5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Resin 3D Printing

Getting into 3D printing felt like stepping into the future. I had heard about FDM printers and dabbled a bit, but resin 3D printing? That seemed like the next level. And it is. But as with most things in life, there's a learning curve—and a few surprises I wish someone had told me about.

Whether you're a beginner or just considering taking the plunge, let me walk you through the five things I wish I knew before I got started with resin 3d printing. It might save you a bit of frustration—and maybe even a few bucks.

1. The Print Quality is Incredible—but Comes at a Cost

One of the first things that drew me in was the stunning level of detail resin printers could achieve. We're talking professional-grade miniatures, dental models, jewelry prototypes—tiny, intricate parts that no filament printer could dream of handling. And when I got my first successful print, it was magical.

But that level of quality requires precision, and that precision comes with trade-offs:

• Longer post-processing time: You don’t just take the print off the plate and go. You have to wash it (usually in isopropyl alcohol), cure it under UV light, and sometimes remove supports with extra care.
• Delicate handling: The prints can be more brittle than FDM prints, especially with standard resins.

So while you’ll be wowed by the output, it’s not quite “plug and play.” I learned that quickly—after breaking my first model during support removal.

2. Resin Isn’t Just Messy—It’s Toxic

This was a big one for me. I knew resin wasn’t exactly water-based paint, but I didn’t expect the level of care needed to use it safely.

Resin is a photopolymer liquid that can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. That means:

• Always wear nitrile gloves when handling it.
• Consider a mask or respirator (especially if your workspace isn’t well-ventilated).
• Keep your work area well-protected—spills can damage surfaces quickly.
• Cure any waste resin before disposal (never pour it down the drain).

I ended up setting up a dedicated resin station in my garage, complete with a silicone mat, a wash-and-cure station, and a strict “no bare hands” policy.

This isn’t to scare anyone off—but you need to treat it with respect. Once I had my workflow set up, it became second nature.

3. There’s a Learning Curve to Supports and Orientation

Unlike filament printing, where supports are often optional or minimal, resin printing depends on support structures for most prints.

Here’s what tripped me up early on:

• Incorrect orientation led to failed prints or warped layers.
• Too few supports and the model would detach mid-print.
• Too many supports and I’d spend forever trying to remove them without damaging the model.

I had to learn how to “think like resin,” understanding where suction forces occur, how gravity affects the print, and where to anchor delicate parts without ruining detail. Thankfully, slicers like Lychee and Chitubox have improved dramatically with auto-support features, but manual tweaking still gives the best results.

And yes—watching hours of YouTube tutorials on support placement did help

4. The Resin Printer Itself is Only Part of the Investment

This surprised me the most. The actual printer (say, an Elegoo, Anycubic, or HeyGears unit) might run you a few hundred bucks, but there’s more to the equation:

• Resin: It’s not cheap. Prices vary by brand and type, and specialty resins (like flexible or tough) cost more.
• Washing and curing station: Not strictly necessary, but so worth it for convenience and quality.
• Consumables: Gloves, paper towels, alcohol, filters, extra FEP sheets for the vat—it adds up.
• Ventilation or air purification: Resin smell isn’t pleasant, and prolonged exposure isn’t healthy.

When all was said and done, I had spent double the printer’s price to get fully set up. But it was an investment in a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable printing experience.

5. Resin 3D Printing is Addictively Satisfying

Despite all the challenges—and there are plenty—I’m hooked.

There’s something deeply satisfying about peeling off a print and seeing it in perfect detail. Whether I’m making tabletop miniatures, functional prototypes, or just playing around with design ideas, the results are often jaw-dropping.

And the community is incredible. Online forums, Facebook groups, Reddit threads—there are thousands of people sharing tips, designs, and failures. I learned as much from hobbyists as I did from manufacturer guides.

If you enjoy tinkering, experimenting, and gradually mastering a craft, resin printing offers endless rewards.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try Resin 3D Printing?

If you’re the kind of person who values precision, loves detail, and doesn’t mind a bit of cleanup, resin 3D printing can be a fantastic hobby—or even a small business opportunity.

Just go in with your eyes open.

• Expect to spend time on setup, learning, and maintenance.
• Budget for the extras—not just the printer.
• Don’t cut corners on safety.
• And most of all, be patient with yourself.

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. I certainly do.

Bonus Tips for Beginners

If you’re just starting out, here are a few quick tips that helped me:

• Start with test models: Don’t jump into a 6-hour print right away.
• Use a resin calibration print: Great for dialing in exposure settings.
• Stick with one type of resin at first: Learn its quirks before trying different brands or types.
• Keep your workspace organized: Makes cleanup faster and reduces mistakes.

And remember—it’s okay to fail. I’ve had prints come out as puddles of goo, spaghetti-like failures, and supports stuck like barnacles. But every mistake taught me something new.