3D Printer Resin Buying Guide 2026

Not all resin is the same. Different formulations serve different purposes, and the price differences between types are substantial. Here is what each type offers.

Standard UV Resin

The most common and affordable type. Standard resin cures quickly, produces excellent surface detail, and comes in a wide range of colors. It is the go-to for miniatures, models, jewelry masters, and general-purpose printing. The main limitations are brittleness (parts can snap if dropped) and relatively low impact resistance. Brands like Elegoo, Anycubic, and SUNLU dominate this category. Typical price: $20-35/L.

ABS-Like Resin

Formulated to mimic the toughness of ABS thermoplastic. ABS-like resins have better impact resistance than standard resin and are less prone to shattering. They are a good choice for functional prototypes, snap-fit parts, and anything that needs to survive handling. Siraya Tech Blu and Elegoo ABS-Like are well-regarded options. Typical price: $28-50/L.

Water-Washable Resin

Standard resin requires isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or other solvents for post-print cleaning. Water-washable resin can be cleaned with tap water, which simplifies the workflow and eliminates the ongoing cost of IPA. The trade-off is that water-washable resins tend to be slightly more brittle and can be more sensitive to moisture during storage. They also require proper disposal of wash water, which contains dissolved resin. Elegoo and Anycubic both offer popular water-washable options. Typical price: $25-45/L.

Tough Resin

Tough resins are engineered for high impact resistance and are used for functional parts, engineering prototypes, and jigs. They bridge the gap between ABS-like and true engineering resins. Siraya Tech Tenacious is a well-known tough resin, and Phrozen offers several tough formulations. These resins often have longer cure times and may require different exposure settings. Typical price: $40-80/L.

Flexible Resin

Flexible resins cure to a rubber-like state, useful for gaskets, seals, grips, and wearable items. Shore hardness varies by formulation, typically ranging from 40A to 80A. Flexible resins are often blended with standard or tough resins to achieve a specific balance of flexibility and rigidity. Siraya Tech Tenacious and Resione F69 are popular options. Typical price: $45-90/L.

High-Temperature Resin

Designed to maintain structural integrity at elevated temperatures, high-temp resins are used for casting molds, engine bay components, and industrial tooling. Heat deflection temperatures can reach 200 C or higher with proper post-curing. These are specialty products with prices to match. Typical price: $60-150/L.

Plant-Based (Bio) Resin

Plant-based resins replace some petroleum-derived components with soybean oil or other plant-derived materials. They tend to have lower odor than standard resins, which is a significant quality-of-life improvement for home users. Print quality is comparable to standard resin for most applications. Anycubic Plant-Based and Elegoo Plant-Based are widely available. Typical price: $25-45/L.

Resin printing requires significantly more safety awareness than FDM printing. Uncured resin is a chemical irritant and skin sensitizer that can cause allergic reactions with repeated or prolonged exposure. Once you are sensitized, even brief contact can trigger a reaction, and sensitization is typically permanent. Take this seriously from the start.

Gloves

Always wear nitrile gloves when handling liquid resin, uncured prints, or cleaning equipment. Latex gloves do not provide adequate protection against resin chemicals. Nitrile is the standard recommendation across resin manufacturers. Change gloves if you notice any tears or contamination on the outside surface, and dispose of used gloves properly.

Ventilation

Resin fumes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory irritation. At minimum, operate your resin printer in a well-ventilated room with an open window. For regular use, an enclosure with an activated carbon filter or a fume extractor near the printer is recommended. Never run a resin printer in a bedroom or enclosed living space without ventilation.

UV Exposure

UV-curing resin is designed to harden when exposed to specific wavelengths of UV light (typically 385-405nm). Store resin bottles away from windows and direct sunlight. Accidental UV exposure can partially cure resin in the bottle, ruining it. Similarly, wear UV-blocking safety glasses when operating a curing station to protect your eyes.

Disposal

Never pour liquid resin down the drain. Cure waste resin by exposing it to sunlight or a UV lamp until it solidifies, then dispose of it as solid waste. IPA used for cleaning should be filtered, reused until saturated, then allowed to evaporate in a well-ventilated area. Water used to clean water-washable resin also needs to be UV-cured before disposal to solidify dissolved resin particles.

Every resin print requires post-processing. Unlike FDM, where a print comes off the bed ready to use (after removing supports), resin prints need washing and curing before they reach their final properties.

Washing

Standard resin prints must be washed in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) at 90% concentration or higher to remove uncured resin from the surface. A wash-and-cure station (like the Elegoo Mercury Plus or Anycubic Wash & Cure) automates this with a spinning basket submerged in IPA. Manual washing with two IPA baths works too: a dirty bath for initial cleaning, then a clean bath for final rinse. Wash time is typically 2-5 minutes; over-washing can soften the surface. Water-washable resins can use tap water instead of IPA.

Curing

After washing, prints need UV curing to reach full hardness and structural integrity. A dedicated UV curing station with 405nm LEDs is the most consistent method. Cure times vary by resin type and part thickness, typically 3-15 minutes. Under-cured parts will remain tacky on the surface. Over-cured parts can become brittle and yellow. Sunlight works in a pinch but provides inconsistent results depending on weather and UV intensity.

The sticker price of a bottle of resin does not tell the full story. Resin printing has several recurring costs that FDM does not.

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

A gallon of 99% IPA costs $15-25 and needs to be replaced once it becomes saturated with dissolved resin (typically every 20-40 print sessions, depending on volume). Water-washable resin avoids this cost but introduces the need for proper water disposal infrastructure.

FEP Films

The FEP film at the bottom of the resin vat is a consumable that needs replacement when it becomes cloudy, scratched, or develops leaks. Replacement FEP sheets cost $5-15 each and typically last 30-100 prints depending on usage and care. Higher-end printers use ACF (Advanced Composite Film) that lasts longer but costs more per sheet.

Electricity and Curing Equipment

A wash-and-cure station costs $80-200 and consumes power. While the electricity cost per print is small, the upfront investment adds to the total cost of resin printing. A basic UV lamp and a plastic container with IPA can serve as a budget alternative.

PPE and Supplies

Nitrile gloves ($10-15 for 100 count), paper towels, silicone mats to protect surfaces, and potentially a carbon filter for fumes. These are individually small expenses that add up over time.

Resin is sold in various bottle sizes: 500mL, 1L, 2L, and sometimes 5L bulk containers. To compare prices fairly, always normalize to price per liter ($/L). A $30 bottle of 500mL resin is actually $60/L, which may be more expensive than a $45 bottle of 1L resin.

Buying in bulk offers significant savings. A 2L bottle is typically 10-20% cheaper per liter than two 1L bottles of the same resin. However, only buy bulk quantities of resin you have already tested and know works well with your printer and settings. Resin has a shelf life of 12-24 months when stored properly (cool, dark place with the cap tightly sealed).

Be cautious of extremely cheap no-name resins. While some budget brands deliver acceptable results, resin printing depends heavily on consistent chemistry. Inconsistent resin leads to failed prints, which wastes both resin and your time. Sticking to established brands (Elegoo, Anycubic, Siraya Tech, Phrozen, SUNLU) generally provides better value even if the per-liter price is slightly higher.