When it comes to 3D printing, one of the first and most important questions is: what resin should you use? Choosing the right 3d printing resin can make a huge difference in the quality, durability, and finish of your prints. But with so many options on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
This article aims to clarify common types of resins, share insights on how to pick the best one, and explain why the choice matters for your specific projects.
Understanding Different Types Of 3D Printing Resin
There are various kinds of 3d printing resin designed for different purposes. Each type comes with distinct properties that suit different printing needs.
Standard Resin
This is the go-to for many hobbyists. It’s affordable, easy to find, and suitable for general-purpose printing.
Most people use standard resin for prototyping, basic models, and non-functional parts. It’s not the toughest, but it’s reliable enough for learning and experimenting.
Tough Resin
When users need more durability, they often switch to tough resin. It’s built to withstand stress and bending, which makes it great for functional parts or items that may be handled frequently. Makers who design mechanical components or enclosures often go this route.
Flexible Resin
Some users need prints that bend or compress — that’s where flexible resin comes in. It’s softer to the touch and used for items like grips, gaskets, or wearable parts. It’s trickier to print with, but useful for very specific tasks.
Castable Resin
Jewelry makers and mold designers often use castable resin, which burns out cleanly during the casting process. This type is not common among general users, but it’s essential in industries where precision and moldability matter.
High-Detail Resin
Miniature painters and modelers sometimes choose high-detail or dental-grade resins. These resins capture extremely fine surface features and are usually paired with high-resolution printers.
Factors Influencing Our Choice Of 3D Printing Resin
When deciding on which 3d printing resin to use, we consider several factors that affect the final result:
Print Quality And Detail
If the print demands high resolution and fine details, we lean towards resins that cure sharply and produce smooth finishes.
Durability Requirements
For parts that need to handle mechanical stress or regular use, tougher resins are preferred.
Ease Of Use And Safety
Some resins require more careful handling due to toxicity or curing conditions. We weigh convenience and safety depending on the project environment.
Our Recommended 3D Printing Resin Brands And Products
HeyGears offers a range of reliable 3D printing resins, depending on the needs of your project.
Whether you are creating detailed miniatures, functional prototypes, or heat-resistant parts, they have options worth considering. Here are some of the recommended HeyGears 3D printing resins:
Standard Modeling Resin (PAS10/PARP10)
Ideal for figurines, jewelry prototypes, and scale models. It delivers ±0.05 mm dimensional accuracy, sharp detail, and a smooth matte surface with minimal layer lines.
Transparent Resin (PAT10)
Offers 88.5% light transmittance and long-lasting anti-yellowing. Great for transparent parts like earphone shells, electronic casings, and display components.
ABS-Like Resin (PAU10)
Provides high toughness and strength, suitable for functional prototypes, consumer electronics shells, and industrial fixtures that simulate ABS plastic.
Water Washable Resins (PAWW10 & PAWW20)
Designed for easy cleaning and fast printing. These resins are great for quick-turn models, figurines, and concept prototypes with less post-processing effort.
Wax Casting Resin (PAC10)
Formulated for jewelry and fine-detail lost-wax casting. High wax content ensures clean burnout for rings, pendants, and intricate metal parts.
Polycarbonate-Like Resin (PAU20)
High stiffness and impact resistance make it a solid choice for structural components, jigs, and end-use casings that need long-term durability.
Silicone-Like Elastic Resin (PAE10)
Highly elastic with rapid rebound, perfect for soft-touch parts like plugs, flexible fixtures, or wearable accessories.
High Precision Detail Resin (PAP10)
Designed for tabletop miniatures and highly textured parts, with fine resolution down to 0.1 mm and good toughness for fragile geometries.
Durable Resin (PAWR10)
Wear-resistant with a smooth finish, making it ideal for action figures, consumer electronics parts, and components that undergo frequent handling.
Flexible Resin (PAF10)
Handles repeated bending and minor deformation well. Suitable for keycaps, flexible accessories, or parts like squeeze bottles and interior trims.
High Temperature Resin (PAH10)
Withstands up to 110°C, useful for molds and parts exposed to heat, including in small-scale production and prototyping environments.
Conclusion
choosing the right 3d printing resin depends on your project’s goals. For general printing needs, HeyGears’ standard resins offer reliable quality and ease of use. If your work requires specific properties like flexibility, durability, or casting capabilities, HeyGears also provides a variety of specialized resins to meet those demands.
Experimenting with different resins from HeyGears can help you find the best fit for your prints and budget.
Using the right resin from HeyGears will not only improve the appearance of your 3D prints but also ensure they last longer and perform as expected.
