Differences Between Resin and Filament (FDM) 3D Printers

We help you decide!

Choosing the right 3D printer can be tricky. That's why, in this post, we'll break down the main differences between resin and filament (FDM) 3D printers, covering their pros and cons, how they work, and what materials you need to use them. Our goal is to help you make the best choice based on your needs.

Kakashi VS Zabuza Diorama printed in resin

Resin 3D Printer

Resin printers aren’t as mainstream yet. When people think of 3D printers, they usually picture the early technology where the most common printers melted plastic wire onto a heated bed. Resin printers, on the other hand, use liquid resin to create models and are ideal for producing miniatures and action figures that require high detail.

Their superior quality comes from the liquid resin itself. During printing, the liquid fills even the tiniest spaces, and each layer is defined by pixel size. Plus, you can set smaller layer heights, allowing for extremely fine details in your prints. Another advantage is their speed, as the resin cures one full layer at a time. So, if you’re printing multiple parts at once, they finish simultaneously, saving both time and energy.

However, along with the printer, you’ll need a cleaning station with isopropyl alcohol or ethanol and a UV light curing system to finalize your prints. Skipping this process can lead to resin buildup, damaging the models. Before painting, you’ll need to remove supports and refine the pieces with tools like chisels and sandpaper to smooth out any support marks.

It's important to note that resin is toxic, so your workspace must be well-ventilated or have air purifiers. Always wear safety gear (gloves and mask) when handling resin, and take extra care to avoid spills on furniture or floors. If that happens, clean it up immediately with isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.

Also, components like the LCD screen and the FEP film (which holds the resin between the screen and vat) have a limited lifespan and need to be replaced periodically, as recommended by the manufacturer.

Considering all this, the operating cost of a resin printer is higher than that of a filament printer, and there are more steps involved in finishing a print.

FEP Sheet (https://monocure3d.com)

Filament 3D Printer (FDM)

FDM printers are more popular and use extrusion technology, where material is heated and pushed through a fine nozzle, similar to a hot glue gun. The material is laid down in lines with an average width of 0.4mm, and the layer height ranges from 0.1 to 0.35mm, limiting the level of detail and creating visible layer lines. Because of this, FDM printers are recommended for larger or less detailed models, such as bases for figures or large-scale models.

Kakashi VS Zabuza Diorama printed in filament

One of the advantages of FDM printers is that some models can print with multiple materials and colors, so your model can come out fully colored in a single print. Additionally, both the printers and filaments are more affordable. Another benefit is that you don't need extra steps for cleaning and curing like with resin printers, and they typically require fewer supports.

That said, proper setup of the print bed and the correct temperature settings for both the nozzle and heated bed are important. Regular maintenance is essential, as these printers have belts and moving parts that need attention, and keeping the nozzle clean ensures good print results.

FDM printers are best for simplified files without too many fine details. Models with smooth, flat surfaces are ideal for this type of technology. Here at Samiho Studios, we offer simplified versions of our models optimized for FDM printing, as well as 3MF files that come pre-colored and ready to print on Bambu Lab printers.

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How Do They Work?

Files

3D prints are made using STL files (Standard Triangle Language), which are files that represent 3D models made up of thousands of triangles. These files are essential for achieving precision and quality in 3D printing. At Samiho Studio, we offer models optimized and ready for printing, ensuring the best possible experience.

Our STL files are carefully separated into parts that fit together perfectly after printing, making the process smooth. Plus, we also work with 3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) files, perfect for printers like Bambu Lab, which allow for pre-colored models ready for immediate printing. If you’re not familiar with our models yet, we invite you to explore our shop on Patreon and Cults 3D, where you’ll find incredible pieces that will elevate your 3D printing projects to the next level!

FDM

Filament printers use thermoplastic filaments like PLA (polylactic acid), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). These materials pass through a heated nozzle that melts them. A cooler fan next to the nozzle cools the material immediately after extrusion. When the material hits the build platform, it sticks due to its residual heat, forming layers of the model one by one. The extruder nozzle moves along the x, y, and z axes, and in some printers, the heated bed also moves, allowing the production of larger-scale models compared to resin printers.

Extruder/Nozzle

Resin

For resin printers, there are three main types:

• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): This technology uses a vat to store the liquid resin. A build plate descends into the vat, leaving a small space between the LCD screen and the plate. Below the screen, a UV light projects the shape of the layer, curing the resin in a tiny space ranging from 0.01 to 0.10 mm. The build plate rises to let more resin in, then descends again for the next layer, repeating the process until the piece is complete.

  
  

• SLA (Stereolithography): This type of printer uses a laser reflected by rotating mirrors along two axes. The laser cures the resin layer by layer. This technology offers higher quality due to the precision of the laser, but maintenance costs are higher, and printing speed is slower compared to other resin options since the laser cures point by point. This printer is recommended for those seeking high-resolution prints, even with lower production volume.

  
  

• DLP (Digital Light Processing): This system combines the advantages of LCD and SLA technologies. It projects UV light through thousands of micromirrors, forming a layer at a time, similar to LCD, but with SLA-level quality. DLP offers a longer-lasting projector than an LCD screen, though the printer cost is higher.

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Conclusion: Which Printer Should You Choose?

A resin printer is ideal for those looking to print smaller pieces with high detail and speed. For beginners and hobbyists, a resin printer with an LCD screen is recommended for its simplicity and quality. On the other hand, a filament printer (FDM) is better suited for larger models that don't require fine detail.

What’s interesting is that you can combine both technologies to make the most of each. For example, when creating an anime figure, the FDM printer can be used to print the base of the figure, where details are simpler, like rocks or terrain. Meanwhile, the resin printer takes care of the main figure, ensuring precision and complexity in the details. This combination gives you the perfect balance between quality, efficiency, and versatility in your projects.

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That's all for now, everyone! I'll see you in the next post. Stay safe, and bye bye~~