Best Primer for Miniatures in 2025

So, you’ve just unboxed your newest batch of miniatures—maybe it’s a band of fierce warriors, a towering dragon, or a squad of grim sci-fi soldiers—and you’re ready to paint. But before you grab your brush or airbrush, let’s talk about something crucial that many beginners overlook: primer. Choosing the best primer for miniatures can make a massive difference in your painting results. And no, it’s not just an optional step—it’s the foundation of the entire project.

Why Prime Your Miniatures

Let me tell you a story. When this minstrel that thou speak first started painting miniatures, I also wanted to go right ahead and start painting my minis, from the printer to the color. So I did. Can you guess what happened? Of course, the paint didn’t stick, I had to do multiple layers, and my mini started looking like Elisasue Monster in The Substance. 

So… Yeah, I started priming my minis after that. I’ve learnt my lesson. Priming your miniatures does three main things. First, it helps paint stick better to the surface, preventing peeling or chipping. Second, it creates a uniform base that enhances your color, and you don’t need 78 layers of paint. And third, it reveals tiny imperfections that you might want to fix before committing to your final layers of paint, like sanding some burrs. 

And, without a good primer, even the most skillful paint job can end up looking bad.

So which product truly earns the title of best primer for miniatures in 2025? The truth is, it depends on your workflow, climate, tools, and preferences—but we’ve gathered a few top contenders that are worth your attention. Below, you’ll find a rundown of some of the most popular primers available this year, with our honest take on what makes each one great (or not so great), along with direct links to buy them.

Citadel Color

Citadel primers from Games Workshop are classics in the hobby world. Chaos Black is a deep, matte black primer that’s perfect for dark schemes, shading, or if you plan to use dry brushing as your base technique. Grey Seer, on the other hand, is a mid-tone gray that works beautifully for contrast paints and more neutral base coats. Both offer smooth application, fast drying times, and great paint adhesion.

That said, they’re one of the best primers for miniatures in the market (we mentioned it here before), but not so cheap—and availability can sometimes be an issue depending on your region. Also, the spray cans are sensitive to temperature and humidity, so you’ll want to avoid using them in extreme conditions.

Vallejo Surface Primer

If you’re into airbrushing or prefer brush-on application, Vallejo Surface Primer is a fantastic choice. It comes in a range of colors—black, white, gray, even green or red—and offers excellent coverage with minimal smell. It’s also water-based and easy to clean up, making it more beginner-friendly and ideal for indoor setups.

The downside? It does require a few thin coats to achieve full opacity, and you’ll want to let it dry for 24 hours for best results. But for those who want more control than a spray can allow, Vallejo delivers.

Army Painter Colour Primer

Army Painter’s Colour Primers are another favorite in the community, especially for speed painting and batch projects. These primers come in a wide variety of colors, letting you skip a base coat altogether if you’re painting in a hurry. Their Matt Black, Necrotic Flesh, and Skeleton Bone shades are particularly popular among fantasy mini fans.
They spray evenly and dry relatively fast, but be careful—some users report that they can go on a bit thick if you’re not experienced with spray distance. Also, shake those cans really well, or you risk clogging the nozzle.

Tamiya Surface Primer

For hobbyists who come from the scale modeling world, Tamiya Surface Primer is a good option. Available in white and gray, it’s often used for resin or metal miniatures thanks to its strong grip and ultra-smooth finish. It’s great under enamel, acrylic, or lacquer paints, and it’s surprisingly durable.

It’s a bit more expensive per ounce, and availability outside Japan or specialist hobby stores can be spotty. It also has stronger fumes, so make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated space or with a spray booth.

Stynylrez Primer (By Badger)

If you’re using an airbrush, Stynylrez is one of the best primer for miniatures. This water-based acrylic primer goes on smooth, self-levels like a dream, and requires no thinning—just pour it into your airbrush and go. It also dries fast, is easy to clean, and comes in black, white, gray, and more.

It’s not recommended for brush-on application, and like many water-based primers, it’s not the best choice for extremely humid or cold environments. But when used correctly, it gives a professional-level finish with zero fuss.

Rattle Can Alternatives: Rust-Oleum and Krylon

If you’re in a pinch or want a hardware-store solution, Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch and Krylon ColorMaster primers can work surprisingly well for miniatures—especially if you’re painting larger terrain or scenery. They’re affordable, easy to find, and generally offer decent adhesion and durability.

Still, proceed with caution. These aren’t hobby-grade products, and they can obscure fine details if applied too thickly. Always test on a spare model or sprue before going all-in.

Final Thoughts

So, what’s the best primer for miniatures in 2025? As always, there’s no right answer—it really depends on your tools, techniques, and goals. If you’re working indoors and prefer brush or airbrush control, go with Vallejo or Stynylrez. If you’re a fan of classic rattle cans and want speed, Army Painter or Citadel sprays are hard to beat. And if you’re experimenting or working on terrain, don’t be afraid to explore alternatives like Rust-Oleum or Krylon.

Whichever you choose, the important thing is this: don’t skip the priming step. It’s the invisible hero behind every great paint job, helping your colors pop, your details stand out, and your miniatures survive countless tabletop adventures. Take from one that learnt their lesson and go prime something awesome.

Loot Studios can help you paint highly detailed minis, statues and props. Choose your favorite bundle from our previous releases or sign up for Fantasy or Sci-Fi to receive a new bundle every month. You can also check out some tips at our YouTube Channel.