If you’re using light curing 3D printing (e.g., SLA, DLP technologies) for prototypes, functional parts, or specialized components, understanding the cost per gram is critical for budgeting. Unlike FDM printing, light curing costs aren’t fixed—they range from 0.1 RMB/gram for basic applications to 10 RMB/gram for high-end, medical-grade parts. This guide breaks down the core cost drivers, provides practical references, shares cost-saving tips, and answers common questions to help you make informed decisions.
1. 5 Core Components of Light Curing 3D Printing Cost Per Gram
Light curing 3D printing cost per gram is a sum of tangible components, from raw materials to labor. Below is a detailed breakdown with real numbers to illustrate each part’s contribution:
(1) Resin Material Cost (The Largest Driver)
Resin type directly shapes the base cost—ordinary resins are affordable, while specialized options (e.g., dental, high-temperature) command premiums.
| Resin Category | Cost Per Gram (RMB/gram) | Key Characteristics | Typical Applications |
| Ordinary Resin | 0.02 ~ 0.05 | Low cost, basic detail; suitable for simple prototypes | Hobby models, non-functional display parts |
| High-Performance Resin | 0.05 ~ 0.2 | Heat-resistant (up to 120°C), engineering-grade (ABS-like, ductile) | Functional parts (e.g., small gears, electronic enclosures) |
| Special Functional Resin | ≥ 0.2 | Biocompatible, conductive, or fluorescent; meets industry certifications | Dental models, medical components, conductive sensors |
Example: A 200g ordinary resin part costs 4–10 RMB in material alone. The same part made with dental-grade resin costs ≥40 RMB—4–10x more.
(2) Equipment Depreciation & Energy Consumption
Light curing printers are more expensive than basic FDM machines, and their depreciation plus energy use adds to the per-gram cost.
| Cost Type | Cost Per Gram (RMB/gram) | Key Details |
| Equipment Depreciation | 0.05 ~ 0.2 | Industrial-grade SLA/DLP printers cost 10,000–1,000,000 RMB; depreciation is spread over 5–10 years |
| Energy Consumption | 0.01 ~ 0.05 | High-power UV light sources (30–100W) drive energy use; higher for large-format printers |
Key Note: Small desktop light curing printers (10,000–30,000 RMB) have lower depreciation costs (0.05–0.1 RMB/gram) than industrial machines (0.1–0.2 RMB/gram).
(3) Post-Processing Costs
Nearly all light curing parts need post-processing—cleaning, curing, and finishing—which adds 0.1–1.2 RMB/gram depending on complexity.
| Post-Processing Step | Cost Per Gram (RMB/gram) | Purpose |
| Cleaning (Isopropyl Alcohol) | 0.05 ~ 0.2 | Remove uncured resin from the part surface |
| Secondary Curing (UV/Oven) | 0.05 ~ 0.2 | Improve part strength and durability |
| Sanding/Polishing | 0.1 ~ 0.5 | Smooth surface roughness (Ra from 1μm to <0.5μm) |
| Spraying/Coating | 0.1 ~ 1.0 | Add protection (e.g., scratch resistance) or aesthetic effects (e.g., matte finish) |
Example: A 100g part needing cleaning + secondary curing costs 10–40 RMB in post-processing. Adding sanding and spraying raises this to 30–190 RMB.
(4) Labor & Service Fees
If you outsource to a service provider, labor (programming, operation, quality checks) can account for 50%+ of the total cost—especially for small batches or complex parts.
| Service Scenario | Cost Per Gram (RMB/gram) | Key Inclusions |
| Basic Service (Simple Parts) | 0.5 ~ 2.0 | 3D printing + basic post-processing (cleaning/curing) |
| Premium Service (Complex/High-Precision Parts) | 2.0 ~ 5.0 | Custom programming + fine post-processing (sanding/polishing) + quality inspection |
Example: A 50g simple part from a basic service costs 25–100 RMB. A 50g high-precision part from a premium service costs 100–250 RMB.
(5) Material Waste Cost
Light curing requires support structures, which increase resin use by 20–50%. This “waste cost” adds 0.004–0.1 RMB/gram to the total.
| Support Structure Density | Waste Rate | Added Cost Per Gram (RMB/gram) | Example (100g Part) |
| Low (Simple Parts) | 20 ~ 30% | 0.004 ~ 0.03 | 20–30g extra resin → 0.4–3 RMB added |
| High (Complex Parts) | 30 ~ 50% | 0.006 ~ 0.1 | 30–50g extra resin → 0.6–10 RMB added |
2. Total Light Curing 3D Printing Cost Per Gram: Scenario-Based Breakdown
To see how these components add up, below are three common scenarios—from low-cost prototypes to high-end specialized parts:
| Scenario | Resin Cost (RMB/gram) | Equipment/Energy (RMB/gram) | Post-Processing (RMB/gram) | Labor/Service (RMB/gram) | Total Cost Per Gram (RMB/gram) | Example (100g Part Total Cost) |
| Low-Cost Prototype (Ordinary Resin + Basic Post-Processing) | 0.02 ~ 0.05 | 0.05 ~ 0.1 | 0.1 ~ 0.4 | 0.5 ~ 2.0 | 0.1 ~ 0.5 | 10 ~ 50 RMB |
| Mid-Range Functional Part (High-Performance Resin + Standard Post-Processing) | 0.05 ~ 0.2 | 0.05 ~ 0.15 | 0.2 ~ 0.7 | 0.8 ~ 3.0 | 0.5 ~ 2.0 | 50 ~ 200 RMB |
| High-End Specialized Part (Special Resin + Complex Post-Processing) | ≥ 0.2 | 0.1 ~ 0.2 | 0.3 ~ 1.2 | 2.0 ~ 5.0 | 2.0 ~ 10.0 | 200 ~ 1,000 RMB |
3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce Light Curing 3D Printing Cost Per Gram
You don’t have to compromise on quality to lower costs. Try these strategies:
(1) Choose the Right Resin for Your Needs
- Use ordinary resin for non-functional prototypes (saves 75–90% vs. special resin).
- Reserve high-performance/special resin for parts that need their unique properties (e.g., heat resistance for engine components, biocompatibility for dental models).
(2) Optimize Support Structures to Reduce Waste
- Use software (e.g., Chitubox, Lychee Slicer) to generate minimal but effective supports—cut waste rate from 50% to 20%, saving 0.03–0.07 RMB/gram.
- Design self-supporting angles (≥45° for most resins) to eliminate the need for supports in some areas.
(3) Batch Print to Lower Labor/Service Fees
- Group small parts into a single print job—service providers often offer 20–40% discounts for batches of 10+ parts, reducing labor cost per gram by 0.5–1.5 RMB.
- For in-house printing, batch jobs reduce setup time, lowering equipment depreciation and labor costs.
(4) Skip Unnecessary Post-Processing
- For non-visible parts, skip sanding/polishing—save 0.1–0.5 RMB/gram.
- Avoid expensive coatings unless the part needs extra protection (e.g., outdoor use). Basic secondary curing is often sufficient for most indoor parts.
4. Key Precautions to Avoid Unexpected Costs
- Account for Material Waste: Always calculate 20–50% extra resin for supports—underestimating this can add 10–30% to the total cost.
- Check Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ): Service providers often have MOQs (e.g., 50g or 10 parts). Smaller orders may have a “minimum fee” (50–200 RMB) that inflates the per-gram cost.
- Compare Technologies for Simple Parts: If accuracy/surface quality isn’t critical, FDM printing (0.1 RMB/gram) is cheaper than light curing (0.1–0.5 RMB/gram) for basic prototypes.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Light Curing 3D Printing Cost Per Gram
At Yigu Technology, we believe balancing cost and performance is key to maximizing value from light curing 3D printing. Many clients overspend by using special resin for simple prototypes or over-processing non-critical parts—for example, using dental resin (≥0.2 RMB/gram) for a display model when ordinary resin (0.02–0.05 RMB/gram) works. Our team helps optimize costs: we recommend desktop printers (lower depreciation) for small-batch in-house use, design support structures to cut waste by 20–30%, and offer batch discounts for service clients (20–40% off for 10+ parts). For high-end needs, we prioritize cost-effective steps—e.g., using sanding instead of expensive coatings—to keep per-gram costs 10–15% lower than industry averages. Our goal is to make light curing accessible without sacrificing quality.
FAQ
- Why is light curing 3D printing more expensive per gram than FDM?
Light curing uses more costly materials (resin vs. PLA/ABS filaments) and requires specialized equipment (UV light sources) with higher depreciation. Post-processing (cleaning, secondary curing) is also mandatory for light curing, adding costs that FDM often avoids. For example, FDM PLA costs ~0.1 RMB/gram, while basic light curing costs 0.1–0.5 RMB/gram.
- How much does material waste affect the total cost per gram?
Material waste (from supports) adds 20–50% to resin use, increasing the effective material cost by 0.004–0.1 RMB/gram. For a 100g part with 50% waste, you need 150g of resin—raising material costs by 50%. Optimizing supports can cut this waste to 20%, reducing material costs by 30%.
- Can I reduce labor costs by doing light curing 3D printing in-house?
Yes—if you print regularly. In-house printing eliminates service provider labor fees (0.5–5 RMB/gram), though you’ll incur upfront equipment costs (10,000–30,000 RMB for desktop machines). For example, printing 1kg of parts in-house costs 100–500 RMB vs. 500–5,000 RMB from a service—saving 80–90% for large volumes.