“When will it get here?” is the first question after “how much?”, and for a custom miniature the honest answer has a couple of moving parts worth understanding. A custom figure is not sitting on a shelf ready to box – it is made for you, which means the clock works differently from ordering a stock item. The good news is that the timeline is predictable once you know its shape. Here is how long a custom mini takes, stage by stage.
The one thing that shapes the timeline
The single most important fact about custom turnaround is this: you review your concept and price before you pay for the print, and you approve a 3D preview before we print. That approval step is the pivot the whole timeline turns on. Before you approve, we are preparing your figure and showing it to you; the production clock effectively starts after you say yes. That is a feature, not a delay – you never wait on a print you have not signed off, and a figure you are not happy with does not get made. But it does mean your own response time is part of the total: the faster you review and approve, the sooner production begins.
The timeline, stage by stage
Here is the full journey from request to doorstep:
| Stage | What happens | How long |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Request | You describe or upload your character | Minutes, on your side |
| 2. Concept, price and approval | We prepare your concept and price, then a 3D preview; you review and approve | Confirmed with your quote, plus your response time |
| 3. Production | Printing, cleanup and inspection after you order | Standard processing: 2 to 5 business days from order confirmation |
| 4. Shipping | Canadian shipping to your address | Usually 3 to 7 business days after dispatch |
So the realistic mental model is: a back-and-forth to agree on the concept and preview, then standard processing plus Canadian shipping on top. The part you can most influence is your own approval speed.
What production covers
The production window is where the figure is actually made – printed in PLA on our FDM printers in solid filament colours, then cleaned of supports and inspected. Nothing is painted, so there is no paint stage. It is measured in days rather than hours because a real object is being produced and checked, not pulled from stock. Our shipping page lists the standard processing time (2 to 5 business days from order confirmation); complexity, size, item count and seasonal demand can affect it.
Is there a faster option?
We do not promise a rush turnaround, and checkout offers standard shipping only, with no express shipping. If you are up against a game night or a gift date, tell us the date when you send your request: the timing for your piece is confirmed with your quote, before you pay. For a truly tight deadline, the reliable plan is to order early and approve your preview quickly.
How to actually hit a deadline
If the mini has to arrive by a specific date, work backwards and give each stage its room:
- Count back from the date. Allow for Canadian delivery from Laval first, usually 3 to 7 business days after dispatch.
- Add the production window. Standard processing is 2 to 5 business days from order confirmation.
- Leave room for your concept and approval. Its timing is confirmed with your quote, and production starts after your yes.
- Order with margin. The single best way to hit a date is to start early.
Follow that order and the timeline stops being a guess. The most common reason a custom mini arrives late is not slow production – it is a late order or a slow approval eating the buffer.
Does the colour plan change the time?
No. Whether you choose up to 4 colours, up to 8, or 9 to 16 for a compatible project, every piece goes through the same make-then-approve flow, and nothing is painted. Plan with the same “concept timing from your quote, then standard processing plus Canadian shipping” frame for any colour plan. Premium resin is planned for 2027 and is not currently available, so it does not factor into current turnaround.
Ready to start the clock?
The timeline only starts once you have sent your request and approved your preview, so the sooner you begin, the more room you have. You can see the sizes, colours, and how it all fits together on the tabletop gaming hub, see the exact price on our custom design page, and start your figure on the custom D&D miniature service. If you have a date in mind, tell us when you send your request.
FAQ
How long does a custom mini take?
Your concept and price come by email, and that timing is confirmed with your quote. After you order, standard processing is 2 to 5 business days from order confirmation, then Canadian delivery usually takes 3 to 7 business days after dispatch. Your own approval speed is part of the total.
Why do I have to approve a preview first?
So a figure you are not happy with does not get printed. You review your concept and price before you pay for the print and approve a 3D preview before we print, which protects you – but it also means the production clock starts after your approval, so reviewing it promptly keeps things moving.
Can I get it faster?
We do not promise a rush turnaround, and checkout offers standard shipping only, with no express shipping. Tell us your date when you send your request: the timing for your piece is confirmed with your quote, before you pay.
Is the custom turnaround the same as regular shipping?
No. A custom figure has to be made first, so its production window is separate from the standard dispatch time on a ready-made catalogue item. Plan for production plus shipping, not just shipping.
How do I make sure it arrives by a specific date?
Count back from the date: allow for Canadian delivery first (usually 3 to 7 business days after dispatch), add standard processing (2 to 5 business days from order confirmation), and leave room for your concept and approval, whose timing is confirmed with your quote. The best way to hit a date is to order early.
Does the colour plan change the time?
No. Every colour plan goes through the same make-then-approve flow, and nothing is painted, so there is no paint stage to add. Plan any piece as concept timing from your quote, then standard processing plus Canadian shipping.
