Budget Basing Bliss: 5 Affordable Ways to Make Your eM4 Miniatures Pop! ✨
One of the most satisfying parts of the miniatures hobby is finishing a piece, but a great paint job deserves a great base! For army builders, basing hundreds of miniatures can quickly become expensive and time-consuming.
At eM4, we believe tabletop gaming should be affordable, which is why our plastic Orcs, Dwarfs, Gangers, and Troopers are perfect for building big armies on a budget. Here are 5 quick, affordable ways to elevate your eM4 forces with stunning bases that won't break the bank.
1. The Classic: Sand and PVA Glue
This is the oldest trick in the book, and still the cheapest and most effective for large forces.
The Materials: PVA (White) Glue and ordinary Play Sand (or fine bird grit).
The Method: Apply a thick layer of PVA glue to the entire base (avoiding the miniature's feet). Dip the base directly into a tub of sand. Let it dry completely. Once dry, prime and paint the sand (a simple brown basecoat followed by a light brown drybrush works wonders).
eM4 Tip: This technique is ideal for basing our Orcs and Dwarfs to give them that classic, gritty fantasy battlefield look.
2. Gravel, Cork, and Superglue
To add some height and texture, introduce cheap natural elements you can find almost anywhere.
The Materials: Super Glue, small aquarium gravel, and thin slices of cork (from coasters or wine corks) for small rocks.
The Method: Use small drops of super glue to attach larger bits of gravel or cork 'rock' to the base first. Then, fill in the remaining gaps with the Sand and PVA method (Step 1). The contrasting texture adds realism for almost no cost.
3. The Quick-Fix: Ready-Made Bases
Sometimes, speed and consistency are what matters most! eM4 offers a fantastic range of bases in bulk to save you time and money.
The Product: Our extensive selection of Miniature Bases—including 25mm Round Slotted, 30mm Lipped, Hexagonal and even our Textured Bases —means you can match your miniatures to any game system instantly.
The Method: Simply glue your miniature into the slot (for slotted bases) or directly onto the surface (for multipurpose bases). This guarantees a uniform, tidy look across your entire army. They’re ready for flocking, static grass, or a simple paint job right out of the bag.
4. For the Future: The Broken Pavement Effect
If you're basing your Combat Zone Gangers or Spacelords figures, you need a grim, urban feel.
The Material: Thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) or very thin plasticard, cut into small, random pieces.
The Method: Use your knife to score lines into the top surface of the cardboard to simulate cracks. Glue these pieces onto the base with PVA, leaving some small gaps. When painted grey and drybrushed with a lighter grey, it perfectly simulates broken concrete or pavement from a dystopian future.
5. Finishing Touch: Kitchen Spice Flock
After the base has been textured and painted, the final touch is the foliage—and you can find great materials in your pantry!
The Materials: Dried herbs or spices (like oregano or finely ground kitchen sage) or brightly coloured tea.
The Method: Apply a small amount of PVA glue to areas where you want foliage. Sprinkle your chosen "flock" material onto the glue. The varying textures and shades from different spices make for surprisingly effective, custom-coloured battlefield flora.
Happy basing! Get your armies textured, painted, and ready for the tabletop!