Fast Resin (High Speed): What It Is and When to Use It in 2026

Hey there, maker! I'm Mr Resin. If you're into the world of 3D printing, you've surely heard about fast resin or high speed resin. It promises lightning-fast prints and, after thoroughly testing it, I can tell you it's not just marketing: it's a genuine revolution that can change the way you work.

Fast resin is a photopolymer formulated to cure with UV light in record time, generally between 1 and 2 seconds per layer, which allows printing up to 3 or 5 times faster than with standard resins.

What exactly is fast resin or high speed resin?

Fast resin, or high speed resin, is a photopolymer designed to cure (harden using ultraviolet light) much faster than standard resins. Its formula is optimised for modern 3D printers, which feature very powerful UV light sources and screens, making it possible to drastically reduce printing times.

The key to its speed isn't magic — it's pure chemistry and physics. In my experience, it all comes down to two factors: very low viscosity and extremely high chemical reactivity. Let me break it down for you!

The magic of low viscosity

Imagine that a standard resin is like honey. As the platform moves up and down, the dense resin takes a moment to level itself out again for the next layer. That small delay, multiplied across thousands of layers, turns into hours of waiting.

Now think of fast resin as water. It flows instantly. This allows the platform to move much faster, eliminating those precious lost seconds between layers. In my workshop I've confirmed that this fluidity also drastically reduces print failures caused by suction force (peel force), especially with large parts.

Chemical reactivity at full power

The other pillar is its chemical "recipe". Fast resins use photoinitiators that are like elite athletes: far more sensitive and efficient. In practice, they need much less exposure time to UV light in order to solidify.

If with a standard resin you need, for example, 3 seconds of exposure per layer, with a high speed resin you can bring that time down to just 1.5 seconds. That's half! Multiply those savings across the 2,000 layers of a figure and the time you gain is incredible.

Mr Resin's tip: If you're feeling curious and want to experiment, I recommend taking a look at our range of resins for 3D printers to see all the options. And if you really want to master the subject, I've put together a complete guide on the different types of resins for 3D printers that you'll find really useful.

What sets a fast resin apart from a standard resin?

The key difference between a high speed resin and a standard resin is its chemical formulation, fine-tuned to cure at full speed and flow with very low viscosity. This is achieved by adjusting the quantity and type of photoinitiators, the base viscosity and the pigmentation to get the most out of the latest generation of 3D printers.

Now I'm putting on my lab coat to share the secrets with you. Because no, it's not just about speed — it's the entire formula that changes.

A matter of chemistry and fluidity

Viscosity is key. Fast resins are much less dense, with a viscosity that typically falls between 100-200 mPa·s. A standard resin is more "sticky", hovering around 250-400 mPa·s.

What does that mean in practice? Fast resin settles almost instantly between layers. This allows your printer's Z-axis to move up and down at full speed without creating suction issues, drastically cutting down print times.

Another factor is pigmentation. Fast resins tend to have less pigment so that UV light penetrates without mercy, curing the layer in the blink of an eye.

Mr Resin's tip: Don't obsess over color. From experience, I can tell you that a light grey fast resin, like the Anycubic High Speed 2.0 Resin, gives you a fantastic balance between speed and the ability to see every last detail of your figures. It's one of my favorites!

Comparison Table: Fast Resin vs. Standard Resin

So you can see it all at a glance, I've put together this comparison table with the data that really matters day to day.

As you can see, the main advantage is a dramatic reduction in exposure time. The trade-off? Mechanical strength is sometimes sacrificed slightly, making them more rigid and somewhat more brittle. But for miniatures or prototypes, the strength is more than sufficient.

What 3D printer do I need to use high speed resin?

To get the most out of a high speed resin, you need a printer that's up to the task. Using it in an unprepared machine is like putting Formula 1 fuel in a regular car: it'll work, but you won't notice the brutal speed you're looking for. Speed is the result of a perfect pairing: the right resin with the right printer.

The secret lies in the monochrome LCD screen

The key component is the screen. You need a printer with a monochrome (mono) LCD screen and a powerful UV light source. Older printers with color (RGB) LCD screens simply don't have enough power to cure resin in the 1 or 2 seconds we need.

Mono screens let through up to 3 or 4 times more UV light. This intensity is what activates the photoinitiators in fast resin almost instantly. In addition, these screens are more durable. If you want to go deeper, I dedicate a good chunk to it in my guide on resin 3D printers.

Watch out for firmware and the slicer

Another detail that many people overlook: the printer's firmware and your slicing software (slicer) need to be ready to rock. There's no point curing a layer in 1.5 seconds if the platform takes forever to go up and down.

Modern printers built for high speed have motors that allow extremely fast lift movements, often exceeding 180 mm/min. Your slicer needs to have profiles that take advantage of these speeds.

In my experience, I can tell you that most resin printers launched from 2021 onwards, especially from brands like Anycubic or Elegoo, already come with mono screens and are more than ready. If you have a model from the Anycubic Photon range or the more recent Elegoo Mars, you're in luck.

Do I lose quality or detail by printing so fast?

This is the million-dollar question: do I have to sacrifice quality for speed? I'll be honest with you: there is a small trade-off, but in my experience, the loss of detail is minimal if you know what you're doing. The key is knowing when it matters and when it doesn't. After hundreds of prints, I can assure you that the difference is almost imperceptible for most projects.

The eternal debate: speed vs. definition

Let's set the scene. If your mission is to print a miniature for a high-level painting competition, a high-definition resin is still queen.

But what about the other 90% of projects? This is where high speed resin becomes your best ally:

• Functional prototypes: If you need to check a fit, speed is your priority. Extreme detail can wait.
• Large pieces and scenography: Printing a castle or a cosplay prop? The time savings are massive and a micron of difference in detail is something nobody will notice.
• Mass production: Need a hundred bases for your army? With fast resin you'll have them ready in an afternoon, not over a weekend.

I'm telling you from experience: the factor that will affect quality the most is not the resin, but how well-calibrated your profile is. Well-adjusted settings are the real secret.

How do I avoid losing detail?

The key is finding the sweet spot in your settings. Printing with a layer height of 0.05 mm is still incredibly fast with this resin and offers a perfect balance.

Don't forget to adjust the lift speed and wait times. To make it easy for you, I've put all my experience into the Anycubic settings guide, which is an ideal starting point. Technology is advancing at a dizzying pace and the new Anycubic resins have massively improved the speed/quality ratio.

Who is fast resin ideal for?

Fast resin is your best ally when the clock is ticking, especially for mass production and rapid prototyping. In my workshop, I use it constantly to streamline the workflow on projects where speed is more critical than extreme detail.

Prototypes at full speed: design and iteration in the fast lane

If you work in design or engineering, high speed resin is a total game-changer. Imagine designing a part in the morning, printing three variants before lunch, and having the final prototype by the afternoon. This speed lets you iterate without hesitation.

Mass production: the magic of multiplication

This is where fast resin really flexes its muscles. Need an army for a wargame or a batch of keychains for an event? The difference is enormous.

A practical example from my workshop: printing 100 25mm bases with a standard resin can take 8-10 hours. With a good fast 3D resin, like the Anycubic High Speed 2.0 Resin, that same job is done in under 3 hours. The time you save is massive.

Mr Resin's tip: My personal recommendation is to always keep a bottle of high speed resin on the shelf. Even if you don't use it for everything, in those "I need it right now!" moments it's going to be a lifesaver. To see how it fits into the bigger picture of materials, take a look at our guide on consumer resins for 3D printing.

What recommended print settings can I use?

Of course I wasn't going to leave you hanging! A Mr Resin guide isn't complete without a settings cheat sheet so you don't start blind. These are my personal settings to make your first print with high-speed resin a success.

Recommended starting settings list

Here are the values I typically use for a fast 3D resin. These are a starting point for a modern monochrome 3D printer, designed for a good balance between speed and quality.

• Layer height: 0.05 mm
• Normal exposure time: 1.8 - 2.5 seconds (start at 2.2 s and adjust from there)
• Number of base layers: 5 layers
• Base exposure time: 25 seconds
• Lift speed: 80 - 120 mm/min
• Lift distance: 6 - 8 mm
• Light-off delay time (Light-off delay): 0.5 - 1 second

Watch out! Calibration is sacred. Before jumping into printing that 20-hour figure, always run a calibration test like the "Cones of Calibration". It's the only way to nail the exact exposure time. Trust me, it will save you frustration and resin.

Frequently asked questions about fast resin

Is fast resin more brittle than ABS-Like?

Generally, yes. Fast resins are optimized for speed, which makes them very rigid and therefore somewhat more brittle than ABS-Like resins, which are formulated to withstand impacts.

Can I mix fast resin with standard resin?

In my experience, it's a bad idea. Mixing resins with such different chemistries is a lottery that usually ends in print failures and unpredictable results. Every resin needs its own settings!

Does high speed resin smell stronger?

Not necessarily. In my tests, the smell is very similar to that of standard resins, as it depends more on the specific components of the formula than on its speed. Even so, remember my mantra: always print in a well-ventilated area!

Do I need special calibration for fast resin?

Absolutely! It's crucial that you run a calibration test to find the exact exposure time for your 3D printer and resin. Tools like our 3D Resin Settings Calculator can be a great starting point.

Conclusion:

In short, high speed resin is a brutal tool that is here to stay. It's not for every project, but when speed is the priority, nothing comes close. In my workshop, it has become essential for quick prototypes and batch production. If you have a modern 3D printer, I recommend giving it a try. The time savings are absolutely insane!