What was the inspiration for the Vault?
The original inspiration was recognizing that tabletop RPG gamers, and players of the growing number of “miniature-agnostic” wargames, face a significant hurdle in fielding enough minis to have a complete experience. Storage, transport, and usability are also significant obstacles–one of Tinkerhouse’s founders has a 25 gallon plastic tub of pre-painted plastics in sandwich bags, and hauling that out of the garage and sifting it for the handful of specific minis he needs for a scene is a daunting chore. Faced with the problem of wanting quick access to hundreds of different minis, we came up with the idea of partnering with Printable Heroes and presenting that vast library of art as high-quality, good-looking standees.
We originally thought to package the standees in Decks of Mini Things, but ultimately decided to offer the Vault instead as a complete solution. We think of it as the difference between offering a complete Socket Wrench and Drill Bit set in a dedicated case, with everything and anything ready-to-go when you need it vs. offering a piecemeal assortment of bits and sockets of various sizes that will end up stored loose in a utility drawer. TinkerHouse Games was founded with the mission to help tabletop players get to the fun, faster, without compromising looks or quality. We’re proud to offer the Vault as a comprehensive resource for Dungeon Masters and players of miniatures-agnostic wargames.
Last updated: April 04, 2023 10:48
The Vault’s artist, Marshall Short, has been creating print-and-play art for years, supported by thousands of patrons on Patreon. Why would I back this instead of becoming a Patron and printing my own standees at home?
You certainly could! The Printable Heroes Patreon is an incredible value for the well-equipped DIY gamer and a consistent source of inspired tabletop RPG art. What the Vault offers is a complete (and completed) solution with all the hard work of sourcing materials and printing done for you. The Art Director of TinkerHouse Games has years of experience in the print industry, and has applied that professional expertise in selecting and calibrating the card stock, print process, color correction, and surface treatments. Each piece is precisely die-cut from meticulously crafted die lines. And the Vault itself is purposefully designed as a custom and complete storage and transport solution for this exact product, including bases. The choice is yours: DIY a home solution, or go with a professional solution.
Last updated: May 16, 2023 20:19
Can I use this with my existing minis and terrain?
Yes! While the Vault is intended as an all-in-one solution, you can certainly use it to supplement your current collection of minis, tokens, or what-have-you. The bases for the minis match industry-standard diameters so everything will fit within first- and third-party gridded tabletop maps and terrain. And you can even use the Vault’s internal compartments and drawer to store and transport a selection from your current collection.
In the same way, the Vault will play well with others. Minis and counters from any number of sources will fit the standard 1” grid scale of the Vault’s terrain. And the vibrant art and printing process of the Vault’s minis means they can hold their own when placed alongside hand-painted 3d figurines. They just take a lot less (zero) time or effort to get onto the table. :)
Last updated: April 04, 2023 10:48
What about expansions/future product support?
The Vault is built with plenty of room for expansion! It can accommodate all the additional minis from stretch goals, and if this project is as successful as we think it will be you can expect to see future releases of Marshall Short’s fabulous art in the form of themed packs of minis and terrain available on our store and at retail.
Last updated: April 06, 2023 15:53
Is this final art/design/quantities?
Very nearly so! We’ve been working on this project for years, we’ve negotiated production contracts with these quantities and designs, and locked down as many variables as possible while still allowing for final tweaks based on the performance of the campaign. Stretch goals for inclusion of additional standees is one example of a change, another is the stretch goal for the application of additional, premium print technologies. If our manufacturing partner introduces an innovative technology or technique, we want to be able to take advantage of that.
So, with the goal of transparency and setting reasonable expectations with the community its important to clearly communicate that all images and designs are representational of the quality and breadth of the Vault of Mini Things. Please understand that final art, designs, and colors may undergo minor adjustments or variations during the final production process. As we work diligently to refine and improve the Vault’s contents, we may encounter unforeseen challenges or opportunities to improve the final result. Rest assured, any modifications made will be aimed at enhancing the overall quality and user experience. We value your trust and want to assure you that our team is committed to delivering a premium product that exceeds your expectations. We will maintain open communication throughout the production journey, providing updates on any significant changes that may occur.
Last updated: May 28, 2023 18:06
Are these minis durable?
Yes! Each standee is made from tough cardstock and treated with a protective coating. If you’ve ever handled casino-quality playing cards, that’s the weight & feel. The bases are even custom-engineered to extend longevity by removing sharp interior edges. We have many years of experience working with cardstock and printed materials, and are confident these pieces will stand up to the test of time.
Last updated: April 04, 2023 18:31
Is this the Fantasy line of TinkerTurf wargaming terrain you guys talked about pre-pandemic?
Yes! Once we decided to lean on Marshall’s art for the minis it made all sorts of sense to feature his fantastical art style for our Fantasy terrain offering.
Last updated: April 04, 2023 18:32
When will my Credit Card be charged for shipping?
The campaign is targeted to deliver in late Summer/early Fall 2024, and shipping prices are impossible to forecast with any reliability that far in advance. So we’ll charge shipping much later–after we’ve all of the weights and dimensions figured out and solid pricing from our fulfillment partners. We will give you 48 hours notice before we charge for shipping.
Last updated: June 21, 2023 14:40
When will my Credit Card be charged for Late Pledge & Add-ons?
We have set the deadline for the survey of July 15th, at that point we will charge your cards. We plan to keep the Pledge Manager/Pre-Order Store open for as long as we can. If you make any additions to your pledge during this time we will notify you 48 hours before and then charge your card.
Last updated: June 21, 2023 14:44
When will the Pledge Manager/Pre-Order Store close?
While we do not have an exact date, we will notify you 48 hours before we close the store and charge credit cards. Our estimate is Spring/Summer of 2024.
Last updated: June 21, 2023 14:46
What if I need to change my address?
You will be able to change your address up until the point of fulfillment. In fact most of our fulfillment partners have their own system for emailing you to ensure your address is correct. We will also send multiple notes along this journey giving you plenty of heads up before we start shipping, so please watch your emails closely. If you are possibly moving to a different country please give us a heads up well in advance if you can.
Last updated: June 21, 2023 14:50
What is BackerKit?
BackerKit is a service that crowdfunded project creators use to keep track of hundreds to tens of thousands of backers—from shipping details, pledge levels, preferences and quantities, whether they have paid or had their card declined, special notes, and everything in between!
The BackerKit software and support team is independent from the campaign’s project team—BackerKit does not handle the actual reward shipping. For more information about the preparation or delivery status of your rewards, please check the project's updates page.
How does BackerKit work?
After the campaign ends, the project creator will send you an email with a unique link to your survey. You can check out a walkthrough of the process here.
I never received my invitation. How do I complete the survey?
The most common reasons for not receiving a survey email is that you may be checking an email inbox different from the email address you used to sign up with Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account, or it may be caught in your spam filter.
Confirm that the email address you are searching matches the email address tied to your Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Tilt Pro account. If that doesn’t work, then try checking your spam, junk or promotions folders. You can also search for "backerkit” in your inbox.
To resend the survey to yourself, visit the project page and input the email address associated with your Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account.
How do I update my shipping address?
BackerKit allows you to update your shipping address until the shipping addresses are locked by the project creator. To update your address, go back to your BackerKit survey by inputting your email here.
When will my order be shipped, charged or locked?
That is handled directly by the project creator. BackerKit functions independently of the project itself, so we do not have control of their physical shipping timeline. If you want to check on the project’s status, we recommend reading over the project's updates page.
I completed the survey, but haven't received my rewards yet. When will they arrive?
As BackerKit does not actually handle any rewards or shipping, the best way to stay updated on the shipping timeline would be to check out the project's updates page.