If you’re using 3D printing for prototypes, modelos dentales, or high-detail parts, understanding the price per gram of photosensitive resin is key to budgeting effectively. The cost of this resin isn’t fixed—it ranges from 0.5 RMB/gram to 50 RMB/gramo depending on type, marca, actuación, and purchase volume. This guide breaks down the core factors affecting price, provides practical price references, shares cost-saving tips, and addresses common questions to help you make informed decisions.
1. 5 Core Factors That Affect the Price Per Gram of 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin
The price per gram of photosensitive resin is shaped by tangible factors—from material performance to purchase quantity. A continuación se muestra un desglose detallado de cada factor, with real-world examples to illustrate their impact:
(1) Tipo de resina & Actuación
Performance is the biggest driver of price. Resins are categorized by their functional use, and higher-performance options (P.EJ., a prueba de calor, biocompatible) cost significantly more:
| Resin Category | Key Performance Traits | Gama de precios (RMB/gramo) | Aplicaciones típicas |
| General-Purpose Resin | Basic detail, low heat resistance (≤60°C) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Ordinary prototypes, model making (P.EJ., piezas de juguete) |
| High-Performance Resin | Alta dureza, resistencia al calor (60–120 ° C), resistente al desgaste | 3 ~ 10 | Piezas industriales (P.EJ., engranajes pequeños, recintos electrónicos) |
| Special-Functional Resin | Biocompatible (dental/medical), optical grade, fluorescent | 10 ~ 50 | Modelos dentales, implantes médicos, componentes ópticos |
Ejemplo: A general-purpose resin for a simple prototype costs 0.5–3 RMB/gram, while a dental-grade resin (requiring biocompatibility certification) costs 10–30 RMB/gram—5–20x more.
(2) Brand Origin (Domestic vs. Imported)
Brand origin affects both price and quality. Domestic brands offer cost-effective options, while imported brands (especially high-end ones) command premium prices:
| Brand Type | Gama de precios (RMB/gramo) | Calidad & Support Traits | Popular Brands |
| Domestic Brands | 0.5 ~ 5 | Performance close to imports; entrega más rápida | Zhongshan Blue Whale, eSUN, Huixiang |
| Imported Brands | 2 ~ 10 | Control de calidad estricto; wider certification (P.EJ., FDA) | Formlabs, Stratasys, EnvisionTEC |
| High-End Medical/Dental Brands | 15 ~ 50 | Medical-grade certification (P.EJ., ISO 10993); biocompatible | 3Sistemas D (dental line), Formlabs BioMed |
Ejemplo: A domestic general-purpose resin costs 0.5–1.5 RMB/gram, while an imported general-purpose resin (P.EJ., Formlabs Standard Resin) costs 1.5–3 RMB/gram—2–3x more.
(3) Purchase Volume
Buying in bulk unlocks significant discounts, as suppliers reduce unit prices to offset fixed costs (P.EJ., embalaje, logística). The larger the order, the lower the price per gram:
| Purchase Volume | Price Discount (VS. Lotes pequeños) | Ejemplo: Domestic General-Purpose Resin (Original Price: 1 RMB/gramo) |
| Lote pequeño (<1kilos) | 0% (No Discount) | 1 RMB/gram → Total for 1kg: 1,000 RMB |
| Medium Batch (1–10kg) | 10 ~ 20% | 0.8 ~ 0.9 RMB/gram → Total for 5kg: 4,000 ~ 4,500 RMB |
| Lote grande (>10kilos) | 20 ~ 50% | 0.5 ~ 0.8 RMB/gram → Total for 20kg: 10,000 ~ 16,000 RMB |
Punta de llave: Even if you don’t need 10kg immediately, ask suppliers about “cumulative orders” (P.EJ., 5kg now + 5kg in 3 meses) to qualify for bulk discounts.
(4) Color & Special Effects
Standard colors are cheaper, while custom colors or special effects (P.EJ., metálico, fluorescent) add to the cost:
| Color/Effect Type | Gama de precios (RMB/gramo) | Ejemplo de caso de uso |
| Standard Colors (blanco, negro, transparente) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Prototipos básicos, non-visible parts |
| Special Colors (translúcido, gradient) | 2 ~ 5 | Partes estéticas (P.EJ., Modelos de visualización) |
| Special Effects (fluorescent, metálico) | 3 ~ 10 | Piezas decorativas (P.EJ., custom figurines) |
Ejemplo: A transparent general-purpose resin costs 0.8 RMB/gramo, while a fluorescent version of the same resin costs 3–5 RMB/gram—4–6x more.
(5) Supplier Channel
Where you buy the resin also impacts price. Official channels offer security but cost more, while direct manufacturer purchases save money for large orders:
| Supplier Channel | Price Level | Ventajas | Contras |
| Official Brand Stores/Platforms | Alto | Seguro de calidad; after-sales support | Higher prices; no negotiation for small orders |
| Direct Manufacturer | Medio-bajo | Bulk discount negotiation; fresh stock | Minimum order quantity (often ≥1kg) |
| Third-Party Distributors | Medio | Convenient one-stop shopping; small order options | Potential stock delays; limited discount |
2. Practical Price Reference Table for 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin
To help you quickly gauge reasonable prices, below is a comprehensive table of common resin types, brands, and their price per gram:
| Tipo de resina | Brand Origin | Gama de precios (RMB/gramo) | Características clave | Escenarios aplicables |
| General-Purpose Resin | Domestic | 0.5 ~ 1.5 | Fácil de imprimir; good detail for basic use | Prototipos de juguetes, simple model making |
| General-Purpose Resin | Imported | 1.5 ~ 3 | Calidad consistente; wider printer compatibility | High-detail non-functional parts |
| High-Toughness Resin | Domestic | 2 ~ 5 | Resistente al impacto; suitable for functional parts | Engranajes pequeños, electronic housing prototypes |
| High-Toughness Resin | Imported | 4 ~ 8 | Industrial-grade durability; a prueba de calor | Industrial functional parts (P.EJ., corchetes) |
| Resina dental/médica | Domestic | 10 ~ 20 | Biocompatible; meets dental standards | Dental crown models, orthodontic aligner prototypes |
| Resina dental/médica | Imported | 20 ~ 30 | FDA/CE certified; consistent biocompatibility | Implantes médicos, high-precision dental models |
| Special-Effect Resin (fluorescent) | Domestic | 3 ~ 7 | Glows in dark; good detail | Piezas decorativas, custom figurines |
| Special-Effect Resin (metálico) | Imported | 5 ~ 10 | Metallic finish; resistente al desgaste | High-end display models, prototipos de joyería |
3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce the Cost of 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin
No tienes que sacrificar la calidad para ahorrar dinero. Try these strategies to lower your resin costs:
(1) Choose Domestic Brands for Non-Critical Parts
Domestic resins (P.EJ., eSUN, Zhongshan Blue Whale) have performance levels close to imported ones but cost 30–50% less. Para piezas no críticas (P.EJ., prototype drafts), they’re an excellent choice. Por ejemplo, using a domestic general-purpose resin (0.8 RMB/gramo) instead of an imported one (2 RMB/gramo) salvamentos 60% por gramo.
(2) Buy in Bulk (or Join Group Buys)
If you use resin regularly, order 10kg+ to get 20–50% discounts. If your needs are small, join industry group buys (P.EJ., via 3D printing forums) to pool orders and qualify for bulk pricing. A 10kg order of domestic high-toughness resin (original 5 RMB/gramo) drops to 2.5–4 RMB/gram with a 20–50% discount.
(3) Prioritize General-Purpose Resins
Only use special-functional resins (P.EJ., dental, fluorescent) when necessary. Para la mayoría de los prototipos, general-purpose resin (0.5–3 RMB/gram) funciona perfectamente. Por ejemplo, a display model doesn’t need heat-resistant resin—using a standard transparent resin saves 50–80% vs. a high-performance one.
(4) Optimize Resin Usage
Reduce waste by optimizing your 3D prints:
- Design lightweight parts: Use hollow structures or lattice infills to cut resin use by 15–30%.
- Calibrate your printer: Proper exposure settings prevent over-curing (which wastes resin) and under-curing (which ruins parts, requiring reprints).
- Reuse uncured resin: Collect excess resin from the build plate and return it to the bottle (if clean) to avoid waste.
4. Key Precautions When Buying 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin
To avoid overpaying or buying unsuitable resin, keep these precautions in mind:
(1) Check Printer Compatibility
Not all resins work with all 3D printers. Por ejemplo, some resins are designed for DLP printers, while others work with SLA printers. Using incompatible resin leads to poor prints (wasting money) or even printer damage. Always confirm compatibility with your printer model before purchasing.
(2) Verify Certification for Special Use Cases
For medical/dental parts, ensure the resin has relevant certifications (P.EJ., ISO 10993 para biocompatibilidad, FDA approval). Uncertified resin may be cheaper but poses safety risks (P.EJ., skin irritation or toxicity) and fails to meet industry standards.
(3) Check Storage & Shelf Life
Photosensitive resin degrades when exposed to light or heat. Buy only as much as you can use within 6 meses (the typical shelf life after opening) to avoid wasting expired resin. Store resin in a cool, dark place and seal the bottle tightly after use.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin Pricing
En la tecnología yigu, creemos Balanceando el rendimiento y el costo is the key to choosing photosensitive resin. Many clients overspend by using high-end imported resin for non-critical parts—for example, buying Formlabs resin (2–3 RMB/gram) for simple prototypes when domestic eSUN resin (0.8–1.5 RMB/gram) works just as well. Our team helps clients match resin to their needs: for dental models, we recommend certified domestic resin (10–20 RMB/gram) to save 30–50% vs. imported options; para piezas industriales, we suggest domestic high-toughness resin (2–5 RMB/gram) to cut costs without sacrificing durability. We also assist with bulk ordering, helping small clients join group buys to access 20–50% discounts. Our goal is to help clients get the right resin at the right price.
Preguntas frecuentes
- Why is dental-grade photosensitive resin so expensive (10–30 RMB/gram)?
Dental resin requires strict biocompatibility (to avoid harming oral tissue) y alta precisión (to match tooth shapes). It undergoes expensive testing and certification (P.EJ., ISO 10993), and its formulation uses high-quality, non-toxic ingredients—all of which drive up the price.
- Can I mix different brands of photosensitive resin to save money?
No, no se recomienda mezclar marcas. Diferentes resinas tienen diferentes composiciones químicas. (P.EJ., proporciones de monómeros, fotoiniciadores), lo que puede provocar un curado deficiente (resultando en piezas débiles o deformadas), separación de resina, o incluso daños al tanque de resina de su impresora. Cíñete a una marca para obtener resultados consistentes.
- ¿Es más barato comprar resina en botellas grandes? (P.EJ., 5kilos) VS. botellas pequeñas (P.EJ., 1kilos)?
Sí, las botellas grandes tienen un precio más bajo por gramo.. Por ejemplo, una botella de 1 kg de resina doméstica de uso general cuesta 1,000 RMB (1 RMB/gramo), mientras que una botella de 5 kg cuesta 4,000 RMB (0.8 RMB/gramo)-a 20% descuento. Sin embargo, only buy large bottles if you can use the resin within its shelf life (6 months after opening) to avoid waste.