15 Amazing Resin/SLA Models for 3D Printing

When we talk about 3D printers, we think of FDM printers that extrude filament layer by layer. This is for good reason: FDM printers are affordable, easy to use, and there is a wide variety of models to choose from. But what some people don’t realize is that SLA printing is just as easy to understand, with the added benefit of creating harmoniously detailed prints!

SLA printers create inverted parts from a vat of resin, rather than a spool of filament like FDM printers. The resin is cured with a light source and the resulting prints are exceptionally smooth with no visible layer lines. The process allows for very fine detail, making SLA the go-to technology for figurines and miniatures. Most 3D models available on the Internet can be 3D printed with both FDM and SLA printers, but SLA can provide superior results in terms of surface quality. Both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the right option for your needs.

I searched the internet for a list of the best things to print on SLA printers. From decorative items to toys and miniatures, you will be convinced to reap the benefits of resin.

Category: Decorative

First, we have some decorations that are sure to beautify your home. Decorative items can really take advantage of SLA printing’s ability to print fine detail, and with a little processing, you’ll get stunning, brilliant prints. Spice up your decor or surprise a friend with a gift printed at home!

Easter eggs

Who says holidays can’t be reconfigured by new technologies that have changed every aspect of our lives? This gorgeous set of decorative Easter eggs is sure to add a modern touch to your spring celebrations. Of course, what kind of Easter eggs would they be if they weren’t colored? Objects printed using SLA technology can be easily colored or painted, which is perfect for this model. This is the second Easter egg collection from this designer, so it’s worth checking out the first one too. These beautiful eggs are all designed for resin printing and would be very difficult to print with an FDM printer. The designer has provided a photo of each egg in the collection to prove that they are printable, which will help you decide which one to print first!

Pi Tower

This pen holder is made from a spiral string of the digits of pi. It may seem strange, but it sure forms a complex design! The fine details of this model require special attention, which is why resin is the perfect material. The designer shared files for four print options: two different heights and versions with and without an internal wall are available. The model shown above has a mesh structure suitable for SLA printers, but there is also an alternative with a solid inner wall that would be possible (though still difficult) for an FDM printer. It will be a long and challenging print, but the amazing results will be worth the wait.

kiwi

There is something attractive about mesh patterns and 3D printing. When you have an SLA printer, a model like this kiwi begs to be 3D. Even if you have no connection to New Zealand, kiwis are unusual-looking birds that make the outlines of an interesting ornament. SLA printing produces smooth surfaces ideal for coloring. This model is beautiful as is, but adding some colors could really round out the finish. The designer noted that the printer can produce small-scale objects very well, so you can print one adorable little kiwi or several of different sizes!

The biological heart

Currently, SLA printing is a technology used by professional jewelry manufacturers to make patterns for casting. Obviously you won’t create gold or silver jewelry with the resin printer you have at home, but you can do another good thing! Once you’ve printed a design like this beautiful resin heart, the power of processing can give you a shiny, metallic finish in any color you desire. Print several of these amazing hearts to use as beautiful decorations or use just one or two for a necklace, keychain or earrings!

Category: Toys

The smooth finish of the resin is not only useful for decoration. It can also make detailed and fun toys!

It’s up to you whether you want to print these toys for the little or big kids in your life. Everyone knows what real centipedes look like. Honestly, they’re not exactly the best options for gaming. But if you add a cute face to them, enlarge them, and use the right technology to create them with fun colors, you’ll get a delightful result! This is a centipede toy that prints in one piece (print-in-place style) on both SLA and FDM printers.

Newton’s cradle

Who doesn’t love the ticking of Newton’s cradle? This cute toy tries to fulfill all the properties of the real version. The concept is done well, but as the designer says, the balls don’t have enough weight to swing for long. This incredible toy is printed in two parts: the base and the arms. Care must be taken during assembly as resin molded parts can be fragile.

Miniature ram helmet

Lego bricks are popular toys for children (and adults) of all ages. Although Lego sells a wide range of options and accessories for its minifigures, there always seems to be something missing. Maybe this means Destiny’s Helm of the Ram for you? This item prints fast and small. It’s perfectly sized to hold a Lego minifigure, but Nickey’s Hatchery also has a portable model if you want one to suit you!

Category: Miniatures

While it is possible to print miniatures with an FDM printer, most people consider using resin instead. The potential of this material for rendering fine details in a desktop 3D printer is unmatched. Miniatures are great to print, both for games and for interesting collections. Here we have four different models that you can print, but they all have in common the small scale in which they are produced.

Fantastic woman

This dramatic Wonder Woman model was inspired by an illustration by artist Jun Chiu. The design is printed in seven parts, so assembly is required. Depending on the size of your printer, you should be able to print a few pieces at a time. The designer has provided photos of the printing and assembly process to help you get started.

curly

Watch out for needles! The designer said that this item has the features of a porcupine, but in our opinion it really looks like a cute hedgehog. This model is a small miniature, but is defined by voluminous details. A little paint wouldn’t hurt, especially for the face area. The pattern is very nice and clean, but make sure to use as little support as possible because it will be difficult to remove them from the pins. This little model is another example that should only be attempted on a resin printer as the needles could disrupt any FDM printer!

Our Lady

Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) is an 800-year-old cathedral and one of the major monuments of Paris. This model of Notre-Dame isn’t as miniature as some of the other items on our list, but it’s definitely smaller than the real thing! The cathedral is currently closed to the public after the 2019 fire, but even if you can’t visit it, you can 3D print it! Interestingly, 3D scanning and even the potential of the 3D printing process are being used in the cathedral’s restoration efforts, so this is a suitable model to print at home.

Category: Accessories

Finally, we have some more practical items you can print. From the replaceable components on the keyboard to the scalable spool holder, these models look great with the smooth finish of an SLA printer!

Support wireless charger

This is a clever design for keeping your phone upright while charging with a Samsung wireless charger. The holder includes a specially designed round space to support your phone. The designer has shared files for printing for both SLA and FDM printers. The resin version prints in one piece without supports.

These replacement keys for a mechanical keyboard have been remixed from Cherry MX by onebeartoe.

The original keys were designed for FDM printer and are not suitable for SLA printing due to small cavities that are difficult to clean after being embedded in the resin. The designer of this set modified the shape of the accessory to make it easier to clean and work with. This collection has 10 keys. Additionally, on a blank key you can print symbols for play, Fn, mute and some logos such as Spotify, Slack, Virtualbox and more!

Nose holders for glasses

While not necessary for every pair of glasses, this is a great example of how you can use your 3D printer to create something useful. These were created when the designer couldn’t find nose mounts that featured vertical mounting holes, so he designed some for himself! The designer provided a SolidWorks file so we could make the necessary changes based on the specificity of each pair of glasses.

Keep in mind that you will need to treat the mounts before wearing them, and be sure to choose a resin that won’t cause skin contact issues.

Reel support

This fantastic holder is designed to hold a roll of glue, but you can use it for any other material available in rolls. In addition to the 3D printed parts, you will need a few other things. The metal pins are recycled from an old CD drive and the wire for the wire is a paper clip. For the spool pin you will need a piece of threaded rod or a longer screw. The three files are printed on an SLA printer without supports.