Resin 3D Printing Cost Calculator
Calculate the true cost of every resin print — material, FEP degradation, IPA wash, UV curing, and suggested selling price.
Resin
Check slicer estimate or bottle before/after
Standard: £20–28/L · ABS-like: £25–35/L
FEP Sheet
Typical: £8–15 per sheet
Typical: 80–120 prints
IPA Wash
Typical: 150–300ml per wash cycle
99% IPA: £5–12/L
Electricity
MSLA printers: 30–80W
Typical wash+cure station: 20–40W
Typical: 5–15 minutes
Pricing
5%
Resin failures are costly — factor them in
200%
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Enter resin volume above to see costs
Why resin printing costs more than the resin price
Most resin cost calculators only count the resin itself. In reality, every print costs more than that — the FEP sheet at the bottom of your vat degrades with every layer, you use 150–300ml of IPA (or wash solution) per print, and your UV curing station draws power for every cure cycle. For a typical 25ml print on an Elegoo Saturn or Anycubic Photon, consumable costs outside the resin can add 20–40% on top of material alone.
Resin cost by type (2026)
| Resin type | Cost per litre | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard MSLA | £18–25/L | Elegoo, Anycubic — most common |
| Water-washable | £22–32/L | No IPA needed — saves wash cost |
| ABS-like / tough | £25–38/L | Better impact resistance |
| Flexible / rubber | £30–45/L | Shore hardness varies widely |
| 8K / high detail | £28–45/L | Miniatures, dental models |
| Dental / biocompat. | £60–150/L | Certified resins for dental use |
Typical resin print cost examples
| Resin (ml) | Resin cost | Consumables | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28mm miniature | 3ml | £0.07 | £0.24 | £0.31 |
| Bust (15cm) | 35ml | £0.79 | £0.32 | £1.11 |
| DnD set (8 minis) | 24ml | £0.54 | £0.31 | £0.85 |
| Dental model | 20ml | £1.80 | £0.35 | £2.15 |
| Full plate print | 120ml | £2.70 | £0.45 | £3.15 |
Based on standard resin at £22/L, FEP at £12/100 prints, 200ml IPA at £8/L, 5% failure rate
Water-washable resin: does it save money?
Water-washable resin costs 20–40% more per litre than standard MSLA resin, but eliminates your IPA wash cost entirely. For a seller doing 5+ prints per day, IPA costs add up fast — at £8/L with 200ml per wash, that's £1.60 per print day on wash alone. Run the calculator both ways to see which is cheaper for your volume.
FAQ
How much does resin cost per ml?
Standard MSLA resin costs £0.020–0.035 per ml (£20–35 per litre). Budget resins like Elegoo Standard run around £0.018–0.022/ml. Water-washable and ABS-like resins typically cost £0.025–0.040/ml.
How long does an FEP sheet last?
A typical FEP sheet lasts 50–200 prints depending on print size, layer count, and resin type. Large full-plate prints wear FEP faster. Most hobbyists replace FEP every 80–120 prints.
How much IPA do I need per resin print wash?
A standard wash uses 150–300ml of IPA (or equivalent wash solution). Automated washers like the Elegoo Mercury Plus use around 200–250ml effectively per cycle.
Is resin printing cheaper than FDM filament?
Resin material cost is comparable to filament per gram, but resin printing has additional consumable costs — FEP sheets, IPA/wash solution, UV curing electricity, and nitrile gloves. For small detailed prints, total cost is similar; for large solid objects, FDM is usually cheaper.
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