Last updated July 5, 2026. By Andrew M. Tan.
Do you paint miniatures? If so, you’ve probably realized how much stuff you’re going to need or want. The miniature painting hobby if given enough time and pressure will create a veritable mountain of doo-dads and widgets galore.
Well, I’m not here to stop you on your slippery slide to financial ruin and despair. Minimalism is great for the utilitarian, but is the complete antithesis of the hobbyist.
I don’t like the sound of all the lists he’s making.
Ben Stein, speech writer, actor, author, TV personality and more
Here’s a list of things you may need or want to get for your journey as a miniature hobbyist.
This list gets revisited periodically as new tools and materials enter the hobby and old recommendations get replaced, so treat it as a living reference rather than a fixed inventory.
100 Things You May Need or Want for Painting Miniatures
(Arranged alphabetically)
3D printer (PLA/SLA)
A resin or FDM printer lets you produce custom bases, terrain, and even full miniatures at home, and our review of the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra covers what to look for in a beginner-friendly resin machine.
Air compressor
A compressor is the other half of any airbrush setup, and our guide to the best airbrush compressors breaks down pressure, tank size, and noise trade-offs for a hobby desk.
Airbrush
An airbrush lays down smooth base coats, zenithal highlights, and gradients far faster than a brush, and our top airbrush picks cover options at every price point.
Alligator clips
Small spring clips hold parts steady while glue sets or during priming, doubling as an improvised third hand at the airbrush booth.
Basing flock
Static grass and flock give a base texture and color in seconds, and our basing materials guide covers which types work best for different terrain themes.
Battery-operated micro engraver
A cordless engraver cuts fine panel lines and surface detail into resin and hard plastic without the mess of a rotary tool.
Blue/white sticky tack
Reusable tack doubles as a temporary model stand for painting or a quick way to mask off small areas during priming.
Brass rod
Brass rod is the standard pinning material for reinforcing joints on metal and resin models so they survive drops and transport.
Brush Restorer/Cleaner
A dedicated brush cleaner strips dried paint from bristles without the fraying that solvents cause, and our brush cleaning guide covers a weekly maintenance routine.
Brush soap
Conditioning brush soap keeps bristles from splaying after repeated use, and our piece on why brushes fail explains how a soap routine extends their life.
Brush-on or aerosol primers
Primer gives paint something to grip and reveals surface flaws before you commit color, and our primer review roundup compares the top spray and brush-on options.
Brushes
A good round brush is the single most important tool for a miniature painter, and our brush buying guide walks through sizes, shapes, and hair types.
Caliper
A caliper checks base sizes and part clearances precisely, which matters when magnetizing models or fitting them into movement trays.
Camera
A dedicated camera captures far more color and lighting nuance than the eye can judge at the desk, though our smartphone vs. camera comparison shows a phone gets you most of the way there.
Chairs and stools
An adjustable chair with lumbar support prevents the fatigue that comes from hours hunched over a desk, a point covered in our piece on workspace comfort.
Clippers
Flush-cut clippers remove parts from sprues cleanly without leaving stubs to file down, and our Redgrass sprue cutter review covers one of the sharper options on the market.
Compact vacuum
A small handheld vacuum clears dust and sanding debris from the desk before it drifts into wet paint or a tacky basecoat.
Cork boards and toppers
Cork sheet and bark make cheap, realistic rubble and rock texture for bases, a material covered in our basing materials roundup.
Cotton-tipped buds
Cotton swabs clean up thinned paint pools and wipe excess wash out of recesses before it dries into a hard edge.
Decal solution
Decal softening solution helps transfers settle into raised detail instead of silvering, and our guide to applying Space Marine decals covers the technique.
Dip pens
A dip pen gives finer, more controllable lines than a brush for freehand insignia and lettering work.
Drills and burrs
A rotary tool with fine burrs cleans up mold lines and preps holes for pinning, a step covered in our assembly tips roundup.
Dry palette
A dry palette keeps paint workable longer than a bare tabletop without the upkeep a wet palette requires, as explained in our dry palette guide.
Enamel varnish/Dullcote
Enamel varnishes like Dullcote seal a finished paint job with an even matte coat, and our Dullcote showcase shows the results on a full-size Imperial Knight.
Epoxy putty
Two-part epoxy putty fills gaps and sculpts missing detail on plastic, resin, and metal models alike, and our gap filler comparison covers which formula suits which job.
Epoxy resins
Clear epoxy resin creates convincing water, ice, and gem effects on bases and weapons.
Eye droppers
Eye droppers portion out flow improver, medium, or thinner in exact ratios instead of guessing by eye.
Files, all types
Needle files clean up mold lines and reshape resin or metal parts before they go under primer.
Flow improver
A drop of flow improver breaks the surface tension in thinned paint so washes flow into recesses instead of beading up, as covered in our paint-thinning guide.
Forceps
Forceps hold small or delicate parts during cleaning, dipping, or ultrasonic cleaning without leaving fingerprints, a use shown in our ultrasonic cleaner roundup.
Gaffer’s tape
Gaffer’s tape masks larger areas cleanly during priming or airbrushing and pulls away without lifting the paint underneath.
Glass and plastic containers/all sizes
Small glass and plastic jars organize loose parts, mixed paint, and water, and our paint cup roundup covers purpose-built options.
Glaze Medium
Glaze medium thins paint into a transparent film for smooth color transitions instead of a flat coat, a technique detailed in our glazing tutorial.
Gloss varnish
Gloss varnish protects metallics and adds a wet-look shine before a final matte coat goes on, as explained in our matte vs. gloss varnish comparison.
Gloves
Nitrile gloves keep hands clean during oil painting and protect skin from solvent-based primers, a precaution covered in our indoor airbrushing safety guide.
Glue/all-kinds
Different glues suit different materials, from cyanoacrylate for metal to plastic cement for styrene, and our glue guide breaks down which to use where.
Gravel fine/medium/coarse
Graded gravel adds scale-appropriate rubble and ground texture to bases, covered alongside other materials in our basing sand guide.
Hair dryer
A hair dryer speeds up drying time between paint layers or basing stages when a project is on a deadline.
Hobby knife/utility knives/extra blades
A sharp hobby knife trims sprue tabs and cleans mold lines more precisely than clippers alone, a step covered in our assembly tips roundup.
Hobby saw/coping saw
A fine-toothed hobby saw cuts foam and resin terrain pieces cleanly, and our hot wire foam cutter roundup covers a heat-based alternative for foam specifically.
Hot-glue gun
A hot-glue gun tacks larger terrain pieces and basing elements in place quickly, though it’s less precise than a slower-curing adhesive.
Lamps and other lights
Bright, color-accurate lighting prevents eye strain and lets you judge true color while painting, and our lighting roundup covers the best options for a hobby desk.
Lightbox for photography
A light box diffuses light evenly for photographing finished models, and our light box review compares the top picks for miniature photography.
Low tack tape
Low-tack tape masks off a finished paint job during a second color pass without pulling up the basecoat underneath.
Machine oil/lubricants
A drop of machine oil keeps clippers, files, and other moving tool parts from seizing or rusting over time.
Magnets
Rare-earth magnets let you swap loadouts and hold models securely in transport cases, as shown in our magnetic transport case roundup.
Magnifying lamp
A lamp with a built-in magnifier combines lighting and close-up detail work in one fixture, an option covered in our lighting roundup.
Masking fluid
Masking fluid or stencils block off crisp shapes for airbrushed camouflage and insignia, a technique covered in our airbrush stencil roundup.
Matte varnish
Matte varnish seals a finished paint job with a non-reflective coat that reads true to scale under tabletop lighting, as covered in our Testors Dullcote review.
Micro-pens
Micro-pens add fine details like eyes, insignia, and freehand lettering that would be difficult with a brush alone.
Mineral spirits
Mineral spirits thin and clean up oil paints without the harsh fumes of stronger solvents, a use detailed in our oil painting guide.
Modeling compound
Modeling compounds like Apoxie Sculpt build up missing anatomy or custom conversions with a durable, sandable cure, as noted in our assembly tips roundup.
Music player/speakers
A good playlist or podcast makes long painting sessions pass faster and helps maintain focus during repetitive steps.
Notebook
A notebook tracks paint recipes, color mixes, and project punch lists so a scheme can be reproduced later.
Paint
Acrylic and oil paints are the core material of the hobby, and our metallic paint picks and Citadel Contrast review cover two of the most popular current categories.
Painting holder/clamps/handles
A painting handle holds a model steady and out of your fingers’ way while you work, and our painting handle roundup compares the most popular designs.
Paint organizer
A paint rack keeps dozens of pots visible and within reach instead of buried in a drawer, and our paint storage roundup covers wall-mounted and desktop options.
Paint shaker
A paint shaker re-mixes pigment that’s settled in older paint pots faster and more thoroughly than shaking by hand.
Paint thinners
The right thinner keeps paint at a workable consistency without breaking its binder, a balance covered in our paint-thinning guide.
Palette knife
A palette knife mixes custom colors and scrapes dried paint off a palette surface between sessions.
Paper clips
A paper clip makes a free, improvised holder for small parts during priming and spraying.
Parafilm
Parafilm serves as a flexible membrane layer on some wet palette builds, sitting between the paint and the damp sponge below.
Parchment paper
Parchment paper is a cheaper, longer-lasting membrane for a wet palette than dedicated palette paper, as covered in our wet palette paper guide.
Pastel sticks
Dry pastels create subtle weathering and color transitions on bases and armor without the wait time of wet paint.
Pencils
A pencil sketches out a color scheme or freehand design before committing to paint.
Pens
A permanent marker labels paint pots, storage bins, and project notes so nothing gets misplaced.
Photography backdrop
A seamless backdrop isolates a model from a cluttered desk in photos, and our black background guide covers a dramatic, high-contrast option.
Pin vise
A pin vise drills holes for brass rod pinning, reinforcing joints that glue alone can’t hold, a technique covered in our assembly tips roundup.
Plastic card
Sheet styrene, or plastic card, is a scratch-building staple for custom bases, terrain, and conversions.
Plastic putty/gap-filler
Plastic putty fills small seams and gaps left after assembly, and our gap filler comparison tests a dozen options against each other.
Powdered pigment
Dry pigment powder creates rust, dust, and dirt weathering effects that read more naturally than painted-on textures, as shown in our model tank painting guide.
Reamer
A reamer cleans out and slightly enlarges a drilled hole so a pin fits snugly before gluing.
Reference photos/image album
A saved folder of reference photos speeds up color and lighting decisions instead of guessing from memory.
Respirator masks
A proper respirator protects your lungs from aerosolized paint and solvent fumes far better than a dust mask, as detailed in our indoor airbrushing safety guide.
Rubbing alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol strips fresh acrylic paint from miniatures for a repaint, a use covered in our paint stripper roundup.
Ruler
A ruler measures base sizes, movement trays, and terrain footprints for tabletop game legality.
Sand
Fine sand glued to a base adds cheap, realistic ground texture in minutes, a method covered in our quick sand basing guide.
Sand paper
Fine-grit sandpaper smooths mold lines and preps resin or metal surfaces so primer goes on evenly.
Satin varnish
Satin varnish splits the difference between gloss and matte, leaving a slight sheen without full reflectivity, as explained in our varnish comparison.
Scissor
Scissors cut flock, static grass, and masking material to size faster than a knife for soft materials.
Scrappers/mold-line removal tool
A dedicated scraper shaves off mold lines more cleanly than a knife blade, and our Redgrass tool review covers one built for the job.
Sculpting tools
Silicone-tipped sculpting tools shape green stuff and other putties into custom details, and our Green Stuff World brush rinser review covers a related tool from the same maker.
Self-sealing cutting board or mat
A self-healing cutting mat protects a desk during knife work and keeps blades sharper longer than cutting on a bare surface.
Sharp etching scribe
An etching scribe re-cuts panel lines and surface detail that gets softened by primer or gap-filling putty.
Sonic cleaner
An ultrasonic cleaner shakes dried paint and grime out of airbrush parts and small tools far faster than hand-scrubbing, as covered in our ultrasonic cleaner roundup.
Sponge
A torn or stippled sponge creates chipped-paint and rust weathering effects that look more random than a brush stroke.
Spray bottle
A fine-mist spray bottle rehydrates a drying wet palette and thins paint mid-session without over-diluting it.
Tables/desks
A dedicated hobby desk at the right height keeps a workspace organized and reduces strain over long sessions, and our desk roundup covers options for different space constraints.
Talcum powder
Talcum powder acts as a mold-release agent so cured resin parts pop cleanly out of a silicone mold.
Thin gauge wire
Thin wire supplements brass rod for pinning and reinforcing especially small or delicate model parts.
Tongue depressors
A tongue depressor doubles as a cheap, disposable stirring and mixing stick for paints and mediums.
Toothbrush
An old, stiff-bristled toothbrush stipples texture and weathering onto a model’s surface for a worn, used look.
Toothpicks
A toothpick applies small, precise dots of glue or gap-filler where a brush would be too clumsy.
Tripod
A tripod eliminates camera shake so photos stay sharp at the slower shutter speeds close-up miniature photography usually requires, as explained in our miniature photography guide.
Turn-table
A small turntable, like the Bluetooth-operated Foldio 360 featured in our hobby gift guide, makes quick work of animated product shots and video reveals.
Tweezers
Fine-tipped tweezers place decals, hold small parts during cleaning, and pick up pieces too small to handle with fingers, as shown in our decal application guide.
Water rinsing container or pot
A dedicated water pot rinses brushes without splashing or tipping over as easily as a standard cup, and our Citadel Water Pot review covers one of the most popular options.
Wearable magnifying system
A head-worn magnifier like the Donegan OptiVISOR, covered in our ten-years-later review, reduces eye strain on fine detail work far more than a fixed desk magnifier.
Wet palette
A wet palette keeps acrylic paint workable for hours instead of minutes by drawing moisture up through a membrane, and our wet palette roundup compares the most popular models.
Wire cutters
Wire cutters trim thin gauge wire and pinning rod cleanly without the crushing that standard pliers cause, and our Redgrass sprue cutter review covers a model built for this precision.
List version updated: 07-05-26
Help me improve our list by providing suggestions for what to add, revise, and update. If you have a blog or website you’d like me to link that is directly related to this list, please let me know. You can contact me here (send a message).
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By Andrew M. Tan, PhD
Andrew is a commissioned miniature painter with more than 15 years of experience painting tabletop miniatures, photographing models, and testing hobby tools in real-world use. Read his full bio.