Resin vs Filament
So you have decided to embark on your 3D printed project but not sure which option to pick? Then this guide is for you.
In this post we will go through the advantages and disadvantages of each type of print. I will then give recommendations of which type of 3D print to pick and why. Lets start with;
Filament Printing
Filament printing is the most common type of printing and the type that most people will start with.
Advantages:
Filament prints are cheaper than resin prints
Are effective for prints that don’t have a huge amount of tiny detail
Can be post processed to a flat finish
Small objects can be printed really quickly
Really effective for large scale objects like cosplay accessories
Larger build area
Supports are incredibly easy to remove
Disadvantages
Filament prints are a lower resolution to resin resulting in loss of small detail
The bigger the object, the longer it takes
Layer lines will be visible but can be removed with post processing
Post processing is not required for prints to be finished but can lead to better prints
Filament prints can melt/deform in extremely high temperatures.
Resin Printers
Resin printers are far less common than filament and can be far more complicated to use. However if you have access to one, there are some advantages that resin printers have;
Advantages
Incredibly high resolution (Layer lines are practically invisible to the naked eye)
Small details are captured really well
Small objects will look very similar to their digital component
Resin prints are solid if done correctly
Multiple prints can be printed at the same time without increasing print time (The only metric to determine print time with resin prints is the height of the print unlike filament which needs to print each object separately
Disadvantages
Supports can be difficult to remove, leading to some scratches or pitting on the surface of the print
Resin prints need to be washed and cured to remove any excess resin before they can be used.
If the file isn’t prepared properly, resin can become trapped in the model
The print size is significantly smaller than those of filament printers
Results
It might seem a bit overwhelming to read that list and then to determine which type to pick. Really it boils down to a few different choices.
Here are some options where filament is the suggestion
Big objects
Cosplay
props or replicas
Prints where a lower cost is important
Objects that require some flexibility or durability
Terrain pieces without tiny detail (Houses, ruins, rocks, trees, etc)
Here are some options where resin is the suggestion
28mm scale minis or smaller
Pretty much any print that you would use in a table top setting
Army sets
Display pieces
If after this guide you are not sure which option to go with then Contact us and we will walk you through the choice.
