Custom 3D Printing NZ | Terrain, Miniatures & More | GameCraft
Custom 3D Printing from Our Canterbury Workshop
The most common thing I print custom isn't terrain at all. It's medal inserts for runners.
After every big running event in New Zealand — marathons, half marathons, trail runs — someone finds me and asks whether I can print an insert for their finisher medal: their name, their finishing time, sometimes the event name or distance. It's a small thing, but it turns a generic medal into something personal, and the demand for it is consistent enough that it's become a regular part of what I do.
I mention this because it illustrates what the custom printing service actually is: practical, specific, real-world printing for things that don't exist as off-the-shelf products. If you've got something you need made and you can describe what it is, there's a good chance I can print it.
What We Can Print
The most common requests I get:
- Terrain and gaming accessories — custom pieces to match an existing terrain collection, specific buildings or scatter for a themed campaign, pieces at a scale that doesn't exist commercially
- Medal inserts and awards — name and time inserts for running medals, custom award plaques, competition trophies
- Miniature accessories — bases, movement trays, objective markers, tokens, wound counters, and other gaming accessories
- Replacement parts — components that have broken or gone missing from existing products, where you can describe the dimensions
- Prototype and one-off objects — if you've got an idea for something and need a physical version to test or present, we can often produce it
- Display and hobby items — custom terrain for model railways, dioramas, display cases
If what you need isn't on this list, ask anyway. The range of things that are printable in FDM is wider than most people assume.
How to Get a Quote
The process is straightforward:
- Describe what you need. Send me an email with as much detail as you can — dimensions, quantity, what it's for, any reference images or rough sketches you have. You don't need to send a 3D file; most custom jobs start from a conversation.
- Get a quote within 24 hours. I'll come back with a price, a lead time, and any questions I need answered before I can start. If I need a reference file from you or if the design requires work before it can be printed, I'll let you know at this stage.
- Approve and we print. Once you're happy with the quote, I'll confirm the final design and start printing. You'll receive a notification when your order ships.
Lead Times
- Variants of listed products (e.g. a different size of a terrain piece we already make, a new colour option): approximately 2 working days
- Fully custom items (new designs, items that require drawing up from scratch): at least 1 week from design approval, sometimes longer for complex pieces
If you have a deadline — an event, a gift, a race day — tell me upfront and I'll tell you honestly whether we can hit it.
The Scanning Service
If you have a physical object you want reproduced or scaled, our 3D scanning service converts it into a printable file.
This is useful for:
- Replacing a broken or out-of-production component where you have an original to scan
- Scaling up or down an existing physical object
- Capturing a physical prototype for digital storage or reproduction
- Creating a base model that can then be modified digitally before printing
The scanning process produces a mesh file. Depending on the complexity of the object and how it will be used, some cleanup work may be needed before the file is printable — I'll include that in any quote for scanning work.
What We Can't Do
It's worth being upfront about the limits:
- Very large prints: FDM printing has a maximum build volume. Objects larger than approximately 300×300×300mm typically need to be printed in sections and joined — possible, but adds cost and visible seams.
- High-detail miniature faces and organic forms: FDM is excellent for terrain, accessories, and mechanical shapes. It's less suited to the fine surface detail required for high-quality miniature faces — if you want something that looks good at 28mm human-scale, resin printing is usually a better choice for those elements.
- Objects with unsupported overhangs that can't be cleaned up: some geometric shapes require support structures that leave marks on the surface. Where this is a problem, I'll tell you at the quote stage rather than deliver something that doesn't meet your expectations.
- Copyrighted designs: I won't print reproductions of commercially available miniatures or other copyright-protected objects without appropriate licensing.
Being honest about limitations upfront saves everyone time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum order?No minimum. I print single items regularly — medal inserts, replacement parts, one-off accessories. Small orders are welcome.
What file formats do you accept?STL and OBJ are the most common. If you have a file in another format, send it anyway and I'll let you know if it's workable. If you don't have a file at all and need help getting from an idea to a printable design, mention that in your enquiry.
What materials do you use?We print in PLA and PETG, sourced from New Zealand suppliers where possible. PLA is suitable for most terrain and display applications. PETG offers better durability and heat resistance for items that will see heavier handling. If you have a specific material preference, mention it in your enquiry.
Can you match a specific colour?We stock a range of colours and can often get close to a specific colour requirement. We can't guarantee an exact colour match without testing, and we'll be upfront with you if what you need is outside what we carry. For items you plan to paint yourself, colour is less critical.
How is shipping handled?Custom orders ship via NZ courier with tracking. Shipping is free throughout New Zealand.
Describe Your Project and We'll Come Back with a Quote
Tell me what you need — as much or as little detail as you have at this stage — and I'll come back within 24 hours with a quote and any questions I need answered to get started.