Our guide to Specialist Paints for Plastic Miniatures

Written By Jacob Shaw

Painting plastic miniatures requires paints formulated for adhesion on polystyrene and resin surfaces. Standard craft acrylics often lack the fine pigment grind and binder balance needed for miniature detail. The following specialist brands are widely used in the hobby:

  • Citadel Colour: Games Workshop’s proprietary line, optimized for Warhammer models. Includes Base, Layer, Shade, and Contrast ranges. Known for high pigment density and smooth coverage.

  • Vallejo Model Color & Game Color: Spanish manufacturer offering dropper bottles for precise dosing. Model Color excels in historical miniatures, while Game Color is tuned for fantasy palettes. Vallejo also produces Air ranges pre‑thinned for airbrush use.

  • Army Painter: Offers Warpaints acrylics, primers, and washes. Their Mega Paint Set provides a comprehensive starter palette. Army Painter paints are slightly thinner, making them versatile for layering.

  • Scale75: Professional‑grade paints with ultra‑matte finish, ideal for realistic shading. Their Scalecolor and Fantasy & Games lines are popular among competition painters.

  • Privateer Press P3: Designed for Warmachine/Hordes miniatures. Known for smooth blending and saturation.

  • GamesCraft Miniature Paints: UK‑based acrylics available in 30ml and 90ml pots. Compatible with Vallejo thinners for airbrush use.

  • Grinning Gargoyle: Fantasy miniature paint sets tailored for tabletop RPG figures.

  • Micro‑Mark: Specialist model paints with versatile adhesion across plastic and resin.

  • ProScale: Technical paints designed for polystyrene kits, emphasizing adhesion and durability.

Technical Considerations

  • Adhesion: Plastic miniatures (often polystyrene) have smooth, non‑porous surfaces. Priming is essential. Acrylic primers from Vallejo or Army Painter create a micro‑tooth for paint layers.

  • Pigment Grind: Miniature paints use finely milled pigments to avoid obscuring detail. Brands like Scale75 and Vallejo excel here.

  • Binder Strength: Acrylic polymer binders ensure flexibility and prevent cracking on small, handled models.

Airbrushing vs. Brush Application

  • Airbrushing:

    • Uses paints pre‑thinned (e.g., Vallejo Model Air) or thinned with acrylic mediums.

    • Provides smooth base coats, gradients, and zenithal highlights.

    • Requires cleaning protocols to prevent nozzle clogging. See separate blog on airbrushing.

  • Brush Application:

    • Allows precision for details, edge highlights, and texture effects.

    • Paints like Citadel Layer or Army Painter Warpaints are formulated for brush control.

    • Brushwork benefits from paints with higher viscosity compared to airbrush ranges. See our separate blog on brush application.

DISCLAIMER:

The content provided on Reaction Games is for informational and educational purposes only. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all details—including product specifications, prices, availability, and third‑party information—are subject to change and may vary by manufacturer or retailer.

Readers are responsible for verifying facts, prices, and product details before making any purchasing or usage decisions. Reaction Games does not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information presented and accepts no liability for errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from its use.

By using this website, you acknowledge that Reaction Games provides general guidance only and that final responsibility for decisions rests with you.

SHOP OUR TOP PICKS:

I am an Amazon associate which means that if you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend retailers I genuinely trust and use myself, and this affiliate relationship helps support the time and effort I put into creating guides and resources for the hobby community.

Games Workshop Warhammer 40,000 Set of Paints and Tools Set

The Games Workshop – Warhammer 40,000: Paints + Tools Set is a brilliant starting point for anyone ready to bring their miniatures to life. With a curated selection of essential acrylic paints and a set of precision tools, it gives you everything you need to build, clean up, and paint your first models with confidence. The colours are rich and versatile, perfect for basecoats, shading, and early detailing, while the tools make assembly smooth and frustration‑free. Whether you’re new to the hobby or expanding your kit, this set offers a practical, well-balanced foundation for creating striking Warhammer 40K armies.

GAMES WORKSHOP Citadel Colour: Battle Ready 30 pots of Paint Set

The Citadel Colour: Battle Ready Paint Set is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to bring Warhammer miniatures to life with rich, vibrant colour. Inside, you’ll find a curated selection of high‑quality paints designed to give you smooth basecoats, crisp details, and striking tabletop‑ready results with minimal fuss. Whether you’re new to the hobby or expanding your toolkit, these colours are formulated for easy coverage and reliable performance, helping you get your models looking great straight out of the box. It’s a practical, no‑nonsense set that makes painting more enjoyable and your armies more impressive.

Games Workshop Warhammer AoS Citadel Paint Set Base

If you’re beginning your Warhammer Age of Sigmar painting journey, the Citadel Base Paint Set is one of the easiest ways to get great results fast. These highly pigmented base colours give you smooth, reliable coverage and form the foundation for every model you paint.

With a balanced selection of essential shades, this set helps you tackle armour, skin, cloth, weapons — all the classic AoS details — without feeling overwhelmed. The paints are beginner‑friendly, consistent, and designed to work seamlessly with the rest of the Citadel system as your skills grow.

SHOP

We recommend Warhammer Citadel paints:

Jacob Shaw
Previous

A Guide to Miniature Materials: Plastics, Resins, and 3D Printing
Next

🎨 Where to Buy Paints, Brushes, and Airbrushes for Your Hobby