3D Printer Settings for DnD Miniatures: the Profile We Use for Our Own Catalog
Every mini in our catalog gets test-printed before release, so these are not settings we read somewhere — they are the profile our failures taught us. Copy them as a starting point and adjust one variable at a time.
FDM settings that actually matter
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Layer height | 0.12 mm (0.08 with a 0.2 nozzle) | Faces and chainmail vanish above 0.16 mm |
| Outer wall speed | 40-45 mm/s | Slow outer walls = clean detail; inner walls can go fast |
| Infill | 10-15 % gyroid | Minis are shells; more infill buys nothing |
| Supports | Organic / tree, 10° branch angle | Touch in points, snap off clean |
| Cooling | 100 % after layer 3 | Overhangs on weapons and capes need it |
Full support placement strategy — where minis actually fail and how to avoid scars — is in our dedicated supports guide.
Resin settings
0.05 mm layers, 1.8-2.5 s exposure (run a calibration cones test for your resin), light supports with 0.25-0.35 mm tips on detail areas, model tilted 20-30°. That profile resolves everything down to the coin pouches on our Bandit Captain and the feather plume on the Orc Hero.
Watch it done
Test on a forgiving model first
Dial in your profile on a chunky, mostly self-supporting sculpt before attempting thin spears and bows. From our own range, the Forest Slime and the Bandit Brute are the classic first prints; the minotaurs are the natural second step. Every file ships watertight with a print report flagging thin walls, so you know the tricky spots before you slice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What layer height is best for 3D printing DnD miniatures?
0.12 mm on a standard 0.4 mm FDM nozzle, or 0.08 mm if you fit a 0.2 mm nozzle. On resin printers, 0.05 mm is the sweet spot between detail and print time.
Can you print DnD miniatures without supports?
Some closed-pose sculpts print supportless on FDM, but most minis need a handful of tree supports under chins, weapon tips and cape hems. Fully supportless printing usually means sacrificing pose quality.
Is FDM good enough for DnD miniatures?
Yes at tabletop distance. A 0.12 mm profile with slow outer walls produces minis that look great on the grid. Resin still wins for display pieces and competition painting.
What infill should miniatures use?
10-15 % gyroid. Miniatures are decorative shells — extra infill adds weight and print time without visible benefit.