When most people think of 3D printing, they picture filament — spools of plastic melted and layered into shape. But there's a second major technology that produces dramatically different results: resin 3D printing. At 3D Posed in Fort Myers, we use both, and knowing which to reach for makes all the difference.
How Resin Printing Works
Resin printers (SLA and MSLA/LCD) work by curing liquid photopolymer resin with UV light, layer by layer. Instead of melting plastic, the printer hardens liquid into solid form with extreme precision.
The result: parts with smooth surfaces, fine details, and tight tolerances that filament printing simply can't match.
Resin vs Filament — The Key Differences
| Resin | Filament (FDM) | |
|---|---|---|
| Detail level | Excellent | Good |
| Surface finish | Very smooth | Layer lines visible |
| Strength | Brittle (standard resins) | Tougher, more flexible |
| Post-processing | Requires washing + curing | Minimal |
| Material variety | Limited | Extensive |
| Best for | Detail, aesthetics | Functional parts |
When to Use Resin
Resin is the right call when detail and surface quality matter more than toughness:
- Miniatures and figurines — the level of detail resin achieves is unmatched for small-scale models
- Jewelry and molds — smooth surfaces and tight tolerances make resin ideal for casting patterns
- Dental and medical models — high-precision applications where accuracy is critical
- Display pieces — when the part will be seen but not stressed
- Historical replicas and busts — fine facial features, textures, and intricate geometry shine in resin
When NOT to Use Resin
Standard resins are brittle. They crack under impact and degrade with prolonged UV exposure. Avoid resin for:
- Functional mechanical parts
- Outdoor applications
- Parts that need to flex or absorb impact
- Large structural components (resin printers have smaller build volumes)
Engineering resins (ABS-like, flexible, or tough resins) close some of these gaps but at higher cost.
Post-Processing: What Resin Requires
Unlike filament prints, resin parts aren't done when they come off the printer. Every resin print needs:
- Washing — in isopropyl alcohol or a dedicated wash solution to remove uncured resin
- Curing — under UV light to fully harden the part
- Support removal — resin prints almost always use supports that need to be carefully removed
This adds time and requires proper handling — uncured resin is a skin irritant and needs to be disposed of responsibly.
Resin at 3D Posed
We use resin printing for projects where detail is the priority — figurines, busts, display models, and custom artistic pieces. If you're not sure whether your project is a better fit for resin or filament,