Question 1

How much does it cost to paint an army?

Accepted Answer

At tabletop level, infantry run about $8–18 each, so 40 models is roughly $320–720. Tabletop+ is about 1.6 times that and display about 3 times. Basing and shipping are extra. See the price guide for the full table.

Question 2

Do I have to ship my minis to the painter?

Accepted Answer

If you own them, yes. Ship them padded and insured, and photograph them first. If you have not bought them yet, a printer can make new ones and ship them finished, so nothing travels twice.

Question 3

Can a painter match my existing scheme?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Send paint names or recipes and photos of a finished model. Better still, ship one painted sample. Ask for a single test model first, so you can approve the look before the batch.

Question 4

Can you print a custom sculpt?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some makers sculpt from your references and print the result. Others print an STL you already own. Say which you need and the material. A one-off sculpt costs more than a printed copy of an existing file.

Question 5

What if the minis arrive wrong?

Accepted Answer

The platform holds your payment until you confirm delivery. If the minis don't match the written brief, open a dispute in the app before you confirm; unresolved disputes are reviewed by The Spool List. Once you confirm delivery, the payment goes to the maker.

Question 6

Which game systems do makers work in?

Accepted Answer

Any system with miniatures is fine to post: Warhammer armies, D&D characters and monsters, historicals from 6 mm to 28 mm. Say the system and scale in your post so makers with the right experience can quote.

Question 7

How long does a commission take?

Accepted Answer

Twenty tabletop infantry take 2–4 weeks. Display characters take 1–4 weeks each. Add time if the maker has a queue, plus shipping. Post at least six weeks before you need them.

Question 8

Can I split a big army into batches?

Accepted Answer

Yes: post each batch as its own job. Ten to twenty models per batch keeps paint consistent and lets you check quality early, and each batch is paid when you confirm its delivery.

Painters and printers taking commissions

Makers on The Spool List

Ready? Post your job on The Spool List.