If you’re using 3D printing for prototypes, dental models, 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/gram depending on type, brand, performance, 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. Below is a detailed breakdown of each factor, with real-world examples to illustrate their impact:
(1) Resin Type & Performance
Performance is the biggest driver of price. Resins are categorized by their functional use, and higher-performance options (e.g., heat-resistant, biocompatible) cost significantly more:
| Resin Category | Key Performance Traits | Price Range (RMB/gram) | Typical Applications |
| General-Purpose Resin | Basic detail, low heat resistance (≤60°C) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Ordinary prototypes, model making (e.g., toy parts) |
| High-Performance Resin | High toughness, heat resistance (60–120°C), wear-resistant | 3 ~ 10 | Industrial parts (e.g., small gears, electronic enclosures) |
| Special-Functional Resin | Biocompatible (dental/medical), optical grade, fluorescent | 10 ~ 50 | Dental models, medical implants, optical components |
Example: 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 | Price Range (RMB/gram) | Quality & Support Traits | Popular Brands |
| Domestic Brands | 0.5 ~ 5 | Performance close to imports; faster delivery | Zhongshan Blue Whale, eSUN, Huixiang |
| Imported Brands | 2 ~ 10 | Strict quality control; wider certification (e.g., FDA) | Formlabs, Stratasys, EnvisionTEC |
| High-End Medical/Dental Brands | 15 ~ 50 | Medical-grade certification (e.g., ISO 10993); biocompatible | 3D Systems (dental line), Formlabs BioMed |
Example: A domestic general-purpose resin costs 0.5–1.5 RMB/gram, while an imported general-purpose resin (e.g., 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 (e.g., packaging, logistics). The larger the order, the lower the price per gram:
| Purchase Volume | Price Discount (vs. Small Batches) | Example: Domestic General-Purpose Resin (Original Price: 1 RMB/gram) |
| Small Batch (<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 |
| Large Batch (>10kg) | 20 ~ 50% | 0.5 ~ 0.8 RMB/gram → Total for 20kg: 10,000 ~ 16,000 RMB |
Key Tip: Even if you don’t need 10kg immediately, ask suppliers about “cumulative orders” (e.g., 5kg now + 5kg in 3 months) to qualify for bulk discounts.
(4) Color & Special Effects
Standard colors are cheaper, while custom colors or special effects (e.g., metallic, fluorescent) add to the cost:
| Color/Effect Type | Price Range (RMB/gram) | Use Case Example |
| Standard Colors (white, black, transparent) | 0.5 ~ 3 | Basic prototypes, non-visible parts |
| Special Colors (translucent, gradient) | 2 ~ 5 | Aesthetic parts (e.g., display models) |
| Special Effects (fluorescent, metallic) | 3 ~ 10 | Decorative parts (e.g., custom figurines) |
Example: A transparent general-purpose resin costs 0.8 RMB/gram, 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 | Pros | Cons |
| Official Brand Stores/Platforms | High | Quality assurance; after-sales support | Higher prices; no negotiation for small orders |
| Direct Manufacturer | Medium-Low | Bulk discount negotiation; fresh stock | Minimum order quantity (often ≥1kg) |
| Third-Party Distributors | Medium | 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:
| Resin Type | Brand Origin | Price Range (RMB/gram) | Key Features | Applicable Scenarios |
| General-Purpose Resin | Domestic | 0.5 ~ 1.5 | Easy to print; good detail for basic use | Toy prototypes, simple model making |
| General-Purpose Resin | Imported | 1.5 ~ 3 | Consistent quality; wider printer compatibility | High-detail non-functional parts |
| High-Toughness Resin | Domestic | 2 ~ 5 | Impact-resistant; suitable for functional parts | Small gears, electronic housing prototypes |
| High-Toughness Resin | Imported | 4 ~ 8 | Industrial-grade durability; heat-resistant | Industrial functional parts (e.g., sensor brackets) |
| Dental/Medical Resin | Domestic | 10 ~ 20 | Biocompatible; meets dental standards | Dental crown models, orthodontic aligner prototypes |
| Dental/Medical Resin | Imported | 20 ~ 30 | FDA/CE certified; consistent biocompatibility | Medical implants, high-precision dental models |
| Special-Effect Resin (fluorescent) | Domestic | 3 ~ 7 | Glows in dark; good detail | Decorative parts, custom figurines |
| Special-Effect Resin (metallic) | Imported | 5 ~ 10 | Metallic finish; wear-resistant | High-end display models, jewelry prototypes |
3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce the Cost of 3D Printing Photosensitive Resin
You don’t have to sacrifice quality to save money. Try these strategies to lower your resin costs:
(1) Choose Domestic Brands for Non-Critical Parts
Domestic resins (e.g., eSUN, Zhongshan Blue Whale) have performance levels close to imported ones but cost 30–50% less. For non-critical parts (e.g., prototype drafts), they’re an excellent choice. For example, using a domestic general-purpose resin (0.8 RMB/gram) instead of an imported one (2 RMB/gram) saves 60% per gram.
(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 (e.g., via 3D printing forums) to pool orders and qualify for bulk pricing. A 10kg order of domestic high-toughness resin (original 5 RMB/gram) drops to 2.5–4 RMB/gram with a 20–50% discount.
(3) Prioritize General-Purpose Resins
Only use special-functional resins (e.g., dental, fluorescent) when necessary. For most prototypes, general-purpose resin (0.5–3 RMB/gram) works perfectly. For example, 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. For example, 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 (e.g., ISO 10993 for biocompatibility, FDA approval). Uncertified resin may be cheaper but poses safety risks (e.g., 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 months (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
At Yigu Technology, we believe balancing performance and cost 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; for industrial parts, 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.
FAQ
- Why is dental-grade photosensitive resin so expensive (10–30 RMB/gram)?
Dental resin requires strict biocompatibility (to avoid harming oral tissue) and high precision (to match tooth shapes). It undergoes expensive testing and certification (e.g., 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 (e.g., monomer ratios, photoinitiators), 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 (e.g., 5kg) vs. small bottles (e.g., 1kg)?
Yes—large bottles have lower price per gram. For example, a 1kg bottle of domestic general-purpose resin costs 1,000 RMB (1 RMB/gram), while a 5kg bottle costs 4,000 RMB (0.8 RMB/gram)—a 20% discount. However, only buy large bottles if you can use the resin within its shelf life (6 months after opening) to avoid waste.