I have spent countless hours cleaning up supports and sanding PLA, but nothing brings a model to life like finding the right paint for 3d printer projects. After testing several premium acrylic sets on both resin and FDM prints, I found that the right pigment density can completely hide layer lines without clogging fine details. In this guide, I will share my hands-on experiences with five popular paint kits to help you choose the best match for your workbench.
Smallbudi 20 Colors Model Paint Set 20ml/0.68oz Miniature
If you are just starting out with painting your PLA or resin prints, this kit is an incredibly user-friendly entry point. I love that it comes pre-thinned for immediate brush application, meaning you don’t have to guess the right water-to-paint ratio right out of the gate. The highly concentrated pigments deliver excellent, smooth coverage over grey primer, forming a clean matte finish that hides minor surface imperfections beautifully.
Key features that stand out:
– Complete set with 20 essential colors, 3 detail brushes, and 1 acrylic thinner.
– Professional acrylic formula tailored for plastic, resin, metal, and wood surfaces.
– Refined matte finish for standard colors and realistic metallic effects.
– Included printed color wheel and instruction guide to master color mixing quickly.
Pros:
– Easy to use straight out of the bottle without immediate thinning.
– Includes a helpful color wheel that is perfect for beginners learning to shade.
– The metallic shades offer surprisingly realistic armor and weapon finishes.
Cons:
– The color range is somewhat limited for complex, multi-shaded tabletop armies.
Best for: Beginners and hobbyists looking for an affordable, straightforward starting kit.
Expert Opinion: This budget-friendly kit punches well above its weight class. The smooth flow and reliable adhesion make it a hassle-free choice for anyone painting their first batch of FDM or resin figures.
Smallbudi 44 Colors Model Paint Set 20ml/0.68oz Miniature
For those who have outgrown basic color sets, this massive collection offers the ultimate creative freedom for large terrain pieces and detailed figures. It boasts 44 premium colors including 38 realistic standards and 6 metallics that let you render complex textures like worn stone, weathered wood, and polished steel. The included four bottles of acrylic thinner give you plenty of medium to experiment with advanced glazing, wet blending, and airbrushing techniques.
Key features that stand out:
– Massive collection featuring 44 rich colors and 3 high-precision detail brushes.
– Four dedicated acrylic thinners to easily adjust paint consistency for airbrushes.
– Formulated specifically to avoid clogging fine details on highly detailed miniature models.
– Strong opacity and coverage that requires fewer layers to achieve solid, vibrant colors.
Pros:
– Huge variety of shades, eliminating the constant need for manual color mixing.
– Comes with multiple bottles of thinner, which is great for airbrush enthusiasts.
– The metallic colors provide excellent texture for industrial parts and robotic joints.
Cons:
– The large number of bottles can be challenging to organize on smaller workbenches.
Best for: Experienced hobbyists and airbrush users who want a massive palette of realistic tones.
Expert Opinion: If you are serious about painting large-scale 3D prints or entire tabletop armies, this kit provides the color depth and thinning resources you need to achieve professional-grade gradients and weathering effects.
Nicpro All-In-One Miniature Painting Kit, 36 Colors Starter
This package is a dream come true for creators who want an absolute complete setup in a single purchase. What sets this kit apart is the inclusion of 11 specialized brushes, including 3 dedicated drybrushes, which are crucial for highlighting the textured surfaces of 3D prints. The water-based paints dry to a gorgeous matte finish with high lightfastness, ensuring your hard work won’t fade under display lights over time.
Key features that stand out:
– Comprehensive bundle with 36 colors, 2 thinners, a mixing tray, and 11 premium brushes.
– Features 3 specialized drybrushes for rapid texture highlighting on terrain and armor.
– Lightfast, high-pigment formula that maintains its vibrancy over long display periods.
– Mixing tray included to help beginners learn the basics of thinning and blending.
Pros:
– The brush selection is top-tier, saving you from buying separate painting tools.
– The drybrushes make highlighting 3D-printed layer lines and stone textures incredibly fast.
– The plastic mixing tray makes it easy to manage paint dilution and custom mixes.
Cons:
– The dropper bottles can occasionally clog if the paint dries around the nozzle tips.
Best for: Hobbyists who want a complete, high-quality toolset alongside a wide paint palette.
Expert Opinion: Nicpro has built a wonderfully cohesive kit here. The addition of dedicated drybrushes is a massive plus for 3D printing enthusiasts, as drybrushing is the easiest way to make textured FDM prints pop with realism.
Smallbudi 32 Colors Model Paint Set 20ml/0.68oz Miniature
Striking a perfect middle ground, this kit delivers a versatile color palette without taking up your entire desk. It features 32 carefully selected colors, including 4 metallics, designed to bring fantasy characters and sci-fi armor to life. The paint possesses a high pigment concentration and strong adhesion that grips onto plastic and resin surfaces tenaciously, preventing the dreaded peeling that often occurs on unprimed 3D prints.
Key features that stand out:
– Well-balanced 32-color set with 3 detail brushes and 3 bottles of acrylic thinner.
– Formulated for smooth flow and even application without obscuring fine print details.
– Refined matte finish that helps disguise minor FDM printing layer lines.
– Pre-thinned consistency that is ready to use for immediate brushwork.
Pros:
– An ideal color selection that covers skin tones, earthy shadows, and bright highlights.
– Excellent adhesion properties that work reliably on both resin and PLA filaments.
– The three included thinners provide plenty of material for custom glazing techniques.
Cons:
– The storage box is somewhat flimsy for carrying the set around to hobby meets.
Best for: Miniature painters looking for a balanced palette with professional-grade blending capabilities.
Expert Opinion: This 32-color set is arguably the sweet spot of the Smallbudi lineup. It offers enough shades to handle complex color schemes while keeping the price and storage footprint highly manageable.
Shuttle Art 23 Colors Model Paint Set, 20ml/0.68oz Model
If your primary goal is speed and efficiency, this highly pigmented set is designed to get the job done in record time. It boasts a powerful one-to-two coat coverage that easily hides the underlying plastic, cutting your painting time in half. The formula is completely non-toxic and odor-free, making it a safe choice for family crafting sessions or indoor painting in poorly ventilated workspaces.
Key features that stand out:
– 23 vibrant colors including realistic metallics, plus 1 thinner and 3 detail brushes.
– Exceptional hiding power that delivers full, opaque coverage in just 1 to 2 coats.
– Water-based, non-toxic, and odor-free formula that is completely safe for all ages.
– UV-resistant pigment design that keeps your display models looking bright for years.
Pros:
– Incredible opacity saves time by requiring fewer layers to cover dark plastics.
– Non-toxic and odor-free, making it perfect for painting inside bedrooms or apartments.
– UV-resistant properties prevent colors from yellowing or fading in sunlight.
Cons:
– The paint consistency is slightly thicker, requiring careful thinning for airbrush use.
Best for: Fast-paced painters and families looking for a safe, high-coverage acrylic set.
Expert Opinion: Shuttle Art has delivered a highly practical paint set that values your time. The high-opacity formula is a godsend for covering dark-colored 3D printer filaments without needing endless basecoats.
Choosing the Right Paint Kit for Your 3D Prints
When comparing these sets, the best choice often comes down to your painting style and workspace. If you are looking for maximum color variety to avoid mixing shades, the Smallbudi 44 Colors set is the undisputed champion. However, for those who want a complete toolkit with specialized drybrushes and a mixing palette, the Nicpro All-In-One kit is hard to beat. If you simply want to finish your prints quickly with minimal coats, the Shuttle Art 23 Colors set offers the thickest, high-opacity pigment coverage. Meanwhile, the Smallbudi 20 and 32-color kits offer excellent middle-ground options that balance cost, palette variety, and useful accessories.
The Final Verdict: Which Paint Set Wins?
- For the Ultimate Toolkit Seeker: Go with the Nicpro All-In-One Miniature Painting Kit. Its inclusion of drybrushes and a mixing tray makes it the most practical package for textured 3D prints.
- For the Heavy Painter & Airbrusher: Choose the Smallbudi 44 Colors Model Paint Set. The sheer color count and four bottles of thinner give you everything you need for complex gradient work.
- For the Budget Beginner: The Smallbudi 20 Colors Model Paint Set offers the perfect, low-cost entry point without overwhelming you with too many options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paint for 3D Printer Projects
Do I need to prime my 3D prints before using paint for 3D printer models?
Yes, priming is a crucial step. While high-quality acrylic paint has strong adhesion, 3D printed plastics like PLA, PETG, and resin are naturally slick. A dedicated plastic primer gives the acrylic paint a micro-textured surface to cling to, preventing peeling and chipping over time.
Can I use these acrylic paints on both FDM and resin prints?
Absolutely. High-quality hobby acrylics work beautifully on both FDM (filament-based) and resin prints. Resin prints generally require less prep work because of their smooth surfaces, while FDM prints require a bit more sanding and primer to smooth out the layer lines before painting.
How do I hide layer lines on my 3D models before painting?
To achieve a smooth finish, start by sanding your print with progressively finer sandpaper (from 220-grit up to 400-grit). After sanding, apply a few coats of filler primer, which is designed to settle into the tiny grooves. Once dry, give it a quick final sand before applying your model paint.
Should I thin these paints with water or the included acrylic thinner?
While you can use water in a pinch, using the included acrylic thinner is much better. Acrylic thinner dilutes the paint pigment without breaking down the chemical binders. This keeps the paint strong, smooth, and adhesive, whereas too much water can cause the paint to bead up on your plastic model.
Do I need to apply a clear coat or sealant after painting?
Yes, applying a clear coat is highly recommended if you plan on handling your models. Tabletop gaming miniatures and functional prints can easily get scratched. A quick spray of matte, satin, or glossy clear coat will seal the acrylic paint and protect your hard work from finger oils and physical wear.
Can I use these model paints in an airbrush?
Yes, you can use these paints in an airbrush, but you will need to thin them down first. Paints straight from the bottle are too thick for a standard airbrush nozzle. Mix them with the included acrylic thinner until they reach the consistency of skim milk, and they will spray smoothly without clogging your airbrush.
Is it safe to paint 3D printed items that will touch food?
No, standard acrylic paints and 3D printing filaments are generally not food-safe. Acrylic paint is non-toxic to touch, but it is not rated for food contact. Additionally, the microscopic ridges in 3D prints can harbor bacteria, making them unsafe for food use regardless of the paint applied.
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