"Best method of packing miniatures that have bases?" Topic

I am starting to cull my collection and have a few painted Napoleonic 15mm figures mounted 4 to a base for Age of Eagles/Napoleon's Battles. What would be the best way to pack these for shipping? From past experience, the "puffed rice" method seemed to work well, although it can be a bit messy for the recipient. Any other methods that are easy, effective and clean? Thanks for any ideas!

I received some models that were packed in shredded newspaper. Very effective and cheap ( I would suppose).

Puffed rice or small Styrofoam pellets- about the size of a BB – have always worked well for me

When I've shipped multi figures on bases, I start by putting a drop on white glue on the underside of the base and glue it to cardboard. Everything goes into a box with popcorn. That box in then placed inside the shipping box with packing material all around. I shipped out a about 500 hundred old Airfix civil war figures cross country with only 5 casualties.

Use a hammer. Seriously though We're expecting to love next year and I've been packing stuff with shredded mail.

I swear by puffed rice, and have used it for over 20 years, unless specifically asked not to.

It sounds like puffed rice is still the best way to go. Thanks guys!

Puffed rice is horrendous. Bubble wrap each base individually then seal with masking tape. Use polystyrene pellets or newspaper to fill excess space in the box.

Best packing job I ever saw took two elements base to base then rolled them in thin bubble wrap like a cigar. These were laid in rows in a box so that they fully filled the box, no room to move or bounce around if jostled and each bubble wrap cigar shape cushioned the others. These were 15mm mesoamerican figures with lots of fragile headdress and standards shipped to US from Australia and not a single bent item, must less a casualty.

If you do use shredded paper, after unpacking please contact your local animal shelter. They will probably enjoy getting the shredded paper to use for small animal bedding.

I shred all paper that either comes into the house via the mail or that I generate for temporary use. I bag it up for small animal bedding uses at our local rescue shelter.

Jim

I got some heavily damaged figs that were shipped in styrofoam pellets. I think that individual wrapping in bubble wrap (or even toilet paper) and stacking so they can't move/slosh around is much better.

I recommend wrapping them with wax paper, around each individual figure. Paper, styrofoam, and rice popcorn, are all abrasive. They can, and will, rub paint off.

The wax paper method will rub off minimal amounts of wax, onto the surfaces of the miniatures, at most.

I wrapped some mini's in wax paper, and then I packed them with crumpled paper to keep them from shifting, during shipping. The individual mini's were completely wrapped, and never made contact with anything other than the wax paper. The recipient contacted me ecstatic over how I packed them: they suffered no damage, whatsoever. He vowed that he would always ship mini's like that, due to how well it worked for him. Cheers!