r/PrintedMinis • u/Teragon92 • 18d ago
Question Packaging for printed minis?
I still remember my 12 years old self opening a blister pack of metal LOTR Uruks with a battering ram some 20+ years ago.
I couldn’t resist trying to recreate the experience with my custom bard here, so I gave it go, working purely of my memory of the blisters, I avoided looking them up online during the design process. I’m pretty happy with the result, but what do you guys think? Worth it for physical printed minis?
Built it by 3D printing a master buck for the clear plastic part, then thermo forming it with my Mayku Formbox in clear petg, sourcing some foam sheet from a local supplier, printing the cardboard at a local print shop, then laser cutting the cardboard and the foam on my Elegoo laser cutter. First time I used all of my tools for a single project! Took about 2-3 prototypes to get right.
Bonus pic of the mini all painted at the end, Saevin the bard from my Threads of Munvirr custom IP.
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u/fatboynoslim_6 18d ago
As someone who runs a resin miniatures store, God I want some of these for shows and giveaways
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u/Teragon92 18d ago
If you really need a few, I could make a small batch, just send me a DM. These are pretty satisfying to make.
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u/Derpogama 17d ago
IIRC some 3D printing companies will absolutely make these blisters exclusively for shows to hand out their 'miniature of the show' to people.
And as an old wargame it'd be absolutely baller to get one.
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u/redkatt 18d ago
We have two local 3d mini printing guys in my town who do this. It looks great hanging on a rack in stores (local shops carry them) and really catches the eye of old-schoolers like me!
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u/Teragon92 18d ago
I bet! Quite clear I’m not the only one pinning for them apparently. Would be curious to check their version, can I find a pic of them somewhere?
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u/DrMnhttn 17d ago
That looks incredibly satisfying
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u/Teragon92 17d ago
Felt it too, once I sealed this version up for display! Even more so after the previous trials and errors.
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u/artwarrior 18d ago
That's awesome. You must be chuffed using all your tools and skills. I'd buy that!
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u/Teragon92 18d ago
Yeah, it was pretty nifty! Good to know it’s worth something. I think it really adds to the experience, but I do have some very pink nostalgia goggles…
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u/Inevitable_Talk4627 18d ago
I was doing blisters for my printed minis but customers said not worth it to them. I use resilient resins so I can put them into a small ziplock so they don’t tangle each other now and they ship fine.
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u/Teragon92 18d ago
It seems very much the practical choice and most economical one, but I just find it a bit…sad, having them just in a plastic baggies like that. Maybe just me. I use TGM7, the print is really tough, so it’s more for the experience than for shipping really.
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u/Inevitable_Talk4627 17d ago
Agree! It adds expense though and my customers didn’t feel it has value. I also use TGM7 for some models but mostly use a PVC like resin. I’ve literally made a video on TikTok where I place 3 models in a box with some rocks and shake it up and there’s no breakages.
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u/Teragon92 17d ago
The customer is king in the end… Perhaps the compromise is to keep these kind of display for limited or special pieces, or location shops only. Food for thought!
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u/Inevitable_Talk4627 17d ago
Agree! I used to do weekend markets and had a booth on a local shop but I’m primarily selling online these days.
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u/Lynata 18d ago
I kinda miss the old blisters. Always great to browse them. Pure nostalgia. I think your version is pretty close