Resin 3D printers have become popular for anyone interested in making highly detailed models that wouldn’t be feasible with other kinds of 3D machines. Lately, LCD/MSLA has evolved greatly, increasing resolution generation by generation. If the first printers used 800×600 LCDs, now flagship models use 14K (13320×5120) screens reproducing much more detail. You will need dedicated materials such as the SUNLU 14K resins to benefit from the advantages of these precision printers.
Photopolymer resin is a liquid material that hardens when exposed to a specific wavelength of light, typically ultraviolet (UV) light with 405nm wavelength. It is commonly used in 3D printing processes such as stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and LCD-based resin printing, where light is used to cure the resin layer by layer to form a solid object. UV-cured resins have revolutionized the 3D printing industry by enabling ultra-high-quality prints that would not be possible with FDM (filament) printing.
While resins offer unparalleled detail and smooth finishes, they have certain drawbacks compared to filament-based materials (FDM). The key disadvantages are higher cost, complex post-processing (cleaning and curing), and toxicity (harmful VOCs and irritation or allergic reaction to skin contact).
SUNLU 14K Photopolymer resin review
Disclosure: I received these 14K resins as part of a product review collaboration with SUNLU. Product specs and quality may vary according to the manufacturer’s reliability, so I cannot guarantee that you will get material that performs the same as my article shows.
SUNLU, with its headquarters in HONG KONG, is a global brand dedicated to advancing 3D printing technology through high-quality, affordable products. Established with a vision to empower creativity and innovation, SUNLU has become a trusted name among hobbyists, professionals, and educators in the 3D printing industry. SUNLU offers an extensive portfolio of 3D printing solutions, including FDM 3D printers, drying machines, filaments (many variants of PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, and flexible TPU), resins (standard, 14K, ABS-like, and water washable), and other must-have accessories, which they call ‘mates.’
A few months ago, the company sent me two bottles of their 14K resin: a solid gray and a maple. There are six other color options (dark gray, blue-gray, black, white, walnut, and mahogany).
The resins are responsibly packaged in an airtight bag and shockproof bubble wrap. Additionally, the box includes three paper funnels for transferring unused resin back from the vat. The plastic container has a dark color to prevent UV light from entering and curing the resin; keeping the resin bottles safe from direct sunlight is still recommended.
User experience
As mentioned, I received these 14K resins a few months ago, but since I only had a 4K resin 3D printer at the time, I waited until my Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra arrived to test them. The bottle needs thorough shaking before use (especially if it’s been sitting on the shelf for a long time). It seals well, and so far, I’ve had no leakage.
My first test prints failed until I realized it was due to the room temperature. The model stuck to the vat’s film instead of the build plate. I learned that resins require temperatures over 23-25°C for best results. After moving into a heated room, the prints came out with no issue. I easily cleaned the printed models, the tools, and the built plate using isopropyl alcohol. To completely cure the models, you can use dedicated machines with UV light or keep them in direct sunlight for a few hours. The 14K maple resin has a pleasant matte shade.
Before printing big projects, I suggest running small test prints to determine the best exposure time for your resin and printer model/setup. This helps you avoid over- or underexposure, which can lead to poor results (overexposure can cause details to be washed out, while underexposure may cause layers not to adhere properly). The manufacturer’s recommended exposure settings are 2–3.5 s for monochrome LCD and 6–15 s for RGB LCD machines. For the bottom layer, you should set 30–80 s for mono-LCD and 40–100 s for RGB-LCD.
The test prints had good structural integrity and had uniform detail and quality across the entire model. Resin prints are typically more brittle than FDM prints, so you should avoid applying too much pressure during cleaning.
The Smell
The promise is a very low odor, but unfortunately, this resin doesn’t deliver on that promise. It has a pungent odor typical of toxic chemicals. Honestly, I have not yet encountered a resin that smells like a rose or doesn’t bother the olfactory senses. For this reason, I always use a dedicated 3M respirator mask certified for VOCs.
Pricing, availability, and color options
When I published my review, the SUNLU 14K resins were on a Black Friday sale with a 42% discount. The standard 14K resins in all eight colors (dark gray, blue-gray, black, white, walnut, maple, and mahogany) were available for just $17.99/kg (€17.41), while the RedWax 14K was priced at $18.99/kg. Additionally, you can choose a resin cleaning detergent that costs only $11.99/kg and is a safer option than industrial isopropyl alcohol.
Recommended 3D resin printers
- Piocreat 14K C01 & C02
- ANYCUBIC 14K Photon Mono M5s Pro & M7 Pro
- Creality HALOT-MAGE S 14K
- Phrozen Sonic Mighty Revo 14K
- NOVA3D Whale3 Super 14K MSLA
- NDSpace3D LCD/MSLA 350 14K ULTRA-HD
- Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 12K and 16K
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