Hop in a 3d printed TARDIS and travel back to 2021, and you’ll find a positive Geek Native review for the mini-making site ANVL.
Actually, I think it was the first time I ever ordered a 3d printed mini.

I was surprised at how easy it was to use ANVL and whisk up a great mini, but 3d printing is a fiercely competitive market. At the risk of starting a flamewar, I don’t think 3d printing has cracked the home market yet, likely due to technology still being too expensive and fiddly and a lack of common standards/methods. That means that services like ANVL are still valuable to gamers who want specific designs but don’t want to buy a whole 3d printer.
ANVL, though, has been quiet for years — until the company’s social media sprang to life last month.
Derek K. introduced himself to old ANVL users via email as the company’s new boss.
We’ve been unable to get in touch but we’re speculating that Derek might be Derek Konyshak of Board Game Boss.
Update 14th Feb: It’s a different Derek. We should be able to follow up this post with a Q&A.
We do know what Derek K has said needs to be done for the site;
- Improved Character Builder Experience
- Faster Print & Ship Times
- Higher Resolution STL downloads
- New Character classes
- New Items and Familiars
- General Product Improvements
Derek has opened a survey to find out what users might like, and I note you can now use ANVL’s system to design minis yourself. You can download the STL files yourself rather than have them printed and shipped.
P.S. After all these years, my ANVL 3d printed mini remains unpainted. Reminder to self – always pay the extra for colour minis.