Resin 3D Easy Printing For Beginners: An Overview and Tips!
For printing miniature game figures and other delicate designs that need a perfect finish, resin 3D printing has become the preferred method due to its ability to produce detailed prints. Resin printing is an excellent choice for realizing your designs and offers unmatched printing quality, regardless of your level of experience with 3D printing.
In order to help you get started on your journey, let’s learn more about resin 3D printing and explore STLs that you can use to enhance your RPG tabletop games with fantasy minis!
The minis in the picture come from Chapter 32 – Allies and Fiefs.
Advantages of Resin Printing
One of the most significant benefits of resin printing is its ability to produce smoother surface finishes, particularly when printing small objects.
Also, resin prints are less likely to bend or warp when exposed to high temperatures. Resin material is less prone to thermal expansion and contraction, which further contributes to the stability of the final product.
Resin printers are generally also easier to maintain and calibrate than other types of 3D printers. This makes them a great option for beginners who are just starting out with 3D printing.
At The Printing Goes Ever On, we offer a range of STLs that are perfect for 3D resin printing, including warrior miniatures, fantasy beasts, and many more. Although it is possible to print these minis on an FDM printer, it is recommended that you scale them up to ensure they are a bit bigger, particularly for characters.
On the left you see a FDM printed mini, on the right resin printed. The resin print is more clean and smooth, but of course both can serve you well during your tabletop adventures!
Safety and Resin Printing
When working with resin 3D printers, safety should be your top priority. The uncured resin can cause skin and eye irritation, so it’s important to wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself.
It’s essential to have proper ventilation in your workspace. This will help you avoid any respiratory issues and ensure that you are working in a safe environment.
After printing, it’s vital to clean your print and the workspace thoroughly to remove any uncured resin. This will make sure that you don’t come into contact with any hazardous materials and that your workspace remains clean and safe.
The minis in the picture come from Chapter 33 – Hall of the Ghost King.
Choosing Best Models for 3D Resin Printing
The Printing Goes Ever On revolves around developing intricate 3d printable models set in medieval and fantasy realms that are suited for resin printing. Whether you’re a fan of elves, humans, warriors, halflings, orcs, terrifying creatures, we’ve got you covered.
Our models are versatile and can be used as proxies for various fantasy systems, wargaming, RPGs, or simply as a display piece.
As a beginner, it can be tricky to figure out which models to use when starting out. We understand! That’s why we offer a bunch of FREEBIES that you can grab and print right away – from character minis to the huge Universal Base Set. We have listed all of them for your convenience, so click the button below and check them out!
Print Process for Resin 3D Printing
Before you start printing, it’s essential to ensure that the resin in your bottle is well-mixed. You can do this by shaking the bottle for about a minute. It’s also important to keep in mind that resin doesn’t print well in low-temperature environments. So, make sure that the printing area or space is at a temperature of at least 20C.
Once you have printed your 3D resin model, it’s time to clean and wash it. However, cleaning can be quite challenging without the proper tools. The good news is that you can make the task easier by using specific materials. All you need are a few containers and Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). Begin the cleaning process by placing the model into the first container and using a brush or toothbrush to remove most of the resin. Then, move it into the second container with cleaner IPA to remove any remaining resin from the model. Lastly, repeat the process in the third container to ensure that the model is thoroughly cleaned, and there’s no uncured resin left on it. By following these simple steps, you can clean your 3D resin model quickly and effectively.
Once the model is clean, it’s time to remove the supports and cure it. After a thorough cleaning, submerge the model in hot water, ideally between 60C-70C, for a few seconds. The hot water will make it easier for you to remove the supports with minimal damage to the model.
As tabletop gamers we want to ensure that our models will meet even the highest standards. All of our models are pre-supported (or in case of terrain – supportless). We are proud to offer one of the easiest removable supports in the market to make the printing fun and easy.
See the video on how easy it is to remove our supports!
Curing is the final step in the process of making a 3D printed resin model. To cure the model, there are two options – sunlight or a UV lamp. Sunlight is the cheaper option, but it’s also slower and may not work well on cloudy days. On the other hand, a UV lamp is faster and more reliable, taking only a few minutes to cure the model. However, it’s important to be careful while using transparent resins because over-curing can make the model really fragile and damage the material it’s made of, or even change the resin’s color.
What Printer Should I Use? – Tips for Choosing the Best Printer
To print small and detailed objects like 3D printed miniatures, consider the following factors when choosing a 3D printer:
1. Choose a printer with a high resolution to produce high-precision prints.
2. Opt for a printer that is not limited to one manufacturer’s materials.
3. Choose a printer that fits your budget while meeting your requirements. It’s not just the printer’s price that needs to be taken into account, but also the cost of maintenance and materials.
4. Request a sample print from the manufacturer to evaluate the printer’s print quality, speed, and overall performance.
Considering these factors will help you make an informed decision when purchasing a 3D printer.
Join The Printing Goes Ever On now and enjoy your new fantasy pieces!
Our monthly subscription is priced at just $10. For this price, you will receive a bundle of products worth between $50 and $70. Additionally, our members enjoy a range of bonuses, including the Welcome Trove extra bundle, a 45% discount on all items available in our store, a 70% discount on the previous month’s bundle, and long-stay gifts to show our appreciation for your continued support. Click the button below and explore the opportunities now!
A Welcome Trove hero bundle for all who join The Printing Goes Ever On!
In our next post, we’ll dive deeper into the advantages of FDM printing so stay tuned!
