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Best Resin Printing Accessories

Resin printing produces detail and surface quality that FDM cannot match, miniatures, jewelry masters, dental models, and precision prototypes are where resin excels. But resin printing requires a safety and maintenance discipline that FDM does not. Uncured resin is a skin irritant and requires nitrile gloves and adequate ventilation for every session. FEP films on the printer vat degrade and need periodic replacement. Wash and cure stations automate the post-print workflow of cleaning in IPA or dedicated wash solution and UV curing the finished part. This category covers the consumables, safety gear, and post-processing equipment that resin printers buy repeatedly and that make the workflow practical for regular use.

Compared 06
Top pick ELEGOO Mercury Plus Wash and Cure Station
Updated Jul 2026
Quick answer

The single most valuable accessory after the printer is the ELEGOO Mercury Plus Wash and Cure Station, which automates the messy IPA-wash and UV-cure steps into one repeatable workflow for Mars and Saturn machines. Large-format printers should size up to the Anycubic Wash and Cure Plus. Nitrile gloves are mandatory, non-negotiable safety gear every session.

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REF 01 TOP PICK Brand Direct
ELEGOO Mercury Plus Wash and Cure Station
SCORE 4.7 / 5.0

ELEGOO Mercury Plus Wash and Cure Station

The ELEGOO Mercury Plus combines a wash station with a UV cure station in one unit. The wash phase spins the print in IPA or ELEGOO's water-washable solvent to remove uncured resin, then the cure phase rotates the part under a 405nm UV light array for complete surface hardening. Processing is automated and standardized, producing consistent results compared to the manual UV nail lamp and IPA jar approach most users start with.

BEST FOR
ELEGOO Mars and Saturn series resin printer users who want to standardize their post-processing workflow and replace the manual IPA jar and UV lamp approach with automated, repeatable results.
PRICE
$99 to $125
  1. 1Combined wash and cure eliminates separate equipment for the two-stage resin post-processing workflow
  2. 2Rotating turntable during both wash and cure stages ensures even exposure and cleaning on all surfaces
  3. 3ELEGOO brand compatibility with Mars and Saturn series printers, with basket sizes matching common build volumes

Wash solvent requires periodic replacement and disposal as IPA or wash solution becomes resin-saturated

SOURCE Check price
REF 02 NO.02 Brand Direct
Anycubic Wash and Cure Plus
SCORE 4.6 / 5.0

Anycubic Wash and Cure Plus

Anycubic's larger-format wash and cure station, designed to accommodate the build volumes of the Mono X and Photon M3 Max series printers. The 8-liter wash capacity handles large prints that do not fit in the standard Mercury Plus, and the 365nm plus 405nm dual-wavelength UV array cures a wider range of resin formulas than single-wavelength units.

BEST FOR
Anycubic Mono X, Photon M3 Max, or large-format resin printer users who have outgrown the Mercury Plus capacity and need a station matched to their build volume.
PRICE
$159 to $219
  1. 18-liter wash capacity handles large Anycubic Mono X and Photon M3 Max build volumes
  2. 2Dual 365nm plus 405nm UV wavelength array cures a broader range of resin types than single-wavelength units
  3. 3Wash timer and cure timer are independently programmable for different resin formulations

Larger footprint requires dedicated workspace; not compact enough for casual desktop use

SOURCE Check price
REF 03 NO.03 Amazon
Nitrile Exam Gloves (100-Count Box)
SCORE 4.6 / 5.0

Nitrile Exam Gloves (100-Count Box)

Nitrile gloves are mandatory safety equipment for every resin print session. Uncured photopolymer resin is a skin sensitizer, repeated skin contact without protection can trigger allergic reactions that become worse with continued exposure. A single box of 100 disposable nitrile gloves at under $15 provides enough coverage for many months of regular printing and is the cheapest piece of safety equipment in the resin workflow.

BEST FOR
Every resin printer user without exception. Uncured resin skin contact is the primary safety risk in resin printing and nitrile gloves eliminate it at a cost of under $0.15 per print session.
PRICE
$12 to $18
  1. 1Nitrile material provides adequate chemical resistance against uncured photopolymer resin
  2. 2Powder-free formulation avoids contaminating the IPA wash solution with powder residue
  3. 3100-count box provides enough volume for long-term use without frequent reordering

Latex gloves are not adequate substitutes; specifically nitrile is required for resin chemical resistance

SOURCE Check price on Amazon
REF 04 NO.04 Amazon
ELEGOO Standard ABS-Like 3D Printing Resin
SCORE 4.5 / 5.0

ELEGOO Standard ABS-Like 3D Printing Resin

ELEGOO's standard ABS-like resin is the entry point for ELEGOO Mars and Saturn users and one of the most widely tested resins in the consumer resin community. The 405nm photopolymer produces clean layer detail at standard exposure times, cures with reliable dimensional accuracy, and has a documented exposure profile for most ELEGOO printer models that new users can use directly from community resources without extensive dialing-in.

BEST FOR
New ELEGOO Mars and Saturn users learning resin printing settings, and experienced users printing miniatures, models, and display pieces where community exposure profiles apply directly.
PRICE
$22 to $32
  1. 1One of the most-documented resins in the community with established exposure profiles for most ELEGOO printer models
  2. 2ABS-like formula provides better impact resistance than standard brittle 405nm resin
  3. 3Consistent print detail at standard exposure times without significant tuning required

Standard ABS-like resin is more brittle than engineering resins; not suitable for parts requiring flex or significant impact resistance

SOURCE Check price on Amazon
REF 05 NO.05 Amazon
ELEGOO FEP Film Replacement Sheet
SCORE 4.4 / 5.0

ELEGOO FEP Film Replacement Sheet

FEP film is the transparent release layer at the bottom of the resin printer vat that prints peel from after each layer. It degrades with use, becoming cloudy and losing its non-stick surface properties, which produces failed adhesion and layer separation. ELEGOO's replacement FEP sheets are cut to the correct dimensions for Mars and Saturn series printers and include replacement screws. Replacing FEP when it shows visible clouding or after every 200 to 300 prints prevents the majority of mid-print resin vat failures.

BEST FOR
ELEGOO Mars and Saturn series resin printer users who maintain a regular FEP replacement schedule and want pre-dimensioned sheets rather than cutting from generic stock.
PRICE
$14 to $22
  1. 1Pre-cut to ELEGOO Mars and Saturn dimensions, eliminating the trim work required with generic FEP sheets
  2. 2Includes replacement vat screws, avoiding the stripped-screw problem of reusing screws over multiple FEP changes
  3. 3Replacement kit includes multiple sheets to keep spares on hand for planned maintenance cycles

Model-specific sizing means a Mars 3 sheet does not fit a Saturn 4 Ultra; verify compatibility before ordering

SOURCE Check price on Amazon
REF 06 NO.06 Amazon
ELEGOO Resin Vat Replacement
SCORE 4.3 / 5.0

ELEGOO Resin Vat Replacement

A complete replacement vat assembly for ELEGOO Mars series printers, including the vat body and a pre-installed FEP film. Replacing the entire vat rather than just the FEP film is practical when the vat body shows resin curing on the walls, scratches on the FEP from failed print removal, or damage to the screws that hold the FEP in tension. A spare vat also enables color separation for users who print multiple resin types.

BEST FOR
ELEGOO Mars series users who switch between multiple resin colors or formulas and want to maintain dedicated vats per material type rather than cleaning a single vat between each change.
PRICE
$18 to $28
  1. 1Complete vat and FEP assembly is faster to swap than replacing just the FEP film when the vat body is also damaged
  2. 2Spare vat enables dedicated vat assignment by resin type, eliminating contamination between different resin colors or formulas
  3. 3Pre-installed FEP means the unit is ready to print immediately after installation

Mars series compatibility only; verify your specific printer model before purchasing

SOURCE Check price on Amazon
The method

How we chose

We evaluated each option on build quality, real-world performance, and value. Our top pick, ELEGOO Mercury Plus Wash and Cure Station, earned the spot. The most important accessory purchase for resin printing after the printer itself. The Mercury Plus converts resin post-processing from a messy manual process to an automated workflow that produces consistent results. The comparison above highlights exactly who each pick is best for.

Related guides

Resin Printing: The Accessories You Actually Need

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Resin Printing Safety and Ventilation: A Setup Guide

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Best 3D Printer Accessories Under $25: Small Upgrades That Punch Above Their Price

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Head-to-head comparisons

ELEGOO Mercury Plus vs Anycubic Wash and Cure Plus

Compare

FAQ

Best Resin Printing Accessories: FAQ

What safety gear do I need for resin printing?+

Nitrile gloves and ventilation are mandatory, not optional. Uncured resin is a skin sensitizer, and repeated contact can build an allergic response that does not fade. Wear powder free nitrile gloves for every handling step and work in a ventilated room or with an exhaust fan. Safety glasses and an enclosure with carbon filtration are smart additions for shared spaces.

Is good ventilation really necessary, or can I print in a closed room?+

Ventilation is necessary. Resin gives off volatile compounds that irritate the respiratory system with prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces. Print in a room with airflow, ideally with a fan directing air away from you and out a window. If you print in a living space, an enclosure with activated carbon filtration is the more complete solution.

Do I need a wash and cure station?+

It is not strictly required, but it makes results far more consistent. Fresh prints carry uncured resin that must be washed off, then UV cured to fully harden. The manual route of an alcohol jar and a UV lamp works but is messy and uneven. An automated wash and cure station spins and rotates parts for even cleaning and curing on every surface.

How often do I need to replace the FEP film in the vat?+

Inspect it after roughly every 200 prints or any failed print. Replace it when it looks cloudy, scratched, or loses its non stick feel. Degraded FEP is a leading cause of prints sticking to the vat instead of the build plate. Keep two or three spare sheets on hand so replacement happens on schedule rather than waiting on shipping.

How is resin printing different from FDM, and is it harder?+

Resin MSLA printing gives much finer detail than FDM, which makes it excellent for miniatures, jewelry masters, and precision prototypes. The trade off is a messier, more involved workflow: handling liquid resin safely, washing in alcohol or water, and UV curing every part. It is not harder to learn, but it demands more discipline around safety and cleanup.