Quick answer
Sort every miniature by game and faction first, then store figures in a rigid box with foam or a dedicated insert so nothing rattles or stacks. Label each container with the game name and contents, and keep painted miniatures in a single layer or custom-cut foam rather than loose in a bag.
Start with a full inventory before you buy a single storage box
Pull every Kickstarter box off the shelf and count the miniatures by game, then by faction or unit. Write the counts down, including oversized figures and any promo or exclusive sculpts that came in a separate bag. This list becomes your shopping list for foam, inserts, and bins, and it stops you from buying storage that is too small for the largest figure.
Check the box depth of each game as well. Some Kickstarter editions ship with deep trays that already hold miniatures, while others rely on a flimsy vacuum-formed insert. If the original insert flexes when you press it, it will not protect painted figures in transit.
Choose foam or an insert based on how the game travels
Miniature storage foam works best when a box is carried to game nights, because foam holds each figure in place and absorbs shock. Custom-cut foam trays are the safest option for painted miniatures, but pluck foam is a workable middle ground if you plan the layout before removing any squares.
If the game stays on a shelf and rarely moves, a rigid plastic insert with compartments is often enough and takes less space than foam. The tradeoff is that hard plastic does not cushion impact, so painted figures can chip if the box is dropped or stacked under heavier games.
Match the storage method to the miniature size and material
Small 28mm figures can share a compartment if you wrap each one in tissue or place them in a foam tray with individual slots. Larger monsters, dragons, and vehicles need their own cutouts, because a single heavy figure sliding across a tray will knock over everything around it.
Resin and soft plastic miniatures are more brittle than hard polystyrene, so give them extra clearance. If a figure has a thin weapon, banner, or wing, cut the foam so the fragile part does not touch the tray wall.
Build a labeling system you will actually maintain
Label the outside of every box, tray, and bag with the game name and the faction or unit inside. Use removable labels or painter's tape so you can relabel when a collection grows. A consistent label on the lid and the long side of the box means you can find a game without opening five others.
Keep a master index, either on paper or in a notes app, that lists which tray belongs to which game. When you add a Kickstarter supplement or promo pack, update the index the same day instead of letting loose figures pile up on the shelf.
Handle painted miniatures differently from bare plastic
Painted miniatures need a varnish or clear coat before they go into storage, because paint rubs off wherever foam or another figure touches the surface. Let the varnish cure fully, then place each figure in its own slot or wrap it in acid-free tissue before it touches foam.
Never store painted and unpainted figures loose in the same bag. Metal or hard plastic bases will scrape paint during handling, and the damage usually shows up on faces and cloaks first.
Step-by-step miniature storage routine
- 1. Empty and sort one game at a time: Tip the box onto a clean towel and separate miniatures from cards, tokens, and dice. Group figures by faction or unit so you can see how many compartments you need. Checkpoint: if you find a figure you forgot you owned, add it to your inventory list before moving on.
- 2. Measure the tallest and widest figure: Use a ruler on the largest monster or vehicle, then add at least 1 cm of clearance on every side. This measurement decides whether you need deep foam or a shallow insert. Common mistake: measuring only the average figure and discovering the dragon does not fit after you cut the foam.
- 3. Cut or choose foam before loading it: For pluck foam, outline each figure with a marker and remove squares in small batches. For custom foam, trace the base and fragile parts so the cutout matches the silhouette. Checkpoint: test-fit one figure, then adjust before cutting the rest of the tray.
- 4. Load figures base-down and never stack painted pieces: Place each figure upright in its slot, with weapons and wings angled away from the tray wall. If a tray must be stacked, put the lightest figures on top and keep a foam layer between trays. Common mistake: laying painted figures on their sides to save space, which flattens details and rubs paint.
- 5. Label the tray, the box, and the index: Write the game name and contents on a removable label on the tray and on the box lid. Update your master index with the tray location so you can find any figure without opening every box. Next step: photograph the loaded tray so you can repack it correctly after game night.
Storage planning for these Kickstarter sets
- Tales of The Arabian Nights: Deluxe Edition Plus Miniatures (Kickstarter Special): Tales of The Arabian Nights: Deluxe Edition Plus Miniatures is a 1-6 player Kickstarter Exclusive that includes the core game, 6 player character miniatures, and all unlocked stretch goals. Six character miniatures plus stretch goal components need a tray layout that separates figures from cards and tokens, so plan foam or an insert with a dedicated miniature section.
- Machina Arcana: Fourth Edition Core Box Pledge (Kickstarter Pre-Order Special): Machina Arcana: Fourth Edition Core Box Pledge is a 1-4 player Gamefound Exclusive with an expected delivery of 2026-12-31 and a Board Game Geek average player rating of 7.27. If you are pre-ordering, you have time to measure shelf space and buy foam or an insert before the box arrives instead of storing miniatures loose in the shrink.
- Dust: CMON Comic Book Volume 2 London Falling Plus Promos (Kickstarter Special): Dust: CMON Comic Book Volume 2 London Falling Plus Promos is a supplement that includes a graphic novel and 8 figures, and it requires the Dust board game sold separately to play. Supplement figures are easy to lose, so label a small tray or bag for this set and store it with the base Dust game rather than on a separate shelf.
