Ultimate Glossary of Resin 3D Printing Terms

Resin 3D printing plays a critical role in how we create prototypes, detailed parts, and cast-ready designs. It supports precision-based industries like jewelry, dental, and product engineering. A clear understanding of the core terms can help improve print quality, reduce errors, and speed up your workflow.

To support that goal, we have crafted a glossary that covers essential resin 3D printing terminology from printer types to post-processing steps.

Printer Types & Technologies

Resin 3D Printing
This is a process where a liquid photopolymer cures layer by layer when exposed to light, often UV or visible.

SLA (Stereolithography)
This method uses a focused UV laser to solidify resin in a point-by-point pattern.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)
Here, a digital projector cures an entire layer at once by flashing a light pattern onto the resin surface.

LCD / MSLA (Masked Stereolithography)
In this approach, an LCD screen selectively allows UV light through a mask, curing one full layer at a time.

Bottom-Up Printing
The resin cures from beneath the vat, while the build plate moves upward after each layer.

Top-Down Printing
Light cures the resin from above as the build platform lowers into the vat. This setup is not as commonly used.

Resin Materials & Chemistry

Resin
A photosensitive liquid that solidifies when exposed to the UV source.

Castable Resin
Formulated for clean burnout, this material supports casting workflows in jewelry and dental labs.

Wax-Resin Hybrid
Contains a high percentage of wax, usually above 90%, to enhance casting reliability.

Pigmented Resin
This is colored resin that typically appears opaque once printed.

Clear Resin
A see-through material is often used where optical clarity or surface inspection is important.

Viscosity
The thickness of the resin influences flow behavior and curing consistency.

Hardware Components of Resin Printers

Build Plate
This surface holds the part during printing and lifts with each cured layer.

Vat / Resin Tank
The container that stores the liquid resin throughout the print cycle.

FEP Film
A clear sheet at the vat base that allows light through while reducing adhesion to cured layers.

nFEP / ACF Film
Upgraded films are designed to lower the suction force and wear over time.

Long Life VAT
This vat features improved coatings and stronger materials, resisting clouding and lasting longer between replacements.

Clouding

The hazy or foggy appearance that forms on the vat film over time, reducing UV transmission and affecting print quality.

Z-Axis Lead Screw
A motorized component that controls vertical movement of the build plate.

Light Engine
Refers to the light source used to cure resin, such as a laser, DLP projector, UV LED, or LCD screen.

 

Printing Process Terms

Layer Height
Represents the vertical thickness of each printed layer, often between 10–100 microns.

Exposure Time
The time a layer is exposed to light for proper curing.

Bottom Exposure
Longer exposure is used for initial layers to strengthen adhesion to the plate.

Lift Speed
Controls how quickly the build plate moves up after curing each layer.

Peel Process
This separates the cured layer from the vat’s film surface after each lift.

Overcuring
Too much light exposure can blur features or cause loss of detail.

Underexposure
Too little exposure may lead to weak prints or structural failures.

mm per Hour (Print Speed)
A speed metric showing how many vertical millimeters the printer can complete in one hour. Faster speeds support production needs.

 

Post-Processing Steps

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
Used for cleaning printed parts and removing uncured resin from surfaces.

Post-Curing
This process involves exposing the finished part to additional UV light to improve strength and stability.

Cure Box
A device that provides controlled UV lighting for consistent curing results.

Support Removal
Involves detaching temporary support structures once the print is fully cured.

Resin Washing Station
A unit that helps automate or simplify the cleaning process using IPA or other solvents.

 

Print Quality & Support Structures

Supports
These structures hold overhanging parts in place and prevent print failure during curing.

Touchpoints
Small contact spots where supports connect to the model, often removed during post-processing.

Raft
A flat base is printed beneath the part to improve adhesion to the build plate.

Overhang
Any section that extends outward and needs support to print correctly.

Islands
Floating parts of a layer that require support to avoid print errors.

Suction Cup Effect
Negative pressure formed during peel can cause layer separation or print failure.

Delamination
Occurs when layers lose adhesion and separate during or after printing.

Z-Banding
Visible horizontal lines often caused by mechanical instability or Z-axis inconsistencies.

Print Orientation

Strategic positioning of the model to improve detail on key surfaces, minimize support marks, and enhance structural integrity.

 

Advanced Terms in Resin 3D Printing

Anti-Aliasing
A software technique that smooths jagged edges by blending pixel transitions.

Slice Height

The thickness of each layer in the sliced file. Lower slice height improves detail, especially for engraved or filigree pieces.

Voxel
The smallest unit in a 3D space, similar to a pixel in 2D images, is used to define print resolution.

Pixel Size
Indicates the physical size of a single pixel in the build area. Smaller sizes deliver sharper detail.

Pixel Shape
Describes the form of each pixel, typically square, but can vary. Shape affects how smooth the surface appears.

Grayscale Exposure
A method where different light intensities are used at the pixel level for better detail and surface finish.

Hollowing
Removes internal volume from a model to save resin and reduce print time.

Drain Holes
Openings added to hollow prints to allow trapped resin to escape during or after printing.

Bleeding
Light overshoot causes unintended curing outside the model boundaries.

UV Wavelength
The light frequency (typically 405nm or 385nm) is required to cure a specific resin. Matching this to the resin type is critical.

Shrinkage Compensation

Scaling models up by ~1.5–2.5% to account for resin and casting shrinkage.

Final Thoughts

We rely on resin 3D printing for precision, speed, and surface detail. Knowing these key terms can help us select better materials, prevent failures, and improve overall results. Whether our focus is on casting jewelry, printing dental models, or building prototypes, this glossary brings clarity to the tools and techniques that shape our workflow.