Craft Paint vs Miniature Paint: What is the Difference?

What should you use? Craft paint vs miniature paint for miniature painting? What’s the difference?

While researching this article, I stumbled across a forum post. Of course, the same camps suggested what a hobbyist should use. 

The truth is it doesn’t matter what paint you use. Yes, there are differences between the two mentioned above. Each has its benefits and challenges. So let’s talk about paint—the differences and what you should consider to decide what’s right for you.

First, let’s learn what acrylic paint is. 

What is acrylic paint?

Acrylic paint is a pigment (a powdered substance that gives the paint its color) and a binder. Acrylic paints are unique because when wet, they’re water-soluble. So, to thin them, all you need is water. With too much water, the pigments and binder separate, leaving your paint strokes chalky and streaky.

When acrylic paints dry, they become water-resistant. The binders in the paint create a plastic-like shell on the surface the paint is on.

Craft and model paints have acrylics in their product lines. 

What is the difference between Craft Paint vs Miniature Paint?

What is craft paint?

Craft paints or craft acrylics sometimes use vinyl or PVA resins to increase paint adhesion at a lower cost. When dry, they come in various finishes, including gloss, satin, and matte. They’re thinner than artist acrylic paints but thicker than most model paints for sale.

What is miniature/model paint?

Model paints are for miniature painting and scale models. They’re specifically formulated to be thinner than craft paints and flow better off the brush. That said, they aren’t as accessible as craft acrylics. Your local friendly game store will carry some of the more popular brands. However, you’ll be at the mercy of the store’s hours of operation.

Craft paint and miniature paint are both acrylic-based. Acrylic paint is designed to dry quickly. You can also clean the paint off your brushes with water. Yet, there are some key differences in their formulation. These differences have a big impact on their miniature performance. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Miniature paints have more pigment, which provides better coverage and brighter colors. This is crucial when painting the tiny details on miniatures.
• Miniature paints are smoother and more fluid than craft paints. This allows for smooth application and easy blending, which are vital for a pro finish on your miniatures.
• Once dry, manufacturers formulate miniature paints to be more durable. They are less likely to chip or flake off when handled. This is important for miniatures used in tabletop games.

Why is Knowing the Difference Important?

Even though both craft and model paints are both acrylics, there are some differences:

Craft paint is thick straight out of the bottle —not as thick as artist’s acrylics, but thicker than most model paints. It thins well with water before breaking down.

Model paints are much thinner right out of the bottle. Some brands can be used right out of the bottle without any thinning needed.

Of course, consistency will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

• Volume per container. You can see a difference if you ever see a bottle of craft paint compared to a bottle of model paint. Craft paints are sold in larger volumes; the smallest I’ve seen is two fluid ounces or 60 milliliters. Model paints are sold in smaller containers; the smallest I’ve seen is 12 milliliters.

Though there is a huge difference in volume, that doesn’t always mean you get more bang for your buck.

How Do I Choose the Right Paint for Me?

Consider a few factors when choosing between craft paint and miniature paint:

• Availability. Craft paint is available at most craft stores and big-box retailers. This means you can find it just about anywhere there is a crafting section.

However, miniature paint is usually found in gaming and hobby stores. This limits the availability of replacement colors from your favorite line.

• Brand. There are many great brands of both craft paint and miniature paint. Some popular craft paint brands are Apple Barrel and FolkArt. Popular miniature paint brands include Citadel, Vallejo, and Army Painter.
• Color Range. Both craft paint and miniature paint come in various colors. But miniature paint lines often have colors just for miniatures. These colors include flesh tones and metallics.
• Cost. Craft paint is generally cheaper than miniature paint. But, as mentioned earlier, you may need more cheap craft paints to achieve the same results.

• Container. What kind of container is the paint stored in?

Your preference will be what kind of container the paint is in. Dropper bottles are great for measuring paint on a palette but are sold in small bottles. Pots are more stable on the table, but dipping your brush in a pot could be tiresome, especially if you transfer your paint to a palette.

You can also transfer either paint to different bottles. It depends on your preference and how much time you want to spend doing it.

• Use. What do you need the paint for? Craft paint is the better deal for most crafting projects. You can also use craft paint in miniature painting, though it might be a little hard to work with, depending on your experience and brand.

Model paints are an excellent choice for miniatures and model painting, though they’re not as cost-effective for terrain and similar projects.

Knowing the end-use for paint will help you better choose what to get.

Conclusion

What you want to use is ultimately up to you. Consider the big differences next time you’re looking for paint for your miniatures. Craft paint can be cheap for beginners and a good place to start with the right brand, but miniature painting is more expensive and will give you better results and a more enjoyable painting experience.

See our article on the best miniature paint sets to find the best paint set for you! With a little research and the right tools, you’ll be on your way to creating beautiful miniature works of art!

Remember: It’s your world; let’s build it!