

Have you already got the hang of basic application? Great! Now the fun begins. One of my favourite combinations is using Xpress Color as a super quick base and then going in with regular acrylics, like those from Vallejo's Game Color range.

• Controlled edge highlighting: After applying the Xpress layer, grab a lighter Game Color and highlight only the most exposed edges. This gives you absolute control over your final highlights.
• Smooth transitions: Apply your Xpress and, once dry, you can use a heavily thinned regular acrylic (a glaze) to smooth joins between colours without ruining the shading.

And don't forget the Xpress Color Medium. It's the key to turning any acrylic you have at home into a custom Vallejo contrast paint. A brilliant trick! If you want to go deeper, take a look at my article on colour theory applied to miniatures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Vallejo Xpress Color

To wrap things up, I've put together the questions you ask me most. Let's clear them up so you can paint with confidence.

Can Xpress Color be used straight from the bottle?

Yes, absolutely! In fact, that's exactly what they're designed for. Shake them well and apply them as-is over a light primer. A white or pale grey Vallejo primer spray is where you'll really see the magic happen.

How does Xpress Color differ from an ink or a wash?

A wash or an ink aims to mark shadows, but tends to tint the entire surface. The Xpress Color formula is smarter: the pigment pulls away from edges (leaving the highlight from the primer) and pools more heavily in recesses. It gives you the base colour, shading and a first highlight all in a single pass.

Can Xpress colours be mixed together?

Of course! In fact, I highly recommend experimenting. Mixing Xpress colours is a joy for creating your own tones. The mix retains the same properties, so the result is completely predictable.

Do minis painted with Xpress Color need to be varnished?

My advice is yes, always. Especially if those miniatures are going to hit the gaming table. Even though they're tough, a coat of matte varnish will protect them from scrapes, scratches and finger grease. It's a small extra step that makes sure your hard work holds up.

Do the Xpress Color reactivate with water?

No, and this is one of their greatest advantages. Once the layer is dry, it does not reactivate at all. You can paint over it with another color, apply a dry brush or correct a mistake without any worry. That reliability makes all the difference. For more information, I recommend reading our complete guide on Vallejo paints.

Conclusion

Well, folks, if you ask me what I think of the Vallejo Xpress Color, I'll tell you straight: they are absolutely amazing and have earned a permanent spot on my workbench.

For those just starting out, they allow you to achieve results that used to mean hours of frustration. And for those of us who have been at this for a while, they are an incredible project accelerator. They are not the solution for everything (for competitions, traditional layering techniques are still king), but for 90% of projects, they are unbeatable.

What I love most about these paints is the combination of their ease of use, that perfect matte finish straight out of the bottle, and a color range that keeps on growing. If, like me, you value your time and want to see your armies ready in record time, I wholeheartedly recommend you give them a try. I am sure you are going to be blown away just like I was!