Premium Painted Figures vs Unpainted Miniatures: Which Is Right for You?

Quick answer

If you want to play right out of the box with zero prep, premium painted figures are the way to go. If you enjoy painting and want a custom look at a lower cost, unpainted miniatures like Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures or Deep Cuts are the better fit. Your choice comes down to how you value time versus creative control.

So you're building your tabletop collection and wondering whether to invest in premium painted figures or go the unpainted route. Both have a place, but they serve different players. The right pick depends on your budget, your schedule, and how much you enjoy the hobby side of miniatures.

In this comparison, we'll break down the practical differences between premium painted figures and unpainted miniatures using real WizKids products. You'll see where each shines, where each falls short, and how to decide which belongs on your shelf.

What you get with premium painted figures

Premium painted figures arrive ready to use. No priming, no painting, no sealing. You open the box and place them on the table. This is ideal if your game nights are already packed and you'd rather spend your free time playing than prepping. The trade-off is higher cost and less control over the final look.

For example, the Dungeons & Dragons: Beholder 7" Resin Blank by Kidrobot is a 7-inch resin art figure that's ready for customization, but if you want a fully painted version you'd need to paint it yourself or commission an artist. Premium painted figures skip that step entirely, but they lock you into the manufacturer's color scheme.

• Best if you want to start playing immediately.
• Less messy—no paints, brushes, or primer needed.
• You sacrifice the ability to match a specific character concept.

What you get with unpainted miniatures

Unpainted miniatures come primed and ready to paint, like the D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures line. They offer a blank canvas for your creativity. You can match your character's exact colors, add weathering, or paint an entire warband in a unified scheme. The downside is the time investment: prepping, painting, and sealing can take hours per figure.

Take the WizKids Deep Cuts: Trebuchet. It's a highly detailed scenery piece that's primed and ready to paint out of the box. You could leave it gray, but painting it brings the siege engine to life. Unpainted minis are also cheaper per figure, which matters if you need a lot of them.

• Lower cost per figure, especially for large groups.
• Total creative control over colors and finish.
• Requires time, tools, and a bit of practice to look good.

Cost and time: the real trade-off

Premium painted figures cost more upfront because you're paying for someone else's labor and skill. Unpainted miniatures are cheaper, but you'll spend money on paints, brushes, and sealant, plus your own time. If your time is limited, the higher price of pre-painted may be worth it. If you enjoy painting as a hobby, unpainted is a better value.

Consider the D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures - Female Tiefling Sorcerer. At a low price point, you get a detailed, primed figure that's ready for your brush. Compare that to a premium painted figure of similar size, which could cost several times more. The savings add up if you're building a warband.

• Calculate your hourly rate—painting takes time.
• Factor in the cost of paints and supplies if you're starting fresh.
• Buying unpainted in bulk can be very economical.

Customization and table presence

Unpainted miniatures win on customization. You can paint your Pathfinder Deep Cuts Miniatures: Plague Zombie & Skeletal Champion to match your campaign's undead theme. Premium painted figures come in fixed color schemes, which may not match your vision. However, premium painted figures often have a consistent, professional look that's hard to replicate without practice.

If you want a cohesive army look, painting them yourself gives you full control. If you just want them to look good with minimal effort, premium painted is the safer bet. Neither is wrong—it's about how much you want to invest in the look.

• Unpainted: match your character's exact colors.
• Premium painted: consistent quality, but limited palette.
• Consider mixing both: paint key characters, buy pre-painted for mooks.

Trade-offs at a glance

• Time investment: Premium painted: none. Unpainted: hours per figure for assembly, painting, and sealing. Choose based on how much free time you have.
• Upfront cost: Premium painted costs more per figure. Unpainted is cheaper but requires paints and tools. Budget for supplies if you go unpainted.
• Customization: Unpainted offers full creative control. Premium painted locks in the manufacturer's scheme. If you need a specific look, go unpainted.

Product facts

• WizKids Deep Cuts: Trebuchet: WizKids Deep Cuts come with highly detailed figures, primed and ready to paint out of the box. These fantastic miniatures include deep cuts for easier painting. The packaging displays these miniatures in a clear and visible format, so customers know exactly what they are getting. You can see exactly what you're buying and start painting immediately without priming. The deep cuts make it easier to reach details, which is great for beginners.
• Dungeons & Dragons: Beholder 7" Resin Blank by Kidrobot: Every beholder from the fantastic lore of Dungeons & Dragons is unique in form and color. Now you can create your own beholder with the 7-inch Beholder Blank Resin Art Figure, brought to you by another powered-up team-up between Kidrobot and WizKids. For the young to old, experienced hobbyist to first-timers, each Beholder Blank is a 3D canvas! It’s ready for scribbling, painting, dressing up, stickering, and... This is a large, blank canvas that invites total customization. It's not a pre-painted figure, so you'll need to supply the creativity and materials to finish it.
• D&D Nolzur’s Marvelous Miniatures: Bugbears: WizKids, the industry leader in quality plastic miniatures, is pleased to release a brand new line of unpainted miniatures! The new Dungeons & Dragons Nolzur’s Marvelous Miniatures line features a number of unpainted creatures and characters. Each pack will give painters the opportunity to find their artistic side to create a unique look for each figure. These are explicitly designed for painters. If you want to build a goblinoid warband with a unified look, starting with unpainted bugbears gives you that flexibility at a low cost.

Which should you choose?

Best for

• Players with limited time who want to play immediately.
• Those who prefer not to paint or lack painting supplies.
• Collectors who value consistent, professional paint jobs.

Not for

• Hobbyists who enjoy painting and customizing.
• Budget-conscious buyers building large armies.
• Anyone who wants a unique, personalized look.

There's no single right answer—it depends on your priorities. If you value time and convenience, premium painted figures are worth the investment. If you love the craft and want to save money, unpainted miniatures like those from Nolzur's or Deep Cuts are the way to go. Whichever you pick, you're adding great pieces to your table.