Someone on Reddit recently accused Games Workshop of 3d printing the models on display at Warhammer World, and as it turns out they actually do…
3D printing Warhammer miniatures in the hobby is at an all-time high, but did you know that Games Workshop has been doing it for years already, almost ten as far as we can tell.
It turns out that GW also understands the speed and ease of using 3D prints for their products’ path to market. Let’s dig into the recent Reddit post, and take at how and why Games Workshop is 3d printing all their models.
3D printed lines at Warhammer World
If you missed it here is what, specifically the OP is referencing:
As we said Games Workshop has been using 3D printing to produce most of the painted models that they have been showcasing at Warhammer World, and live at their Open events for years.
These models can be seen everywhere from previews, box art, images on Warhammer Community, and even in the supplement books themselves.
As a matter of fact, the Knight above can be seen in this Warhammer Community image from April 21, 2022:
Why Does Games Workshop 3D Print Their Warhammer Miniatures?
The reason? It is so much easier to just print out a file instead of waiting for all the plastic molds to be created and cast.
With all the models minis getting such great paint jobs, they need to get the miniatures to the painters early to get them ready for previews, etc. So, they just print a few out for them, and the perpetual cycle of making art for the boxes, codex books, and GW previews continues.
As someone on Reddit commented:
Even then, lead times are crazy. ‘Eavy Metal are regularly painting stuff up to 2 years ahead of when it hits the shops because the rest of what needs to be done to get a product out takes so long. They’re usually the very first step after the design gets approved because they’re needed for all the box art, promo shots, etc.
But, if Games Workshop uses 3d printing for their miniatures, that also means they have the files hanging around somewhere.
Turns out they definitely have 3D model files archived in their computers that could, at some point in the future, be transformed into sellable downloadable products. Obviously, this isn’t happening soon, because they would first have to find a way to control how the files were used and distributed.
That technology unfortunately does not yet exist…
The First 3D Printed Model We Noticed: Taurox Prime
Check out some of the stuff that Games Workshop looks to have 3D printed in the past, present, and future…
Back in 2014, the Taurox Prime was previewed and released. We think this is one of the first times we saw GW use 3D printing for their finished model prototypes. You can tell by clear issues on the model that is still posted on GW’s Webstore. The quality of the model in the picture appears to be much less than what their plastic injected models can produce.
First off, you can tell that the tracks are slanted at something like a 15-degree angle to the right. On top of that, the autocannons on the sides look to fit a little wonky. You can see a clear gap on the right gun even.
At the front of the vehicle, you can still see the tracks angled completely off from the rest of the chassis and the assault cannons have something in some of the barrels.
Finally, the track guards are bent and malformed. You can see a clear bowing of the back guard compared to the front. Now keep in mind, they never sold a model like this. This was just used to preview their product ahead of time.
3D Printed Games Workshop Miniatures We’ve Spotted
Picture from Garro at GSC Showcase From Warhammer New Years Open Day
Looking at the Locus in a case from an event preview, you can see striations at the top of its hood. While this could be just some weird kind of drybrush, it is a bit odd that the effect doesn’t appear in Warhammer Community’s preview online?
Looking at GSC’s official picture of the Locus, it looks like the striations from the top of the hood are gone. Could this be the fact that the pictures have been “cleaned up” with some simple editing? Some striations still appear on the robe next to his staff which is indicative of 3D printing, however, are a lot more subtle than what was spotted in the display case. Better 3D printing technology and painting techniques help to keep the printing lines to a minimum.
This is definitely a lot better than the Taurox from 2014.
Next, the new exclusive Sister of Battle Sister Novena also appears to have some of the same tell-tale 3D printer striations that indicate the painted model was also a 3D print.
And lastly, looking at the newly previewed Iron Hands character, you can see striations all over his weapon.
First, at the top of his axe, where the flat area behind the blade is, as well as the vice-grip-looking counterweight on the other end. Looking at the bottom of the weapon, the battery pack that makes the thing a power weapon is also showing some striations on its side.
The Latest Minis We’ve Spotted
You can see some of the lines on this look very 3D printed, but with the Ad Mech stuff still, a while away, it only makes sense they would just print a few out instead of making a bunch to paint up.
The mold lines on this are very strong in the highest points compared to the rest of the mini.
Lelith was one of the most obvious of newer releases with the random hard mold lines, some things off-kilter, and the issues in the dagger. This one used for the preview was definitely 3D printed. So with Games Workshop 3D printing, and Warhammer miniatures more than ever, does that mean we are looking at the future of “model-making”?
Click Here For The Essential List of 3D Printing Supplies & Products
At what point could we just download files from Games Workshop themselves for 3d Printing like a sort of iTunes-type store- for miniatures?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
