When it comes to desktop 3D printers, many people immediately think of FDM printers extruding filament layer by layer, and for good reason. FDM printers are affordable and straightforward to use, and there are countless models to choose from. But what some people don’t realize is that resin printing is just as easy to understand, with the added benefit of creating beautifully detailed prints!
Resin printers create parts upside down, from a vat of resin, rather than a spool of filament, as with FDM. The resin is hardened with a light source, and the resulting prints are notably smooth, with barely visible layer lines. The process allows for very fine detail to be achieved, which makes resin-based printing the go-to technology for figurines and miniatures.
The majority of 3D models available online can be 3D printed by both FDM and resin printers, but resin can be superior when it comes to surface quality. Both technologies have their pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right one for your application.
We’ve scoured the internet for a list of the best things to print in resin. From decorative items to toys and miniatures, you’re sure to find your next printing project here. And if you’re looking for that smooth finish but don’t have a resin printer at home, check out Craftcloud by All3DP. With countless 3D printing partners around the world, you’ll have the perfect print delivered to your door in no time.
Now, let’s dive into the resin vat of these special prints!
Decorative Prints
First up, we have a few decorations to beautify your home. Decorative items can really benefit from resin printing’s capacity to print fine detail, and with a bit of post-processing, you’ll have stunning, shiny prints. Brighten up your decor, or surprise a friend with a gift of something home-printed!
Impossible Dragon
Remember the tensegrity craze from a couple of years ago? It’s back, in dragon form.
The print shown in the picture was printed on an Elegoo Saturn, a large-volume resin printer. The dragon is smoothly textured with no visible layer lines to sand away, and the wings are even translucent, an effect that an FDM printer could never pull off. The mountain the dragon’s about to land on looks like it was weathered out of rock, not extruded from a metal hot end, giving the whole thing a terrifying realism.
Compare this with some of the FDM-created community prints, and this model is perhaps the best illustration of the power of resin printing in this list.
- Who designed it? dreggory
- How printable/popular is it? 25 prints and 3 remixes of this model have been shared, and the range of makes show the incredible potential of the design.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Mini Mechanica
For centuries, clockwork has been considered the ultimate marriage of artistry and craftsmanship, requiring endless care and utilizing the finest materials like gold, titanium, and even rubies. MyMiniFactory user Mechanistic seeks to bring that mentality to the masses by creating 3D printable mechanisms that work on the same principle.
But what does that have to do with this list? Simple: the tiny parts and precision required for clockwork models are best achieved with resin. Resin printers don’t have extrusion issues, resin doesn’t shrink or expand in heat, and it can be printed solid with little waste. All of these factors mean that resin printers deliver more precise components that build a more reliable whole.
- Who designed it? Mechanistic
- How printable/popular is it? Over 10,700 makers have downloaded this so far, and many have shared their impressive builds.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Moon City
The moon inspires many stories thanks to its beauty and mystery. However, the greatest mysteries are those parts of the moon we cannot see. Many dreamers imagine what may be hidden on, or within, the moon like this imaginary city. It’s a great decorative model, and printed in a fine resolution on a resin 3D printer, its details really shine.
Resin 3D printing is the best choice for achieving transparent 3D prints. Besides the choice of technology and material, this maker placed the supports a little differently so as not to mark the surface. They scaled the model down and printed it on an Anycubic Photon Mono SE with a 0.025-mm layer height.
- Who designed it? kijai
- How printable/popular is it? Between both sites, this beautiful moon city shines with nearly 1,200 makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Lattice Structures
One of the best things about 3D printing is that it gives us the freedom to create intricate designs. Lattice structures are often used to fill functional parts with a complex, lightweight pattern. Yet, they are also beautiful in their own right. They are often used for practical applications in aerospace, sports, and medicine, but can also be used for decorative purposes.
With these models, you can experiment and see how they behave in different types of materials.
- Who designed it? RobotMama
- How printable/popular is it? With over 24,000 downloads and 12 shared makes, these structures are proving quite popular.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Shipwrecked Benchy
Everybody loves Benchy. Being a “benchmark” print, Benchy is a staple of home 3D printing. A combination of overhangs, bridges, curves, and fine details make this little model the perfect test of printer accuracy and machine settings, all in a tiny ship-shaped package. However, for makers looking for something a little more challenging, there’s this model!
The model in question shows an extremely detailed scene of a capsized Benchy with coral and other oceanic plants growing around it. This model is the ultimate in printer tests and a great way to showcase your abilities with your printer. Just remember, it’s all in the detail!
- Who designed it? DecoToast
- How printable/popular is it? The 23 makes and 1 remix are all from makers who wanted to mix up their Benchy!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Lotus
Printing clear or translucent objects is a challenge in FDM printing. Unless you use an expensive special filament, the multiple layers of hot plastic extruded on top of each other often lead to cloudy or opaque final prints. Resin printing allows for a much clearer final product at a much lower material price.
This delicate lotus flower consists of two separate parts: the stamen (orange color) and the flower itself (purple). The separate files allow you to mix and match color pairings, as the community prints show.
- Who designed it? DoritoMojito
- How printable/popular is it? There are two community prints posted, showing bold interpretations and color pairings, and over 825 people have added this to their favorites.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Hedgehog
Watch out for needles! The designer has listed this as a porcupine, but we think it really looks like a cute little hedgehog. This model is a tiny miniature with massive detail. A bit of paint goes a long way with this one, especially on the face.
The model is nice and clean, but be sure to use supports as minimally as possible, as they’ll be tricky to remove from the needles. This tiny model is another one that should only be attempted on a resin printer, as the sharp needles would be next to impossible with FDM!
Notre-Dame
Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) is an 800-year-old cathedral and one of the major landmarks of Paris. This Notre-Dame model isn’t as miniature as some other items on our list, but it’s definitely tiny compared to the real thing (and it can even be scaled smaller)!
At the moment, the cathedral is closed to the public after the fire in 2019, but while you can’t visit it, you can 3D print it! Interestingly, 3D scanning and even potentially 3D printing are being used in restoration efforts, so this is a fitting model to print at home.
- Who designed it? MiniWorld
- How printable/popular is it? This is a very popular model with nearly 48,500 downloads and 162,000 views to date. More than 25 users have shared their successful prints. The fine detail of this model makes it perfect for resin printing, though at least one user has also had success with an FDM printer.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Toys & Games
The smooth finish of resin is good for more than just decoration. It also makes for fun toys and game accessories! Whether you print these toys for the little or big kids in your life is entirely up to you.
Articulated Millipede
Everyone knows what real millipedes look like. To be honest, they’re not generally fun to play with. But if you add a cute face, scale them up a bit, and use some cool technology to create them in fun colors, you end up with something delightful!
This is an articulated millipede toy that prints in one piece (print-in-place style) on both resin and FDM printers. The designer has provided different versions of the file, depending on what type of printer you’re using. Both options are pictured above, but the smooth surface of the resin print really sets it above the PLA.
- Who designed it? loubie
- How printable/popular is it? 51 Thingiverse users have shared some incredible photos of their prints, and there are four remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Comic Sans Dice
A dice is just a dice, right? Wrong, dice are a key interactive part of many games. Resin 3D printing is a great choice for dice, given the need for fine details to print legible letters and symbols.
There are a lot of different creative possibilities, and this unapologetic maker went for the much-maligned Comic Sans font for these die models. So, go ahead and draw the ire of your highly opinionated friends at the next game night with these sorry, not sorry Comic Sans die.
- Who designed it? HZCustoms
- How printable/popular is it? This model has been downloaded nearly 580 times.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Newton's Cradle
Who doesn’t love the satisfaction of a ticking Newton’s cradle? This nice toy is a working model of a real Newton’s cradle. It shows the concept fine, but the designer notes that the balls don’t have enough mass to bounce for a long time.
This cool toy is printed in two parts: the base and the arms. Just be careful during assembly, as the resin-printed parts can be brittle.
- Who designed it? cschwenke8
- How printable/popular is it? The design has over 760 likes and 4,400 downloads. No one has shared a photo of their print as yet, but you could be the first!
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Dice Tower
Dice towers are pretty common for FDM prints. They’re large, blocky, and given the right post-processing, can take a coat of paint to look great. But what if you’ve invested in a resin printer for minis, and still want to randomize your dice rolls?
This beautiful model is sized for the original Elegoo Mars, meaning that most resin printers should be able to support it, particularly if they’re newer. You can even mix and match resins such as Cults user ximoc did (pictured above) to create a unique tower of your own!
- Who designed it? wylerb05
- How printable/popular is it? The model has been downloaded over 10,000 times in total, and you can find 7 makes on Cults and 19 makes on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Cults, Thingiverse
Crystal Chess Set
Whether it’s as a gift or for yourself, a chess set is an ideal project for a resin printer. This chess set, in particular, was designed to be printed in clear resin for a crystalline look. The rook piece is a tower of four diamond shapes, and the bishop is a swirling crystal sphere.
The author suggests using supports for the bishop piece, while the others can print without supports. One user suggests hollowing the models, as the resin inside the pieces can interfere with curing.
- Who designed it? ChaosCoreTech
- How printable/popular is it? This has been successfully printed eight times, with a further five remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Media & Miniatures
While it’s possible to print miniatures with FDM, most people think of using resin first. The potential for minute detail is unmatched in a desktop 3D printer!
Miniatures are great to print, either for gaming or as cool collectibles. Here, we’ve got some very diverse models to print, inspired by characters in movies, TV, and games.
Red Dragon
Anyone who has played the Monster Hunter games has heard of the Red Dragon. This vicious beast is the bane of many hunters’ existences. Those who have slayed this monster will be happy to find that they can print out a trophy of the beast to commemorate their hunt. While credit for this amazing model goes to PittRBM, AlienBard was able to make it printable with resin printers.
This model is very detailed and very large. The designer has split it up into sizeable chunks to make printing easier, though you will need to assemble everything after printing. Pieces contain connecting pins to allow everything to fit without glue.
- Who designed it? AlienBard
- How printable/popular is it? Over 5,000 people have downloaded this amazing model, with 12 choosing to share their makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Hogwarts Music Box
One of the best parts of resin printing is the ability to print objects as highly detailed miniatures. This music box is a great example: the entire castle of Hogwarts, with each distinct tower and building, at a smaller scale than most official merchandise.
There are four major components to this model, each printed separately: the castle, the grounds (painted green), the music box itself (not pictured), and a drawer for placing the music machine into. While the creator could have simply created a plain box, they went the extra mile and decorated it with the Hogwarts crest on the front and back. There’s also a nice surprise for the person that opens the drawer.
The creator suggests a 0.05-mm resolution for all pieces. Make sure to support the castle as needed, though the rest of the model should print flat to the build plate.
- Who designed it? falloutboy2015
- How printable/popular is it? 14 people have printed this design and posted pictures, and there’s one remix.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Dark Knight Sergent
Sometimes it feels like resin printing was invented to create Warhammer miniatures. This Dark Knight Sergent was carefully crafted from some choice models, with all of the components coming together to make a stunning figure. This model in particular is pre-supported specifically for resin printing.
You can find all of the settings the original creator used to print this model in its description. These settings are tuned for an Elegoo Mars printer, though you should be able to get similar results on any printer using a resin suitable for miniatures.
Wonder Woman
This dramatic model of Wonder Woman was inspired by an illustration by artist Jun Chiu.
The design prints in seven parts, so some assembly is required. Depending on the size of your printer, you should be able to print a couple of pieces at a time. The designer has provided photos of the printing process and assembly to get you started.
- Who designed it? irsculpts
- How printable/popular is it? This model has over 5,700 downloads and over 28,000 views. One maker has shared an impressively painted print that was made with an Elegoo Mars.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Venom Statue
This Venom statue is a highly detailed model that you would be hard-pressed to print in FDM. The model has been optimized for resin printing as well, scaled appropriately, and hollowed out to save on resin. The base gives the figure good adhesion for easier printing as well.
The six makes showcase just how printable this figure is. The level of detail present in this model makes it worthy of some paint to bring out its best features. Browse the makes for some creative paint jobs!
- Who designed it? lordunborn
- How printable/popular is it? This model is currently sitting at 12,000 downloads, with 6 makes showing various paint jobs.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Alien - Xenomorph
Alien first premiered in 1979, but it remains a legendary film. Who can forget the terrifying xenomorph? This intergalactic predator conquered the cinema and the hearts of many science fiction lovers. Making this model on an FDM 3D printer might be an impossible challenge since the part has subtle details that need to be reproduced – like the teeth. However, these issues are not a problem for resin printers.
You can make xenomorph in any color of your choice or go for a translucent resin. The result will be so cool that you might even give up painting the model and leave it as is. Either way, you’ll be impressed by the amazing detail. This guy even has nails!
- Who designed it? 3bacak
- How printable/popular is it? With 55 makes and 5 remixes, this creature is colonizing the internet with its many fans.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
USS Equinox
Being a Star Trek fan requires a bit of free space! Ships, characters, and a multitude of collectibles can create clutter on your shelf. The good news is this miniature ship won’t take up too much room. Printing it in resin shows off the fine detail and delicate parts.
The designer printed the ship successfully on his Elegoo Mars 2 resin printer, maintaining all the surface details of the ship.
- Who designed it? Alby312
- How printable/popular is it? Even though it’s a relatively new model, this famous ship has already been downloaded 440 times and received 50 likes.
- Where to find it? Printables
Millennial Falcon
The legendary Millennium Falcon is an amazing ship that every Star Wars fan would love to own. Now, you can print one, or just about! Designer aaskedall created their own version, the Millennial Falcon, described as a “Millennium Falcon fan sculpt”. The model’s surface was designed based on physical models from Episode IV, and its incredible detail has been highly praised. A maker who printed the model said it’s by far the most detailed model they’ve found out there.
While it’s possible to print this model on an FDM machine, the designer uploaded a file specifically for resin 3D printers. As the details are extremely fine and delicate, you’ll need patience and care to remove the supports so as not to damage the model. For an incredible large-scale resin print of this model, check out 3D Printing Nerd’s video.
- Who designed it? aaskedall
- How printable/popular is it? The file for resin printing has been downloaded over 11,000 times, and 6 makes show that it’s an excellent choice.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Wolverine Skull Bust
Whether you enjoyed the early comics or are a fan of the X-Men movies, this bust of Wolverine would make a great addition to your desk. The head depicts Wolverine wearing his iconic mask while in his regenerative state.
The head comes with a stand that can be printed separately. The designer mentions that the model is printable in either FDM or resin. Although it would be a shame to not fully realize all of the detail that went into creating this model by printing it with filament. In any case, a nice paint job will really help bring this model to life.
- Who designed it? Kennethshawn1986
- How printable/popular is it? This may be a hidden gem, with only 40 downloads and a single make uploaded to Cults.
- Where to find it? Cults
Metal Slug
Anyone familiar with Metal Slug knows this little tank is a great friend in battle, capable of crouching in trenches to dominate the battlefield. Metal Slug was first released in 1996 for Neo-Geo, and the tank’s name is “Super Vehicle SV-001”. After its great success, several sequels and variations of the game were released. The last version was made in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and Windows.
This tank has many makes in different colors and designs, so it’s likely that you’ll find some inspiration here. Since it’s detailed and compact, this model is great for practicing painting your 3D models.
- Who designed it? nauseum
- How printable/popular is it? This amazing model has 48 makes and 4 remixes!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Workspace
Next, we have a few more practical items for you to print. From replacement keys for your keyboard to a scalable spool holder, these handy designs look amazing with the smooth finish of a resin print!
Faucet Aerator
Depending on the aerator in your faucet spout, the jet of water may not be as pleasant as you’d like. Changing it could bring a greater sense of comfort. This selection of six different types of aerators can help.
The models are perfect for resin 3D printing given the fine mesh details. As it will be made of plastic and not metal, it can be soaked in vinegar or another acid for problem-free descaling.
It’s worth remembering that 3D printing materials can be toxic, and resin is not typically considered food safe. So, these resin-printed aerators would be best used on a faucet that you don’t drink from.
- Who designed it? Area51
- How printable/popular is it? 14 makes have been shared so far.
- Where to find it? Printables
Tower of Pi
This penholder is formed from a spiraling string of the digits of pi. Maybe geeky, but it definitely makes an intricate design! The fine detail of this model requires special attention, which is why resin is the perfect material.
The designer has shared files for four printing options: There are two different heights and versions with and without an internal wall. The model shown above has a mesh-like structure suitable for resin printers, but there’s also an alternative with a solid internal wall that would be possible (though still difficult) for an FDM printer. This is going to be a long and challenging print, but the amazing results will be worth it.
- Who designed it? roman_hegglin
- How printable/popular is it? With 305 makes and 15 remixes, many makers have been up to the challenge of this tricky print, so there’s no reason you can’t print it, too!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Accessories Wall Mounts
Anyone with a 3D printer knows that keeping tools well-organized is important for avoiding messes and accidents. For example, when dealing with resin, you need gloves, a funnel, and other safety tools.
In this collection, you’ll find all the wall mount options for popular tools used in home 3D printing, such as a funnel, tweezers, spill tray, metal scraper, flush trim nippers, and a plastic scraper. You will definitely notice the difference when you’re organized, and everything’s in the right place.
- Who designed it? ajbax96
- How printable/popular is it? The parts of this kit have over 330 downloads in total and almost 150 likes, and it’s certainly helped a few makers: A few have already posted their photos!
- Where to find it? Printables
Keyboard Keycaps
These replacement keycaps for a mechanical keyboard were remixed from onebeartoe’s Cherry MX Keycaps. The original keys were designed for FDM and are not suitable for resin printing due to small cavities that are hard to clean after printing. The designer of this set modified the shape of the attachment for easier cleaning and post-processing.
This collection has 10 keycaps. In addition to a blank key, you can print symbols for play, Fn, mute, and some logos like Spotify, Slack, Virtualbox, and more!
- Who designed it? baze
- How printable/popular is it? This resin-specific remix has over 510 downloads, while the original design has over 7,000!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Spool Holder
This cool holder is designed to hold a spool of solder, but you could scale it for any other materials that come in reels. In addition to the 3D printed parts, you’re going to need some additional hardware: The metal pins are recycled from an old CD drive, and the wire guide is a paper clip. For the spool shaft, you’ll need a piece of threaded bar or a long screw.
The three files are printed on a resin printer without supports. Having no supports reduces the need for post-processing, but be careful when removing parts from the bed!
- Who designed it? Perinski
- How printable/popular is it? The designer printed this on an Anycubic Photon, and two other successful makes have been shared on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Precision Sanding Block
There are a million different sizes and styles of sanding blocks at the hardware store and online. Even on a website like Thingiverse, there are hundreds of options to choose from. What makes this model special is the low profile design and the rounded edges that make it perfect for fine detail work or any sanding job in a tight area. Sanding is often a critical step in post-processing, so one of these bad boys will make a great addition to your 3D printing toolbox.
The sanding block prints in four pieces and, when assembled, fits in the palm of your hand. The tool clamps a 1.5-inch strip of standard sandpaper down from the top using two small thumbscrews. The unique semi-flexible properties of resin combined with the structure of the sanding block make this the perfect tool for fine finishing of curved and flat objects.
- Who designed it? JustIgnorant
- How printable/popular is it? 43 makes and 7 remixes? It’s such a simple model but clearly very popular!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Accessories
Finally, the smooth surface of resin prints makes it perfect for jewelry and other accessories that will be worn and touched. Here are some ideas!
Ring of Sauron
In the lands of Mordor, right in the heart of the mountain Amon Amarth, the Dark Lord Sauron gave life to this powerful artifact to dominate Middle-earth. But you don’t need a volcano to forge your own ring of power! Since resin printers are more accurate than FDM printers for small parts, they’re perfect for making jewelry, like rings and earrings.
Plus, there are certain things you can only achieve with a resin printer, like lowercase letters on a ring. This mighty ring must be forged with the precision of resin. Surely this precious item will be in good hands. Just don’t let Gollem find it!
- Who designed it? 3DMN
- How printable/popular is it? With over 4,800 downloads, 42 makes (some of them made with FDM), and 2 remixes, this ring rules them all.
- Where to find it? Printables
Gear Earrings
This is a beautiful example of something delicate and useful you can make on your 3D printer using very little material. It also shows how smaller, detailed models like earrings are best printed with resin.
The author of this design wanted something to create something she could wear every day, and it seems she achieved this goal with these gearings. To finish the earrings, you’ll need a hook and a 6-mm ring to connect the two. The author provided two separate files: one with supports and one without.
- Who designed it? SconnieMakes
- How printable/popular is it? With nearly 200 downloads and 2 posted makes, it’s possible to make these earrings at home!
- Where to find it? Printables
Ring of Hircine
You may remember spotting Hircine’s Ring during a playthrough of one of the many The Elder Scrolls video games. The ring features some distinct designs that are present in the original model. The designer attempted printing this ring in PLA with subpar results, as its intricacy and size are better suited for resin.
The original model is scaled to print a ring of 2.1 cm diameter. Keep this in mind and scale the ring appropriately to your finger size. Before you wear it, be sure to clean the model sufficiently to avoid getting uncured resin on your hands.
- Who designed it? The_Main_Man
- How printable/popular is it? You’ll find that this ring has a little over 4,000 downloads, with a stunning make in translucent greenish-yellow resin.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Atreides Signet Ring
Straight from the sands of Arrakis, spice flows to increase the wealth of the empire, and the House of Atreides is responsible for governing and controlling its extraction. This model is a replica of the House of Atreides signet ring, and it’s perfect for cosplay or even collecting. With a resin 3D printer, you’re more likely to get the quality of detail shown in the photo above.
The designer has already oriented the model, and it’s ready to print. At 100% scale, it measures 24 x 29 x 25 mm. If you’re a big fan of Dune, the designer has other models, such as the pain box or the bull statue, for sale on their website.
- Who designed it? 3Demon
- How printable/popular is it? At least 17 makers stand behind House Atreides.
- Where to find it? Printables
Doctor Strange Sling Ring
Sling rings allow the wearers to open ports to anywhere in the world, and we dare anyone who has seen them in action in Doctor Strange movies to not want their own. Fortunately for cosplayers, now you can!
Thingiverse user mstewmakes created this screen-accurate model, which looks stunning in resin. Unfortunately, it doesn’t actually teleport the wearer. As far as we know.
- Who designed it? mstewmakes
- How printable/popular is it? There are 16 makes and 3 remixes of this impressive prop.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Eye of Agamotto
Some models, like this amulet, require excellent precision so that details are not lost or hours are not spent on adding the finishing touches. Inspired by the Dr. Strange movie, this amulet houses the Infinity Stone that controls time. It will undoubtedly be a perfect item to collect or use as an accessory for your Doctor Strange costume. But beware, it’s a simple spell, yet unbreakable!
To achieve the shine seen in the photo above, you can use translucent filament and a small LED with a battery. It will take some effort to recreate the Infinity Stone; unfortunately, it’s not included. But don’t worry, you won’t need to defeat Thano to get it. You can use a small green stone (one maker took theirs from a board game).
- Who designed it? Laci_Legath
- How printable/popular is it? With 13 shared makes and 1 remix, you too can become a supreme wizard by printing this amulet.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
License: The text of "Resin Prints: 35 Best Resin Printer Files of 2024" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.