When making miniatures for board games and tabletop games such as Warhammer 40,000 and D&D, many people turn to 3D printing to create their own custom figures and game pieces for a fraction of the price of off-the-shelf models. Resin printers are a particularly popular choice due to their ability to capture much more detail than many FDM printers. Resin can also be easier to paint and finish due to the absence of layer lines.
The difficulty comes when it’s time to pick the right resin, as there are hundreds of options to choose from. There are tough and ABS-like resins, flexible resins, 8K resins, and water washable resins, just to name a few… so how can you know what’s the best for printing miniatures?
To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of resins that are great for making miniatures, but first, we’ll lay out the considerations we used to curate our picks. So get the perfect model ready, because these resins are ready to help you print your army!
There are many different resins on the market. It can be daunting to figure out which ones have the right qualities for making nice miniatures. Here’s what we considered when compiling our list.
With these factors in mind, we ordered the list from the least to most expensive options. So without further ado, let’s check out the best resins for miniatures!
If you’re new to making miniatures or using resin printers in general, Sunlu’s standard resin is a reliable budget option. It’s compatible with DLP and LCD printers and easy to get good results with. For a standard resin, it has quite high precision, making it a great pick for miniatures and other game pieces.
The resin comes in many different color variations, including pastel yellow, purple, blue, and pink, as well as transparent options in blue, green, and red. It’s rare to find this many color options in a resin with good resolution, so it’s worth considering if you’d like to skip or minimize painting.
When you factor in how easy the resin is to use and clean, Sunlu standard resin is perfect for beginner miniature-makers. In the reviews, you’ll also see experienced users coming back over and over again due to its good adhesion and low odor.
Elegoo’s resins are a community favorite, with the ABS-like 2.0 and its predecessor being some of the most commonly recommended options for printing miniatures on a budget. The prints not only come out with good resolution, but they’re also tough and can withstand a moderate drop.
Unfortunately, users often report that this resin does have a strong, unpleasant smell, which is a deal-breaker for some. However, working in a space with proper ventilation should help avoid exposure. Being a budget option, don’t expect this ABS-like resin to be as durable as some of the higher-end options on this list. However, it does make a good mixture with a bit of Siraya Tech’s Tenacious to improve its mechanical properties without breaking the bank.
If you’re looking for a resin designed for miniatures at a reasonable price point, Resione has you covered. The TH72 long-lasting tough resin is formulated specifically for parts that may see a lot of wear and tear, including cosplay accessories and mini-figs.
Being slightly flexible and impressively durable, prints made with this resin will be able to withstand even the most intense gameplay. Unfortunately, it only comes in gray, but that’s no issue if you already plan on painting your prints. While some users have some trouble dialing in the right print settings as the curing times may seem much longer compared to your typical standard resin, the results were worth it.
All in all, TH72 is a good choice for those who are willing to spend just a bit more than the price of a standard resin for better durability. If you’re willing to shell out a bit more, the M56 ABS-like resin from Resione is a step up in terms of resolution and achieving sharp details.
If you’re getting into miniature making, it can be nerve-wracking. Thankfully, Siraya Tech’s Tenacious resin aims to fix that. Although it’s on the pricier end, users report it’s incredibly easy to use and produces prints with impressive toughness. There are also two Shore hardness options, 65A in clear and black for a more flexible result, and 70A in black for a slightly more rigid print.
With an impact strength of 57 J/m in a notched Izod test and its slightly flexible nature, this resin was made with accidents in mind. To make use of these mechanical properties while combating the high price tag, many users chose this resin as an additive, mixing it with cheaper or plant-based resins to get durable results. Even using it in small amounts, such as 10-20%, seems to make a big difference on typically brittle resins.
If you have an 8K resin printer and are looking to make ultra-high-resolution minis, then printing with an 8K resin, like Phrozen’s Aqua is your best bet. This resin is formulated for prints with fine detail, and the results speak for themselves. Available in four different colors, Aqua 8K is a good choice for those who value looks more than durability. Note that despite its name, it’s not water-washable.
The low viscosity of this resin makes it easy to print with and beginner-friendly, despite the professional-looking results. Users report crisp prints and little to no odor, which is a big plus. Some say that it’s on the more brittle side, but that also makes removing supports easier. For something with a little more flex, you can try out the Aqua 4K version.
If you have some room in your budget, AmeraLabs’ TGM-7 is a great choice for printing miniatures. While this resin is formulated for use with LCD printers, it cures at wavelengths in the range of 365-420 nm, making it suitable for many DLP printers as well. Engineered specifically for miniatures, it offers good impact resistance and flexibility, so it can take a fall off a tabletop or shelf without issue.
In addition to the good mechanical properties, the resolution is also very high, so it’s no surprise that it’s the go-to choice for makers looking to produce top-quality miniatures. Reviewers praise this resin for not cracking or breaking, even with delicate features on prints. It seems like the secret to its durability is its slightly flexible nature, and it can bounce back even after a hard fall.
While some say it’s the best resin they’ve ever used, it’s difficult for many to get on board with the price.
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