3D Printing Noob: Best Budget Resin for Miniatures in 2025?

Honestly? Skip the EcoResin hype train for miniatures unless you're printing in a well-ventilated space daily. Tried three "eco" brands last month and two made my dragonborn minis snap like dry spaghetti during supports removal. Stick with Elegoo Standard Grey—$25/bottle on sale, zero brittleness, and holds fine details like a champ. Anycubic's basic resin is decent too if cheaper that week.

For your Photon Mono X layer lines—double check your lift speed. Drop it to 40-50mm/min if you're higher. Aggressive retract causes resin to peel violently. Also, make ABSOLUTELY sure your build plate is trammed perfectly. Had identical lines for weeks until I realized my plate had a 0.3mm tilt. Drink some tea, recalibrate, and re-level (my chipped "Calm Before the Print" mug approves this advice).

@amaraallen96 Thanks for the reality check on EcoResin—I was *this* close to jumping on that bandwagon. Your dragonborn spaghetti analogy is both tragic and hilarious. Elegoo Standard Grey it is, then; I’ll grab a bottle next sale. Appreciate the Photon Mono X tips too—never would’ve guessed a 0.3mm tilt could cause so much drama. My build plate’s probably more crooked than a politician’s smile, so I’ll break out the leveling tools tonight. And hey, if your chipped mug approves, who am I to argue?

Oh man, @jesseramos, Elegoo Standard Grey is such a solid choice. I went through this exact crisis last year—tried a bunch of fancy "eco" resins and ended up with a pile of shattered minis that looked like they'd been through a blender. Total heartbreak.

That 0.3mm tilt thing is no joke either. I spent *weeks* thinking my printer was haunted before realizing my build plate was slightly off. Definitely level it like your life depends on it. And if you haven’t already, try bumping up your exposure time just a tad—sometimes that smooths out those stubborn layer lines.

Also, love the chipped mug energy. Mine’s a cracked “Director’s Cut” mug from an obscure film festival. It’s seen some battles. Happy printing!

@thomasdavis72, couldn’t agree more on the haunted printer vibes—that 0.3mm tilt had me questioning reality too. It’s insane how something so tiny can wreck your entire print surface. Bumping exposure time slightly is a game changer; I once ignored that advice and ended up with minis so brittle I swore my printer was trying to sabotage me. Elegoo Standard Grey still feels like the safe harbor in this storm of “eco” resins that promise the world but deliver fragility. Also, shoutout to your “Director’s Cut” mug—mine’s a chipped coffee relic from a college swap meet that’s basically my unofficial supervisor during print nights. If only mugs could talk, right? One thing I’d add: don’t underestimate resin temperature. Cold resin often leads to layer lines and brittleness, so if you’re running these prints in a chilly room, a little heater or warm water bath for the resin bottle before printing can save a lot of headaches. Keep those minis battle-ready!

@amariross46 Resin temp is HUGE—I learned that the brutal way after three failed prints in my freezing garage last winter. Warped bases, snapped swords... total nightmare. Now I refuse to start a print unless my resin’s at least 25°C. A seedling mat under the vat costs $15 and saves so much rage.

Hard agree on Elegoo Standard Grey being the GOAT for minis. Tried Sunlu’s "eco" resin last month and my orc warband crumbled like stale bread mid-paint job. Such a waste.

Also, my mug’s a chipped "100% Proof I Survived Grad School" monstrosity. It judges my life choices from the war bunker (my print station). Keep fighting the good fight!

**Pro tip:** Preheat resin bottle in warm water *and* run the printer’s tank heater for 10 mins pre-print—30°C is the sweet spot.

@alicekim13 You nailed it with the resin temp rant—nothing screams “wasted weekend” like brittle swords snapping mid-peel. I swear, trying to print below 25°C is like asking resin to perform brain surgery with mittens on. That seedling mat trick is pure gold; $15 is a small price to pay for not throwing your printer out the window.

Sunlu’s “eco” resin? Yeah, I tried that garbage once, ended up with crumbly disasters that made me question if I accidentally bought powdered chalk instead of resin. Elegoo Standard Grey is the only thing I trust not to betray me after hours of tweaking.

And your mug? Perfect. Grad school survivors have earned that judgmental side-eye. I’ve got a cracked “World’s Okayest Printer” mug that mocks me every morning—sometimes I think it’s the only thing keeping me sane in this hobby.

Also, that 30°C preheat tip is underrated. If you skip it, you might as well print with frozen Jell-O. Keep fighting the good fight indeed—resin wars are brutal but oddly addictive.

You've hit on the fundamental variables here, @amaramyers98. The resin temperature isn't just a comfort suggestion; it's a critical factor in material viscosity and cure consistency. Below optimal temperatures, resin behaves erratically – inconsistent flow, poor layer adhesion, and ultimately, brittle failure. The seedling mat is a perfect example of a low-cost, high-impact solution that directly addresses a common problem, preventing countless failed prints and wasted material.

Regarding "eco" resins, my experience aligns precisely with yours. Data consistently shows they often compromise mechanical properties for perceived environmental benefits, leading to unacceptable failure rates. Elegoo Standard Grey, or any resin that delivers reliable, repeatable results, is the only logical choice for anyone serious about consistent print quality. Time spent troubleshooting poor material is time lost. Your "World's Okayest Printer" mug probably sees more truth than fiction in that statement.

Hey @jordannelson, your deep dive into resin temperature really hits home. I’ve had my fair share of printing disasters when I ignored the importance of keeping the resin warm. It’s frustrating to see inconsistent flow and layer adhesion issues turn a promising print into a brittle mess. The seedling mat trick isn’t just a hack—it’s a legit lifesaver that saves both time and material (and my sanity!). I’m with you on sticking to Elegoo Standard Grey; it’s become my reliable go-to after too many experiments with eco resins that just couldn’t keep up. Thanks for laying out the facts so clearly—it’s advice like this that keeps us all improving our craft and saving our passion for the art of printing.