Anycubic Photon P1: A Game Changer?

Anycubic Photon P1: Is This the Dual-Colour Resin Revolution?

Resin printing is bigger than ever, and Anycubic knows it. After turning heads with machines like the Photon M7 Pro and the Photon Mono M5s, the Chinese giant is back with its new Anycubic Photon P1, a dual-colour MSLA resin printer that promises to change the way we print in resin.

Why? Because it's not only the first of its kind to feature a dual build plate and dual vat system, it also brings real improvements in precision, print success rates, and material savings — making it a compelling choice for miniature painters and makers alike who want professional-looking results.

This article is your complete guide to the Photon P1: we'll cover its key features, break down how the dual system works, compare it to other leading resin printers, and give you our honest Mr Resin take.

⚡ Free guide for makers Your Anycubic Photon P1 can do so much more Download the free Anycubic Resin Field Guide 2026 — real-world settings, advanced tips, and how to diagnose print failures in minutes. Written for makers like you. Download the free guide ⬇ No spam. No strings attached. Just real calibration tips and tricks.

What Makes the Anycubic Photon P1 So Special?

Resin printers used to mean endless patience and complicated maintenance. The Photon P1 breaks that mould by introducing a dual-colour concept that lets you print two materials or colours at the same time. This is made possible by:

• Two build platforms and two resin vats that can alternate automatically, keeping colours and materials completely separate and cutting down on waste. It's perfect for Warhammer hobbyists and multicolour miniature painters, as well as anyone who needs to combine resins of different hardness — for example, a rigid body with flexible rubber details.

• Compatibility with high-viscosity resins (up to 8,000 cps) thanks to its wave release system and intelligent dynamic balancing. No need to worry about thick or dense resins — the P1 handles everything from dental resin to ultra-clear compounds.

  You can browse all compatible products here: Anycubic resins.

• Wave Release Film + NFEP. This combination reduces layer separation force by up to 60%, meaning prints release smoothly with far less risk of premature detachment. The NFEP film is also highly transparent, ensuring light reaches the entire print surface evenly and consistently.

• 98% print success rate according to Anycubic. Thanks to Auto-Levelling 3.0, dynamic release force calibration, and optimised light-off delay between layers, the P1 achieves an exceptionally high success rate. And these aren't just marketing claims — Anycubic's published data shows the P1 improves dimensional accuracy by 50–80% compared to similar machines, increases build volume by 10%, and saves between 20–30% on resin consumption.

A Closer Look at the Technology Behind the Photon P1

14K LCD Screen and Ultra-Fine Resolution

The P1 features a 10.1-inch monochrome LCD with 14K resolution (11520 × 5120 pixels). This translates to a pixel size of just 16.8 μm on the X axis and 24.8 μm on Y — finer than many competing 12K or even 8K printers. The minimum layer height is 20 μm in Z, delivering exceptionally sharp details and far smoother surfaces than mid-range printers. For miniature painters, this means less sanding and a great base for priming or airbrushing.

Uniform Light Source with Collimated Fresnel Lens

Anycubic has developed the LightTurbo 4.0 lighting system, which combines a COB (chip-on-board) light source with a reflector and collimating Fresnel lens. This architecture delivers UV light with high precision and maintains over 92% uniformity across the entire screen. The result is consistently cured layers at the same intensity across the whole build area, eliminating overexposure hotspots and improving part cohesion.

Industrial-Grade Mechanics for Maximum Precision

At the heart of the P1 is an industrial ball screw with dual linear rails. This mechanism delivers ±0.01 mm repeatability over more than 10,000 cycles. Build plate flatness is under 80 µm and the LCD panel flatness stays below 70 µm, preventing artefacts and warping. The machine also features Auto-Leveling 3.0, which completely eliminates manual adjustments — just press a button and the P1 calibrates itself.

Smart Resin Control and Temperature Management

One of the most impressive additions is the 1-litre smart resin tank, which automatically heats the resin up to 40°C. This speeds up the curing process and improves initial layer adhesion. The tank also detects remaining resin levels and communicates with the system to prevent printing dry.

The build platform is magnetically attached and can be removed quickly for cleaning or swapping vats. The resin tray includes a drain system that saves time and reduces spills when removing it.

Touchscreen & Software

The printer is controlled via a 4.5″ resistive touchscreen. It's smaller than what you'll find on models like the Photon M7 Pro, but more than adequate for navigating menus, selecting files, or running the auto-leveling routine. You can also monitor prints remotely through the Anycubic app, which lets you pause or cancel jobs, update firmware over OTA, and receive error notifications for issues like resin runout or power outages. The P1 is also compatible with Photon Workshop, Chitubox, Tango, and Lychee Slicer.

Key Specs at a Glance

Note: The printer supports both 110 V and 220 V operation and is compatible with high-viscosity resins (up to 8,000 cps). Air purifier is optional.

How It Compares to Other Top Resin Printers

Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: The 12K Competitor

The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra is widely regarded as one of the best resin 3D printers for general use. It features a 10.1″ mono screen with 12K resolution (11520 × 5120) and a build volume of 218.8 × 122.8 × 220 mm. Standout features include an auto-leveling system, a tilt mechanism that reduces suction forces, and a built-in camera for timelapse recording and remote monitoring. Its XY resolution is 19 × 24 µm — slightly lower than the 16.8 µm on the Photon P1. As for extras, the Saturn 4 Ultra doesn't include dual printing out of the box, and its build volume is marginally smaller. Both printers compete in the same price bracket, but the P1 pulls ahead in detail and flexibility for multicolor miniature printing.

Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K: The Big-Volume Option

If build volume is your priority, the Phrozen Sonic Mighty 8K delivers 218 × 123 × 235 mm with 8K resolution. Its main selling point is ease of use — it comes pre-assembled with beginner-friendly software. That said, the 28 µm pixel size puts it behind in terms of fine detail. It also lacks features like dual resin printing, resin heating, or the advanced auto-leveling found on the P1. It's a solid choice for printing large miniatures, but if precision and clean surface finishes matter to you, the Photon P1 is the clear winner.

Formlabs Form 4: The Professional-Grade Option

The Formlabs Form 4 is the gold standard for rapid prototyping businesses: it offers a 200 × 125 × 210 mm build volume, a 4K screen, and access to Formlabs' premium proprietary resin ecosystem. The catch? It starts at around €4,000 — or more once you factor in the wash and cure station. The Photon P1 may not match Formlabs' industrial-grade reliability, but at a fraction of the price it delivers features that put it in the same conversation: high resolution, dual printing, and a 98% print success rate. For makers and small businesses, the P1 offers an outstanding price-to-performance ratio.

Anycubic Photon M7 Pro and M7 Max: Worth Upgrading?

The Anycubic Photon M7 Pro and Photon M7 Max are high-speed FDM printers — not MSLA — from Anycubic's FDM lineup, designed for fast prototyping in thermoplastics. Despite occasionally being grouped together in comparisons, they don't directly compete with the P1 since they use a completely different technology. That said, if you already own an M7 Pro for functional parts, the P1 makes a perfect companion for high-detail work like miniatures and fine-feature prints.

Anycubic Photon P1: Pros and Cons

Pros 🟢

• Dual printing: prints two colours or materials simultaneously without mixing resins — perfect for two-tone miniatures or rigid/flexible combinations.

• High-viscosity resin compatibility: handles dense materials up to 8,000 cps, expanding your range of compatible resins (dental, ultra-clear, and more).

• True high resolution: 14K with 16.8 µm pixels — delivers exceptional detail with no loss of definition.

• Wave Release + NFEP: reduces peel forces and prevents adhesion failures.

• Intelligent resin heating system: maintains optimal print temperature and significantly improves success rates.

• Auto-levelling 3.0: eliminates tedious manual bed levelling — just press a button and go.

• Great for miniatures and hobby printing: the 223 × 126 mm build plate fits multiple bases at once.

Cons 🔴

• Resistive touchscreen: not as responsive as the capacitive 5″ screens found on printers like the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra — can feel sluggish to use.

• Air purifier sold separately: the Air Pure 2.0 system doesn't come included, which matters if you're printing in an enclosed space — though external ventilation and a mask will do the job.

• Launch price: while it's nowhere near Formlabs territory, the P1 will likely cost more than a basic 6K or 8K printer. Worth waiting for bundle deals that include washing and curing stations.

• Non-user-replaceable LCD screen: if the screen gets damaged, you'll need to go through official support. That said, this is standard practice across most modern MSLA printers.

Usage and Maintenance Tips for the P1

1. Maintain the right temperature: resin performs best between 20°C and 30°C. If your workspace runs cold, use a resin heater or print with the cover on.

2. Keep the NFEP film clean: a dirty film causes bubbles and print defects. Clean it with 99% isopropyl alcohol and inspect the screen regularly.

3. Avoid metal tools when removing prints: they can scratch the aluminium build plate and affect its flatness. Use plastic or thin steel spatulas instead.

4. Store resins tightly sealed and away from sunlight. Photosensitive resins degrade when exposed to light and air.

5. Update the firmware whenever the app prompts you to. Anycubic regularly rolls out bug fixes and performance improvements.

6. Check levelling periodically. Although the 3.0 system auto-calibrates, it's worth verifying if you notice issues with the first few layers.

Who Is the Anycubic Photon P1 For?

• Miniature painters: anyone printing Warhammer, busts, or dioramas will find the P1 an ideal companion. The 14K resolution and dual-material system let you create two-colour pieces without hand-painting every detail, saving serious time on airbrushing and brushwork.

• Jewellers and prototypers: the sub-millimetre resolution and 20µm Z-axis accuracy make it well-suited for jewellery masters, dental models, and high-precision prototypes.

• Engineering enthusiasts: with support for rigid and high-viscosity flexible resins, the P1 is capable of producing functional parts with greater structural strength.

• Creative makers: if you love experimenting alongside FDM printing, the P1 opens up a whole new world — combining rigidity and flexibility, printing translucent enclosures, and testing custom resin blends.

Mr Resin Verdict & Final Thoughts

The Anycubic Photon P1 is a bold move that signals a new era for home MSLA printers. Its dual printing system, support for high-viscosity resins, and 14K resolution make it an incredibly versatile tool — ideal for anyone who wants multi-colour miniatures without post-painting or is chasing ultra-fine detail in their prints. The touchscreen is on the smaller side and some extras are sold separately, but the build quality, automation features, and 98% print success rate improvement more than justify the price.

Whether you're into scale modelling, jewellery, dental applications, or simply want to take your 3D projects to the next level, the P1 deserves a spot on your shortlist. It delivers sharper results than many 12K machines, saves resin thanks to its release film and dual-vat system, and packs smart features that make life easier for anyone who doesn't want to waste time dialling in calibration. We've tested it ourselves — and it genuinely impresses. Don't be surprised if other manufacturers start playing catch-up in the months ahead.

Ready to explore multi-colour resins and microscopic detail? The Anycubic Photon P1 might just be your perfect match.

And if you're looking for where to buy 3D resin, don't forget to check out this article!