Guide · 2026
Resin vs FDM: which 3D printing technology is right for your part?
Should I print my part in resin or in FDM?
Choose resin when detail matters and FDM when strength, size or price matter more. Resin (MSLA, DLP or SLA) gives sub-millimetre detail and a smooth surface, which is why miniatures, figures, busts and jewellery are almost always printed in it. FDM, which melts plastic filament layer by layer, is cheaper per part, makes large parts easily and offers tough engineering materials such as PETG, ABS and ASA, so it's the usual choice for spare parts, brackets, cases and prototypes. As a guide, a 28 mm resin miniature costs between €8 and €23, and a small FDM spare part about €10, excluding VAT and shipping.
Resin and FDM side by side
The two technologies solve different problems. This is how they compare on what usually decides the choice:
| Resin (MSLA, DLP, SLA) | FDM (filament) | |
|---|---|---|
| Detail | Very fine: faces, engraving, thin parts | Visible layers; fine detail is limited |
| Surface | Smooth, almost no layer lines | Layer lines; sanding needed for a smooth finish |
| Strength | Standard resin is brittle; tough or ABS-like resin for parts that get handled | Tough and functional: PETG, ABS, ASA, nylon, TPU |
| Size | Small to medium; big parts are printed in pieces | Large parts in one go |
| What sets print time | The height of the part, not how many fit on the plate | The amount of material: every gram adds time |
| Post-processing | Washing, curing and removing supports: about 30 minutes per job | Removing supports and cleaning: about 15 minutes per job |
| Material cost | About €17/kg, plus 25% extra for supports | About €13/kg |
| Typical parts | Miniatures, figures, busts, jewellery and detailed prototypes | Spare parts, brackets, cases, scenery, prototypes, cosplay |
A quick rule for choosing
Choose resin if…
- The part will be looked at up close or painted.
- It's small and detailed: miniatures, figures, busts, jewellery.
- You need a smooth surface without sanding.
Choose FDM if…
- The part has to work: hold weight, clip in, take knocks.
- It's large, or you need many of them cheaply.
- It will be outdoors (ASA) or needs to flex (TPU).
Which resin or filament to ask for
Within each technology, the material matters as much as the machine. The ones makers propose most often:
- Standard resin: the most detail and the lowest price, but brittle. Fine for display pieces; a gaming miniature made of it breaks if it falls off the table.
- Tough or ABS-like resin: slightly more flexible, so thin swords and spears survive handling. The usual choice for miniatures you play with.
- PETG: the default for functional parts. Strong, good for everyday use and reliable to print.
- ABS and ASA: tougher against knocks and heat, and ASA also resists sunlight; but they need an enclosed printer, which not every maker has.
- TPU: flexible parts such as seals, bumpers and grips.
- PLA: cheap and easy, but only for parts with no load and no heat: it softens in a hot car or a sunny window.
Resin vs FDM: what it costs
Ballpark prices for the whole job, excluding VAT and shipping, from the Fabrishare calculator. FDM is usually cheaper because filament costs less and the part needs less work afterwards.
| Part | Technology | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 mm miniature | Resin | €8 – €23 | — |
| 75 mm bust | Resin | €15 – €40 | €25 |
| Small spare part (bracket, clip) | FDM | €6 – €17 | €10 |
| Medium case or cover | FDM | €7 – €19 | €12 |
What people actually ask for
Of the 110 registered requests in the Fabrishare network between May and October 2026, 48 asked for resin, 16 for FDM and 46 left the choice to the maker. Leaving it open is a perfectly good option: say what the part is for, and the maker will propose the technology and material that fit.
Get offers in resin or FDM
- 1Upload your STL and switch between resin and FDM to see how the price changes.
- 2Post the project for free and say what the part is for, or leave the technology to the maker.
- 3Get offers within 24–48 hours with the technology, material, price and lead time.
Questions about resin and FDM
Is resin or FDM better?
Neither is better overall. Resin is better for detail and smooth surfaces (miniatures, figures, jewellery); FDM is better for strong, large or cheaper parts (spare parts, cases, prototypes).
Which is cheaper, resin or FDM?
FDM, almost always. Filament costs less (about €13/kg against €17/kg for resin) and the part needs less post-processing. A small FDM part costs about €10; a 75 mm resin bust about €25.
Is resin strong enough for functional parts?
Standard resin isn't: it's brittle. Tough and ABS-like resins handle knocks better, but for parts that bear load or heat, FDM in PETG, ABS or ASA, or nylon in SLS or MJF, is the safer choice.
Can FDM print miniatures?
It can, but the layers show and fine details such as faces get lost at 28–32 mm. For miniatures and figures, resin gives a much better result for a similar price.
Why do makers often propose PETG instead of ABS?
ABS needs an enclosed printer at a controlled temperature to print well, and not every maker has one. PETG is strong enough for most functional parts and prints reliably, so it's the usual proposal.
What if I don't know which to choose?
Leave it open in your project and say what the part is for: whether it will be handled, painted, kept outdoors or put under load. The maker proposes the technology and material.