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Thank you for using Hero Forge, the internets home for customizing tabletop miniatures and statuettes. 3D printing and 3D on the
web are both exciting new technologies that will change the way people shop online. The age of bespoke, made-to-order products is
just beginning, and were thrilled to be bringing that revolution to the tabletop.
We have provided this guide in an effort to briefly cover the features of our 3D printed materials, offer tips for how to get the most
out of your mini, and provide advice for the painting process. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, offers many
advantages over traditional injection mold process used to produce most other miniatures. The ability to provide one-off prints on
demand and to offer multiple materials and scales are just some of the benefits of this process. While injection molds are subject to
certain restrictions in details and shapes due to the limitations of casting from molds, we are free to do what other miniatures cant:
articulated parts, and recessed or interior detail are all easy with 3D printing, and would be difficult or impossible with traditional
manufacturing methods. However, 3D printed materials also have their own sets of limitations and best practices for handling and
care, so read on for some more in-depth descriptions of our material offerings and advice on what to expect and how to care for
your new 3D print.
Regards,
The Hero Forge Team
OUR MATERIALS
We offer two 3D printed materials, each with its own strengths and limitations. What follows is a summary of the material
properties. We have shared our experiences and impressions about the materials, but note that Hero Forge does not give any
warranty about the models and does not guarantee that the model will be fit for any particular purposes.
Strong Plastic:
Our Strong Plastic miniatures arrive an opaque white color with a light
sandpapery texture. They are made of a very light, nylon-based plastic which is
more flexible and stronger than our ultra detail plastics. This plastic is porous, and
is not watertight. This makes them more difficult to paint with a brush, as the
material tends to soaks up paint. Compared to our Ultra Detail Plastic, details will
be softer. Armor sets and characters with larger and sharper features will generally
read better than smaller, more subtle figures. This material is not food safe or
recyclable, and is heat resistant up to 80C / 176F degrees
These minis are printed using the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process: it is built
up from very thin layers of nylon powder which are hardened layer by layer with a
laser. This can sometimes result in a faint stair stepping pattern. This material
tends to have a very consistent finish and texture. Once the print is finished, it is
pulled from the surrounding layer of unhardened nylon powder, cleaned, and then
shipped to you.
3 and 6 statuettes printed in this material undergo an additional polishing
process to smooth out the surface roughness and minimize the appearance of
stair stepping patterns.
Summary: A cheaper, stronger plastic option for hobbyists who do not mind softer
detail, do not plan to paint their miniatures, or want a more robust, flexible plastic
for tabletop play.
A 30mm miniature printed in "strong plastic."
Durability: 3D printed plastics tend to be lighter and less durable than injection molded
plastics, and should be handled with care. Though they can be used for gentle tabletop play,
throwing 3D printed miniatures into ones dice bag for transportation is not advisable. Our
strong plastic is more flexible and durable than out ultra detail plastic, but can be bent or
broken if treated roughly. Our ultra detail plastic can be slightly brittle, especially for long,
thin features like swords. If dropped onto tile from high up, for example, it may break. As
such, we recommend strong plastic for those who want to be a little more carefree with their
handling during play, and ultra detail for those who want high quality display pieces or dont
mind handling their print more gently. Note that our ultra detail material tends to break by
snapping cleanly rather than shattering, so it is often possible to make repairs with glue.
PAINTING
3D printed materials are still new, and few comprehensive painting guides exist. We are continuously researching best
practices for painting our 3D printed miniatures and will update and expand upon this guide as we learn more.
Remember that this tutorial is intended for adults, and that painters should always take full precautions to ensure they
work in a well-ventilated area, and have a safe, clear, and clean work space.
Before you begin painting, we advise applying a light layer of miniature paint primer (the very same kind one would use
on any other miniatures) to help additional layers of paint to adhere to your model. This is especially important for those
would choose to paint their Strong Plastic miniatures, as paint is very quickly absorbed by the porous surface. Other
techniques that some have used include painting on a light layer of varnish, or using a gesso dip. This can help smooth
out the frosted or porous texture, though it may result in a slight loss of detail. Also note that 3D prints tend to be more
textured and a less smooth than injection molded plastics. As a result, techniques like ink washes tend to be less
effective. Allowing your figure to dry and then applying a second layer of paint can improve smoothness and color
depth, but at the cost of
Hero Forge prints are not subject to the
limitations to pose and posture that an
injection molded mini might be, allowing for
more natural, human poses, and more
realistically shapes clothes. We believe this
provides a level of realism that has been lacking
in miniatures for some time! Take note, though,
that Hero Forge allows users to print their
miniature connected to a base of your choice.
This can make it difficult to paint the underside
of the miniature. If your character is wearing a
long skirt or has recessed detail between the
legs, having an attached base may make these
features difficult to reach with a brush.
We wish you luck! If you have any tips of your
own, contact us at support@heroforge.com!
We have had great success using the same miniature primer and acrylic paints one might
use on any other brand of minis!