Buying guide
Resin Printing Starter Kit
Updated How we research
Sharp detail from your first resin print. The page is split into five sections (Pick a resin printer; Choose your first resin; Try easy-cleanup resin; Handle parts safely; Trim supports cleanly), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 6.3 to 8.9 out of 10.
- Best overall:ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K Resin 3D Printer, 10" 16K Mono LCD, Flip-up Lid. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.9/10.
- Also great value:X-ACTO Compression Basic Knife Set, 3 Knives, 13 Blades, Soft Carry Case, 17 Count. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:X-Acto X5087 Hobbytool Set, Deluxe 30 Piece Set for Arts and Crafts. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Feature-rich:ELEGOO 8K Water Washable Resin 405nm UV-Curing Space Grey 1000G. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Pick a resin printer
- ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K Resin 3D Printer, 10" 16K Mono LCD, Flip-up LidOur score8.9/10
- ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 12K Resin 3D Printer and ELEGOO Mercury Plus V3.0 Wash and Cure StationOur score8.2/10
- ELEGOO Saturn 4 12K Resin 3D PrinterOur score8.0/10
- ELEGOO Saturn 3 12K MSLA Resin 3D PrinterOur score7.8/10
Choose your first resin
- ELEGOO Standard Photopolymer Resin Translucent 1000g + 8K Space Grey 1000gOur score8.0/10
- SUNLU Standard 3D Printer Resin 1kg Fast Curing 395-405nm GreyOur score7.8/10
- SUNLU Upgraded Standard 3D Printer Resin 2KG 405nm GreyOur score7.8/10
- ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Resin 405nm High Precision UV Photopolymer White 1kgOur score7.6/10
Try easy-cleanup resin
- ELEGOO 8K Water Washable Resin 405nm UV-Curing Space Grey 1000GOur score8.4/10
- SUNLU Water Washable 3D Printer Resin 1kg Fast Curing 395-405nm WhiteOur score8.1/10
- SUNLU Water Washable Resin 1000g Fast Curing 395-405nm GreyOur score8.1/10
- ELEGOO Water Washable 3D Printer Resin 405nm Standard Beige 1000gOur score7.8/10
Handle parts safely
- XOOL 9 PCS ESD Precision Tweezers Set, Anti-Static Stainless Steel for Electronics SolderingOur score7.8/10
- 11 PCS Precision Tweezers Set, ESD, Anti-Static Stainless Steel with Storage Bag for LabOur score7.8/10
- kaverme 6PCS Precision Tweezers Set, Anti-Static Stainless Steel Curved, for Electronics CraftOur score7.2/10
- Precision Tweezers ESD Anti-Static Stainless Steel Set, Repair Tool Kit for Crafting ElectronicsOur score6.3/10
Trim supports cleanly
- X-ACTO Compression Basic Knife Set, 3 Knives, 13 Blades, Soft Carry Case, 17 CountOur score8.6/10
- X-Acto X5087 Hobbytool Set, Deluxe 30 Piece Set for Arts and CraftsOur score8.6/10
- X-ACTO Basic Knife Set, 3 Precision Knives, 10 Blades, Wooden Chest for Storage, 14 CountOur score8.4/10
- X-ACTO #1 Z-Series Precision Utility Knife, Metal, Silver, Aluminum Handle, Safety CapOur score7.8/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1ELEGOO's Saturn 4 Ultra with a 10-inch 16K mono LCD and flip-up lid, aimed at makers who want large, very detailed resin prints.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 10/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 16K mono screen resolves fine surface detail on miniatures and jewelry masters
- + Large 10-inch LCD lets you batch many small parts on one build plate
- + Flip-up lid makes loading resin and removing the plate less awkward
- - Big vat uses a lot of resin, so running costs climb on full plates
- - High-resolution files are large and slice slower on older computers
#2X-ACTO compression basic knife set with 3 knives, 13 blades and a soft carry case, 17 count in total.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 3 knives with different handle sizes suit fine and heavier trimming
- + 13 blades keep a sharp edge ready for clean support removal
- + Soft carry case keeps blades contained in a toolbox
- - Soft case offers less blade protection than a hard chest
- - Exposed blades require care around kids and pets
#3X-Acto X5087 deluxe 30 piece hobbytool set for arts, crafts and detailed 3D print finishing work.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 30 piece set includes a wide mix of blades and handles
- + Deluxe range covers carving, trimming and sanding tasks
- + X-Acto is a classic hobby knife brand with easy blade refills
- - Many specialty pieces may go unused for simple print cleanup
- - Larger kit costs more than a basic knife set
#4ELEGOO 8K water washable resin in space grey, a 1000G 405nm UV-curing bottle made for high-resolution screens.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 8K formula pairs fine detail with the convenience of water washing
- + Space grey is ideal for painting and checking print quality
- + ELEGOO profiles for this resin are widely shared online
- - Over-washing in water can soften thin details before curing
- - Needs careful curing to avoid tacky surfaces on hidden areas
#5X-ACTO basic knife set with 3 precision knives and 10 blades in a wooden chest for storage, 14 count.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Wooden chest keeps knives and blades safely organized
- + 3 precision knives cover light, medium and heavy trimming
- + 10 spare blades make it easy to always cut with a fresh edge
- - Wooden storage chest is bulkier than a roll-up case
- - Fewer blades than the compression set with a soft case
#6Bundle of the ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 12K resin printer and the Mercury Plus V3.0 wash and cure station. Covers printing, washing and curing in one purchase for a new resin workspace.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Saturn 4 Ultra 12K has a 10-inch 12K mono LCD, smart automatic leveling and a listed speed of up to 150mm/h
- + Mercury Plus V3.0 wash and cure station with 7.5 L capacity is included for post-processing
- + Print size of 8.62 x 4.84 x 8.66 inches handles larger models or full plates of miniatures
- - Costs more than a bare printer, so it only pays off if you do not already own a wash and cure station
- - The bundle listing gives one line of detail per unit, and no air purifier or resin is mentioned
#7SUNLU water washable resin in white, a 1kg fast curing 395-405nm formula that cleans up with water instead of alcohol.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Water washing avoids buying and storing large amounts of IPA
- + White color gives a bright base ready for priming and paint
- + Fast curing formulation keeps exposure times reasonable
- - Wash water is still contaminated and must not go down the drain
- - Water washable resins can be more brittle than standard resins
#8SUNLU water washable resin in grey, a 1000g fast curing 395-405nm bottle for easier cleanup at home.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Grey shade makes fine sculpt details easy to see on finished prints
- + Water cleanup is friendlier for apartments without ventilation for IPA
- + SUNLU pricing keeps water washable resin affordable
- - Absorbs moisture from long soaks, which can cause cracks later
- - Resin residue in rinse water needs curing before disposal
#9ELEGOO Saturn 4 with a 10-inch 12K mono LCD (11520 x 5120, 19 x 24 micron XY), automatic leveling and a flip-top lid. A mid-size resin printer for detailed miniatures and small precision parts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 10-inch 12K mono LCD with 19 x 24 micron XY resolution, protected by a 9H tempered film
- + One-touch self-check and automatic leveling remove the manual bed leveling step before a print
- + Mechanical sensors pause the print on foreign objects, low or excess resin and leveling errors
- - Lacks the tilt release and AI camera that ELEGOO lists for the Saturn 4 Ultra models
- - A 10-inch class machine needs more bench space than the compact Mars series printers
#10ELEGOO standard photopolymer resin bundle with translucent 1000g plus 8K space grey 1000g for mixed resin projects.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Translucent bottle shows internal detail and suits light-up models
- + 8K space grey is tuned for high-resolution screens and fine detail
- + Two resins in one order cover both display and painting prints
- - Translucent resin can yellow over time with sunlight exposure
- - Two different resins need separate exposure settings to tune
#11ELEGOO Saturn 3 12K MSLA resin printer, a large-format previous-generation model for detailed batch printing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 12K resolution on a large screen keeps miniatures sharp in batches
- + Previous generation often gives strong value for the specs
- + Big plate suits tabletop gamers printing full squads at once
- - Lacks some quality-of-life upgrades found on the newer Saturn generation
- - Large vat needs more resin to fill and more to clean
#12SUNLU standard resin in grey, a 1kg fast curing 395-405nm photopolymer for everyday LCD resin printing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 395-405nm compatibility fits most common consumer LCD resin printers
- + Grey color shows fine detail clearly for painting miniatures
- + Fast curing helps keep exposure times short on mono screens
- - Standard resin is brittle, so thin parts can snap when dropped
- - Requires alcohol washing and gloves due to resin skin irritation
#13SUNLU upgraded standard resin in grey, a 2KG 405nm bottle for resin printers running many batches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2KG quantity suits large-vat printers and frequent batch printing
- + Upgraded formula aims to improve on SUNLU's earlier standard resin
- + Grey tone reveals surface detail for primer-free inspection
- - Large bottle must be stored away from light and used before it ages
- - Brittleness of standard resin limits use for functional parts
#14ELEGOO water washable resin in standard beige, a 1000g 405nm bottle for clean-up friendly figure printing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Beige tone gives a natural base for skin-colored miniature painting
- + Water washable formula skips alcohol during the cleaning step
- + Standard ELEGOO resin prints reliably on most MSLA printers
- - Beige hides small surface flaws until primer is applied
- - Water washable parts may crack if left in water too long
#15XOOL 9 PCS ESD precision tweezers set in anti-static stainless steel for electronics soldering and fine work.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 9 PCS range covers straight, curved and flat tip needs
- + ESD safe steel protects boards during printer repairs
- + Useful for placing magnets or nuts into printed parts
- - No storage case mentioned to keep the set organized
- - Tips can lose alignment if dropped on hard floors
#16An 11 PCS precision tweezers set, ESD anti-static stainless steel with a storage bag for lab and hobby benches.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Storage bag keeps all 11 PCS together and protected
- + Wide tip selection suits print cleanup and electronics work
- + ESD safe for handling small printer components
- - Soft bag offers less protection than a hard case
- - Many similar tips may go unused for basic printing tasks
#17X-ACTO #1 Z-Series precision utility knife with a silver aluminum handle and a safety cap for fine trimming.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Safety cap protects fingers and blades when stored
- + Aluminum handle is light and easy to control for detail work
- + Z-Series blades are designed to stay sharp longer
- - Single knife only, so no heavier handle for thick cuts
- - Replacement blades need to be bought separately
#18ANYCUBIC high precision UV photopolymer resin in white, a 1kg 405nm bottle for clean detailed resin models.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + High precision formula captures crisp edges on figures and parts
- + White resin gives a clean base for painting and priming
- + 405nm compatibility suits Anycubic and most other LCD printers
- - White resin hides fine detail visually until the model is primed
- - Strong odor during printing makes ventilation a must
#19kaverme 6PCS precision tweezers set in anti-static stainless steel with curved tips for electronics and crafts.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Curved tips help pull strings and support bits from small prints
- + Anti-static stainless steel is safe around printer electronics
- + 6PCS set gives a few tip styles for different tasks
- - Small set has fewer specialty tips than larger kits
- - Fine tips bend if used to pry rather than grip
#20Precision ESD anti-static stainless steel tweezers set, a repair tool kit for crafting and electronics.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10
- + Anti-static design is safe for thermistor and wiring work
- + Stainless steel resists corrosion from cleaning solvents
- + Handy for removing filament bits from hotend areas
- - Confirm tip count and styles match your intended tasks
- - Generic kit gives little detail on steel quality
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Filament Print Lab curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.