Here’s how to use Hero Forge to design and print out unique RPG character miniatures for games like Dungeons and Dragons and more!
Hero Forge is a way for you to design your own custom 3D miniatures, then either buy the STL file or a printed version. They also have new releases basically every week, which will give you even more options for your characters!
Plus, on top of creating your own character exactly the way you want, Hero Forge also has tons of pre-made miniatures that you can print out as well. There are options for fantasy, sci-fi, western, and everything in between.
That way, pretty much no matter what type of RPG you’re playing, they have something for you!
How Do You Use Hero Forge?
Honestly, the website is super well set up and just easy to use! On the left side of the screen, you pick what you want to change, such as gear, species, etc… then, on the right side, you have all the options! You can search for specific equipment and options or scroll through the whole list.
The easiest way to create your character is by starting with your species and clothing. Once you have the base model setup, it’s time to start adding on! Then you can change the color, gear, pose, and what your miniature even stands on.
This is perfect for RPGs as it really lets you get exactly what your character needs and actually has in your campaign.
Then, once your character is perfect, you can either choose to download an STL of the model or have them ship you one in plastic, colored plastic, or even in bronze (we’ll look at the material more in a second)! The prices are actually pretty decent for a custom character that is just insanely easy to build and customize.
Can You Get Pre-Painted Hero Forge Miniatures?
If you don’t feel like painting up your miniatures, you can just get them pre-painted for you from Hero Forge! This will get you a table-ready miniature right out of the box, and while it won’t be the best-looking paint job you’ve ever seen, it will be ready to go!
They have spent years creating the tech to print the color right onto the minis. You can see in the picture above you can just pick what colors you want where, and bam, you will get a full-color model back in the mail.
Pretty cool, but just keep in mind it will be a little more expensive; however, it is tabletop-quality.
How Long Does it Take to Get Your Characters From Hero Forge?
Now that you’ve made your awesome character, how long will it take to get to you? It normally only takes about 2-5 days to get your character in the US and about a week for international shipping.
They have a great shipping guide here for all the details. Either way, no matter where you are, you’ll know how long it takes to get your character. Remember that you will have to pay for shipping, so it’s probably better to make more than one character at a time instead of multiple orders.
What Type of Materials Can You Use For Hero Forge Models?
There are currently four different materials you can get miniatures in. Hero Forge models can be 3D Color-Printed plastic, 3D Printed Base Plastic, 3D Printed Premium Plastic, and 3D Printed Bronze.
Obviously, the prices vary depending on what type of plastic you choose. Here is a look at the differences between the materials coming from their FAQ.
- 3D Printed Base Plastic: Our custom color miniatures are the apex of tabletop miniatures without you needing to lift a paintbrush. Color-printed miniatures are printed in an “inkjet” style 3D print with water-soluble supports, meaning no sprues will mark up your beautiful gradients and fine decals.
- 3D Printed Base Plastic: Anything you design in Hero Forge®’s character creator can be printed in our durable yet detailed plastic. All plastic miniatures come in a smooth matte gray and are pre-primed for easy painting.
- 3D Printed Premium Plastic: Premium plastic is the optimal material for all hobbyists looking for maximum detail. Take your tabletop RPG experience to another level with the perfect replica of your player character. All premium plastic miniatures are printed in SLA, coming in a glossy black finish.
- 3D Printed Bronze: Our custom bronze miniatures are the epitome of tabletop epicness. Bronze miniatures are printed using the lost wax method and maintain the highest level of detail fidelity. Polished to a luminous shine and incredibly smooth to the touch, every detail of your custom character will gleam.
How Do You Print Hero Forge Miniatures?
You can always print out models yourself and get as many as you want! It’s somewhat simple to make your STL files on Hero Forge, then download and print them out. Obviously, if you know 3D printing, it can never be quite that easy as there are many different types of printers and settings that all work differently depending on how models are rendered on the computer.
They have a very good FAQ on 3D printing and issues you may encounter with certain printers. These are some of the highlights, but if you want to see all the issues and answers, be sure to go check that out here!
At the urging of many makers, tinkerers, inventors, and printers, we have begun offering digital print file distribution. This means, in addition to ordering 3D prints, users now have the option to buy the model file for their custom Hero Forge characters. These files can then be loaded into your 3D printing software for printing at home. Models are tessellated meshes with a polycount of up to 100,000 triangles. They are not rigged for animation.
Models are distributed via your Digital Downloads page in .stl file format. They are typically posted within 15-30 minutes of your purchase, but please allow for up to one business day. Digital models are only guaranteed to be available on your Digital Downloads page for six months from purchase.
Note that Hero Forge miniatures are finely detailed scale models. As a result, some home 3D printers do not have the ability to faithfully replicate the level of detail present in the source model or have issues printing thin, free-standing “wire” parts or the thin supports necessary to support a model during the build process. As a result, Hero Forge does not give any warranty about the models, and does not guarantee that the model will be fit for any particular purposes or be compatible with any specific make or model of printer.
It may be a good idea to try printing a free test model before you order or spend time creating your custom miniature too:
We strongly recommend printing one of our free sample digital models before making a purchase. Sample models are available on your Digital Downloads page.
Goobertown Hobbies also did a great review of Hero Forge and how printing them works really well, so be sure to check out the video below or click here for the full article!
Get Your Hero Forge Miniatures Here!
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About the Author: Travis Pasch
Travis Pasch
Job Title: Head Writer & Editor
Socials: @paschbass
About Travis Pasch: Travis has been a Warhammer 40k hobbyist since the 1990s, playing the game since Third Edition. Through extensive traveling, he’s seen a lot of the miniatures hobby from across the world, giving him a unique perspective on the latest gaming topics and trends.
Travis’s brother even owns a commission painting studio, where he’s picked up a lot of good advice and techniques for painting Warhammer and tabletop miniatures over the years, as well. Travis joined the Spikey Bits team in 2019 and has been the lead writer since 2020.
Currently, he’s working on converting all his 40k Adeptus Mechanicus models and becoming a true tech enjoyer, complete with both sad and happy robot noises!
