Warhammer 40k Miniatures: Your Printing and Painting Guide 🚀🎨

The Warhammer 40k miniatures hobby is a passion that ranges from collecting to assembling and painting entire armies. But what if you could take it one step further? 😉 3D printing has opened the door to a universe of possibilities, allowing players like you and me to create fully customized armies, unique pieces that don't exist on the market, or even proxies to test new strategies without spending a fortune.

In this guide, we'll show you how Mr Resin is your perfect ally on this adventure. You'll find everything you need: high-quality resins for printing detailed miniatures, Vallejo paints for professional finishes, and useful guides from our blog to help you improve your skills. Get ready to take your army from zero to glory! 💪

Bring your Warhammer 40k armies to life with 3D printing 🌌

Welcome to the new era of the hobby. If you've ever dreamed of deploying on the gaming table an army that is truly yours, from the first bolt of a dreadnought to the last insignia on a space marine's shoulder pad, you're in the right place. 3D printing has gone from being a futuristic technology to becoming a key tool for thousands of tabletop commanders. 🛠️

This guide will be your map for transforming simple digital files into troops ready for battle. And at Mr Resin you'll find everything you need — not just top-quality materials, but also the practical knowledge you need to make every miniature a true work of art. 🎨

A universe of possibilities at your desk

The Warhammer 40k community is huge and very, very passionate. In Spain alone, we're talking about more than 10,000 active players who invest an average of €500 a year in their hobby, and customization is the order of the day. With the rise of the 10th edition, the desire for unique armies has skyrocketed, and that's where 3D printing comes into play. For example, at Mr Resin we've seen how Elegoo's water-washable and ABS resins already represent high demand among enthusiasts who print their own pieces. This tells us something very clear: convenience and quality come first.

Miniature by @maestropons

With 3D printing, you stop being just a collector and become a creator. 🧑🎨 Need a specific weapon that doesn't come in the box? Print it. Want to try out a unit before buying it? You can use a detailed proxy.

At Mr Resin we completely understand this journey. That's why we've put together a catalogue that covers everything you could possibly need:

• High-quality resins: Ideal for capturing even the finest detail of your heroes and characters. We have the perfect resin for every type of miniature, whether you're looking for durability or extreme definition.

• Vallejo paints: A complete ecosystem to bring colour and life to your creations, from base coats to the wildest special effects. Professional finishes right at your fingertips!

• Guides and tutorials on the blog: Our blog is packed with practical tips to help you improve your printing and painting skills day by day, such as which resin to choose or which painting techniques to use.

Get ready to take your passion for Warhammer 40k miniatures to a level you never imagined. The battle for the galaxy starts at your printer! 💥

How to choose the perfect resin for your miniatures 🧪

Finding the right resin is, without a doubt, the first major step towards giving your Warhammer 40k miniatures a professional finish. 🧐 Don't be fooled — not all resins are equal; each one has its role on the battlefield. Understanding what sets them apart is what separates a good print from a spectacular one.

The key is to think about what you're going to print. It's pure logic: you wouldn't put the same armour on a stealthy scout as on a Leman Russ tank. Well, the same goes for resin. At Mr Resin we offer the best options for every project.

A resin for every type of troop

If you're printing something that needs to withstand some rough handling on the table, like an imposing tank or a sturdy Dreadnought, your best ally is an ABS-like resin. Its main advantage is its hardness and impact resistance. Trust me, there's nothing worse than watching an accidental drop turn your war machine into a pile of broken pieces. 😭

Now, if what you have on your hands is a Hero character, like a Space Marine Captain in his servo-armour covered in filigree details, the story changes. Here you need maximum precision. It's time to bring out the heavy artillery: 8K or even 14K resins, such as the Anycubic Texture resin, which is designed specifically for miniatures. They are formulated to capture every last emblem, rivet, or scar with a sharpness that will leave your rivals speechless. 😮

Don't underestimate the power of a good resin. It's the foundation on which you'll build your work of art. A low-quality resin can devour detail, be far too brittle, and ultimately ruin hours of painting work.

The smart choice for every project

Beyond resins specifically designed for detail or hardness, there are other options that will make your life much easier. Standard resins are great for printing large quantities of scenery (ruins, barricades, etc.), where extreme detail isn't the priority, but a good finish at a contained cost is.

On the other hand, if you're looking to simplify the tedious cleaning process, water-washable resins are a wonder. They let you remove uncured resin residue simply with water, saying goodbye to isopropyl alcohol and reducing odours. They're ideal if you have your workshop set up at home. If you want to dive deeper, take a look at our complete guide on resins for 3D printing, where we break it all down.

To make things clearer, we've put together a handy little "cheat sheet" to help you decide.

Resin comparison guide for your Warhammer 40k miniatures

Use this table to find the resin from our catalogue that best suits each type of miniature.

Choosing wisely from the start will save you time, money, and more than a few headaches. That way you can focus on what really matters: bringing your armies to life! 💥

From STL file to miniature ready for combat ⚙️

Once you have the perfect resin in your hands, the true ritual of bringing your Warhammer 40k miniatures to life begins. The journey from opening an STL file to holding the finished figure is the key, and here the small details make an enormous difference between success and frustration. Trust me, we've all been there. 😡➡️😁

The first step is preparing the model in a slicer software such as Chitubox or Lychee. A golden tip that will save you a lot of grief: orient your miniatures at an angle of around 45 degrees. Why? Simple: this way, the small marks left by the supports when removed will end up in less visible areas, such as the back or under the arms, protecting the front-facing details you worked so hard to achieve.

Supports and exposure: the key to success

Configuring supports is a true art form — it's not about placing them randomly. Each one has a specific purpose, and knowing how to choose them is a game changer.

• Thin supports: These are for the most delicate parts. Think of thin swords, vehicle antennas, or the banners of your heroes. These supports ensure that the most fragile details print correctly without leaving unsightly marks.

• Medium supports: These are your workhorses. Use them for the main body of the miniature: torso, arms, legs... They provide the necessary grip to prevent the piece from warping or detaching from the base mid-print, which is one of the most frustrating things that can happen.

Then there are the exposure times. Imagine them like the baking time for a cake: if you fall short, the resin doesn't solidify properly and the print fails. If you go too long, the details get "burned", lose definition, and the figure ends up overexposed and brittle. Each resin and each 3D printer has its own settings, so my recommendation is to always run a calibration test (the "Cones of Calibration" is a classic) to nail them on the first try.

Don't have an STL file to print? That's no excuse. There are huge communities of 3D artists creating incredible models. To get started, you can take a look at our list of the best websites to download free STL files and find your next troops.

As you can see, having a clear idea of the final use of your piece guides you directly toward the right material choice. This way you optimise both costs and the final quality of your army.

Post-printing: the final sprint

Your miniature is printed! 🎉 But wait, we're not done yet. Post-processing is just as important as the printing itself — don't underestimate it.

The first step is cleaning. Very carefully, remove the piece from the build plate and submerge it in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or water, if you're using a water-washable resin.

This is where a wash and cure station, such as those from Anycubic or Elegoo, becomes an investment that pays for itself quickly. These machines agitate the cleaning liquid to reach every nook and cranny and then use UV light to cure the piece evenly. The final curing is what gives your miniature its maximum hardness and durability, leaving it ready for priming and painting.

Now, into battle! ⚔️

Prepare and paint your miniatures for a professional finish 🎨

A perfectly printed miniature is nothing more than a blank canvas. The true character of your army — that personality that makes it unique on the gaming table — is forged with brushes and paint. 🖌️

But take note: the preparation process is just as crucial as the painting itself; it is the foundation that ensures every layer of colour adheres as it should and holds up through the toughest battles.

Once the piece is cured, the first step is to remove the supports very carefully. My advice is to use fine, precise cutting pliers so you don't take any detail with them. Then, using fine-grit sandpaper or a modelling file, gently smooth out any small marks that may have been left behind. A smooth surface is essential for a flawless finish.

The Vallejo paints ecosystem

At Mr Resin, we trust the Vallejo paints ecosystem completely because it offers a solution for every need, from beginners to competition painters. Understanding each range is key to optimising your time and results.

• Primer: This step is non-negotiable. A good primer coat (black, white or grey, depending on the result you're after) ensures that the paint bonds firmly to the resin.

• Game Color: This is your main range for base coats. It has incredible pigmentation and a perfect brush consistency, letting you cover your miniatures evenly with vibrant colours.

• Xpress Color: Need to paint a horde of Orks or a squad of Gaunts at full speed? Xpress Color paints are your secret weapon. These contrast paints flow into recesses to create shadows and remain lighter on raised surfaces, giving you a base coat, shadow and a first highlight in a single application. ⚡️

• Game Air: Designed specifically for airbrush use, they are ideal for applying base colours quickly on vehicles, monsters or entire squads.

Preparation and priming are 90% of the painting work. Skipping these steps is like building a house without foundations: sooner or later, everything will fall apart. Take your time here and the final result will thank you for it.

Airbrushing for spectacular finishes

The airbrush has gone from being an exclusive tool for professionals to becoming an indispensable ally for many hobbyists. It is perfect for creating smooth gradients on a tank's armour plates, OSL lighting effects on energy weapons, or simply for priming and applying base coats in an ultra-fast and even way.

It is estimated that the Warhammer 40k hobby consumes 1.2 million hours annually in Spain on assembly and painting alone, with airbrushing already accounting for 25% of that time. Using paints such as Vallejo Game Air and compressors optimises this process and enables those high-quality finishes you see at tournaments.

Mastering painting techniques is an exciting journey. If you want to go deeper into how to get the most out of these ranges, we recommend our guide on how to use Vallejo Game Color to paint your resin prints, where you will find specific tips and tricks.

With the right tools and a little patience, your Warhammer 40k miniatures will go from being simple game pieces to true works of art. ✨

Bring your army to life with details and immersive bases 💥

This is where the real magic happens. Details are what separates a good army from one that leaves people speechless. Those small brushstrokes of realism turn your warhammer 40k miniatures into authentic battlefield veterans.

One of the most powerful techniques for achieving this is weathering. It's about simulating the wear and tear that troops would suffer in the heat of combat, making them look battle-hardened. But be careful, it's not just about making things dirty for the sake of it. You need to think logically: where would mud accumulate from a trench? Which edges of the armor would get the most wear? 🤔

Weathering and effects that make the difference

To start pushing things further, washes are your best allies. A well-applied dark wash instantly brings out every nook of an armor piece, creating spectacular depth with almost no effort. A pot of Citadel's Agrax Earthshade or a Vallejo dark wash will give you that built-up grime effect you're looking for.

But we can go much further. With pigments, realism skyrockets. You can simulate everything from desert dust to dry mud or rust with surprising ease. A touch of brown pigment on a marine's boots, and it'll look like he just crossed a muddy swamp. A little orange tone on a tank's exhausts, and the rust effect will be totally convincing.

A miniature tells a story, and the base is the setting where it unfolds. Never underestimate its power to create atmosphere and visually unify your entire army.

Bases that tell their own story

The base is much more than a piece of plastic to hold the figure. It's your opportunity to give it context, to enhance the narrative. Does your army fight in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, an alien jungle, or among the rubble of a hive city? 🌍

The Vallejo diorama textures, which you can find in our Mr Resin store, are perfect for this. They let you create everything from cracked deserts to dark swamps in no time. Just apply the paste, let it dry, and then give it a drybrush so all the details pop.

And to finish things off, add small elements: a bit of electrostatic grass, some little stones, or a few "debris" pieces (leftover bits from plastic sprues work brilliantly for this!). These small additions bring the base to life on its own.

At top-level tournaments like the Gran Torneo de Talavera, presentation matters — a lot. The statistics don't lie: nearly 70% of players already use 3D printed conversions and proxies. This has driven a 40% increase in demand for high-definition resins to achieve miniatures and bases that leave judges speechless. You can read more about these trends at Spain's major tournaments.

Dedicating time to details and bases not only improves your figures one by one, but elevates the presence of your entire army on the table. And that, my friend, shows. 😉

Conclusion: Your hobby adventure is only just beginning

We've reached the end of this journey, from a simple digital file to an army ready to conquer the gaming table. And that's because 3D printing is much more than a tool: it's a gateway to limitless creativity for your warhammer 40k miniatures. 💥

Now you know how to choose the resin that best suits your minis, how to optimize your prints to get perfect results, and how to give them that professional finish with Vallejo paints that will make them stand out on the battlefield.

If you've caught the bug, we invite you to take a look at our online store. At Mr Resin you'll find all the resins, paints and tools we've been mentioning throughout this guide. But it doesn't end here. The best part of this hobby is sharing it. 🤝

Join our community in the MrResin3D Telegram group here to show off your creations, ask for advice or simply chat with other mini fanatics. Discounts, exclusive offers, news and loads of ideas are waiting for you!

Oh, and don't forget to subscribe to our Newsletter to access more discounts and exclusive community offers, as well as exclusive coupons and events. Now let's get printing — the galaxy isn't going to conquer itself!

✨Happy Printing! 🚀

We answer your questions about Warhammer 40k and 3D printing

Here we're going to clear up some of the most common questions that come to mind when you catch the bug for printing your own Warhammer 40k miniatures. If you still have any questions, don't be afraid to ask in our community! 💬

Is it legal to print my own Warhammer 40k minis?

Ah, the million-dollar question. Let's clear this up once and for all: printing designs created by the community or the famous proxies for personal use is something people do every day in the hobby. You're not doing anything wrong.

The key is to look for files from independent artists who create their own versions inspired by the universe, or even try your hand at modeling your own. What you should absolutely avoid is distributing or selling designs that are protected by copyright. Think of it this way — it's about creativity and making the hobby your own, not piracy. 🎨

What 3D printer do I need to get started with this?

If you want to capture the incredible level of detail that Warhammer 40k minis have, there's no debate: you need a resin printer (SLA/DLP). The resolution they achieve is infinitely superior to that of filament printers (FDM) for pieces this small and complex. I'm telling you from experience — the difference is like night and day.

To get started, machines like the Elegoo Mars or the Anycubic Photon are true workhorses. They deliver incredible quality at a price that's no longer outrageous. In fact, at Mr Resin we have starter packs that set everything out for you so you can dive in without hesitation.

The initial investment in a resin printer pays for itself nicely. Do the math: the cost of printing an entire squad is usually less than buying a single official miniature. This gives you tremendous freedom to try new things and expand your army without blowing your entire paycheck on it. 💸

Can I mix my printed miniatures with official ones in my army?

Of course you can! In fact, I'd say it's one of the coolest things you can do. Loads of players use 3D printing to create conversion bits: from special weapons and alternate heads to custom shoulder pads. It's the perfect way to give your official squads a unique touch!

It's also a great solution for having units in your army that are no longer available, or for testing a new troop on the gaming table before spending the money on the official box. In the end, combining the best of both worlds is what will make your army truly yours. 🤩