Every wargamer has a horror story: the case that tipped, the foam that ate a banner pole, the bag that came home one model lighter. Transporting a painted army is a solved problem — but the solutions trade off against each other, and the best one depends on what your models are worth to you in hours, not pounds. Here's the honest comparison, plus the system-level thinking most guides skip.
The three transport systems
1. Foam trays (the default)
Good: cheap, universal, decent crush protection. Bad: friction. Every insertion and removal rubs paint at contact points — slowly on varnished models, quickly on unvarnished ones (varnish first; here's the guide). Foam also sheds, traps moisture in damp garages, and custom-cut trays stop fitting the moment you rebase or add banners. Fine for occasional transport of rank-and-file; wrong for delicate or display-quality work.
2. Magnetised cases (the upgrade)
Good: models grip a steel surface by their bases — nothing touches the paintwork. Loading is fast, capacity is high, and any model fits regardless of pose. Even a single 5mm × 2mm neodymium disc holds around 0.45kg (roughly 1 lb) of pull — many times a plastic model's weight — so nothing shifts even if the case is jostled or tipped. Bad: requires magnetising every base (a weekend job — our magnet size guide covers 25mm–80mm), and tall top-heavy models need stronger magnets. This is the system we'd pick for most armies; the full workflow is in our display-to-transport guide.
3. Hard display cases (the showpiece option)
Good: rigid protection plus the model stays visible — some collectors transport centrepieces in small sealed acrylic cases that double as venue display. Bad: cost per model is high and capacity is low; casing 60 infantry this way is impractical. Best reserved for the general, not the army — see our case vs stand comparison.
The system insight: transport and display should connect
The hidden cost of foam is workflow: home display → pluck models one by one → foam slots → venue → reverse. Twenty minutes each way, with paint contact every step.
A magnet-based system collapses this: magnetised bases sit on display at home (on stands or steel-lined shelves), lift in groups onto a steel case tray, and at the venue either deploy straight to the table or stand on a compact display stand while you set up. Tiered stands like WarSplay® work at both ends — home showcase and venue — supporting 25mm–100mm bases, compatible with Warhammer 40,000® miniatures and other popular 28mm–40mm systems. One system, zero foam friction.
Venue display: the underrated half
Tournaments increasingly score painted armies, and even casual game nights start with armies on a side table. A small tiered stand in the car boot costs nothing in space and means your army spends the day looking like a showcase instead of a queue. For planning the home end properly, start with our full army display guide.
Packing checklist (the five-minute insurance policy)
- Varnish everything before it travels — twice on metal models.
- Banners, antennae and spears: transport separately or magnetise the join.
- Case flat in the boot footwell, never on a seat.
- Big-base models packed low and central — weight rules from our large model guide apply in transit too.
- Photograph the army before first transport — for insurance and for morale.
Frequently asked questions
What's the safest way to transport painted miniatures?
Magnetised bases on steel trays in a rigid case — no surface contact with paintwork, high capacity, fast loading. Foam is acceptable for varnished rank-and-file.
How do tournament players display armies at events?
Compact tiered display stands or display boards. Stands pack flat, set up in seconds and keep every model visible for paint judging.
Is it worth magnetising a whole army?
If you transport monthly or more, yes — the time saved repays the weekend of magnetising within a few events, and your paintwork stops degrading.
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