The original inspiration was recognizing that tabletop RPG gamers, and players of the growing number of “miniature-agnostic” wargames, face a significant hurdle in fielding enough minis to have a complete experience. Storage, transport, and usability are also significant obstacles–one of Tinkerhouse’s founders has a 25 gallon plastic tub of pre-painted plastics in sandwich bags, and hauling that out of the garage and sifting it for the handful of specific minis he needs for a scene is a daunting chore. Faced with the problem of wanting quick access to hundreds of different minis, we came up with the idea of partnering with Printable Heroes and presenting that vast library of art as high-quality, good-looking standees. We originally thought to package the standees in Decks of Mini Things, but ultimately decided to offer the Vault instead as a complete solution. We think of it as the difference between offering a complete Socket Wrench and Drill Bit set in a dedicated case, with everything and anything ready-to-go when you need it vs. offering a piecemeal assortment of bits and sockets of various sizes that will end up stored loose in a utility drawer. TinkerHouse Games was founded with the mission to help tabletop players get to the fun, faster, without compromising looks or quality. We’re proud to offer the Vault as a comprehensive resource for Dungeon Masters and players of miniatures-agnostic wargames.

You certainly could! The Printable Heroes Patreon is an incredible value for the well-equipped DIY gamer and a consistent source of inspired tabletop RPG art. What the Vault offers is a complete (and completed) solution with all the hard work of sourcing materials and printing done for you. The Art Director of TinkerHouse Games has years of experience in the print industry, and has applied that professional expertise in selecting and calibrating the card stock, print process, color correction, and surface treatments. Each piece is precisely die-cut from meticulously crafted die lines. And the Vault itself is purposefully designed as a custom and complete storage and transport solution for this exact product, including bases. The choice is yours: DIY a home solution, or go with a professional solution.

Yes! While the Vault is intended as an all-in-one solution, you can certainly use it to supplement your current collection of minis, tokens, or what-have-you. The bases for the minis match industry-standard diameters so everything will fit within first- and third-party gridded tabletop maps and terrain. And you can even use the Vault’s internal compartments and drawer to store and transport a selection from your current collection. In the same way, the Vault will play well with others. Minis and counters from any number of sources will fit the standard 1” grid scale of the Vault’s terrain. And the vibrant art and printing process of the Vault’s minis means they can hold their own when placed alongside hand-painted 3d figurines. They just take a lot less (zero) time or effort to get onto the table. :)

The Vault is built with plenty of room for expansion! It can accommodate all the additional minis from stretch goals, and if this project is as successful as we think it will be you can expect to see future releases of Marshall Short’s fabulous art in the form of themed packs of minis and terrain available on our store and at retail.

Very nearly so! We've been working on this project for years, we've negotiated production contracts with these quantities and designs, and locked down as many variables as possible while still allowing for final tweaks based on the performance of the campaign. Stretch goals for inclusion of additional standees is one example of a change, another is the stretch goal for the application of additional, premium print technologies. If our manufacturing partner introduces an innovative technology or technique, we want to be able to take advantage of that. So, with the goal of transparency and setting reasonable expectations with the community its important to clearly communicate that all images and designs are representational of the quality and breadth of the Vault of Mini Things. Please understand that final art, designs, and colors may undergo minor adjustments or variations during the final production process. As we work diligently to refine and improve the Vault's contents, we may encounter unforeseen challenges or opportunities to improve the final result. Rest assured, any modifications made will be aimed at enhancing the overall quality and user experience. We value your trust and want to assure you that our team is committed to delivering a premium product that exceeds your expectations. We will maintain open communication throughout the production journey, providing updates on any significant changes that may occur.

Yes! Each standee is made from tough cardstock and treated with a protective coating. If you’ve ever handled casino-quality playing cards, that’s the weight & feel. The bases are even custom-engineered to extend longevity by removing sharp interior edges. We have many years of experience working with cardstock and printed materials, and are confident these pieces will stand up to the test of time.

Yes! Once we decided to lean on Marshall’s art for the minis it made all sorts of sense to feature his fantastical art style for our Fantasy terrain offering.