Resin 3D printers sound so exciting, don't they?
Almost everything you read on the internet will tell you a wide range of promises. From high-detailed prints, with beautifully smooth finishes, and miniatures that look like they stepped straight out of the original piece of concept art.
However, behind the really loud hype and excitement is a mass of misconceptions. Now, I want to put it out here that I don’t necessarily believe that anyone is trying to mislead you, and I do think that write-ups relating to Resin Printing are often well-intentioned. Nevertheless, the truth is that most retail users simply aren’t prepared for the problems that come with using Resin.
The Myth of Plug-and-Play
When you think about resin printing, I can bet that some of the following come to your mind:
- “Ooh, fine details that look so neat and crisp.”
- “I can print my own D&D army in one weekend”
- “It’ll save me so much money if my kid can make their own miniatures.”
- “How hard can it be?”
Resin Printing is A LOT harder than you think.
Despite what you might have been led to believe; resin printing is not plug-and-play. It is actually a very full-on process, that takes a lot of work:
- You need to level the build plate with absurd precision, otherwise you will be faced with failed prints, warped layers and an entire print sticking to the FEP sheet like a stubborn little beast. Some newer printers avoid this by using spring loaded beds, but these are currently a minority.
- You need slicing software knowledge, to ensure your printer knows what you expect it to do
- You need to learn exposure settings, which is typically done through lots of trial and error, and essentially learning from many mistakes and can require a lot of patience
- You need to clean the prints in isopropyl alcohol
- You need to post-cure all pieces under a UV light
- You cannot touch any uncured pieces with your hands, so you will need a good supply of nitrile gloves
- You may need a mask, and you will definitely need good ventilation, because the fumes can be VERY overwhelming.
This is most certainly not a device that you want placing in your bedroom, especially if anyone in your home has breathing problems, such as Asthma.
Resin Printing is Messy, Toxic and Not for Casual Users
It’s important that we talk about safety, because we couldn’t forgive ourselves if you or a loved one got hurt from a resin printer. However, resin is an irritant to both respiratory and skin.
To say resin smells is an absolute understatement. The resin smells very chemically, whilst the alcohol used for cleaning adds a certain scent that feels very reminiscent of when Kat does her nails. The only difference is that doing your nails is on a much smaller scale. This smells so much stronger, especially when using the Washer pre-curing.
If you live in a small flat that doesn’t have an extractor fan, you have children or pets, then you should absolutely not be pouring vats of uncured resin on your dining room table where the fumes could be contaminating everything in the room, maybe even building.
"I'll be really careful. I won't make a mess."
That would be really nice, wouldn’t it? However, spills – no matter how hard you try – are very common, and yes leaks do sometimes happen. So, the cleaning process can make resin printing feel so much less like a fun hobby, and more like an annoying and frustrating chore.
Maintenance is Relentless
You will probably experience many of the following maintenance issues when resin printing:
- Failed prints that means you’ll be carefully scraping goop out of the vat (I say carefully, because you won’t want to damage the FEP sheet which can be quite delicate)
- If the FEP sheet does tear, you’ll need to replace it, which can be a lengthy job (the larger the printer, the more screws it will have to secure it in place, and you will need to remove and then replace every.single.one.
- Dust? Humidity? Freezing temperatures? Power cuts mid-print? They all have a potential to cause problems for your resin prints, and you probably won’t know until the print has finished, which can be frustrating.
- You cannot just throw resin away. Resin cannot be poured down the sink. Don’t even think about doing it. I shouldn’t need to tell you why, just don’t do it.
But the prints are Gorgeous, right?
Absolutely, resin printing has some of the best results for 3D printing and you can create some stunning miniatures with it. However, those gorgeous finishes require a lot of patience, precision, and an enormous amount of testing, making mistakes, and learning what works…and ultimately, a lot of learning what definitely does not work.
Basically, this isn’t like using an inkjet printer, where you put in a piece of paper, send it a file from your laptop and leaving it in the confidence that the worst that will happen will probably be a paper jam or ink will need replacing (very easy to do). Resin printing is not like that at all, you can’t just leave it running in the background. You need to keep an eye on it, all the time, to the point that watching it can often feel like a job on its own.
So, are You Saying No One Should Buy a Resin Printer?
Absolutely not. Resin printing is incredibly rewarding, and many people will thrive on the experience of creating with a Resin 3D printer. Many people enjoy the tinkering, the ongoing learning and maintaining of the printers, so despite all of the above, there are still plenty of people who this type of printer is perfect for.
So, as long as you are comfortable and happy putting in the work, resin printers can be the perfect tool for:
- Hobbyists who have the space and safety setups, and love the idea of adding the creation process to their favourite hobby (because yes, 3D printing can definitely be a fun hobby in its own right)
- Miniature painters printing dozens of models every month either for their own hobby, or for others
- Small businesses selling highly detailed models
- People who read the whole safety manual and thrive on the maintenance and technical side of things, because that’s okay too.
What is a Better Choice for Most Retail Users?
I would advise that it would be much easier – and safer – for most retail users to get someone else to print your models for you. I’m not telling you that to gain your business, I’m telling you that because I don’t want you wasting money on something that might not suit your needs and requirements. Maybe work with a local 3D printing business, or check out the marketplaces (especially those connected to your specific hobby). You will get much better results from your models without the hassle of mess, awful smell, or a (very) steep learning curve, that could end up costing you a lot more than you realise.
Another option is, of course, FDM printers (the ones that use plastic spools), as they are a lot safer, and a lower maintenance printer type to start your journey with. However, as always, they do also have their downsides (they get very hot, for example, so cautions should be followed), but they are a great deal less likely to damage your lungs or someone you love, all in the name of building your own mini army.
The A1 Mini from Bambu, for example, can print decent quality miniatures using a 0.2mm nozzle (getting the right nozzle size is crucial for finer details); it is a much safer printer option and very affordable.