Resin (MSLA)

Resin in plain English

Resin (MSLA) printing is the go‑to process when you need high detail and smooth surfaces. It’s especially strong at small scales: fine text, crisp edges, delicate features, and clean cosmetic faces.

Unlike FDM, resin printing is as much about post‑processing as the print itself. That’s why our resin jobs are delivered as finished, safe-to-handle parts — fully cleaned, dried, and UV-cured before shipping.

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At a glance

Topic	What to expect
Best for	Miniatures, figurines, master models, stamps/seals, small precision parts
Surface finish	Smooth, high-definition detail (support strategy depends on geometry)
Standard layer heights	0.05 mm balance · 0.03 mm fine detail · 0.10 mm draft (when suitable)
Included as standard	Support removal · thorough washing/cleaning · controlled drying · final UV curing · QC + safe packaging
Resin options	Water-washable (default) · standard · ABS-like · flexible (on request)
Colour options	Water-washable grey recommended (black/white/clear stocked; others on request)
Consistency note	Grey resins typically provide the best dimensional consistency; white and clear can require additional tuning when needed

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When resin is the right choice

Choose resin when you care about:

• fine surface detail (small text, crisp edges, sharp corners)
• smooth cosmetic faces
• small and precise components
• display pieces and miniatures that look “finished” without heavy sanding

Typical resin projects include:

• miniatures (e.g., tabletop scale figures)
• figurines and display pieces
• master models for mould-making workflows
• stamps and seals with fine text
• small precision prototypes

If your priority is large build size or rugged functional strength, FDM materials are often the better fit (see FDM 3D Printing).

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Resin options we can supply

Water-washable resin (default)

A clean, practical workflow with excellent detail. Grey is the go-to choice when dimensional consistency matters. We also stock black, white, and clear, and can source other colours on request.

Standard resin

A solid choice for clean surfaces and detailed models.

ABS-like resin

A tougher feel for functional prototypes (application-dependent). It can be a good option when you want resin detail but need a more durable behaviour.

Flexible resin (on request)

For parts that need bend/flex. Flexible resin can be sensitive to support strategy and geometry, so feasibility is confirmed before production.

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Accuracy and “why colour matters”

Resin printing can be very consistent, but accuracy depends on:

• geometry and orientation
• resin type and pigment behaviour
• support placement and post-processing

A practical note: grey resins often provide the most consistent results. White and clear resins can sometimes require extra tuning because light can scatter differently through the resin during exposure. If dimensional fit is critical and you want white/clear, we’ll discuss the best approach.

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Studio workflow: wash → dry → UV cure (included)

Resin parts are not shipped “fresh”. Every resin order includes a full processing workflow:

1. Careful support removal and initial clean-up
2. Thorough washing/cleaning (external and internal surfaces where relevant)
3. Controlled drying (typically 50–70°C depending on resin and geometry)
4. Final UV curing in a dedicated UV chamber
5. Quality check and safe packaging

This controlled drying stage is important, especially for parts with cavities or hollow sections. Curing too early while moisture remains can contribute to defects. Drying first helps keep results reliable.

For service-level details, see Resin 3D Printing.

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Hollowing and drainage (by agreement)

Parts can be printed solid by default for maximum reliability. For larger models, hollowing can reduce resin use and cost. If hollowing is beneficial, we can:

• hollow the model in the slicer
• add properly placed drain holes
• ensure internal cavities are cleaned and dried
• seal holes after curing if required (by agreement)

We always explain trade-offs (strength, stability, risk of trapped resin) before proceeding.

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Design tips for great resin parts

1) Decide which faces matter most

Support marks are a reality of resin printing. If you have a “display face”, tell us and we’ll bias supports away from it.

2) Avoid “cupping” shapes

Certain hollow shapes can trap suction forces during printing. If your model has deep cavities, we may propose drainage and orientation changes to improve success.

3) Keep thin features realistic

Resin can capture very fine detail, but ultra-thin elements can be fragile. If a part must survive handling, we may suggest thickening small features slightly.

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Finishing and painting

Most resin parts are ready for priming and painting without sanding. If you need a showcase finish or want seams/hole closures hidden perfectly, cosmetic finishing can be quoted.

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FAQ

Are resin parts brittle?

They can be more brittle than many FDM plastics, especially in thin sections. Resin choice and geometry matter; for rugged parts we may recommend PETG, ABS/ASA, Nylon, or a composite material.

Can you print miniatures at high detail?

Yes — resin is ideal for miniatures and fine features. Tell us the target scale and what details matter most.

Can you do clear resin parts?

Clear resin is available, but achieving optical clarity typically requires additional finishing work. Tell us what level of clarity you need and we’ll advise.