JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you want to print in resin

Resin 3D printing delivers detail that filament printing simply can't: miniatures with individual scales, functional hinges, jewelry. The catch: it's a chemical process requiring ventilation, gloves, and post-processing gear. Here's how to set up a safe, complete beginner kit for $400–600.

By Colin B. · Published May 30, 2026 · Last reviewed August 7, 2026
Man working with 3D printer and toys

Photo by Snapmaker 3D Printer on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra — Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra, the community-vetted MSLA starter with proven hardware and free slicer support.
  2. Elegoo ABS-Like Resin 2.0 — Elegoo ABS-Like Resin 2.0, the forgiving low-odor resin most MSLA beginners run first.
  3. Elegoo Mercury Plus 2.0 — Elegoo Mercury Plus: washes and cures in one machine, the step beginners most often skip.
Budget total
$400
Typical total
$600
Printer ($150–300) + resin ($30) + wash-and-cure station ($80–120) + PPE ($30–60). A printer alone is half a setup, budget for the full kit.

We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases — see our affiliate disclosure. Price tiers and budget totals shown above are editorial estimates; actual Amazon prices vary.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
Resin PrintersElegooElegoo Mars 4 Ultra$$ See on Amazon →
ResinsElegooElegoo ABS-Like Resin 2.0$ See on Amazon →
Wash & Cure StationsElegooElegoo Mercury Plus 2.0$$ See on Amazon →
Safety & PPE3M3M 6502QL Half Facepiece Respirator$$ See on Amazon →
Post-Processing ToolsHakkoHakko CHP-170 Flush Cutters$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Resin printing is NOT the same as FDM (filament) printing. Output is far more detailed, but the workflow involves UV-reactive chemicals that require ventilation, nitrile gloves, and careful post-processing. Know this before you order.

Budget for the full kit upfront, not just the printer. A wash-and-cure station and PPE are not optional extras, they're part of the process. Skipping them means ruined prints or a health risk.

Start with Elegoo or Anycubic hardware. Both dominate the hobbyist MSLA market, have massive communities, and work with the best free slicers. With any other brand, you're on your own when something goes wrong.

The gear

What you actually need

Resin Printers

MSLA printers (the consumer resin standard) use an LCD screen and UV array to cure an entire layer at once: fast, precise, affordable. Build volume determines what you can print: compact printers (~153×77mm) handle miniatures and small parts; large-format printers (~218×123mm) tackle terrain, busts, and props. Start compact: cheaper per failed print, and forces you to master supports and exposure settings at lower stakes. Every major brand shares the same workflow; the differences are community size and slicer integration.

Resin Printers — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Compact MSLA (Mars-class)

Compact build plate, ideal for miniatures and small parts.

Build volume
~153×77mm
Resolution
9K–12K
Best for
Miniatures, jewelry

Best for Miniatures, jewelry, small props, beginners learning the workflow

Tradeoff Can't print large objects in one piece, terrain requires splitting files

↓ See our pick
Large-format MSLA (Saturn-class)

4× the build volume, terrain, busts, and props in one print.

Build volume
~218×123mm
Resolution
12K
Best for
Terrain, busts, props

Best for Terrain tiles, busts, cosplay parts, multi-figure scenes

Tradeoff Failed prints waste significantly more resin, master the Mars first

↓ See our pick
Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra Best starter
Elegoo

Mars 4 Ultra

$239.89 as of Jun 22, 2026

Our rating · Only 14 left in stock - order soon.

The Elegoo Mars series is the most-used MSLA platform in the hobbyist community, and the Mars 4 Ultra earns that position. 9K mono LCD, reliable FEP film, tilting release mechanism for better print adhesion, and compatibility with every major slicer: Chitubox, Lychee, UVtools. If something goes wrong, there's a forum thread for it.

What we like

  • 9K mono LCD produces crisp detail at standard miniature scales
  • Massive community, troubleshooting is a Reddit or forum search away
  • Works with Chitubox, Lychee, and UVtools, all free

What to know

  • Compact build volume, can't print large objects in one pass
  • FEP film wears out and needs periodic replacement ($5–10)
See on Amazon →
Anycubic Photon Mono 4 Budget pick
Anycubic

Photon Mono 4

$189.99 as of Jun 22, 2026

Our rating · In Stock

Anycubic's entry MSLA, slightly smaller build volume than the Mars 4 Ultra but nearly identical resolution and print quality. Good if the Elegoo is out of stock or you prefer Anycubic's ecosystem.

What we like

  • Near-identical print quality to the Mars 4 Ultra at a lower price
  • Photon Workshop slicer gets you printing without extra installs

What to know

  • Smaller community than Elegoo, fewer forum threads when troubleshooting
  • Photon Workshop lags behind Lychee for advanced support settings
See on Amazon →
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra Upgrade pick
Elegoo

Saturn 4 Ultra

$399.99 as of Jun 22, 2026

Our rating · Only 19 left in stock - order soon.

When you outgrow the Mars's 153mm plate, the Saturn 4 Ultra is the obvious step up. 218×123mm build volume, 12K resolution, same proven Elegoo ecosystem. Print terrain tiles, full busts, and multi-figure scenes without splitting files. Worth it after six months once you know the projects you actually want to make.

What we like

  • 218×123mm build volume, terrain and busts in one piece, no splitting
  • 12K resolution matches or beats compact-class detail

What to know

  • Failed prints waste far more resin at this scale
  • Needs the larger Mercury X station, Mercury Plus is too small
See on Amazon →
Three bottles are lined up on a yellow background.

Photo by Andrey Matveev on Unsplash

Resins

Not all resins are equal. Standard ABS-like resins are the beginner default: reliable exposure, good detail, $25–40 per liter. Water-washable resins trade slightly weaker layer adhesion for IPA-free cleanup: wash with water instead of isopropyl alcohol. Engineering resins (tough, flexible, castable) are specialty picks once you know what mechanical properties you actually need. Start with ABS-like. You'll know when you need something else.

Elegoo ABS-Like Resin 2.0 Best starter
Elegoo

ABS-Like Resin 2.0

$

Our rating

The community default for first bottles of resin, and for good reason: lower odor than most standard resins, consistent layer adhesion, and community-published exposure settings for nearly every MSLA printer. A reliable, forgiving starting point at $30–35 per liter.

What we like

  • Community exposure settings published for nearly every MSLA printer
  • Lower odor than most ABS-like resins, manageable in ventilated workspace
  • Consistent adhesion, forgiving of minor exposure variation

What to know

  • Still requires IPA wash, not water-washable
  • More brittle than engineering resins, don't print snap-fit clips
Find on Amazon →
Anycubic Upgraded Standard Resin V2 Budget pick
Anycubic

Upgraded Standard Resin V2

$

Our rating

A dollar or two cheaper per liter and nearly as consistent as the Elegoo Pro 2. Works well if you're running Anycubic hardware and want manufacturer-matched exposure profiles already loaded in Photon Workshop.

What we like

  • Often 10–15% cheaper per liter than Elegoo ABS-Like Pro 2
  • Pre-tuned profiles in Photon Workshop for Anycubic printers

What to know

  • Fewer community exposure references than Elegoo equivalents
  • Less documented for non-Anycubic hardware
See on Amazon →
Elegoo Water-Washable Resin Specialty pick
Elegoo

Water-Washable Resin

$

Our rating

If IPA washing (cost, fumes, disposal) is your biggest friction point, water-washable resin removes it. Wash prints in warm water instead. The tradeoff: slightly more brittle prints and a disposal step: resin-contaminated wash water must be UV-cured before going down the drain.

What we like

  • No IPA needed, wash in warm water with lower fume exposure
  • Lower running cost, water is free, IPA is not

What to know

  • Slightly more brittle than standard ABS-like resins
  • Wash water needs UV curing before drain disposal, not zero-effort
See on Amazon →

Wash & Cure Stations

Every resin print needs two post-processing steps: washing (removing uncured resin with IPA or water) and curing (UV light to fully harden the print). DIY options exist (a mason jar of IPA and a UV nail lamp) but they're inconsistent and messy. A dedicated combo station handles both reliably in 5–10 minutes. Budget $70–120 for a unit matched to your build plate size.

Best starter
Elegoo

Mercury Plus 2.0

$$

Our rating

The Mercury Plus is what most Mars owners end up buying. The wash bucket fits the Mars build plate, the cure turntable handles small-to-mid prints, and it runs $70–90. Two steps in one machine, no extra bins, no jury-rigged UV lamp. Buy it with your printer and have a complete workflow on day one.

What we like

  • Sized for Mars-class printers, the natural pairing for most beginners
  • Wash and cure in one machine, no separate bins or UV lamps needed
  • Covered wash bucket reduces IPA evaporation between sessions

What to know

  • 800ml wash capacity, needs fresh IPA more often than larger units
  • Too small for Saturn-class build plates, upgrade to Mercury X if needed
See on Amazon →
Anycubic Wash & Cure 3.0 Budget pick
Anycubic

Wash & Cure 3.0

$89.99 as of Jun 22, 2026

Our rating · In Stock

Anycubic's combo unit at the same price point as the Mercury Plus. If you're already on Anycubic hardware, this is the natural pairing, matched sizing, same workflow, one brand for support.

What we like

  • Natural pairing with Anycubic printers, matched sizing and brand support
  • Same price point as Mercury Plus, no premium for the brand match

What to know

  • Less community documentation than Elegoo's Mercury Plus
  • Cure turntable arm less robust in long-term heavy use
See on Amazon →

Safety & PPE

Resin is a skin and respiratory sensitizer. Repeated exposure without protection causes allergic reactions that get worse over time and can eventually prevent you from working with resin at all. A proper respirator, nitrile gloves, and UV-blocking glasses are not optional. Buy all three before you open your first bottle of resin. Total cost is under $70.

Best starter
3M

6502QL Half Facepiece Respirator

$$

Our rating

Resin vapor is an organic compound; a dust mask will not filter it. The 3M 6502 half-facepiece with 60926 OV/P100 cartridges handles both resin fumes and sanding particulate. This is the standard setup hobbyists actually use. Cartridges last 6–12 months of regular hobby use.

What we like

  • OV/P100 cartridges filter both resin fumes and sanding particulate
  • Half-facepiece seals better than cup masks, no leakage at the edges
  • Replaceable cartridges, long-term cost is low

What to know

  • Cartridges expire even if unused, replace annually regardless of use
  • Requires a proper facial seal, test fit before your first session
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Aurelia

Bold Nitrile Gloves 100-Count

$

Our rating

Resin is a sensitizer: skin exposure without gloves can trigger an allergy that grows worse with each session. Nitrile (not latex) is resin-resistant, latex degrades and lets resin through. A 100-count box costs around $15 and lasts months of regular printing sessions.

What we like

  • Nitrile is resin-resistant, latex is NOT safe for resin handling
  • 100-count lasts months of regular sessions at roughly $0.15/pair

What to know

  • 4-mil gloves tear easily, replace immediately if torn mid-session
  • Doesn't protect against vapor, wear your respirator too
See on Amazon →
Uvex Ultra-spec 2000 Safety Glasses Specialty pick
Uvex

Ultra-spec 2000 Safety Glasses

$

Our rating

UV cure lamps emit 405nm light, the same wavelength that cures resin and damages retinas with repeated exposure. These glasses (rated 200–400nm) are the $12 insurance policy against cumulative eye damage during curing. Regular sunglasses don't cover the right spectrum.

What we like

  • Rated 200–400nm, covers the 405nm wavelength that cure lamps emit
  • Wraparound design blocks scatter from indirect UV exposure

What to know

  • You only wear them for 30 seconds at a time, but do wear them
  • Some tints affect color accuracy when painting immediately after curing
Find on Amazon →
Wire cutting pliers with red and black handles

Photo by Barry A on Unsplash

Post-Processing Tools

After washing and curing, your print needs cleanup: removing supports, smoothing attachment points, and optional surface finishing. Flush cutters are the everyday workhorse; you'll use them on every single print. Wet-dry sandpaper handles surface prep. A UV repair pen lets you spot-fix cracks or fill gaps without reprinting the whole model. Total cost under $30.

Hakko CHP-170 Flush Cutters Best starter
Hakko

CHP-170 Flush Cutters

$

Our rating

Support removal is the most satisfying step in resin printing with the right tool, and the most frustrating without one. Hakko CHP-170s are the hobbyist standard: sharp enough to clip support nubs flush without tearing the surface. Don't buy the $3 knockoff. Dull cutters leave divots that require sanding every time.

What we like

  • Sharp enough to clip support nubs without tearing the print surface
  • The community-standard tool, every tutorial assumes you have these

What to know

  • Spring softens slightly after heavy use, still functional but less crisp
  • Not for large sprues, use a hobby knife for those
See on Amazon →
3M Imperial Wetordry Sandpaper Assortment Budget pick
3M

Imperial Wetordry Sandpaper Assortment

$6.44 as of Jun 22, 2026

Our rating · In Stock

Wet-dry sandpaper in 400–3000 grit covers the full finishing progression: rough cleanup at 400, smoothing at 800–1500, polish at 2000–3000. Used wet, it lasts longer and produces less airborne particulate. A multi-grit pack costs a few dollars and covers months of prints.

What we like

  • 400–3000 grit range covers rough cleanup through polish in one pack
  • Wet use reduces airborne particulate and extends paper life

What to know

  • Fine grits wear out fast on large flat surfaces, stock extra 2000
  • Manual process, slow on large prints compared to rotary tools
See on Amazon →
Solarez UV Cure Epoxy Repair Kit Specialty pick
Solarez

UV Cure Epoxy Repair Kit

$20.34 as of Jun 22, 2026

Our rating · In Stock

A UV cure pen lets you spot-repair a cracked support nub, fill a layer gap, or reinforce a thin section without reprinting the whole model. Cure it under your UV lamp in 10 seconds. Saves prints that would otherwise go straight in the trash.

What we like

  • Spot-repair cracks and gaps without reprinting the full model
  • Cures in under 10 seconds under a UV lamp, instant fix

What to know

  • Repair texture may differ slightly from the parent print surface
  • Tip dries out if left uncapped, store horizontally with cap on
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month of resin 3D printing

Resin printing has a real learning curve, but it's a short one. Here's what actually happens between unboxing your printer and pulling your first clean print.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Engineering or castable resins — ABS-like is the right first material. Engineering variants have tighter calibration windows and punish beginners with high failure rates.
  • A large-format printer (Saturn-class) — A compact Mars-class covers 90% of beginner projects. Print 20+ successful models first, then decide if build volume is actually your limitation.
  • An airbrush setup — Miniature painters start with hand-brushing and primer rattle cans. Airbrush layers on top of painting skill, not under it.
  • A second resin vat — Multi-vat workflows make sense once you're printing daily in multiple colors. That's a month-six problem, not month-one.
  • An ultrasonic cleaner — Your Mercury Plus wash step is sufficient. Ultrasonic cleaners offer marginally better cavity cleaning at $100+ more, a refinement, not a necessity.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Order the complete kit together: printer, resin, wash-and-cure station, and PPE. Don't start without the wash station and safety gear in hand. · Buy
  2. Set up in a ventilated space before unboxing resin. A garage with a window cracked open is ideal. A bathroom exhaust fan works in a pinch. · Action
  3. Run the test print on the USB stick that came with the printer, before loading your own STL. It tells you immediately if your printer and resin are calibrated correctly. · Action
  4. Learn supports in Lychee Slicer or Chitubox before attempting your own model. Watch one beginner tutorial specifically on support placement, this is the #1 reason first prints fail. · Learn
  5. Download your first real model from Printables.com, pick something forgiving: flat base, no huge overhangs, under 80mm tall. · Action
  6. Join your printer's subreddit. When your first print fails (it might), the community will diagnose it from a photo in under 10 minutes. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

Is resin 3D printing safe at home?

Yes, with the right setup. You need ventilation (open window or exhaust fan), nitrile gloves every time you handle uncured resin, and an organic vapor respirator when printing and washing prints. The chemicals are manageable with proper PPE, they're hazardous when treated carelessly.

How is resin printing different from FDM (filament) printing?

FDM printers melt plastic filament layer by layer, easy workflow, great for functional parts, less detailed. Resin printers cure liquid resin with UV light, dramatically higher detail, better for miniatures and jewelry, but requires chemical handling and post-processing. Different tools for different goals.

What's the difference between MSLA and SLA?

SLA printers use a laser to trace each layer, slower but extremely precise. MSLA printers use an LCD screen to expose the entire layer at once, faster and affordable. MSLA (like the Elegoo Mars) is what 95% of hobbyists use. SLA is for professional and industrial applications.

Why did my first print fail and stick to the FEP film?

Usually overexposure (layers cure too hard to release cleanly) or inadequate supports. Check your exposure settings against the community-published values for your specific resin and printer, r/resinprinting's wiki has a searchable database. Start by reducing bottom exposure layers.

Do I need to pay for STL files, or can I find free ones?

Thousands of free models exist on Printables.com (best-curated), Thingiverse (largest), and MyMiniFactory. Paid STL sets from miniature designers like Loot Studios or Titan Craft are worth buying once you're consistently getting clean prints and want original content.

How much does resin printing cost to run monthly?

A liter of ABS-like resin (~$30–40) covers 15–30 average miniatures. IPA for washing runs $5–10/month. FEP film replacement is $5–10 every 2–4 months. Total running cost is $40–80/month for an active hobbyist, cheaper than buying equivalent pre-painted miniatures.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • r/resinprinting — The largest hobbyist resin community. The wiki has exposure-settings databases for common printer/resin combinations, check it before your first print.
  • Printables.com — Prusa's free STL repository. Best-curated library for hobby models, filter by license type if you plan to sell prints.
  • Lychee Slicer — The most beginner-friendly MSLA slicer. Free tier is fully functional. In-app tutorials cover supports, hollowing, and drain holes better than most YouTube series.
  • UVtools — Free open-source utility for analyzing, repairing, and calibrating resin print files. Used to diagnose failed prints and fine-tune exposure settings.
  • Elegoo Community — Active Mars-series community on Reddit. Exposure profiles for popular resins, hardware tips, and firmware discussion. Search before posting, most beginner questions are already answered.
Person holding a small figurine in hands

Photo by Rajesh Rajput on Unsplash

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