Your first Warhammer army commission

Decide what you want help with

You do not have to outsource the whole hobby. You might assemble the models and commission the painting, paint the troops yourself and hire a specialist for the hero, or hand over an unopened army. Tell the studio where you want its work to begin and end.

Use the models you actually intend to commission as the starting point. If your list is still changing, consider a smaller first batch and confirm how later additions would be priced. Avoid buying extra kits simply to fit a vague package description.

Choose a scheme you will still love later

Box art is a useful reference, but it still needs specifics: the faction, unit, base style and any markings. A custom scheme needs an equally clear palette. Pick the details you care about most and show references instead of asking for every technique in the studio’s portfolio.

Think about the whole force. A restrained troop finish can work with a more elaborate centerpiece. Decide how bases and squad markings connect the models, and ask how the painter records the recipe for reinforcements.

Compare before you commit

Look at ordinary squads as well as showcase pieces. Compare location, scoped price, queue, painting time and shipping. Ask whether the model price includes preparation and bases, and which parts of the total remain unknown.

Before booking, agree the exact models, finish examples, inclusions, payment stages, approval points and arrival expectations. Check the cancellation and change process. A published price list is a useful starting point; it is not a reserved appointment or a finished agreement.

Stay involved at the useful moments

• Confirm the inventory when the studio receives your models.
• Review the first sample against your references before batch painting.
• Reply to questions within the timing you agreed.
• Approve final photos against the written scope and record any outstanding changes.
• Check the delivered inventory and condition, then keep the recipe and records for the next batch.

Your next step can be small

You can browse studios and calculate a reference price without writing a full brief. Shortlist the painters whose work fits, then use the guides on cost, finish and shipping to fill in the missing details. For a first commission, a small representative squad can teach you more about the working relationship than a large promise.

A few common questions