Hero Forge vs Eldritch Foundry vs Print Service: 2026 Cost Comparison
You want a custom miniature for your D&D character. Hero Forge is the obvious choice - their character creator is incredible. But when you see the prices ($8 for just the STL, $20-30 for a basic printed mini, $45+ for color), you start wondering: is there a better way?
This guide compares Hero Forge, Eldritch Foundry, and third-party print services to help you find the best value for your custom miniatures. We'll break down the real costs, quality differences, and when each option makes the most sense.
Quick Cost Comparison
| Option | Design | STL Only | Printed Mini | Total for Printed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Forge (Direct) | Free to design | $7.99 | $19.99-29.99 | $19.99-29.99 |
| Eldritch Foundry | Free to design | $4.99 | $16.99-24.99 | $16.99-24.99 |
| TitanCraft | Free to design | $4.99 (or unlimited) | N/A | $4.99 + printing |
| Hero Forge STL + Print Service | Free to design | $7.99 | $5-12 | $13-20 |
| Free STL + Print Service | N/A | Free | $5-12 | $5-12 |
Note: Printed mini prices from third-party services vary by maker and don't include shipping.
Hero Forge: The Gold Standard (At a Price)
Hero Forge has the best character creator in the business. Period. The customization options are unmatched - poses, equipment, faces, body types, mounts, familiars. If you can imagine a character, Hero Forge can probably build it.
Hero Forge Pricing Breakdown
- + Best character creator available
- + Huge library of options
- + Color printing option
- + Consistent quality
- + Save designs to account
- - Most expensive STL price
- - Physical prints premium priced
- - Can't use STL commercially
- - $8 per character adds up fast
Eldritch Foundry: The Budget Alternative
Eldritch Foundry offers a similar character creator at lower prices. While the options aren't quite as extensive as Hero Forge, they cover most character concepts well and the $5 STL price is significantly more reasonable.
Eldritch Foundry Pricing
- + Cheaper STLs ($5 vs $8)
- + Lower print prices
- + Good character options
- + Growing library
- - Fewer customization options
- - No color printing
- - Smaller community
- - Some options feel limited
TitanCraft: Unlimited Exports
TitanCraft takes a different approach - they offer subscription options that include unlimited STL exports. If you're creating lots of characters (DMs, this is you), the subscription can pay for itself quickly.
TitanCraft Pricing Options
The math: At $8 per Hero Forge STL, if you need more than 2 characters per month, TitanCraft's subscription saves money. For DMs building encounters with multiple NPCs and monsters, the unlimited option is a no-brainer.
The Hybrid Approach: Design + Print Service
Here's where things get interesting. Instead of buying physical minis directly from Hero Forge or Eldritch Foundry, you can:
Use their excellent character creators to build exactly what you want.
Pay for the STL export ($5-8 depending on platform).
Upload to a maker marketplace or print service. Typical cost: $5-12 per mini.
Cost Comparison: Party of 5 Characters
| Approach | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Hero Forge Premium Plastic (5x $29.99) | $149.95 |
| Eldritch Foundry Premium (5x $24.99) | $124.95 |
| Hero Forge STL + Print Service (5x $8 + 5x $8) | $80.00 |
| Eldritch STL + Print Service (5x $5 + 5x $8) | $65.00 |
| TitanCraft Monthly + Print Service ($10 + 5x $8) | $50.00 |
* Print service costs estimated at $8/mini average. Shipping not included.
Quality: Direct Print vs Third-Party
You might worry that third-party prints won't match Hero Forge's quality. Here's the reality:
What Affects Print Quality
Hero Forge uses industrial printers, but modern consumer resin printers (Elegoo, Anycubic, Phrozen) achieve nearly identical detail at 8K resolution. A skilled maker with a good printer produces excellent results.
The resin matters. Standard resins from Elegoo, Siraya Tech, or Anycubic produce durable, detailed minis. Some makers use premium resins that rival commercial services.
This is where skill matters most. Proper washing, curing, and support removal make the difference between a rough print and a clean one. Good makers take pride in their work.
Pro Tip: Check Maker Portfolios
Before accepting a bid, review the maker's previous work. Look for clean support removal, sharp details, and reviews from other customers. A good portfolio tells you everything.
When to Use Each Option
Use Hero Forge Direct When:
- - You want color printing
- - You need it fast (they ship quickly)
- - Budget isn't a concern
- - You want guaranteed consistency
- - One-off special character
Use STL + Print Service When:
- - You're printing multiple minis
- - Budget matters
- - You're building an army or NPC collection
- - You plan to paint them anyway
- - You want to support independent makers
Use Eldritch Foundry When:
- - Their creator has what you need
- - You want cheaper STLs
- - Fantasy character focus
- - Lower direct-print prices acceptable
Use TitanCraft When:
- - You're a DM creating many characters
- - You need 3+ characters per month
- - Building encounter collections
- - Want unlimited exports
Free and Cheap STL Alternatives
If you don't need custom characters, there's a massive library of free miniature STLs:
Free STLs of virtually every creature from D&D Monster Manuals. Available on Shapeways and MyMiniFactory. Incredible resource for DMs.
Thousands of free miniature STLs. Quality varies, but many excellent options. Search for "D&D miniature" or "tabletop mini."
Mix of free and paid STLs. Higher quality curation than Thingiverse. Great miniature selection.
Many sculptors release monthly STL packs for $5-15. Loot Studios, Titan Forge, Archvillain Games, and dozens more. High quality, regular releases.
Combine free or Patreon STLs with a print service and you can build massive collections for a fraction of what Hero Forge charges.
The Bottom Line
Hero Forge makes amazing custom miniatures, but their prices add up fast. By buying STL files and using a third-party print service, you can save 40-60% while getting comparable quality.
The best approach for most players:
- For your main character: Consider Hero Forge direct if budget allows - their color printing is unmatched
- For party minis: Buy STLs from Hero Forge or Eldritch Foundry, then use a print service
- For NPCs and monsters: Use free resources (mz4250) or Patreon subscriptions + print service
- For DMs building collections: TitanCraft subscription + print service is the most economical