A finished force should arrive at the table looking as though it has marched out of its display cabinet, not survived a loose ride in a shoebox. RUBI miniature storage trays give hobbyists a more deliberate way to carry painted squads, character models, tokens and game aids, keeping a collection organised from the workbench to the gaming hall.
For resin miniatures in particular, storage is part of the hobby rather than an afterthought. Fine banners, outstretched weapons, antennae and carefully blended paintwork all deserve protection. The right tray layout reduces movement in transit, speeds up deployment, and makes the post-game pack-down far less likely to leave a special weapon or scenic base behind.
Why RUBI miniature storage trays earn their place
A storage tray is not just a container with spaces in it. It creates a repeatable home for every model. When each miniature has an assigned position, you can see at a glance whether the full unit is present before leaving for a game. That matters when an army includes several similar infantry poses, multiple objective markers, or a character whose base is only slightly larger than the line troops around them.
The practical benefit is control. Loose miniatures knock together, catch on one another, and place pressure on the details that make a resin kit worth painting in the first place. A properly matched tray limits that movement without forcing models into a space that is too tight for their pose or base.
There is a second benefit for players who travel with more than one game in mind. A tray-based system makes it easier to separate a skirmish force from a larger army, hold an RPG encounter group apart from player characters, or keep dials and trackers away from painted miniatures. That compartmentalisation is especially useful after a long event, when packing quickly is tempting and concentration is not at its best.
Start with the models, not the case
The most common storage mistake is choosing a case first and trying to make every miniature fit afterwards. Begin by laying out the actual force you intend to transport. Include the models that are easy to forget: leaders, alternate load-outs, summons, familiars, objective tokens, command dials and the oversized piece that only comes out for certain scenarios.
Base size is the starting point, but it is not the whole measurement. A model on a 32 mm base may have a sword extending well beyond it. A jump infantry model can be taller than its base footprint suggests. A conversion with a tall scenic rock or a broad cape needs clearance above and around the miniature. Measure the widest and tallest parts of the assembled model, then allow a little breathing room rather than relying on a close squeeze.
Account for the vulnerable details
Miniatures rarely break at the thickest point. They break where a thin element acts as a lever: a spear shaft, flying stand, claw tip, wing edge, barrel or banner pole. If a model has one of these features, orient it so the detail is not pushed against the tray wall when the case is carried upright.
It can be worth reserving a larger space for a hero model even when its base would technically fit a standard infantry slot. That small compromise uses more room, but it is preferable to repairing a display-standard character before every club night. The same thinking applies to tall creatures and cavalry. Their bases may be regular, while the sculpt above them is anything but.
Plan trays by battlefield role
Organising trays by unit role makes games smoother because packing follows the way you play. Keep battleline squads together, place command models in a predictable section, and give tokens or trackers their own protected area. When you arrive at the table, deployment becomes a matter of lifting out complete units rather than hunting through mixed compartments.
For a larger force, consider using one tray for each battlefield block. A tray might hold a core infantry unit and its attached leader, while another holds fast attack elements or specialist weapons. This method works well for players who regularly change a few units between lists, because the unchanged sections remain packed as a group.
RPG players can take a slightly different approach. One tray may serve as the party collection, another as the current encounter set, and a third as a reserve for recurring villains, terrain markers and summoned creatures. It keeps session preparation tactile and visible. If the next scene is already grouped in one tray, there is less time spent sorting miniatures while players wait.
Keep accessories out of the miniature slots
Tokens, dice, objective markers and trackers are useful tools, but they do not belong loose beside a painted force. Hard acrylic pieces can rub against paint, while small counters easily slip beneath larger bases. Give accessories a separate section, preferably organised by game function rather than simply by shape.
A clear routine helps here: models first, accessories second, reference cards and measuring tools last. Nothing delicate should be used to fill a gap around something heavy. The aim is for every item to come out of the case in the same condition it went in.
Transport choices change the tray setup
How you travel matters as much as what you transport. A collection carried carefully from the car to a local club has different demands from one taken on public transport, packed for a tournament weekend, or posted to a friend for a campaign. The more handling, vertical movement and vibration involved, the more important it becomes to minimise spare room around each miniature.
For short journeys, a tray that keeps units separated and visible may be enough. For regular event travel, use a case that supports the trays securely and does not allow them to slide, tilt or compress one another. Check how the case behaves when held upright, not only when it sits flat on a table. A layout that appears sensible horizontally may put a tall model under pressure when carried by its handle.
Temperature deserves attention too. Resin miniatures should not be left in a hot car or near a strong heat source for extended periods. A storage system protects against knocks, but it cannot compensate for avoidable heat exposure. If you have painted with varnish, pigments or delicate weathering effects, sensible handling is still the final layer of protection.
Build a packing routine that survives game night
The best tray system is one you will actually use when you are tired. Avoid a layout that requires every model to be positioned in a precise order unless the protection gained is genuinely necessary. For most forces, clearly grouped spaces and a consistent packing sequence are more valuable than elaborate organisation.
Before leaving home, compare the tray contents with your army list or scenario roster. After the game, return models unit by unit rather than sweeping everything into the case at once. This is the moment when detached parts are most likely to be noticed, and when a missing objective marker can be found under the table instead of a week later.
For painted collections, make tray checks part of routine maintenance. Look for loose bases, bent weapon shafts, rubbed paint on raised edges and any slot that has become too tight after you added a scenic base or conversion. A storage layout should evolve with the army. Laserforge Miniatures customers often build forces over time, adding character pieces, alternate units and conversion details, so a little future capacity is usually wiser than a perfectly full initial arrangement.
When one tray layout is not enough
There is no universal slot size because tabletop collections are not universal. A player transporting a compact skirmish team can prioritise individual protection and quick access. A commander moving a full army may need denser organisation for rank-and-file models, with separate space for large centrepieces. A collector carrying display pieces may choose protection over capacity every time.
Mixing tray types can be the sensible answer. Standard compartments suit repeated infantry bases, while larger or more open sections suit monsters, artillery, elaborate conversions and models with wide poses. The trade-off is efficiency: more generous spacing means fewer miniatures per case. That is rarely wasted space if it prevents snapped details and repainting work.
Think of the tray as part of your force's campaign kit. It should support the way you collect, paint, travel and play, rather than dictate it. Give every miniature a secure berth, leave room for the pieces your army may recruit next, and the journey to battle becomes one less thing to worry about.
