How to Store and Transport Miniatures Without Breaking Them
By Frontline Gaming | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: Tips & Care
A step-by-step process for protecting painted miniatures in storage and on the move, with checkpoints to avoid the most common breakage mistakes.
Quick answer
The safest way to store and transport miniatures is to fix each model to a rigid base, keep it from sliding against other models, and carry the whole collection in a case that does not flex. Magnetized trays work well for most infantry and small vehicles; foam is better for spindly or irregular shapes that cannot take a magnet. Check every model for loose parts before packing, and never rely on a soft bag alone.
Choose your storage method based on model shape, not army size
Foam vs magnet storage is not a brand debate; it is a shape problem. Magnetized miniature trays suit models with a flat, solid underside and enough weight to stay put. Foam trays suit models with thin weapons, banners, wings, or tails that would snap if a magnet pulled them sideways. For mixed collections, use magnets for rank-and-file troops and foam for centerpiece models. A used miniature may already have a base that is warped or a tab that does not sit flat, so test the fit before you commit to a tray layout.
Inspect and prepare each model before it goes into storage
Breakage prevention starts before packing. Gently flex every joint, weapon, and attachment point to find hairline cracks or loose glue. If a part moves, reglue it now; a loose arm that falls off inside a case can scratch paint on other models. For metal or resin models, check that the base is firmly attached. Do not assume a used model was assembled with care. If a part is already broken, set it aside for repair rather than packing it with the rest.
Step-by-step: pack a miniature case without breakage
- 1. Sort models by fragility, not by faction: Group models with thin protrusions (spears, antennas, wings) separately from solid infantry. This lets you use foam for the fragile group and magnets for the rest without reorganizing the whole collection. Checkpoint: if a model has any part thinner than a pencil lead, treat it as fragile.
- 2. Test the base fit on your chosen tray: For magnetized trays, place each model on the tray and tilt it 45 degrees. If it slides, add a stronger magnet or a thin steel base. For foam, press the model into the cutout and check that no part is bent by the foam. Common mistake: assuming all bases are flat; warped bases will rock and rub paint off nearby models.
- 3. Leave a finger-width gap between models: Whether you use magnets or foam, do not pack models shoulder-to-shoulder. A gap absorbs shock and gives you room to lift a model out without pulling its neighbor. In foam, this may mean using a larger tray than you planned. Checkpoint: you should be able to slide a finger between any two models in the case.
- 4. Secure the tray inside the case: A magnetized tray that slides inside the case will still let models collide. Use the case's straps or add foam blocks to wedge the tray in place. For foam trays, stack them so the lid presses down lightly on the top layer. Common mistake: buying a case with a loose interior; test it by shaking gently before adding models.
- 5. Carry the case flat and label the top: Transporting miniatures safely means keeping the case level. Carry it by the handle with the lid up, and put it on the floor of a car rather than a seat where it can slide. Label the top with an arrow so anyone helping you knows which side is up. Checkpoint: after any trip, open the case and check for models that have shifted before you lift them out.
Used miniatures from our shop
- Warhammer 40,000 Dire Avengers GMI-30: Secondhand Shop Product sales are final and sold as-is. Items are "What you see is what you get" and are purchased exclusively from clients through our Secondhand Store Program. Because used models are sold as-is, inspect the photos closely for existing damage or missing parts before you buy; that tells you what you will need to repair or reinforce before storage.
- Age of Sigmar Saurus Warriors GKF-08: Secondhand Shop Product sales are final and sold as-is. Items are "What you see is what you get" and are purchased exclusively from clients through our Secondhand Store Program. Final-sale used models may arrive with previous assembly or paint, so plan your storage method around the model's current condition rather than assuming it is new and unbuilt.
- Warhammer 40,000 Stormraven Gunship HIV-23: Secondhand Shop Product sales are final and sold as-is. Items are "What you see is what you get" and are purchased exclusively from clients through our Secondhand Store Program. A large model like a gunship needs a storage plan that supports its wings and hull; check the listing photos for any existing repairs or fragile parts before you choose foam or magnets.
