At Infinite Terrain, we know that nothing ruins tabletop immersion faster than a doorway your space marine can’t fit through, or a ruined wall that looks like a skyscraper next to a 6mm tank platoon.
We print our terrain to fit seamlessly alongside the most popular tabletop wargames, historical rulesets, and RPG systems. Use this guide to understand how tabletop scales work, what games they support, and how our prints are engineered for maximum playability.
Quick Reference Scale Chart
| Scale | Mini Height (Eye Level) | Game Focus | Popular Compatible Games |
| 28mm – 32mm (Heroic) | 28mm – 35mm | Squads, Skirmish & Narrative RPGs | Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, Horus Heresy, Star Wars: Legion, Necromunda, D&D, Bolt Action |
| 15mm (1:100) | 15mm – 18mm | Platoon & Company-Level Tactical Combat | Flames of War, Team Yankee, Dropzone Commander, Heavy Gear Blitz, Stargrave (15mm) |
| 6mm – 8mm (Epic / Micro) | 6mm – 9mm | Massed Armies, Titan Warfare & Mega-Cities | Legions Imperialis, Adeptus Titanicus, BattleTech, Epic 40k, Dropfleet Commander (Ground) |
Small Scale Terrain (6mm – 8mm Micro & Epic Scale)
Micro-scale gaming represents grand-tactical warfare where players command entire companies, armored columns, and gargantuan walking engines. Terrain at this scale isn’t just background decor—it forms the dense urban corridors and line-of-sight blockers that dictate massive battles.
Popular 6mm – 8mm Games:
- Warhammer: Legions Imperialis & Epic 40k: Massed infantry formations, super-heavy tank detachments, and Titan legions battling through sprawling futuristic cityscapes.
- Adeptus Titanicus: God-engine duels where multi-storey buildings act as vital cover and line-of-sight blockers against high-calibre weapons.
- BattleTech / Alpha Strike: Hex-based or free-form Mech combat where terrain height levels (1.5″ to 3″ or approx 1 to 2 hexes high) directly dictate partial or total cover.
The Engineering & Printing Challenges of 6mm – 8mm Terrain
Printing at micro-scale requires a fundamentally different approach than 28mm:
- Slicing Resolution & Surface Detail: At 6mm–8mm, standard layer heights can easily erase delicate features. We slice our small-scale models at fine tolerances (using fine-tuned FDM parameters or high-resolution resin) so that tiny window embrasures, structural rivets, and panel lines remain crisp after priming.
- Structural Integrity vs. Scale Thickness: True 1:200 scale wall thicknesses would be paper-thin and snap instantly during gameplay. We deliberately engineer our 6mm–8mm models with reinforced structural walls and thickened base plates so they survive transport, handling, and heavy dice rolls without sacrificing visual proportion.
- Model Stability for Heavy Minis: Metal BattleTech Mechs or heavy plastic Titans need stable surfaces. We ensure our small-scale roofs and floor plazas are completely flat and structurally supported to prevent top-heavy miniatures from tipping over.
- Modular Stacking & Transport: Because small-scale games require high terrain density (sprawling city blocks), our micro-terrain is engineered to stack modularly, letting you build massive hive-cities that pack down cleanly into storage.
Resin vs. FDM: Choosing the Right Printing Medium for Small-Scale Terrain
Printing at micro-scale (1:200 to 1:300) requires balancing extreme surface detail with structural durability. At Infinite Terrain, we strategically select between Resin (SLA/DLP) and FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) depending on the size, function, and detail demands of the model.
Why We Print Fine Micro-Detail & Small Scatter in High-Definition Resin
For 6mm–8mm miniatures, small structures, and intricate scatter pieces, standard FDM printing hits physical hardware limits. We use high-resolution resin printing for these items to achieve unmatched quality:
- Microscopic Detail Retention: Resin printers use light-cured liquid polymers with layer resolutions down to 0.03mm (30 microns). This allows us to cleanly capture tiny 1mm rivets, fine window grills, brick mortar, panel lining, and delicate piping that would get lost or smudged on an FDM printer.
- Zero Layer Lines: Resin prints feature crisp, smooth surfaces that are completely free of visible FDM layer ridges. This makes dry-brushing and speed-painting micro-terrain effortless—washes flow naturally into recesses without catching on layer lines.
- Dimensional Accuracy for Small Parts: Highly complex geometry, small spires, and intricate micro-ruins remain sharp, preventing the stringing or blob errors that plague tiny FDM print paths.
Why We Print Large-Scale Epic Structures & City Blocks in Fine-Tuned FDM
While resin is king for miniature detail, printing massive 8mm hive towers, sprawling industrial complexes, or full city board setups entirely in resin isn’t always practical—it makes models heavy, brittle, and unnecessarily expensive. For larger 6mm–8mm structures, we utilize specialized, high-precision FDM settings:
- Durability & Impact Resistance: Large resin terrain pieces can chip or shatter if dropped or subjected to heavy dice rolls. FDM prints (produced using high-grade, tough PLA/PETG) are impact-resistant, lightweight, and built to withstand years of heavy tournament play and transport.
- Fine-Tuned FDM Tolerances: We don’t use standard rough FDM settings for small-scale terrain. By using small-diameter nozzles (0.2mm – 0.4mm) and fine layer heights (0.1mm – 0.12mm), our FDM printers produce clean, highly detailed structures with rigid, straight walls and flat roof plazas.
- Cost-Effective Board Density: FDM allows us to manufacture massive, multi-tiered urban battlefields and grand fortifications at a price point that lets you fill an entire 6′ 4′ table without breaking the bank.
The Best of Both Worlds: Hybrid Terrain Sets
For our flagship 6mm–8mm terrain bundles, we frequently combine both technologies:
- FDM Bodies: Large structural walls, bunker foundations, and building cores are printed in durable FDM for strength and scale.
- Resin Detail Accents: High-detail components – like heavy gun emplacements, gothic archways, fine scatter, and roof communications arrays – are printed in resin and integrated into the set.
This gives you a battlefield that boasts top-tier visual detail where your eyes focus, backed by rugged structural strength where your models actually sit and play.
15mm Scale (Mid-Scale Tactical Warfare)
Sitting right between micro-scale and heroic skirmish, 15mm (1:100) offers the perfect balance of grand tactical maneuvering and individual vehicle detail.
Popular 15mm Games:
- Flames of War & Team Yankee: WWII and Cold War mechanized warfare involving WWII tanks, infantry platoons, and field fortifications.
- Sci-Fi & Post-Apocalyptic Skirmish: Games like Dropzone Commander, Heavy Gear Blitz, or 15mm adaptations of Stargrave and Five Parsecs from Home.
Key Design Features:
- Infantry Team Base Fit: Unlike 28mm where minis are on single round bases, 15mm infantry often sit on multi-model rectangular stand bases (e.g., Flames of War bases). Our roads, trenches, and doorway gaps are scaled wide enough to accommodate entire stand bases comfortably.
- Vehicular Scale Matching: Designed to match 1:100 scale die-cast and plastic military kits precisely.
28mm – 32mm “Heroic Scale” (The Hobby Standard)
Most modern skirmish and army wargames use 28mm or 32mm Heroic Scale. “Heroic” scale features slightly exaggerated proportions (larger heads, hands, and weapons) compared to true human scale ($1:56$).
- Doorways & Archways: Built with clearance heights of 35mm to 45mm so mounted bases, banners, and tall miniatures pass through freely.
- Line of Sight & Cover: Barricades, walls, and scatter pieces are sized to provide clear Partial (Light) or Total (Heavy) cover based on standard game rulebooks.
- Multi-Storey Floor Clearance: Floor heights on multi-level buildings maintain a 60mm to 75mm clearance, allowing players to reach inside and move units across lower levels easily.
Need Custom Scaling or Specific Game Layouts?
Because all our models are printed in-house, we can custom-scale almost any piece of terrain to match your exact army scale or ruleset requirement.
Whether you need a 28mm building shrunk down to 8mm for Legions Imperialis, or scaled up to 35mm for Marvel: Crisis Protocol, we’ve got you covered.
Looking for custom dimensions or specific event layouts?
Head over to our Contact Page or drop us an email with the product name and desired scale for a quick quote!