Should You Buy or Print Miniatures 2.0

The Tipping Point

Remember the first time you streamed a movie instead of renting a DVD? That click in your brain that says “there’s no going back,” that’s exactly what happens the day you print miniatures. You go from hobbyist to creator. Suddenly, your options explode, and you wonder, “Why did I ever pay full price for plastic goblins?”

Pricing: What Are You Actually Paying For?

Buying a single 32 mm mini can easily run $5–$10. A basic resin printer might cost $300 upfront, but each mini drops to around $0.70 in resin, and that includes supports and cleanup. Even large prints like modular terrain floors run about $20 of filament each. In the long run, the math is simple: once you own a printer, your per‑piece cost plummets.

Print Miniatures vs Buy Miniatures: Freedom to Create

No stock shortages. No “sold out in 12 seconds” panic. When you 3D print miniatures, your imagination sets the limit: vampires, warlocks, three‑headed alien rats with flamethrowers, undead slashers from horror movies, cyberpunk elves with head implants, everything’s possible. Need a gothic castle for the next gaming session? Slice, print, assemble. You’re not choosing from a catalog; you’re creating your own.

Detail: Because the Devil Lives There

Injection‑molded minis favor durability over finesse. Resin printing captures every fold in a cloak, every scale on a dragon, every rune on a sword. Yes, you’ll learn to slice, clean, and cure—and maybe get resin on your favorite shirt once or twice—but that hands‑on process connects you to your creations in a way no boxed set ever can.

What You Gain

We’ve covered cost, freedom, and detail. Here’s the bottom line: for under $400, you can start printing dozens of unique, high‑quality minis. An investment that pays for itself in a few months of hobby‑level use. Want more throughput? A $600 printer with a larger bed can output squads of figures in one go. Buying is faster for one or two pieces, but for campaign builders, to print miniatures always wins.

Join the Loot Revolution

That little voice saying “buy the printer”? Listen to it. You don’t have to own hardware day one; you can start by trying a makerspace or an online print service. When you’re ready, Loot’s free 3D Printing Hero course will get you slicing and finishing minis like a pro. Then choose a subscription plan starting at $17/month for themed STL bundles: fantasy, sci‑fi, or a specific combo among all our options. 

Ready to start printing your own miniatures?

Loot Studios can help you tell your story through highly detailed miniatures. Choose your favorite bundle from our previous releases or sign up for Fantasy or Sci-Fi to receive a new bundle every month. You can also check out some tips at our YouTube Channel.