Resin 3D Figurines Printing Guide: Tips and Techniques

Turning a digital model into a physical object is a fascinating process, especially when it comes to figurine detailed. Whether you're a board game enthusiast, collector or artist, 3D resin printing opens up a world of creative possibilities. Let's be honest, who wouldn't want to bring their favorite characters to life in amazing detail?

This guide is designed to help you understand how everything works, from choosing the right technology to the final painting. You will discover why resin printing is ideal for figurine, what the post-processing steps are and how you can get professional-looking results.

Why Choose Resin Printing for Figurines?

There are several 3D printing technologies, but when it comes to fine detail, resin printing (stereolithography or SLA) is unrivaled. Think of it as a high-precision digital sculptor. Instead of depositing layers of molten plastic, as FDM printers do, SLA technology uses a light source (a laser or LCD screen) to cure the liquid resin layer by layer.

This process allows the creation of figurine with smooth surfaces and incredibly fine details. Here are the main advantages:

• Exceptional resolution: You can reproduce complex textures, subtle facial features and tiny accessories that would be lost on other printers.
• Smooth surfaces: The print layers are almost invisible, which means less sanding work and a much cleaner final look.
• Variety of materials: Figurine resin is available in standard and ABS-like versions, so you can choose the right material for durability and quality, tailored to your model's needs. In short, if you want every detail of your digital model to be reflected in the physical object, resin printing is the way to go.

How to Turn a Printed Figurine into a Work of Art

Printing is just the first step. The real magic happens in the post-processing stage, where a blank becomes a figurine finished, ready to be displayed. The process may seem complex at first, but once you understand the steps, it becomes a creative and rewarding routine.

Step 1: Cleaning and Removing Supports

Once the printing is finished, your figurine will be covered in liquid resin and have support structures attached. These supports are needed to support the model during printing.

1. Washing: First, dip the piece in a solvent, usually isopropyl alcohol (IPA), to remove excess resin. Use a special can or container with a lid and shake gently.
2. Removing supports: Once the piece is clean, use precision pliers to cut the supports. Do this carefully so as not to damage the surface of the figurine. It's like taking a piece out of a modeling kit - patience is key.

Step 2: Post-curing for ABS-like resin

After printing, figures made of ABS-like resin are not fully cured. For maximum hardness and strength, it is essential to expose the model to UV light. You can use a dedicated post-curing station, ideal if you want fast and uniform results. This step strengthens the structure of the piece and ensures that your figurine stands up well to use and handling.

Step 3: Sanding and Preparing for Painting

Even the best prints can have small imperfections or marks from the media.

• Sanding: Use fine-grit sandpaper (400, 800 or more) to smooth out any remaining marks. You can wet sand to reduce dust and get an even smoother surface.
• Priming: Applying a coat of primer is crucial. Primer helps the paint adhere better to the plastic surface and brings out the details, making painting much easier. Choose a special miniature primer, available as a spray. Apply it in thin, even coats.

Step 4: Painting the Figurine

This is where the real transformation begins! Painting makes each figurine come to life and stand out with detail and personality.

• Acrylic and airbrush paints: For ABS resin figures, we use acrylic paints for versatility and fast drying. Airbrush becomes the perfect ally when you want to achieve fine color transitions, spectacular gradients or special effects, as it allows for uniform and controlled application of shades on large or highly detailed areas.
• Basic techniques: Start by applying the base colors, either with a brush or airbrush, depending on the surface and the desired effect. For shadows you can use the "washing" technique (a thin, diluted layer to get into the details), and for highlights "dry brushing" (lightly touching the raised areas with a brush that is almost dry).

Each figurine painted gives you the chance to experiment and discover new styles and combinations. Don't hesitate to try different approaches, because this is the only way to achieve great results!

Choosing the Right Race for Your Project

We only use resin ABS for our projects and this we recommend.

Not all resins are the same. The right choice influences the final look, detail and durability of your figurine. Here is a comparison of the most commonly used types for figurines:

Creating figurine custom 3D resin printing is more affordable than ever. Although the process involves several steps, from cleanup to painting, the end result is a reward all its own. It's like having your very own miniature factory, capable of producing anything you can imagine, with a level of detail that previously only professionals could achieve.

Now that you have all the information you need, you're ready to get started.

We handle the whole process: from 3D modeling in Blender, to resin printing, to hand-painting the finest details. We want every client to be completely satisfied with the result, which is why we provide constant updates throughout the project. Choose a First, we do the 3D modeling in Blender based on the pictures sent by the customer, so each figurine is truly unique. Then choose a digital model, get your printer ready and let your creativity take shape. The world of personalized figurines is waiting for you!