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How much does a miniature painting commission cost? Standards, scale and quotes
Short answer: a miniature painting commission is priced by the time the painter spends per model, which depends mostly on the standard you ask for (from tabletop-ready to display quality), the size and complexity of each model, and how many you send. Assembly, basing, conversions and shipping are extra work on top. Agree the standard first, with a reference photo, and you'll get comparable quotes.
We don't list per-model prices because painters set their own, and we haven't found a sourced, cross-country price dataset we'd stand behind. Here is what drives the number instead.
What decides the price of painting a miniature?
- Painting standard. The single biggest factor. More layers, highlights, blending and freehand mean more hours per model.
- Model size and detail. A single infantry model, a large monster and a vehicle are very different jobs.
- Quantity. A unit painted to one scheme is faster per model than one-off characters, because the painter batches the steps.
- Prep and assembly. Removing parts from sprues, cleaning mould lines, gap filling and priming all take time. Say whether your models are built.
- Basing. A simple textured base is quick. Scenic bases with tufts, water effects or resin take much longer.
- Extras. Freehand banners, object source lighting (OSL), weathering, conversions and magnetising.
- Shipping. Insured shipping both ways, plus careful packing for painted models.
What do "tabletop" and "display" standard mean?
Painters use different names, but most price lists step up through roughly three levels. Games Workshop's own terms are a useful shared reference:
- Battle Ready: Games Workshop says Battle Ready models "have their main areas coloured and a simple finish on their bases", and it's the minimum standard for its own events at Warhammer World (Warhammer Community).
- Parade Ready: the next step, which adds layer paints, edge highlights, base detailing and extra effects on top of Battle Ready (Warhammer Community).
- Display or competition: a painter's own top tier, with smooth blending, freehand and fine detail for close-up viewing or painting competitions. There's no shared definition, so ask for examples.
The labels differ between painters, so always attach a photo of the standard you want. Our guide to miniature painting levels goes through each one in more detail.
Why does an army cost less per model than a single hero?
Batch painting is efficient: the painter primes, base-coats, shades and highlights a whole unit in one go. A centrepiece character gets individual attention, often at a higher standard. Many buyers put the army at a tabletop standard and pay for a higher standard on a few characters.
How do painters build a quote?
They estimate time per model at the standard you asked for, multiply by the count, and add prep, basing, extras and shipping. Some painters quote per model, some per unit or army, and some by the hour. To get quotes you can compare, send:
- A list of models with quantities and game system, and whether they're assembled and primed.
- A reference photo for the painting standard and for the colour scheme.
- Basing: plain, textured or scenic, and the base sizes.
- Extras: freehand, OSL, magnets, conversions.
- Deadline and delivery country, and whether you'll ship the models or the painter should buy them.
The step-by-step version is in how to commission miniature painting.
Should I buy models painted or commission them?
Ready-painted models are quicker if someone already has what you want. A commission lets you choose the scheme, the standard and the exact models. If you want printed miniatures as well as paint, a maker can quote for printing and painting together: say so in the brief, and use the STL Checker to check your files first.
How do I compare painting quotes?
Check that each quote covers the same standard (with a photo), the same prep and basing, the same extras, and shipping both ways. Ask to see work the painter has done at the standard you're paying for.
On The Spool List miniatures market you post once for free, painters and makers quote, and you choose. You pay the quote with no buyer fee, and your payment is protected until you confirm delivery.
Sources
- Warhammer Community: Citadel Colour, just what is Battle Ready? (checked 27 October 2026)
- Warhammer Community: Citadel Colour, what is Parade Ready? (checked 27 October 2026)
FAQ
How much does it cost to get Warhammer miniatures painted? It depends on the standard, the model size, how many you send and the extras. Send a model list and a reference photo of the standard to several painters to get a real price.
What is the cheapest painting standard? A tabletop standard, such as what Games Workshop calls Battle Ready: main areas coloured and a simple finish on the base. It takes less time per model than higher standards.
Do painters charge to assemble models? Often, yes. Assembly, cleaning mould lines and priming take time, so say in your brief whether the models are already built.
Is a large army cheaper per model? Usually, because painters batch the steps across a unit. Characters and large centrepieces painted individually cost more per model.
Can one maker print and paint my miniatures? Yes. Some makers both print and paint. Put both in one brief and say which files or models you're supplying.
Post it free and let makers bid. Your payment is protected until you confirm delivery.