What is Made-to-Order? (And Why It's Better for Miniatures)
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What Does "Made-to-Order" Actually Mean?
If you've shopped with us before — or read our product listings — you've probably seen the phrase "made-to-order." But what does it actually mean, and how is it different from buying something off a shelf?
The short version: your miniature doesn't exist until you order it. We don't keep a warehouse full of pre-printed figures. Instead, when your order comes in, we print your specific mini fresh — just for you. It's a fundamentally different model from mass-market retail, and we think it's a better one for this hobby. Here's why.
How Made-to-Order Works at Tattles Told 3D
- You place your order. You browse our catalog, choose your mini, specify any preferences (scale, base style, etc.), and check out.
- We prepare your file. Our catalog features designs from dozens of independent creator studios. We take the licensed digital file for your chosen sculpt and prep it for printing — including rescaling to your requested size if needed.
- We print your mini. Your figure is printed in high-detail resin on our printers. Resin printing captures fine details that other methods simply can't — facial expressions, fabric textures, fine weapon edges.
- We clean and cure it. Fresh resin prints go through a cleaning and UV curing process to make sure the resin is fully hardened and safe to handle and paint.
- We ship it to you. Your mini is carefully packaged and sent on its way.
What About Lead Times?
Because every order is printed fresh, there's a production window before your mini ships. Current processing time is up to 8 weeks from the date of your order. Please factor this in before placing your order — especially if you have a hard deadline like a campaign session, convention, or birthday gift.
Need it sooner? If you have a specific deadline in mind, just reach out before or after ordering and let us know. If your timeline is reasonable, we're happy to prioritize your order and get it out faster — at no extra cost. We'd rather work with you than have you miss your moment.
We list current processing times on each product and at checkout. If you're ever unsure, just ask and we'll give you the most up-to-date estimate.
Made-to-Order vs In-Stock: A Quick Comparison
- In-stock (traditional retail): Mass-produced, ships fast, limited selection, often injection-molded plastic, what you see is what you get.
- Made-to-order (us): Printed fresh for you, wider selection, fully customizable scale, high-detail resin, slightly longer wait — with rush options available if you need them.
For collectors, painters, and players who care about getting exactly the right mini — made-to-order wins every time.
Why Independent Creator Designs Make This Even Better
Our catalog is built from licensed designs by independent sculptor studios from around the world — artists who pour enormous craft into every sculpt. Because we work directly with these creators and print on demand, you get access to designs that simply aren't available through traditional retail channels. No middleman markups, no out-of-stock frustration, no settling for "close enough."
Studios like Witchsong Miniatures, NS Miniatures, Bite the Bullet, and many more — these are artists making incredible things, and the made-to-order model is what makes their work accessible to you.
Can I Customize My Order?
The most common customization — and the one we can always accommodate — is scale. Each creator studio sculpts at their own native size, and we resize your print up or down to match whatever scale you need. That's baked into how we work.
Beyond sizing, customization options are limited by the licensing agreements we hold with each creator. Out of respect for the artists and the contracts that allow us to print their work, we aren't able to alter the sculpts themselves — no added parts, removed elements, or modified designs. What you see in the listing is the sculpt as the artist intended it.
Not sure what scale to order? Our miniature scale guide walks you through everything.
Ready to Order Your First (or Next) Mini?
Browse our full made-to-order catalog and find something that speaks to you. Every piece is printed fresh, packed with care, and shipped with love from our little operation to your table.
- Spirit of Resin Miniatures
- Dungeons & Maidens
- Terrain Essentials by Cast n Play
- Found Family Adventurecrafts