If you’re using 3D printing for prototypes, modelos dentários, 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/grama depending on type, brand, desempenho, 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. Abaixo está um detalhamento detalhado de cada fator, with real-world examples to illustrate their impact:
(1) Tipo de resina & Desempenho
Performance is the biggest driver of price. Resins are categorized by their functional use, and higher-performance options (Por exemplo, resistente ao calor, Biocompatível) cost significantly more:
| Resin Category | Key Performance Traits | Faixa de preço (RMB/grama) | Aplicações típicas |
| General-Purpose Resin | Basic detail, low heat resistance (≤60°C) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Ordinary prototypes, model making (Por exemplo, peças de brinquedo) |
| High-Performance Resin | Alta tenacidade, Resistência ao calor (60–120 ° C.), resistente ao desgaste | 3 ~ 10 | Peças industriais (Por exemplo, engrenagens pequenas, gabinetes eletrônicos) |
| Special-Functional Resin | Biocompatível (dental/medical), optical grade, fluorescent | 10 ~ 50 | Modelos dentários, implantes médicos, componentes ópticos |
Exemplo: 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 | Faixa de preço (RMB/grama) | Qualidade & Support Traits | Popular Brands |
| Domestic Brands | 0.5 ~ 5 | Performance close to imports; entrega mais rápida | Zhongshan Blue Whale, eSUN, Huixiang |
| Imported Brands | 2 ~ 10 | Controle de qualidade estrita; wider certification (Por exemplo, FDA) | Formlabs, Stratasys, EnvisionTEC |
| High-End Medical/Dental Brands | 15 ~ 50 | Medical-grade certification (Por exemplo, ISO 10993); Biocompatível | 3D sistemas (dental line), Formlabs BioMed |
Exemplo: A domestic general-purpose resin costs 0.5–1.5 RMB/gram, while an imported general-purpose resin (Por exemplo, 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 (Por exemplo, embalagem, logística). The larger the order, the lower the price per gram:
| Purchase Volume | Price Discount (vs.. Pequenos lotes) | Exemplo: Domestic General-Purpose Resin (Preço original: 1 RMB/grama) |
| Pequeno lote (<1kg) | 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 (>10kg) | 20 ~ 50% | 0.5 ~ 0.8 RMB/gram → Total for 20kg: 10,000 ~ 16,000 RMB |
Dica chave: Even if you don’t need 10kg immediately, ask suppliers about “cumulative orders” (Por exemplo, 5kg now + 5kg in 3 meses) to qualify for bulk discounts.
(4) Cor & Special Effects
Standard colors are cheaper, while custom colors or special effects (Por exemplo, metálico, fluorescent) adicionar ao custo:
| Color/Effect Type | Faixa de preço (RMB/grama) | Use exemplo de caso |
| Standard Colors (branco, preto, transparente) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Protótipos básicos, non-visible parts |
| Special Colors (translúcido, gradient) | 2 ~ 5 | Partes estéticas (Por exemplo, Modelos de exibição) |
| Special Effects (fluorescent, metálico) | 3 ~ 10 | Peças decorativas (Por exemplo, custom figurines) |
Exemplo: A transparent general-purpose resin costs 0.8 RMB/grama, 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 | Prós | Contras |
| Official Brand Stores/Platforms | Alto | Garantia de qualidade; after-sales support | Higher prices; no negotiation for small orders |
| Direct Manufacturer | Médio-baixo | Bulk discount negotiation; fresh stock | Minimum order quantity (often ≥1kg) |
| Third-Party Distributors | Médio | 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 | Faixa de preço (RMB/grama) | Principais recursos | Applicable Scenarios |
| General-Purpose Resin | Domestic | 0.5 ~ 1.5 | Fácil de imprimir; good detail for basic use | Protótipos de brinquedo, simple model making |
| General-Purpose Resin | Imported | 1.5 ~ 3 | Qualidade consistente; wider printer compatibility | High-detail non-functional parts |
| High-Toughness Resin | Domestic | 2 ~ 5 | Resistente ao impacto; suitable for functional parts | Engrenagens pequenas, electronic housing prototypes |
| High-Toughness Resin | Imported | 4 ~ 8 | Industrial-grade durability; resistente ao calor | Industrial functional parts (Por exemplo, Suportes de sensores) |
| Dental/Medical Resin | Domestic | 10 ~ 20 | Biocompatível; meets dental standards | Dental crown models, orthodontic aligner prototypes |
| Dental/Medical Resin | 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 | Peças decorativas, custom figurines |
| Special-Effect Resin (metálico) | Imported | 5 ~ 10 | Metallic finish; resistente ao desgaste | High-end display models, jewelry prototypes |
3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce the Cost of 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin
Você não precisa sacrificar a qualidade para economizar dinheiro. Try these strategies to lower your resin costs:
(1) Choose Domestic Brands for Non-Critical Parts
Domestic resins (Por exemplo, eSUN, Zhongshan Blue Whale) have performance levels close to imported ones but cost 30–50% less. Para peças não críticas (Por exemplo, prototype drafts), they’re an excellent choice. Por exemplo, using a domestic general-purpose resin (0.8 RMB/grama) instead of an imported one (2 RMB/grama) salva 60% por grama.
(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 (Por exemplo, via 3D printing forums) to pool orders and qualify for bulk pricing. A 10kg order of domestic high-toughness resin (original 5 RMB/grama) drops to 2.5–4 RMB/gram with a 20–50% discount.
(3) Prioritize General-Purpose Resins
Only use special-functional resins (Por exemplo, dental, fluorescent) when necessary. Para a maioria dos protótipos, general-purpose resin (0.5–3 RMB/gram) Funciona perfeitamente. Por exemplo, 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%.
- Calibre sua impressora: 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 exemplo, 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 (Por exemplo, ISO 10993 para biocompatibilidade, FDA approval). Uncertified resin may be cheaper but poses safety risks (Por exemplo, 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
Na tecnologia Yigu, acreditamos equilibrando desempenho e custo 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) funciona tão bem. 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 peças industriais, 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.
Perguntas frequentes
- Why is dental-grade photosensitive resin so expensive (10–30 RMB/gram)?
Dental resin requires strict biocompatibility (to avoid harming oral tissue) e alta precisão (to match tooth shapes). It undergoes expensive testing and certification (Por exemplo, 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—mixing brands is not recommended. Different resins have different chemical compositions (Por exemplo, monomer ratios, Fotoinitiadores), which can cause poor curing (resulting in weak or deformed parts), resin separation, or even damage to your printer’s resin tank. Stick to one brand for consistent results.
- Is it cheaper to buy resin in large bottles (Por exemplo, 5kg) vs.. small bottles (Por exemplo, 1kg)?
Yes—large bottles have lower price per gram. Por exemplo, a 1kg bottle of domestic general-purpose resin costs 1,000 RMB (1 RMB/grama), while a 5kg bottle costs 4,000 RMB (0.8 RMB/grama)-um 20% desconto. No entanto, only buy large bottles if you can use the resin within its shelf life (6 months after opening) to avoid waste.