How to Store and Transport Your Miniatures Safely: Tips for WizKids Collectors

Quick answer

Store miniatures upright in a closed, stable container with foam or magnetic trays, and transport them in a rigid case that limits movement. The biggest risks are abrasion, heat, and impact, so separate figures, keep them out of hot cars, and pack them so they cannot shift or press against each other.

Painted miniatures are small, top-heavy, and easy to damage once they leave the shelf. A single loose figure rattling in a box can shear off a sword tip or rub paint off a cloak, and heat can soften plastic or warp bases over time.

The good news is that safe storage and transport do not require expensive gear. A few consistent habits, plus the right tray or case for your collection size, will protect both pre-painted pieces and your own paint jobs.

Start with a stable, closed storage spot

Before you buy any tray, decide where the miniatures will live. A closed cabinet, lidded bin, or shelf away from direct sun keeps dust off and reduces the chance of accidental knocks. Sunlight and heat are slow threats: they can fade paint and soften plastic, especially on thin parts like spears or wings.

Keep the storage area dry and at room temperature. A garage or attic that swings between hot and cold is a poor long-term home for painted figures. If you must store in a garage, use a sealed container with a desiccant pack and check it seasonally.

• Avoid windowsills and radiators, even for display pieces.
• Label bins by faction, set, or project so you are not digging through loose figures.

Choose the right tray for the figure size

Foam trays are the classic answer for fragile, spindly figures because they hold each model in its own cutout. Pick a foam density that is soft enough not to scratch but firm enough to keep the figure from sliding. Egg-crate foam is fine for bulk storage but can press on raised weapons.

For larger pieces, measure before you buy. A huge elemental or a dragon needs a deeper tray than a standard 28mm humanoid, and forcing it into a shallow cutout puts constant pressure on the base and ankles.

• Use pick-and-pluck foam for odd shapes, then re-pluck as the collection changes.
• Keep a few empty trays on hand for new arrivals so you are not storing them loose.

Use magnets for quick, secure transport

If your miniatures have integral bases, gluing a small magnet under the base and using a steel-lined tray is faster than foam and avoids foam rubbing against paint. This works especially well for armies you move often, because you can pull a figure straight out without peeling foam away from a delicate arm.

The tradeoff is that magnets do not cushion impacts. A magnetic tray protects against sliding, not against a dropped case, so pair it with a rigid outer shell and a little padding.

• Test magnet strength before a tournament: a gentle shake should not move the figure.
• Keep magnetized trays flat; a tilted tray can still let a figure slide off.

Pack a carrying case for the trip, not just the shelf

A miniature carrying case should be rigid, close securely, and hold trays so they cannot shift. Soft bags offer little protection against a fall, while a hard-sided case with a handle or shoulder strap is easier to control when you are loading a car or walking into a game store.

For short trips, a small case with one or two trays is easier to manage than a large one. For a full collection, a stackable case lets you bring only what you need and leave the rest safely stored at home.

• Do not stack heavy cases on top of a soft bag or loose figures.
• Put your most fragile figures in the middle of the case, not at the edges.

Handle heat, moisture, and travel like a routine

Heat is the quiet killer of miniature care. Leaving a case in a hot car can soften plastic, warp bases, and make paint tacky. Bring the case inside with you rather than leaving it in the vehicle, and avoid storing figures near a heater or in a sunbaked trunk.

Moisture matters for metal and for any figure with a painted finish that has not fully cured. If you live in a humid area, add a reusable desiccant pack to the storage bin and refresh it as directed. A quick wipe with a soft brush before packing keeps grit from grinding into paint during transport.

• Let freshly sealed or varnished figures cure fully before they go into foam.
• Keep a soft brush in your case for a quick dust-off between games.

Match the method to the material

Unpainted, primed figures are more forgiving than finished ones because there is no paint layer to rub off. Pre-painted plastic miniatures sit in between: the factory paint is durable but can still scuff, and thin parts like weapons remain the most likely break points.

If you are storing a mix, separate by fragility rather than by set. Put spindly casters and large monsters in foam, and put sturdy, compact figures in magnetic trays. That one sorting decision prevents most of the damage collectors actually see.

• Keep original packaging for display pieces if you might resell or move them.
• Photograph your storage layout so you can repack the same way after a game.

Storage and transport steps

1. Sort by fragility, not by set: Group spindly, painted, or large figures separately from sturdy, compact ones. This decides whether each group goes into foam or onto a magnetic tray. Checkpoint: if a figure has a thin weapon or wing, treat it as fragile.
2. Measure your largest figure first: A huge elemental or dragon needs a deeper cutout than a standard humanoid. Buy or cut foam to fit the biggest piece, then fill the rest of the tray around it. Common mistake: buying a case before checking the height of your tallest model.
3. Secure each figure so it cannot shift: Use a fitted foam cutout or a magnet under the base. A gentle shake of the loaded tray should produce no movement and no rattling. Checkpoint: no sliding means no abrasion during travel.
4. Load the case in layers and close it firmly: Put the most fragile figures in the center, keep trays flat, and make sure the lid latches. Do not overfill a tray, because pressure from the lid transfers straight to the figures. Common mistake: forcing a lid shut on a tray that is too full.
5. Control heat and moisture on the move: Bring the case inside instead of leaving it in a hot car, and add a desiccant pack for humid storage. Let fresh varnish cure before packing. Checkpoint: if the case feels warm to the touch, the figures are warmer than they should be.
6. Unpack and inspect after every trip: Set figures upright, check for bent parts or chipped paint, and repair small issues before they worsen. Repack the same way so the layout stays predictable. Next step: keep a small repair kit with glue and touch-up paint in your case.

Product facts that affect storage

• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Planetar: Dungeons & Dragons Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures come with highly detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box. Because the figure is already primed, a foam tray that rubs against the surface can dull the primer and create uneven paint coverage later.
• Pathfinder Battles: Kingmaker - Huge Water Elemental: This fantastic Kingmaker Case Incentive contains a beautiful display piece that stands several inches tall and dwarfs the other miniatures in the Pathfinder Battles: Kingmaker set. Its size means a standard tray will not fit it; measure and choose a deeper foam cutout or a dedicated display spot so it is not crushed by smaller figures.
• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Draconian Mage & Foot Soldier: These fantastic miniatures include deep cuts for easier painting. Deep cuts create thin, raised edges that can catch on foam, so pack these figures with extra clearance or in a magnetic tray to avoid snagging.

Safe miniature storage comes down to three habits: separate fragile figures, keep them from shifting, and control heat and moisture. Set up one storage system that fits your collection now, then adjust trays as it grows. Your painted figures will spend more time on the table and less time in the repair pile.