Resin printing is the sharper of the two common miniature-printing processes, and the gap between a good resin printer and a mediocre one for tabletop figures comes down to specifics most shoppers skip past: mono LCD resolution, XY pixel size, and light source. This guide stays entirely inside resin, with enough spec-sheet detail to compare machines properly rather than picking whichever one has the biggest resolution number in its name.
Prices and availability confirmed July 21, 2026. Check current listings before buying, as both change.
Why XY pixel size matters more than the “K” number
Marketing tends to lead with resolution counts like 8K or 12K, but that number describes total pixel count across the screen, not how fine each pixel actually is. XY pixel size, listed in microns, is the number that determines real detail resolution: a printer with a larger screen at the same resolution count will have a coarser pixel size than a smaller screen at that same count. For 28mm to 32mm scale miniatures, published XY pixel sizes in the high teens to low twenties of microns are common on current mono LCD machines and produce sharp facial detail and crisp text at that scale.
A dedicated compact printer: Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S
Phrozen’s official spec sheet lists the Sonic Mini 8K S at 8K resolution, 7500 by 3240 pixels, on a 7.1-inch mono LCD, which works out to a 22-micron XY pixel size, with a build volume of roughly 165 by 72 by 170mm. It uses a linear LED light source rather than a single-point COB module. Phrozen prices the printer around $349.99, with occasional pre-order pricing closer to $300. The compact build plate is a deliberate tradeoff: it is sized for single figures and small squads rather than large batches, which keeps the light source small and the exposure more even edge to edge, a real factor in how consistent detail looks across a full miniature.
A budget entry point: Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Elegoo’s official listing puts the Mars 5 Ultra at 9K resolution, 8520 by 4320 pixels, on a 7-inch mono LCD, an 18-micron XY pixel size, and a build volume around 153 by 78 by 165mm. It adds automatic platform calibration and a tilting vat mechanism that reduces peel force between layers, which cuts down on failed prints on tall, thin miniature parts like weapons and banner poles. Pricing sits around $270 to $340 depending on promotions. Its pixel size is finer on paper than the Sonic Mini 8K S, though real-world detail also depends on light uniformity and resin settings, not pixel size alone.
For larger batches: Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra
If you paint for a wargaming army rather than a handful of display pieces, batch size matters as much as resolution. The Saturn 4 Ultra uses a 10-inch, 12K mono LCD at 11520 by 5120 pixels, giving a 19 by 24-micron XY pixel size, with a build volume of about 219 by 123 by 220mm according to Elegoo’s specifications. That plate comfortably holds two or three dozen standard-scale miniatures in one run, all curing at the same time since MSLA exposes a full layer at once regardless of how many parts sit on the plate. A 405nm COB light source and a tilting release mechanism are aimed at keeping large batches printing reliably rather than failing partway through an overnight run. Elegoo lists it around $549 to $599.
Resin needs a controlled workspace
Uncured resin and contaminated cleaning liquid require gloves, eye protection, ventilation and disposal according to the safety data and local rules. Keep them away from children, pets and food areas. Do not pour resin or solvent down a drain.
The wash, cure, and disposal routine
Every print needs an isopropyl alcohol wash to remove uncured resin, followed by UV curing to fully harden the surface, before it is safe to handle bare-handed for extended periods. A dedicated wash and cure station makes this routine consistent. Budget stations from Elegoo run around $60 to $80, while combined wash-and-cure units from Anycubic run from roughly $90 for a compact model up to $360 or more for a chamber sized for larger build plates. Used isopropyl alcohol and resin waste should be cured under UV light until fully solid before disposal as solid waste, following your local hazardous waste rules rather than pouring anything down a drain.
Ventilation and where to put the printer
Resin printers off-gas while printing and while the vat is open, so a room with an openable window, a small exhaust fan, or a carbon filter enclosure is worth setting up before the printer arrives rather than after the smell becomes a problem. A garage, workshop, or spare room with airflow works better than a bedroom or a shared living space.
Resin miniature printer buying checklist
- Compare XY pixel size in microns, not just the marketing resolution number, when judging fine detail.
- Check the light source type, COB or linear LED, and any uniformity rating the manufacturer publishes.
- Match build plate size to how many miniatures you realistically print per batch.
- Budget separately for a wash and cure station rather than assuming it is bundled.
- Confirm you have ventilated space away from children, pets, and food areas before buying.
- Plan for isopropyl alcohol, gloves, and eye protection as recurring supply costs.
- Check current pricing directly with the manufacturer, since resin printer prices move with frequent sales.
If FDM is also on the table for your project, see our miniature 3D printer guide, which compares both processes side by side.