To the everyday person, Lego minifigures may just be toys but to the seasoned collector they are so much more, characters that have taken up a special place in your heart. But what’s one way to add to the joy of owning your minifigures? Having them displayed, of course! There are a few ways to go about doing this and displaying your lego minifigures can be a fun, creative process and a cool project to indulge in. This way, you’ll be able to showcase your hobby and passion with pride.
Minifigure Diorama
Elevate your display and take it to the next level by creating a diorama that complements your minifigures. You can do this by buying a lego diorama set like this iconic Star Wars Diorama set that comes complete with minifigs or even try your hand at building a scene from the world of your lego minifigures. Not only will this be a cool way to display your minifigs, the entire display can work cohesively to tell a story.
Shadow Box Display
A shadow box display is a great way to showcase your minifigs and it’s a simple project with a final product that looks great! Simply pick up a shadowbox, glue down some legos as baseplates for the minifigs like Bonggamom did here. For an easier option, you can even buy acrylic boxes specifically designed for minifig displays. Closed acrylic boxes can be especially helpful to keep dust away from your precious minifigures so that you won’t have to invest too much time in cleaning each figure.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are a great affordable option to display your minifigs and they can add visual interest to any room in your house! A modern and simple way to add your minifigures around the house, all you have to do is install a few floating shelves, get creative with your displays and ensure a fuss-free way to rearrange and add new minifigures.
Custom-Built LEGO Display
For those with a little extra time or cash on hand, you could consider investing in a custom-built display. Whether you get someone else to design and build it for you or get your hands dirty by doing it yourself, there’s an extra level of pride by knowing that no one else is displaying your lego minifigures the same way as you. Just like with lego building, the only limit is your creativity (and possibly, your bank account). For some inspiration, check out this massive display wall of lego minifigures!
by Acrylicize
Whichever way you choose to display your minifigs, it’s a great way to exercise your creativity and personalise your collection. Let your imagination run wild as you create a display that not only showcases your beloved minifigures but also becomes a work of art in itself. It’s time to get started and enjoy the process of bringing your LEGO minifigure collection to life!
So you’re a minifig collector looking to up your lego game, what do you do? Or maybe you’re a photographer looking to take some shots of your minifigs but they’re looking a little bare. Sure, your customized minifigs look great against some natural scenery but what if you could have a scene perfect for your specific minifigs? Like a Harry Potter minifig inside of a room in Hogwarts, for example.
Look no further than lego dioramas!
Of course, adult fans of lego or AFOLs have been building lego sets for years and MOCs (or Make your Own Creation) have existed since people realized the power of lego. Armed with nothing but some bricks and their imagination, creators have made amazing works of art of everything under the sun such as architectural wonders in brick form like the 13-metre-tall Tower Bridge in London by Land Rover that broke a Guinness World Record for most number of bricks used (they used a whopping 5,805,846 bricks, by the way). But of course, this was done with expert help and a whole lot of time and energy. Even sourcing for bricks for a small scene might prove to be too much effort for the everyday collector, which is why it’s lucky that Lego has released its own Diorama Collection.
But it was only quite recently that Lego realized that they had a whole new product line that AFOL would fawn over. Combining the joy of building with a model designed to be displayed together with minifigs, is it any wonder that these would be a hit among fans? Lego released their first ever diorama with the Darth Vader Meditation Chamber back in 2021 but since then they’ve come out with a whole lot more models under their Diorama Collection like ancient sites like the Great Pyramid of Giza and modern day marvels like their Singapore set that features the Lion City’s iconic skyline with Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore River.
These days there are even dioramas that incorporate real elements together with lego bricks like little pebbles and grass for a little pinch of realism. Think of it like a terrarium for your customized minifigs. If you’re a little bored of looking at your minifigs all alone in their display cases, dioramas make an amazing backdrop for them and they are the perfect addition to your display.
With the latest in toys and games, collecting is even more prevalent today than ever. Whether it's a new launch of a figurine you love or adding the final piece to a set that you've been trying to find, it's a natural instinct to collect and people have been doing it for ages with items ranging from coins, stamps and even posters. Even as children, we have probably collected trading cards, games or toys and even now looking back, those items may still hold a special place in our hearts. For example, watching the Lord of the Rings movies as a kid while collecting Lord of the Rings minifigures as an adult because of our nostalgia.
While of course, the act of collecting brings us happiness, are there other reasons why we're driven by the need to have a particular item or minifig?
Here are some of the reasons why collectors collect and the benefits from keeping and growing a collection.
Self-expression, creative thinking and organisational thinking
Any collection is made of the things you love, otherwise why even start a collection? It's a great way to externally express and showcase your likes and your passion for a certain item, show, game or historical figure.
Maybe you're interested in Chinese history and culture and an avid fan of anything related to the Three Kingdoms period? Why not show off your interest through your collection of Three Kingdoms minifigures?
Making a display and thinking of how to showcase our collection can even inspire us to be creative and develop our organisation skills that can translate to other parts of our lives.
Connectedness to Like-Minded People
While your collection may be personal, there maybe others out there that are interested in collecting the same items. This allows you to connect with people and make new friendships based on shared interests.
Stress Reduction
As the world becomes increasingly more stressful and the worries of work and other problems get you down, collecting and spending time and effort on your collection has been reported to be a great way to relax after a long day at work. Maybe you've created a display or dedicated corner of your home to the things you love collecting. It's a perfect safe space to unwind and take your mind off of other matters.
The Thrill of the Hunt
When you're passionate about collecting, finding a rare item to add to your collection can be exciting rather than a tiring affair. The longer and harder it is to get an item, the greater the feeling of fulfillment when you finally add something that you've been waiting for to your collection.
If you're a collector looking to add some new minifigs to your collection, Loot A Brick can help with that! Check out our latest offerings here.
If you're a new fan of Lego who's just stepped into the community, you've probably heard the term MOC being thrown around a lot but maybe you're wondering what it means. MOC stands for My Own Creation and in Lego terms it means a creation built by Lego parts!
While Lego does come up with sets for a wide range of movies, games and even famous architectural sites in real life, they can't cater to everyone and that's where MOCs come in.
MOCs are an amazing way to celebrate the art of building. They include custom builds of characters, places, Technic MOCs which include mechanical parts for functional creations and Automaton MOCs which combine the usual Lego parts with technic elements, allowing their creations to move.
MOCs are basically an interpretation of anything we see around us in the form of lego and if you think about it, they perfectly encapsulate how children play with a pile of Lego bricks, creating something through pure imagination.
While some Adult Fans of Lego (AFOL) might be more accustomed to buying Custom Lego Minifigs for display, MOCs may offer some Lego fans a sense of achievement in having an idea, sourcing for parts and seeing your vision realised through a little work. You can build matching sets for your lego minifigures like a Hogwarts MOC for a Harry Potter minifig and there are even MOC minfigs available!
With many people joining Lego MOC groups to learn techniques and just get inspired by other builders around the world. Some people may even get an official Lego set and create something entirely different from what's on the box. Many even post tutorials together with their creations to allow other Lego fans have the build for themselves.
But as you can imagine, it can be tiring to look for specific parts and it's even worse when it's a huge creation with tons of different parts. That's where MOC sets come in. If you're looking for set that isn't available through Lego, then there are tons of MOC sets that might be more in line with something you're looking for.
These days, lego minifigures come in all types of designs from every movie or game character or famous historical figures you’ll ever want. And even if you can’t find what you want, you can simply ask a professional to create your own custom lego minifigure. You might be wondering why customised lego minifigures are so expensive, but don't worry, we're here to explain it.
Printing
There are two main types of printing for lego minifigures: UV Printing and Pad Printing.
Pad printing involves the use of a pad and gives you a cleaner print, especially for curved surfaces and also feels smooth to the touch. This process is also tedious as colours need to be stamped one at a time, not forgetting to factor in drying time. This, of course, makes it a more expensive process compared to UV printing.
UV printing is generally a more affordable option with the process of having multiple colours of dye applied at the same time and dried using ultraviolet light.
There's also hand painting, which is pretty self explanatory and it goes without saying that this would be the most expensive option.
Design
Art and design takes time and while you can do it yourself and save costs, it might not always live up to your expectations. Remember that with any artist, you’re never paying just for the cost of materials and their time. You’re paying for the amount of effort and time that it took them to reach that level of skill and finesse.
Custom Moulded or 3D Printed Parts
Getting a minifigure and printing on it is a pretty straightforward task.
But what if you want a character that has a few key accessories that you can't do without?
King Arthur would be nothing without his sword and Legolas just doesn't feel right without his bow and arrow.
These parts have to be custom moulded, maybe because they have details that you can't find on any basic piece. Of course, this will cost you a little extra money.
Taking all these different points into consideration, you’ll understand why Custom Lego Minifigs seem to be expensive. But if you think about it, it’ll be something you created in your vision and once it’s shipped, you’ll own a one of a kind piece.
It's hard to imagine that the brand of colourful, modular blocks would still be thriving in today's digital and technological age. Sure, a part of it can be credited to nostalgia, as many Adult Fans of Lego have brought their love of these bricks along with them into their adulthood, becoming collectors or creators.
But it's not just adults.
A new generation of kids today will be able to credit playing with lego as the first steps into their careers as engineers or STEM fields.
With the release of the Mindstorm set in 1998, it was clear that the company saw a bridge between technology and building. Lego wanted to find a way where children could build and control their creations through programming. The first prototypes would be connected through wires to a computer and it soon became clear that if they were to market these sets, the bricks themselves would have to be programmable and light enough to be carried.
These days, Lego Mindstorm sets are still as popular as ever, allowing children their first foray into robotics and coding. The Mindstorms Robot Inventor set even comes with an app that allows you to control your creations on your device. With the undeniable benefits of allowing children the freedom to create as they play, Lego has also moved with the times and incorporated new technological advancements into their products to allow kids to learn and play at the same time.
With the almost viral popularity of Minecraft, it's clear that children still had a love of building and creating, even if it was done online. But Lego's foray into video games began much earlier. In 1995, Lego released its first videogame, a simple puzzle solving game which integrated building mechanics. Lego's later games would tie in with popular movie franchises such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean. And when they released the Lego Movie in 2014, they released a video game as well to generally positive reviews.
From robotic sets to videogames, Lego is still able to capture the hearts and minds of children to this day.
The Danish toy giant's philosophy leg godt which translates to play well has led them to create toys that appeal to kids desire to play creatively, even if it meant moving away from the traditional mainstay of bricks. Lego's ability to stay adaptable and willingness to go far beyond a mere toy creator has cemented their spot as one of the most successful companies in the world.
Whenever anyone thinks of children’s toys, lego is bound to be on the list. Who else can remember the joy of stacking bricks together with childhood friends? There a few children's toys that are able to bring out a little one's imagination and creativity like lego does.
These days, lego choices have expanded far past the signature bricks to minifigures, custom builds and even movies and theme parks around the world! Lego has been a global phenomenon and it’s not hard to imagine why. Not only are they fun to play with, there are multiple benefits that come along with playing with lego.
Whether you’re a new parent or searching for the perfect gift for younger cousins, getting a set of lego is the perfect way to go. There have been countless research papers detailing the educational benefits of playing with lego as a child. Some of these include problem solving and developing spatial awareness and motor skills, learning focus and concentration.
But did you know that there are actually quite a few benefits for playing with lego as an adult too!
Relaxation for the stressed out workaholic
In an increasingly competitive world full of deadlines and tasks to complete, the company has shifted gears away from AFOL and children to instead focus on working adults. While it can be nice to get on Netflix or YouTube to catch up on shows to relax, chances are that you've spent the entire day in front of a screen and your brain is overstimulated. A set of lego can be the perfect company for some quiet time to practice mindfulness. 
Reconnecting with your Creative side
Side hustles have become popular and in a capitalistic world, we are sometimes made to feel like our time should be spent making money. Enjoy paintings? Sell your art. Enjoy designing? Find projects in your free time to get some extra income. While it isn't a terrible thing to profit off your hobbies and interests, playing with lego can be a great way to connect with your creative side without worrying about how the finished product will be judged. It's a purpose-free and stress-free way to indulge in creating something entirely yours without any expectations.
Combining your interests
Many AFOLs are collectors of minifigures and it can be an enjoyable process to figure out the best ways to display your minifigures. You could create a project to build a case for your collection, design your house in a way to best showcase the figures that you have and it's the perfect excuse to learn photography if it's something that you've always wanted to try. Many lego fans even bring their minfigs on trips overseas so that they have picturesque backdrops for their photos!
Mental Health Perks
With the chaos that's happening in the midst of a global pandemic, it's natural to feel anxious stressed and a little lost. That's what makes a lego set paired with instructions an amazing tool for mental health. There's little that you can do to mess it up and what makes it so fulfilling is that you can spend time focusing the process, and you'll always know the next steps to take when you look at the instructions, you'll be able to find a sense of achievement with the finished product.
The pluses and appeal of playing with lego as an adult go beyond mere nostalgia and while it can be a way to feel the joy you felt as a child, it's really the perfect way to find some peace in a busy world that's always demanding something of you.
What started in the work shop of a Danish toymaker, Ole Kirk Christiansen, has now evolved into a simple and beloved toy regardless of age and location. It's hard to imagine that the little plastic brick came about through making wooden toys but that was how it began. The company was named after a Danish phrase, leg godt, which translated to play well.
The first official plastic brick was made in 1949 by Lego and when Christiansen's company was passed down to his son Godfred, the lego brick with interlocking studs that you recognise today was patented. The simple toy bricks' popularity soon spread throughout Europe and in 1969, bigger brick were introduced for younger kids who struggled to play with regular sized legos.
Most would then inevitably remember playing with Lego bricks as a part of their childhood and to this day, this still holds true.
In the 70s, Lego would go on to produce the signature smiling minifigures that you know and love and became common part of Lego play sets. As the company and technology evolved more customisation took place and a whole new world of creation and imagination was born. Lego has remained iconic and a part of our culture with many lego sets breaking world records and astounding the kids of today.
These days, you can find a customised lego minifigures for every show, movie, comic book character that you love and the lego brick isn't just limited to children anymore. With the rise of the internet, Adult Fans of Legos (AFOLs) can connect through online groups or social media to share their love of lego. Whether someone is a collector of themed minifigures or a builder of fantastical lego sets, they'll be able to reach across to globe to find someone with tips to help their craft or simply a friend who understands their passion for these unassuming brick toys.
To this day, Christiansen's decendants remain as the head of the company. Just like a wooden toy shop passed from father to son, from generation to generation, many adults remember fondly their time in their youth playing with lego and are now passing that joy down to their children.
(Image via Unsplash)
Some of you have been asking, so we’re finally going to talk about printing for customised lego minifigures!
There are mainly two kinds of printing for lego minifigures: pad printing or UV printing. (There are also hand painted minifigures but the name explains the process pretty well so we don’t need to go into that.) You’ve probably seen these two terms appearing in the details of the products on the Loot A Brick website. So, maybe you’ve been wondering what’s the difference between pad printing and UV printing and which is better?
Well, read on to find out more and we’ll let you decide for yourself.
(Image via Unsplash)
With pad printing, an inked design is taken by the silicone press of the pad printing machine and transferred onto the lego part.
Basically, it’s like using a giant stamp to print a design and it’s a more traditional way of printing.
One of the great things about pad printing is that because the press is made of silicone it moulds to the shape of the object and would give a cleaner print to curved surfaces. But one of the downsides is that you can only print colour at a time with pad printing. You’ve also got to factor in drying time before the next layer is printed.
This means that pad printing is a more costly process compared to UV printing. It's also woth noting that Official Lego products are pad printed, so if you want a more "authentic looking" minifigure then you should definitely opt for pad printing on your minifigures.
UV (ultraviolet) printing is a form of digital printing where a special type of ink is used and dried with UV lights. And becayse UV light is used to dry the ink and multiple colours can be applied at the same time, the process is relatively quick and costs less than pad printing.
However, one of the downsides of UV printing that many lego collectors and creators have voiced out is that you can feel the "layer" of UV printing on the lego part compared to the smooth finish of pad printed designs. But then again, there are others who argue that the differences between the two are miniscule and barely noticeable.
(Image via Unsplash)
Of course, this is ultimately dependent on the quality of inks and printers used and both can give you great quality prints on your lego parts! It's just a matter of preference.
The internet is a modern marvel made for crossing borders and connecting with people from all over the world. No matter how obscure your hobbies are, there’s always a place for you online to connect with like-minded people.
For LEGO lovers, those spaces are LUGs.
LEGO User Groups, or LUGs, are dedicated communities of AFOLs (Adult Fans of Legos) to connect over their love of Lego. While many LUGs hold events and meet-ups in real life, many enthusiasts also just join online communities like LUG forums or FaceBook pages. In the age of social media, anyone can join and share LEGO memes, show off their impressive collections and ask for advice about their own collections and of course, keep up-to-date on the latest products and news. Some LUGs even hold contests for members to win prizes!
(image via BricksFanz.com from Flickr)
Though not all LUGs are recognised officially with LEGO, there are over 400 recognised online communities and LUGs worldwide that are listed on LEGO’s official website. So you can probably imagine how many more LUGs there are unofficially.
So whether you’re a LEGO enthusiast in Germany or Spain, you’ll be able to find a LUG in your area and in your preferred language. LUGs aren’t just limited to countries, there are many that span across regions like Asia.
If you’re a new enthusiast, a collector or a photographer who hasn’t joined a LUG, here are a few reasons why you should!
Find a sense of community
Let’s be honest, lego are widely (wrongly) assumed to be toys for children and if you’re an AFOL, the chances of organically finding a group of people who love lego as you are pretty low. So, why not go online and join a community with people who share and understand the same passion for Lego as you?
Inspiration and Ideas
Many users share videos and photos of MOCs (My Own Creation), meaning self-built creations that weren't bought in a set. If you’re looking to create something of your own, these are a great way to get some ideas for your next project.
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(image via BricksFanz.com from Flickr)
Advice and Tutorials
If you’re a beginner and looking for advice about your lego, LUGs are a great way to get in touch with experienced collectors and builders and die-hard enthusiasts about your burning questions. Some users even share their tutorials of their creations so that you can re-create them easily.
If you’re a fledgling Lego enthusiast who is just starting out, just know that you aren't alone and in the age of the internet and social media, you're only one click away from joining an LUG and finding your community.
