FDM vs Resin 3D Printing for Miniatures and Terrain
If you've shopped for 3D printed tabletop models, you've probably seen products described as either FDM printed or resin printed.
Both technologies have strengths, and at Sigmarite Boutique we use both depending on the model. Rather than forcing every design through the same manufacturing process, we choose the method that produces the best final result.
What Is FDM Printing?
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) creates objects by depositing thin layers of melted plastic filament.
FDM is ideal for:
- Buildings
- Ruins
- Scatter terrain
- Walls and fortifications
- Large vehicles and structures
- Modular terrain systems
Modern FDM printers have improved dramatically over the last few years. Fine stonework, roof tiles, timber framing and other architectural details can now be reproduced with impressive clarity.
Many hobbyists are surprised to learn that some terrain pieces they assume are resin are actually FDM printed.
Why We Use FDM for Terrain
Terrain isn't just about detail. It also needs to be practical for gaming.
FDM terrain offers several advantages:
- Durable and resistant to everyday handling
- Lightweight compared to large resin pieces
- Cost-effective for larger models
- Excellent detail on architectural features
For large terrain projects, modern FDM printing often provides the best balance of detail, durability and value.
Where Resin Printing Excels
Resin printing uses UV light to cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer.
At Sigmarite Boutique, our miniatures are produced using professional 16K resin printers, allowing extremely fine details to be reproduced accurately.
Resin is ideal for:
- Infantry miniatures
- Characters and heroes
- Weapons and equipment
- Faces and armour details
- Small accessories
- Historical miniatures
When details are measured in fractions of a millimetre, resin printing remains the best option.
Small Scale, Big Detail
One area where modern resin printing truly shines is small-scale gaming.
We regularly produce miniatures in 15mm, 10mm and even 6mm scales. Despite their tiny size, modern resin printing can still preserve recognizable weapons, equipment and poses.
Many of our small-scale miniatures are originally designed at larger scales and then carefully adapted for production, including custom support systems and print layouts that improve both quality and durability.
Is Resin Better Than FDM?
Not necessarily, a highly detailed 28mm character is usually best produced in resin. A large multi-storey building is often better suited to FDM. The best technology depends on the model itself, and that's why we use both.
Modern FDM printing produces outstanding terrain, while professional 16K resin printing captures the fine details that make miniatures stand out on the tabletop. The goal isn't to choose one technology over the other, it's to produce the best model possible.