Resin 3D printing is one of the most popular 3D printing processes. It was the world’s first 3D printing technology, invented in the 1980s. Since then, it has gained widespread adoption and awareness due to more accessible systems, revolutionizing the design and manufacturing processes of hundreds of thousands of professionals across a broad spectrum of industries.

Resin 3D printers use a light source to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic in a process called photopolymerization. Watch the video below to see the full workflow.

Resin 3D printed parts have the highest resolution and accuracy, the clearest details, and the smoothest surface finish of all plastic 3D printing technologies. Resin printers are also highly versatile thanks to resin formulations with a wide range of optical, mechanical, and thermal properties to match those of standard, engineering, and industrial thermoplastics.

Resin printing is a great option for highly detailed prototypes requiring tight tolerances and smooth surfaces, such as molds, patterns, and functional parts. Resin 3D printing is widely used in a range of industries from engineering and product design to manufacturing, dentistry, jewelry, model making, and education.

A resin printer can cost anywhere from $300 to over $250,000.

• On the lower end, DIY and hobbyist low-cost resin printers offer an attractive entry price point, but with substantial trade-offs in terms of a labor-intensive workflow, lower reliability, and limited material options.
• Mid-range resin 3D printers are more tailored to professionals, with the Form 3+ starting at $2,499 and the large-format resin printer Form 3L at $4,999. 
• Traditional large-format industrial resin printers, used predominantly by service bureaus, are available from around $100,000.

Yes. In fact, filament and resin 3D printers are the two most popular processes found also in educational settings. The easy to use end-to-end ecosystem, extensive training resources, and personal support makes Formlabs' solutions the easiest resin printers to get started with.

This depends entirely on your applications and preferences. Read our in-depth guide that compares filament, powder, and resin 3D printers.

It depends on the material you use, but post-curing enables parts to reach the highest possible strength and become more stable. Achieving optimal properties is especially essential when using functional or specialty resins. For biocompatible materials, post-curing is necessary to achieve the safety standards determined by regulatory agencies. Read more about post-curing resin prints or learn more about the entire workflow for post-processing and finishing resin 3D prints.

It depends on the material you use, but resin 3D prints can be extremely strong. Resin 3D prints are also isotropic, which means that they offer the same strength in the X, Y, and Z directions.

Explore Formlabs' materials portfolio to find the best strong engineering resin for your application.

Yes, resin 3D printed parts are generally waterproof and airtight, and cured resins have extremely low water absorption. Read our white paper for detailed testing results and clear guidelines on how to affordably 3D print customized watertight enclosures.

Resin 3D printing in generally safe, but some low-cost resins might have strong odors requiring ventilation and may contain more hazardous chemicals. Formlabs designs its resins to be as safe as or safer to handle than common household chemicals or adhesives. Learn more about resin care for Formlabs materials and always consult the safety data sheets (SDS) for new materials.

Formlabs offers certified third-party resins and Open Material Mode, an optional one-time lifetime license per printer, that unlocks access any third-party resins. Learn more about Open Platform.