Beginner’s Guide to Resin/SLA 3D Printing

How to Get Started with Resin 3D Printing: Safety, Setup, and Post-Processing Tips—and more!

 

Resin 3D printing (also known as SLA, MSLA, DLP and LCD 3D printing) is popular because it delivers stunning detail and a smooth finish. It's ideal for miniatures, prototypes, jewellery, dental models, and anything requiring detail. Compared to filament-based (FDM) printing, the learning curve is different as it includes a unique workflow that involves washing, curing, and careful handling. 

 

This guide will walk you through the essentials, whether it’s your first dive into printing and setting up, or you just want to understand a little more.

 

What is Resin 3D Printing?

 

Resin 3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing that uses a liquid resin that is cured, layer by layer, using UV light, to build detailed models. Typically the layer height is between 0.01mm (10 Microns) and 0.05mm (50 Microns) thick. This allows for much finer detail that FDM with a typical layer thickness of between 0.1mm (100 Microns) and 0.3mm (300 Microns). The resin hardens wherever it's exposed to light, gradually forming a solid object.

One of the biggest strengths of resin printing is its ability to produce incredibly fine details and ultra-smooth surface finishes. This makes it perfect for miniatures, jewellery, dental models, and other precision parts where appearance and accuracy matter.

 

Unlike most 3D printing methods, resin printing typically works upside-down. The model is suspended from a build plate and lifted out of the resin vat as each new layer is cured. This process helps improve print quality and creates designs that are harder to achieve with filament-based printers.

 

 

Resin Safety First: What You Need to Know

 

Resin is an exciting material to work with, but it must be handled carefully. While it’s non-toxic, uncured resin can cause skin irritation and may produce fumes that shouldn’t be inhaled over long periods. We always recommend taking safety precautions. Here’s what you’ll need:

 

- Nitrile gloves (not latex)

- Protective eyewear

- Face mask or respirator (especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces)

- Suitable resin wash solution

- Good ventilation (open windows, extraction fans, or air purifiers)

- Silicone mat or disposable surface covering

- Disposable kitchen towel or paper roll (for wiping spills and drying tools)

- UV torch (Great for curing small resin spills so they’re easier and safer to clean up)

 

Always avoid skin contact and never pour resin or resin wash solution down the drain.

 

Even water-washable resins should be treated with the same precautions as standard resins. While they can be rinsed with water, the waste water is still hazardous and needs to be handled safely. We’ll explain this more fully in the resin types section later on.

 

 

Setting Up Your Resin Printer

 

Getting your machine ready is mostly about following a process. You’ll get the hang of it once you've done it a couple of times.

 

Setup steps:

 

1. Prepare your model in a slicer – Use tools like Chitubox, Lychee, or your printer’s software to orient the model and add supports.

 

2. Save the sliced file to a USB stick – Most resin printers use USB drives to load files.

 

3. Level the build plate – A level plate ensures your prints stick and layers cure evenly.

 

4. Pour resin into the vat – Stay under the max fill line. Always shake the resin bottle first.

 

5. Plug the USB into the printer – Make sure it’s fully inserted and recognized.

 

6. Start the print – And let it work its magic!

 

 

Tip: Place your printer on a stable, level surface away from direct sunlight.

 

Post Processing - Washing and post curing your 3D Print

 

Once printing is complete, your model will still be coated in uncured resin. Before you can use it, the model needs to be cleaned using a suitable resin wash solution and post cured.

Washing: Cleaning Your Resin Print

This step usually involves gently rinsing the printed model to remove leftover resin, often with the help of a brush or cleaning station. After cleaning, let the model dry fully before curing—ideally away from sunlight. A soft stream of air can help remove excess liquid from small details.

 

TIP: Have a container of "Pre-Wash" which is older resin wash solution as a quick way to get the bulk of the resin off, and makes the main wash solution last longer.  

 

Note: Water-washable resins may sound easier to handle, but like all other 3D printing resins, they still require careful use and responsible clean up. Rinse water should not be poured down the drain.

 

 

Curing: Hardening Your Print

 

After washing and drying, your model still needs to be cured to fully harden. This step uses UV light to finish the process and bring the resin to its final strength and durability.

 

Most people use a UV curing station designed specifically for resin prints. These provide consistent exposure and reduce the chance of under-curing.

 

Cure times vary depending on your print's size, thickness, and the type of resin used—typically between 2 to 10 minutes.

 

TIP: This is a good point to remove any supports from the model, as it is all still soft and will be much easier to remove them. Be careful as you can damage the model by pulling parts off.

 

⛅️ You can also cure prints in direct sunlight, though times will be longer and may vary depending on weather and location. However, be careful to avoid excessive heat or warping.

 

Post-Processing: Finishing Touches

 

Once your print is cured, what comes next depends on what the model is for. Some prints are ready to use straight away, while others benefit from extra finishing work or painting. If the model will be in direct sunlight without paining, it is good to use a UV inhibiting spray to stop the model from being damaged by the sun.

 

Common post-processing steps include:

 

- Removing supports – Carefully clip or snap them off.

- Sanding or smoothing – Useful if surface quality is important.

- Priming and painting – Popular for miniatures or display models, but not always necessary.

 

 

You might skip most of this if you're printing functional prototypes, parts for moulding, or internal components. The level of post-processing is entirely dependent on your project and preferences.

 

What About Resin Waste?

 

Resin needs a bit of care when it comes to clean up. Leftover resin, cleaning fluids, and anything that has come into contact with uncured resin, should be cured before disposal.

 

This includes gloves, cloths, and paper towels—let them sit in sunlight or under UV light until hardened. Once cured, items should be disposed of correctly, according to your local regulations.

 

Quick Recap: The Basic Process

 

- 3D prints are made by hardening liquid resin with UV light, layer by layer.

- Once the print is finished, the part needs to be cleaned and dried.

- A final UV cure ensures the resin has fully hardened and is ready for use.

- You can use the print just as it is, or go further with painting or finishing.

- Always be careful to dispose of any waste materials responsibly.

 

 

Final Thoughts: Is Resin 3D Printing Right for You?

 

If you want incredible detail, don't mind a little mess, and enjoy learning new tools, resin 3D printing is a fantastic creative outlet. It's more involved than FDM printing, but the results speak for themselves.

 

Got Questions?

Need help choosing the right printer or materials? We're here to help! Check out our \[resin printing collection] and \[guides section] for more—or drop us a message anytime.