Short answer
Resin printing usually costs more per print than FDM: resin itself costs more per kilo than PLA, and isopropyl alcohol (IPA), gloves and replacement FEP film add further costs. The printer itself doesn't have to be more expensive: entry-level resin printers are often cheaper than a good FDM printer.
Cost items resin has that FDM doesn't
- Resin: €30 to €45 per liter for standard resin, versus €18 to €25 per kilo for PLA. Resin weighs about 1.1 kg per liter, so figure roughly €27 to €41 per kilo.
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA): needed to wash prints. One bottle covers several prints, but gets contaminated with resin over time and needs replacing.
- Gloves and paper towels: uncured resin irritates skin. Nitrile gloves per print are a small but recurring cost.
- FEP film: the film at the bottom of the resin vat wears out and needs periodic replacement, usually after a few liters of resin. Figure €5 to €15 per sheet.
- Post-curing: after washing, the print still needs to cure under UV light. That takes a curing station (one-time purchase) or direct sunlight.
- Ventilation: resin and its fumes are irritating and mildly toxic until fully cured. Ventilated space or extraction is practically required.
FDM has no equivalent items: filament can be printed and post-processed directly, without washing, curing or special ventilation.
Worked example: the same miniature in resin and FDM
Assume a figurine using 15 grams of material in both techniques, with the same assumptions as the calculator (€400 printer, 4000-hour lifetime, €0.30 per kWh, 5% failed prints).
| FDM (PLA) | Resin | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | €0.30 | €0.48 |
| Machine (depreciation, electricity, maintenance) | €0.24 (1 h) | €0.07 (0.5 h) |
| Consumables (IPA, gloves, FEP wear) | — | €0.15 |
| Total (incl. 5% failed) | €0.56 | €0.73 |
Resin printers often cure a whole layer at once, so small, detailed prints can sometimes finish faster than on an FDM printer. Even so, resin is about 30% more expensive in this example, mainly due to the pricier material and consumables. This is an indicative comparison: your resin, printer and settings may differ.
Why choose resin anyway?
Resin prints much finer detail and a smoother surface than FDM, without visible layer lines. For miniatures, jewelry, dental or jewelry casting patterns and molds, that often outweighs the higher cost per print. For large, functional or fast-printed parts, FDM usually remains the cheaper and more practical choice.
The printer itself: usually not a big difference
An entry-level resin printer (MSLA) often costs €150 to €250, comparable to or cheaper than an entry-level FDM printer. The difference in total cost is therefore not in the purchase, but in what you spend on resin and consumables per print. Compare FDM printers on price and features on the compare printers page.
Frequently asked questions
Is resin printing more expensive than FDM?
Usually, per print. Resin costs more per kilo than standard FDM filament, and IPA, gloves and replacement FEP film add further costs that FDM doesn't have.
What does resin cost per liter?
Standard resin usually costs €30 to €45 per liter. Specialized resin (flexible, castable, dental) costs more.
Do I need extra supplies to print with resin?
Yes: isopropyl alcohol for washing, nitrile gloves, a curing station or sunlight to post-cure, and ideally ventilation against the fumes. Factor this into your startup costs.
Is a resin printer more expensive to buy than an FDM printer?
No, entry-level resin printers are often cheaper than a good FDM printer. The higher costs are in consumables per print, not the purchase price.
All amounts are estimates based on the stated assumptions. No rights can be derived from them.