If you’re using 3D printing for prototypes, стоматологические модели, 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 юаней/грамм depending on type, бренд, производительность, 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. Ниже приведен подробный разбив каждого фактора, with real-world examples to illustrate their impact:
(1) Тип смолы & Производительность
Performance is the biggest driver of price. Resins are categorized by their functional use, and higher-performance options (НАПРИМЕР., теплостойкий, биосовместимый) cost significantly more:
| Категория смолы | Key Performance Traits | Ценовой диапазон (юаней/грамм) | Типичные приложения |
| General-Purpose Resin | Basic detail, low heat resistance (≤60°C) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Ordinary prototypes, model making (НАПРИМЕР., игрушечные детали) |
| Высокоэффективная смола | Высокая прочность, теплостойкость (60–120 ° C.), износостойкий | 3 ~ 10 | Промышленные детали (НАПРИМЕР., Небольшие шестерни, Электронные корпуса) |
| Special-Functional Resin | Биосовместимый (dental/medical), optical grade, fluorescent | 10 ~ 50 | Стоматологические модели, Медицинские имплантаты, Оптические компоненты |
Пример: 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 | Ценовой диапазон (юаней/грамм) | Качество & Support Traits | Popular Brands |
| Domestic Brands | 0.5 ~ 5 | Performance close to imports; быстрая доставка | Zhongshan Blue Whale, eSUN, Huixiang |
| Imported Brands | 2 ~ 10 | Строгий контроль качества; wider certification (НАПРИМЕР., FDA) | Формал, Страты, EnvisionTEC |
| High-End Medical/Dental Brands | 15 ~ 50 | Сертификация медицинского уровня (НАПРИМЕР., Iso 10993); биосовместимый | 3D Системы (стоматологическая линия), Формлабс БиоМед |
Пример: Отечественная смола общего назначения стоит 0,5–1,5 юаней/грамм., в то время как импортная смола общего назначения (НАПРИМЕР., Стандартная смола Formlabs) стоит 1,5–3 юаня/грамм — в 2–3 раза дороже..
(3) Purchase Volume
Покупка оптом открывает значительные скидки., поскольку поставщики снижают цены за единицу продукции, чтобы компенсировать постоянные затраты (НАПРИМЕР., упаковка, логистика). Чем больше заказ, тем ниже цена за грамм:
| Purchase Volume | Цена со скидкой (против. Маленькие партии) | Пример: Отечественная смола общего назначения (Первоначальная цена: 1 юаней/грамм) |
| Небольшая партия (<1кг) | 0% (Нет скидки) | 1 Юань/грамм → Итого за 1 кг: 1,000 юаней |
| Средняя партия (1–10 кг) | 10 ~ 20% | 0.8 ~ 0.9 Юань/грамм → Всего за 5 кг: 4,000 ~ 4,500 юаней |
| Большая партия (>10кг) | 20 ~ 50% | 0.5 ~ 0.8 Юань/грамм → Всего за 20 кг: 10,000 ~ 16,000 юаней |
Ключевой совет: Even if you don’t need 10kg immediately, ask suppliers about “cumulative orders” (НАПРИМЕР., 5kg now + 5kg in 3 месяцы) to qualify for bulk discounts.
(4) Цвет & Special Effects
Standard colors are cheaper, while custom colors or special effects (НАПРИМЕР., металлик, fluorescent) add to the cost:
| Color/Effect Type | Ценовой диапазон (юаней/грамм) | Пример варианта использования |
| Standard Colors (белый, черный, прозрачный) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Основные прототипы, non-visible parts |
| Special Colors (полупрозрачный, gradient) | 2 ~ 5 | Эстетические части (НАПРИМЕР., отображать модели) |
| Special Effects (fluorescent, металлик) | 3 ~ 10 | Декоративные детали (НАПРИМЕР., custom figurines) |
Пример: A transparent general-purpose resin costs 0.8 юаней/грамм, 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 | Плюс | Минусы |
| Official Brand Stores/Platforms | Высокий | Гарантия качества; after-sales support | Higher prices; no negotiation for small orders |
| Direct Manufacturer | Средний | Bulk discount negotiation; fresh stock | Minimum order quantity (often ≥1kg) |
| Third-Party Distributors | Середина | 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:
| Тип смолы | Brand Origin | Ценовой диапазон (юаней/грамм) | Ключевые функции | Применимые сценарии |
| General-Purpose Resin | Domestic | 0.5 ~ 1.5 | Легко печатать; good detail for basic use | Игрушечные прототипы, simple model making |
| General-Purpose Resin | Imported | 1.5 ~ 3 | Постоянное качество; wider printer compatibility | High-detail non-functional parts |
| High-Toughness Resin | Domestic | 2 ~ 5 | Воздействие; suitable for functional parts | Небольшие шестерни, electronic housing prototypes |
| High-Toughness Resin | Imported | 4 ~ 8 | Industrial-grade durability; теплостойкий | Industrial functional parts (НАПРИМЕР., Сенсорные кронштейны) |
| Dental/Medical Resin | Domestic | 10 ~ 20 | Биосовместимый; meets dental standards | Dental crown models, orthodontic aligner prototypes |
| Dental/Medical Resin | Imported | 20 ~ 30 | FDA/CE certified; consistent biocompatibility | Медицинские имплантаты, high-precision dental models |
| Special-Effect Resin (fluorescent) | Domestic | 3 ~ 7 | Glows in dark; Хорошие детали | Декоративные детали, custom figurines |
| Special-Effect Resin (металлик) | Imported | 5 ~ 10 | Metallic finish; износостойкий | High-end display models, jewelry prototypes |
3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce the Cost of 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin
Вам не нужно жертвовать качеством, чтобы сэкономить деньги. Try these strategies to lower your resin costs:
(1) Choose Domestic Brands for Non-Critical Parts
Domestic resins (НАПРИМЕР., eSUN, Zhongshan Blue Whale) have performance levels close to imported ones but cost 30–50% less. Для некритических частей (НАПРИМЕР., prototype drafts), they’re an excellent choice. Например, using a domestic general-purpose resin (0.8 юаней/грамм) instead of an imported one (2 юаней/грамм) спасение 60% за грамм.
(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 (НАПРИМЕР., via 3D printing forums) to pool orders and qualify for bulk pricing. A 10kg order of domestic high-toughness resin (original 5 юаней/грамм) drops to 2.5–4 RMB/gram with a 20–50% discount.
(3) Prioritize General-Purpose Resins
Only use special-functional resins (НАПРИМЕР., стоматологический, fluorescent) when necessary. Для большинства прототипов, general-purpose resin (0.5–3 RMB/gram) работает отлично. Например, 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. Например, 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 (НАПРИМЕР., Iso 10993 для биосовместимости, FDA approval). Uncertified resin may be cheaper but poses safety risks (НАПРИМЕР., 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 месяцы (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
В Yigu Technology, Мы верим баланс производительности и стоимости 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; Для промышленных частей, 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.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- Why is dental-grade photosensitive resin so expensive (10–30 RMB/gram)?
Dental resin requires strict biocompatibility (to avoid harming oral tissue) и высокая точность (to match tooth shapes). It undergoes expensive testing and certification (НАПРИМЕР., 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 (НАПРИМЕР., monomer ratios, Фотоинициаторы), 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 (НАПРИМЕР., 5кг) против. small bottles (НАПРИМЕР., 1кг)?
Yes—large bottles have lower price per gram. Например, a 1kg bottle of domestic general-purpose resin costs 1,000 юаней (1 юаней/грамм), while a 5kg bottle costs 4,000 юаней (0.8 юаней/грамм)—a 20% discount. Однако, only buy large bottles if you can use the resin within its shelf life (6 months after opening) to avoid waste.