🧪 Choosing the Right Resin for Your 3D Printing Projects: A Hobbyist’s Guide

Not all resin is created equal — and if you’ve been in the hobby for more than 10 minutes, you’ve probably already figured that out! Whether you're printing highly detailed busts, terrain pieces, or full figures for painting and display, choosing the right resin can make or break your final result. At HLI3DFX, we’ve tested a lot of resins (sometimes the hard way), and this guide is here to help you pick the right one for your next build.

🎯 Start with Purpose: What Are You Printing?

Are you printing:

• A high-detail bust or statue?

• A functional prop or part?

• A large figure that needs durability?

• A diorama base that’ll be painted and weathered?

Knowing your end goal will help you choose between rigid, flexible, tough, or castable resins. For modelers focused on painting and display, standard photopolymer resins with good surface finish and detail retention are usually best.

🧪 Types of Resin and When to Use Them

Here’s a quick breakdown of common resin types and what they’re good for:

• Standard Resin:
  Great for clean surface detail, sharp edges, and easy post-processing.
  🔹 Perfect for busts, small figures, props, and display pieces.

• Tough Resin:
  Higher impact resistance, less brittle.
  🔹 Ideal for functional parts, armor, or larger models that may be handled.

• Flexible Resin:
  Slight bendiness — great for straps, joints, or rubber-like pieces.
  🔹 Use it for elements like cables, belts, or overlays.

• ABS-like Resin:
  Simulates the strength and feel of injection-molded plastic.
  🔹 Good for precision parts that need some give.

• Water-Washable Resin:
  Easier cleanup, but sometimes more brittle and less detailed.
  🔹 Nice for beginners or casual projects, but test it first.

• Castable Resin:
  Used for lost-wax casting (jewelry, metal parts).
  🔹 Not typically needed for modelers unless you’re working in metal.

🔥 Our Favorites at HLI3DFX

We’re constantly testing resin to find the right balance of detail, durability, and paintability. Here are a few we’ve had great results with:

• FunCreCol Matte Gray Resin:
  Our go-to for crisp prints with reduced gloss, which helps primer and paint stick beautifully.

• Anycubic Craftsman Resin:
  Excellent for high-resolution busts and smooth surfaces — needs a bit more care post-print.

• Siraya Tech Fast/Navy Gray:
  Durable and forgiving — a solid choice for figures that might get handled.

💡 Tip: Store resin in a cool, dry place and always shake before use. Test cure times with your printer and UV station to dial in that sweet spot.

🖌️ Resin for Painting: What to Look For

When printing for display or painting:

• Choose a resin with low shrinkage to preserve detail

• Avoid ultra-glossy finishes unless you’re going for a slick look

• Consider resin color — neutral grays and beiges show details better and are easier to prime

Also, not all resins hold paint the same way. Cheaper resins may resist primer or require extra prep like sanding or chemical cleaning. We always recommend giving prints a good scrub in isopropyl alcohol and using a surface primer like Mr. Surfacer 1000 or Badger Stynylrez.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Choosing the right resin doesn’t have to be a mystery. Think about what you’re building, how it’ll be used, and how you’ll finish it. Experimentation is part of the fun — and if you ever need tips, the HLI community is always here to help.

Stay tuned for resin reviews, side-by-side tests, and more pro tips right here on HLI3DFX. Happy printing!

Resin Type: Standard Resin
Best For: Busts, figures, display models
Pros: High detail, easy to print
Cons: Brittle, lower impact resistance
Finish: Smooth to glossy

Resin Type: Tough Resin
Best For: Larger parts, props, wearable builds
Pros: Stronger, flexible under stress
Cons: May lose fine detail
Finish: Matte to semi

Resin Type: Flexible Resin
Best For: Straps, joints, accessories
Pros: Bendable, rubber-like
Cons: Lower detail, trickier to print
Finish: Soft matte

Resin Type: ABS-like Resin
Best For: Durable parts, diorama elements
Pros: Tough and slightly flexible
Cons: Can be sticky post-cure
Finish: Semi-gloss

Resin Type: Water-Washable
Best For: Beginners, convenience builds
Pros: Easy cleanup, no IPA needed
Cons: Brittle, less durable
Finish: Varies

Resin Type: Castable Resin
Best For: Metal casting projects
Pros: Burns out clean for molds
Cons: Not for general use, expensive
Finish: N/A

Resin Type: Matte Resins
Best For: Busts, painting-focused models
Pros: Great primer adhesion, visible details
Cons: May need longer cure times
Finish: Matte