Tabletop, Display or Signature - Which Painting Standard is Right for Your Army?

One of the most common questions we get at Blazing Brush Studio is simple: which tier should I choose?

It's a fair question. When you're investing in a commission paint job, you want to make sure you're getting exactly what your army needs - not overpaying for a level of detail you don't need on rank-and-file troops, and not underselling the centrepiece models that deserve to shine.

The good news is that our three standards - Tabletop, Display, and Signature - are designed to work together as much as they work individually. Understanding what each one delivers makes the decision a lot easier.

Tabletop Standard — Built for Efficiency

Tabletop Standard is our most accessible tier, and it's exactly what the name suggests: models painted to look great on the battlefield.

Every model receives a clean, consistent finish - base colours applied neatly, shading for depth and definition, and basing included as standard. The result holds up well during a game and photographs cleanly, but the focus here is on getting a large number of models done to a coherent standard without unnecessary time spent on individual detail work.

Who is Tabletop Standard for?

It's the natural choice for large infantry units and horde armies where sheer quantity is the challenge. A 60-model Termagant swarm with a two main colours, a mass of Necron Warriors in the Sautekh Dynasty scheme, a Skaven horde - these are all cases where Tabletop Standard makes perfect sense. The scheme is often relatively simple, the model count is high, and the goal is a unified, battle-ready force.

It's also a smart choice for expanding an existing painted collection, for armies destined for regular competitive play where models take wear, or for any project where budget is the primary consideration.

What Tabletop Standard isn't for

If you have complex, characterful models with lots of individual detail - or if you want your army to genuinely turn heads - Tabletop Standard probably isn't the right fit. It's a tier built for efficiency, not for showcasing individual miniatures.

Display Standard — The Sweet Spot

Display Standard is our most popular tier, and it's the level at which most of the work in our gallery is painted. If you've browsed our work and thought "that's what I want" - you're almost certainly looking at Display Standard.

At this level, we move beyond the basics. Smooth blending, refined edge highlighting, careful shading, attention to eye lenses, weathering effects, unit markings - every detail gets the time it deserves. Models painted to Display Standard look great both on the tabletop and in photographs, and they hold up to close inspection.

Who is Display Standard for?

Almost everyone. Whether you're building a full Space Marine battle company, an Age of Sigmar army, a Horus Heresy legion, or a mixed force with infantry, vehicles, and characters, Display Standard produces a result you'll be proud to put on the table in any setting.

The balance between quality and cost is genuinely excellent - you're getting a high standard of work without the premium that Signature Standard commands.

Display Standard works across all unit types too. Infantry, vehicles, monsters, characters - everything fits together as a coherent, polished force.

What Display Standard isn't for

If you have a specific centrepiece model - a Primarch, a unique character, a large monster - that you want to be a true showstopper, a favourite model that you want to stare at every time you pass it in the cabinet. That's where Signature comes in.

Signature Standard - The Best We Offer

Signature Standard is reserved for models where nothing less than the very best will do. These are the commissions we treat as individual works of art.

At Signature level, we apply the full range of advanced techniques: seamless blending, added effects, complex transfer work, and advanced basing. The result is a model that takes pride of place at the front of your army, anchors a display case, or becomes the centrepiece of your entire collection.

Who is Signature Standard for?

Signature Standard is for models that deserve to be treasured. Special characters and centrepieces - Primarchs, Monsters, Commanders, Lords and Heroes of all varieties - are natural candidates. These showpiece models command cabinets and visually dominate the battlefield, they can also make truly unique and special gifts.

It's worth being honest: Signature Standard takes considerably longer than our other tiers, and that's reflected in the cost. Turnaround times are longer by nature - this is work that cannot be rushed - and we'll always discuss timelines upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

What Signature Standard isn't for

Signature Standard on an entire army would be both extremely expensive and take a very long time. It can be done, but in most cases we recommend using Signature level selectively. The power of Signature is in its contrast - a stunning centrepiece that stands out from a beautifully painted force behind it.

The Best of All Three - Mixed Tier Commissions

Here's something a lot of clients don't realise when they first get in touch: you don't have to pick just one tier for your entire project.

Mixed-tier commissions are one of the most popular choices we offer. A common approach is to take your larger model count units to Tabletop Standard, your core units and vehicles to Display Standard, and key characters or centrepiece models to Signature Standard. The result is a genuinely stunning army at a cost that makes sense - because not every model needs the same level of attention.

Check out this Death Guard army as an example. The Poxwalkers were painted to Tabletop Standard, the Plague Marines, Vehicles and Characters to Display Standard and Mortarion, the focal point of the army, is painted to Signature Standard.

If you're building a large force and want to make the most of your budget, a mixed-tier approach is almost always worth discussing.

Still Not Sure? Just Ask

Most clients come to us with a clear vision of what they want their army to look like but aren't certain which tier gets them there. That's completely normal, and it's exactly what our free quote process is for.

Tell us what you're working with, share any reference images or examples you like, and we'll recommend the right standard - or combination of standards - for your project and your budget. There's no obligation and no pressure.