Resin vs FDM for Miniatures: What Actually Matters
We print our whole catalog on both technologies before release, so this comparison comes from failure logs, not spec sheets.
Detail: resin wins, but less than it used to
At 32mm, an MSLA resin printer resolves chainmail links, teeth and fingertips that a 0.4mm FDM nozzle simply averages away. That said, a modern FDM with a 0.2mm nozzle at 0.08mm layers produces tabletop minis that look great from arm's length — where minis actually live. If you paint competitively or photograph your figures, resin. If they fight on a grid, FDM is fine.
Durability: FDM wins outright
PLA minis bounce off the floor; standard resin minis snap at ankles and spear shafts. For pieces that travel to game night weekly, FDM or a tough/ABS-like resin mix is the practical answer. Thin-weapon sculpts — like our spearman — survive best in FDM or flexible resin blends.
Cost and mess
FDM: ~$0.10-0.30 of PLA per mini, zero cleanup. Resin: ~$0.30-0.60 per mini plus isopropyl alcohol, gloves, filters and a wash-and-cure routine. Resin is also a skin sensitizer and needs ventilation — a real consideration in an apartment.
Our baseline settings
- Resin (32mm): 0.05mm layers, 1.8-2.5s exposure (calibrate with a cones test), light-to-medium supports, tilt 20-30°.
- FDM (32mm): 0.12mm layers, 0.4 nozzle (0.2 if you have one), 10-15% gyroid infill, tree supports, 45mm/s outer walls.
The actual answer
Own one printer? A $200 MSLA resin machine is the miniature specialist. Print terrain too? FDM earns its place fast — buildings like our haunted house print beautifully in PLA where resin would cost a fortune. Both parks? Resin for heroes and bosses, FDM for hordes and scenery. Every STL here ships watertight and tested on both.