3D Resin Printing Cost Calculator

A 28mm miniature (Warhammer-type) uses approximately 5 ml of resin. In material alone, the cost ranges between €0.08 and €0.17 depending on the resin. The true total cost — including amortisation, consumables and labour — is around €1.50–€3.00 per individual piece. If you print several in the same batch (6–10 minis per plate), the cost per piece drops to €0.30–€0.80 because electricity, amortisation and labour are shared across all of them.

It depends on the size: a 50mm bust uses around 15 ml (between €0.25 and €0.50 in material), while a 150mm one may require 95 ml (€1.50–€3.00 in material). Adding up all costs, a large 150mm bust can cost between €10 and €15 in total. Large busts require more printing hours (6–10h), which significantly increases electricity and amortisation costs.

You can use the Mr Resin calculator: click on the «Upload STL» tab and drag your file in. The volume is calculated automatically in your browser without sending the file to any server. As alternatives: in PrusaSlicer you can see the volume in the bottom info bar, and in Blender you can enable mesh statistics (Overlays → Statistics) to view the volume.

Completely safe. Your STL file is processed 100% in your browser via JavaScript (Three.js). It is never sent to any server — you can verify this by opening your browser's developer tools (F12 → Network tab) and confirming there are no upload requests. We do not save, transmit, or access your files in any way.

Yes, but only if you calculate ALL costs correctly. The most common mistake is charging only for the material, which is barely 10–30% of the real cost. If you include depreciation, consumables, labour, and a buffer for failures, and apply a minimum margin of ×2.5 (semi-professional), you can generate sustainable income. Key: optimise batches (fill the build plate), minimise post-processing time, and specialise your offering.

It varies greatly depending on the model: from 9W (Anycubic Photon Ultra, DLP) to 200W (Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max). Small printers (Mars 4, Mono 2) consume 35–45W. Mid-range printers (Saturn 4) are around 75–85W. For a typical 3-hour print on a 40W printer, consumption is 0.12 kWh, which costs around €0.024 at an average electricity rate of €0.20/kWh. Electricity is usually less than 2% of the total cost.

In Chitubox: 1) Import your STL model, 2) Add supports (automatic or manual), 3) Click «Slice», 4) On the results screen («Print Info») you will see «Resin Volume» expressed in ml. This value includes supports and the base/raft, making it the most accurate figure for cost calculation. In Lychee Slicer, the equivalent figure appears in «Print Summary» after slicing.

Not exactly, but 1.10 g/ml is an excellent approximation for most standard UV resins. The actual density ranges between 1.05 and 1.20 g/ml depending on the formulation. Standard and water-wash resins are around 1.10–1.12 g/ml. Rigid resins or those with special fillers (such as Rigid 100) can be denser: 1.15–1.20 g/ml. For cost calculations, using 1.10 g/ml introduces an error of less than 5% in the vast majority of cases.

If you sell regularly, yes. As a self-employed/freelancer, you must apply VAT 21% (rates vary by country) on your invoices and file a quarterly VAT return. If you sell through platforms like Etsy or social media on a regular basis, the tax authority may consider it an economic activity requiring self-employed registration. The Mr Resin calculator includes a toggle to view sale prices with and without VAT as a reference. Consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.

It depends on the type of supports and the geometry of the piece. As a general rule: light supports add around 15% to the volume, medium supports add 25%, and heavy supports add 40%. Miniatures with many overhangs (layers, weapons, hair) require medium or heavy supports. Simple vertical pieces can work with light supports. If you use the Chitubox figure (post-slice), supports are already included in the volume.

Standard FEP lasts between 20 and 40 prints, depending on piece size and resin adhesion. nFEP (Teflon) lasts longer: between 40 and 80 prints. Signs that you need to replace it: visible scratches, opaque or cloudy areas, adhesion failures to the build plate, or layers sticking to the FEP. In the calculator, the FEP cost per print is estimated at €0.15, which equals an FEP of ~€5 replaced every ~33 prints.

The average lifespan is 2,000 hours of UV exposure, which equals approximately 500–700 prints of 3 hours each. The screen degrades gradually: you will start to notice less detail and possible curing failures in specific areas. Mono screens (MSLA) last significantly longer than older RGB screens. Replacement cost varies between €30 and €100 depending on the model. Using the calculator's default values (LCD at €50, lifespan of 2,000h), the depreciation is €0.025 per hour of printing.

The resin 3D printing cost calculator is a proprietary tool developed by Mr Resin (mrresin.es), a store specialising in resins and 3D printing with over 5,000 makers served and 400+ verified reviews on Judge.me. The data, formulas, and presets are based on Mr Resin's real-world experience with Anycubic and Elegoo resins and the printers it sells. It is not a generic tool: it is specifically designed with up-to-date prices, electricity rates, and tax data for 2026.

The Mr Resin calculator is the only one that breaks down the 6 real cost components of resin printing: material, electricity, depreciation, consumables, labour, and failure buffer. Most online calculators only count the material (resin), which underestimates the real cost by 70–90%. It also includes: 29 resins with updated real prices, 27 printers with verified technical data, STL volume calculation in the browser (without uploading your file to any server), 15 presets by piece type, 3 suggested sale prices, customisable margin, VAT 21% (rates vary by country) toggle, shareable URL, and specific data updated for 2026.