Why resin printing is a different proposition from FDM
Most people's first exposure to 3D printing is FDM — the technology that extrudes molten plastic layer by layer to build a shape. FDM is excellent for functional parts, large objects, and durable end-use components. What it doesn't do particularly well is fine surface detail, smooth curved surfaces, or the kind of dimensional accuracy that small, intricate objects require.
Resin printing (MSLA) works differently. A UV-curable liquid resin is hardened layer by layer using a high-resolution LCD screen, producing prints with surface quality and detail resolution that are in a completely different category from FDM output. The difference isn't subtle — it's immediately visible when you hold both types of print in your hand.
Our Somerset West showroom runs the ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K for resin printing — one of the most capable consumer-tier resin printers available, with a 16K monochrome LCD that produces surface detail measurable in microns. The output speaks for itself, which is why we encourage anyone curious about resin to visit and hold a finished print before deciding anything.
What resin printing is used for — and what it's not
Resin is the right choice when surface quality, fine detail, or dimensional accuracy is more important than size or material toughness. Here's how that translates to the kinds of projects we regularly handle through our print-on-demand service:
Resin printing is widely used in jewellery design to produce highly accurate wax-substitute models for lost-wax casting. The surface finish and edge definition of a well-tuned resin print eliminates the hand-finishing steps that a rougher FDM prototype would require before casting. If you're a jewellery designer or goldsmith in the Cape Town or Winelands area who wants to move from hand-crafted wax models to digitally designed, precision-printed casting models, our resin service is built for exactly this use case.
The miniature painting and tabletop gaming community around Cape Town is larger than most people expect, and resin is the technology that makes high-detail miniature printing possible. Facial features, armour texturing, weapon detail, and base scenery elements that would be invisible noise on an FDM print are fully resolved on a 16K resin print. We print both original designs and commissioned custom miniatures as part of our print-on-demand service.
When a product prototype is going to a client presentation, investor meeting, or photography session, surface quality matters as much as dimensional accuracy. A resin prototype of a consumer product — a cosmetic container, a product housing, a custom component — presents at a level that an FDM print simply can't match without extensive post-processing. We print one-off presentation prototypes for Cape Town product designers and small manufacturers regularly.
Dental resin printing for study models, aligners, and orthodontic appliance fabrication is one of the fastest-growing resin applications globally. We stock dental resin specifically for this application. If you're a dental practice or prosthetist in the Southern Suburbs or Winelands area exploring whether in-house resin printing makes sense for your workflow, a visit to the showroom will give you a practical, hands-on answer.
Architects and interior designers occasionally need scale components with a level of detail that FDM produces poorly — window mullion profiles, ornamental elements, custom hardware details. Resin handles these at a scale and resolution where the output is genuinely presentation-quality rather than a rough impression of the intended shape.
The resins we stock and print with
Not all resin is the same — different formulations produce different mechanical and optical properties, and the right resin for a miniature is not the same as the right resin for a dental model or a tough functional component. Our Somerset West showroom stocks five resin types:
General-purpose, sharp detail, broad colour range. Ideal for display models, prototypes, and miniatures where toughness isn't a requirement.
Tougher and more impact-resistant than standard. For functional resin parts that need to handle some physical stress without shattering.
Cures and cleans with water rather than IPA solvent. Faster post-processing, lower ongoing consumable cost. Good for high-volume hobbyist printing.
High impact resistance and rigidity. For engineering applications requiring structural integrity in a resin material.
Biocompatible formulation for dental study models, orthodontic appliances, and prosthodontic applications. Requires correct post-cure protocol.
When you submit a print-on-demand request, our team will confirm which resin type is most appropriate for your specific project before printing begins. If you're not sure, just describe what the part needs to do and we'll make the call.
How to submit a resin print-on-demand request
The process is straightforward whether you're local to Somerset West or anywhere in South Africa:
- Email your file to 3dservices@tonerandink.co.za. STL and 3MF are the most common formats. Include a brief description of what the part is for and whether you have specific material, colour, or finish requirements.
- We'll confirm printability and quote you. Most requests get a response within one business day. We'll flag any design issues (unsupported overhangs, wall thickness concerns) before printing rather than after.
- We print, cure, and post-process. All resin prints go through a full wash and cure cycle before dispatch or collection, so what you receive is ready to use or paint.
- Collection or delivery. Collect from our Somerset West showroom or we'll arrange delivery — same-day in Cape Town for urgent requests where stock and timing allow.
Not sure if resin is right for your project? Email us a description of what you're making and what it needs to do — we'll tell you honestly whether resin or FDM is the better fit before you spend anything on printing.
Come and see it in person
The Saturn 4 Ultra 16K runs regular demonstrations at our Somerset West showroom. You can see a resin print in progress, hold finished examples in standard, ABS-like, and water-washable resins, and compare the surface quality directly against FDM output side by side. This single visit answers more questions than several hours of YouTube research — and it costs nothing.
Unit 1, Palm House, 80 Andries Pretorius Street, Audas Estate, Somerset West, 7130
Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm · Sat: 9am–1pm
📞 021 840 0433 · 💬 WhatsApp: 082 232 2782
Frequently asked questions
any questions without any purchase pressure.
Ready to get something printed in resin? Email your file or project brief to our team, or visit the showroom to see the Saturn 4 Ultra 16K running in person.