If you play Dungeons & dragons or any tabletop RPG in Canada and you want a miniature that is actually your character – not the closest thing on a store shelf – you have more options than you did even two years ago. Several Canadian shops now print custom minis and ship them domestically, which means no customs fees and no waiting on a package from overseas. This guide compares the main ones, honestly, so you can pick the right fit.
A note on transparency: this comparison is published by 3DCentral, and we are one of the services listed below. We have kept every claim to what each company states publicly, verified as of 2026, and given each one its genuine strength. Read it, then check the shops yourself before you order.
The short answer
If you already have an STL file (from Hero Forge, an artist, or a marketplace), any of these will print it – choose on material, price, and shipping. If you do not have a file and want a mini made from a photo, a drawing, or just a description, that narrows the field considerably: most Canadian shops need you to bring the file. And if you want the whole thing to happen in French, that narrows it further.
The services, side by side
Verified from each company’s public pages as of 2026. Always confirm current pricing and turnaround on their own site.
| Service | Based in | How you order | Material | Ships | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DCentral | Laval, QC | From a photo, drawing or description – or your own STL | Full-colour FDM (resin coming) | Within Canada, no customs; bilingual EN/FR | No file? Want it from a photo, or served in French |
| Helios Tabletop | Toronto, ON | Upload STL / OBJ / 3MF / ZIP | High-detail resin, in-house | Canada & US; free CA shipping over $65; ships in 3-5 business days | You have a file and want fine resin detail, fast |
| Kingfisher 3D Printing | Canada | Send the STL, get a quote, approve, they print & ship | Resin (curated, quality-first) | Within Canada only | You want a careful, hobbyist-run print of a file you trust |
| MiniForge | Canada | Send STL files, or contact them about custom work | 3D-printed minis, terrain & models | Canada; free shipping over $150 | Minis plus terrain and larger projects in one place |
| STRATEGIES Games & Hobbies | Canada (game store) | Bring a Hero Forge or other creator’s model in-store | Resin print service | In-store pickup, ready in ~10-14 days | You prefer a local shop and pickup over shipping |
How to choose (the questions that actually decide it)
Do you already have an STL file?
This is the biggest fork in the road. Helios, Kingfisher, MiniForge and most game stores are file-in services: you bring the STL, they print it. That is perfect if you built your character on Hero Forge or bought a sculpt from an artist. If you do not have a file – you have a photo of a beloved character, a commission drawing, or an idea in your head – then you want a shop that can create the model for you. 3DCentral does this: you can have a mini made from a photo or a description, sculpted AI-assisted and then finished by a real artist. Software-only mini generators can make a file, but they do not ship you a physical, painted mini from Canada; a bring-your-own-file printer ships the mini but cannot invent the file. Closing that whole loop is the difference.
Resin or full colour?
Resin gives you the crispest fine detail – it is the choice of players who prime and paint their own minis, and it is what Helios and Kingfisher specialise in. Full-colour FDM (3DCentral’s Studio tier) arrives already coloured, which suits people who want a finished-looking piece without painting. Neither is “better”; they suit different hobbies. If detail for painting is your priority, lean resin. If you want it to look done out of the box, lean full colour.
Shipping, customs, and where it is made
Every service here is Canadian, so none of them will hit you with a customs bill the way a U.S. or overseas shop can. The differences are smaller: free-shipping thresholds vary (Helios over $65, MiniForge over $150), Kingfisher ships within Canada only, and a local game store like STRATEGIES lets you skip shipping entirely with in-store pickup. If you are in Quebec and want the transaction in French, 3DCentral runs bilingually end to end.
Speed
If you are racing a session date, dispatch speed matters. Helios states most orders ship in 3-5 business days; a local store pickup may take around 10-14 days; 3DCentral runs a few days of production plus shipping, with a rush option for 24-48 hour turnaround. Always confirm the current lead time before you count on it.
Where 3DCentral fits
We will be straight about it. If you already have a great STL and just want it printed in fine resin as cheaply as possible, a dedicated resin shop like Helios or Kingfisher may suit you better, and we would rather you be happy than oversell. Where we earn the order is the case the others do not cover: you have no file, you want the mini built from a photo or a description, you want full-colour or hand-finished, or you want the whole thing handled in French and shipped from Quebec with no customs. If that is you, start on our custom D&D miniature service, or read how the broader custom miniatures process works first.
FAQ
What is the best custom D&D miniature service in Canada?
There is no single best – it depends on whether you already have an STL file. If you do, a dedicated resin printer like Helios Tabletop or Kingfisher 3D Printing prints it well and ships domestically. If you do not have a file and want a mini made from a photo or description, or want it in French, 3DCentral covers that case. Compare on material, price, and turnaround.
Which services can make a mini without an STL file?
Most Canadian shops need you to supply the file. 3DCentral can create the model from a photo, a drawing, or a description (AI-assisted, then finished by an artist), so you do not need to build or buy an STL first.
Will any of these charge me customs fees?
No. All the services compared here are Canadian and ship within Canada, so there are no customs or duty charges. That is the main advantage over ordering a print from the U.S. or overseas.
Resin or full-colour FDM for a D&D mini?
Resin gives the sharpest detail and is ideal if you will prime and paint the mini yourself. Full-colour FDM arrives already coloured and is better if you want a finished look without painting. Choose based on whether you plan to paint it.
How fast can I get a custom mini?
It varies by shop and whether it is peak season. Some resin shops dispatch in a few business days; a local store pickup can take around two weeks; 3DCentral offers a rush option for 24-48 hour production. Confirm the current lead time before ordering against a deadline.
