Get the essential equipment to start 3D printing at home.

12. Your next Lesson: Choosing the Right 3D Printer

Now that you have your STL file ready, it’s a good moment to start thinking about which 3D printer you should use to print it.

If you already have experience with 3D printing and own your own printer, you can simply move on to the next steps and print the STL file you’ve learned to create from your favorite character using your own equipment and 3D printing skills, which you most likely already have.

However, if you are new to the 3D printing hobby, don’t worry—this section is designed specifically for you.

We’re going to give you clear, practical advice so you can build your equipment and skills in a way that is:

  • Accessible

  • Easy to understand

  • Affordable

  • Beginner-friendly

Today, 3D printing is more accessible than ever. You don’t need a workshop, expensive machinery, or advanced technical knowledge. With the right guidance, you can print high-quality miniatures right from your own home.

This next lesson will help you choose the right tools and get started confidently, even if you are taking your very first steps into 3D printing.

There are countless types of 3D printers in the world, with different systems, technologies, brands and price ranges. But for miniature printing, there is one clear winner: resin printers.

Resin printers offer far higher detail, smoother surfaces, sharper edges, and the kind of precision that brings your characters to life exactly as you imagined them. For tabletop miniatures, nothing compares.

And while the market is full of resin printers, we don’t want to overwhelm you with twenty different options. Instead, we’re going straight to the point and recommending one specific printer—a model that is easy to find anywhere in the world through Amazon, and one that gives you the best balance between price, quality, and ease of use:

⭐ Anycubic Photon Mono 4K

This printer is, in our view, the perfect entry point for anyone who wants to start printing miniatures. It is affordable, reliable, and powerful enough to create highly detailed models from the very first day.

Here’s why this printer is ideal for beginners (explained without technical jargon):

✨ High Resolution (10K HD Mono LCD Screen))

Higher resolution means the layers are smaller and smoother.
In practical terms, your miniatures will show:
• sharper facial features
• cleaner armour edges
• crisp details on clothing
• almost no visible print lines

This is what makes your minis look professional and ready for painting.

⚡ Fast Printing Speeds

You won’t wait all day for a single miniature.
Modern Mono technology allows the screen to cure resin faster, meaning:
• quicker prints
• less waiting
• more chances to practice and improve

You get results today, not next week.

🧩 Easy to Use

One of the main reasons we recommend this printer is because it is extremely beginner-friendly. The interface is simple, the setup is straightforward, and the learning curve is gentle. Even if you’ve never touched a 3D printer before, you can successfully print your first miniature within 24 hours.

🔧 Strong, Stable, and Reliable

The Photon Mono series is known for:
• solid construction
• stable Z-axis (which prevents wobbling and distortion)
• consistent print quality over time

Your miniatures come out clean, sharp, and accurate.

🛒 Easy to Find Worldwide

Because it’s available on Amazon internationally, you can get it shipped to your home quickly, at a great price, and with customer support included. No hunting for obscure websites or specialised stores.

Direct Link to the Printer

Here is a direct link where you can find the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K on Amazon.

We hope it becomes your first step into the amazing world of 3D printing.

We could talk about dozens of different printers…
But that would only complicate things.

Our goal is to give you the clearest and most effective path forward.
And for a beginner who wants to print miniatures with excellent quality, this is the perfect place to start.

13. Anycubic Photon Mono 4 3D printer Tutorial

To get the most out of your Anycubic Photon Mono 4 3D printer, we recommend that you follow this brief tutorial. It will take you less than five minutes to read and understand, and then you can watch the video we have shared just below, where everything is explained step by step.

The video is an excellent review that covers all the essentials you need to know—especially how to calibrate your printer, which is the most important part of this lesson. If your printer is not properly calibrated, you will never achieve good results. A 3D printer must be correctly calibrated, and you should understand its basic operation before you begin printing.

With this video and this short tutorial, you will have everything you need to set up your printer, take it out of the box, and get it ready to start printing.

In less than 15 minutes, you’ll have all the essential knowledge.
Simply read this quick tutorial and then watch the video below.

Getting Started with the Anycubic Photon Mono 4

1. Introduction & Unboxing

  • Unboxing: The process is simple; you just slide the printer out of its "cardboard prison".

  • Physical Setup & Safety:

    • The printer is noticeably light. A key issue is that it has plastic feet, which makes it slide very easily on smooth surfaces.

    • Pro Tip: It is highly recommended to place this printer on a silicone mat. Otherwise, the machine might spin around when you try to loosen bolts, potentially causing spills or accidents.

  • Ports: The power socket and switch are on the rear, while the USB port is located on the back right side.

  • Accessibility: The printer features a detachable door for easy access to internals, and a plastic lift-off lid.

2. The Critical Step: Leveling the Build Plate

  • Why it matters: The printer does not come pre-leveled. In fact, out of the box, you cannot even attach the build plate to the arm without loosening the bolts first. This forces you to learn the leveling process immediately.

  • Step-by-Step Leveling Guide:

    1. Loosen the bolts: Ensure the four bolts on the build plate are loose.

    2. Attach the plate: Secure the build plate to the Z-axis arm using the large top bolt.

    3. Home the printer: Go to the UI menu and send the build plate to the "Home" position.

    4. Tighten correctly: While holding the build plate flat against the screen, tighten the four screws. Do this by alternating corners (tighten one, then the opposite one) to ensure it stays even.

    5. Set Z=0: Once tightened, you must press "Z=0" in the menu. Do not skip this step.

3. Hardware Overview: The Vat and Screen

  • The Resin Vat:

    • It comes equipped with crystal clear ACF film, which aids in release performance.

    • Warning: The vat lacks a proper pour spout. When emptying resin, it tends to run down the edge and underneath the corner, making it very messy. Students should be prepared with paper towels and clean carefully.

  • The Screen (Resolution):

    • Marketing claims it is "10K," but the actual resolution is 9024 x 5120 pixels.

    • This results in a pixel size of 17 microns, which is incredibly detailed, though the video notes that actual print quality also depends on the light source.

4. Interface & First Print Features

  • User Interface (UI): The menu is intuitive and classic for Anycubic machines.

  • Live Editing: A useful feature for beginners is the ability to edit print settings directly on the printer while a print is running. If a print fails, you can adjust settings without re-slicing the file.

  • Calibration (R.E.R.F.):

    • The printer supports the R.E.R.F. (Resin Exposure Range Finder) feature.

    • This allows you to print a test file where different sections are exposed for different times (in 0.25s increments) to find the perfect exposure setting for your specific resin.

Summary for Students:

  • Stability is key: Use a non-slip mat because the plastic feet are slippery.

  • Leveling is mandatory: Master the "Loosen -> Home -> Tighten -> Z=0" process.

  • Watch the pour: Be careful when emptying the vat; it drips easily.

  • Calibrate first: Use the R.E.R.F. feature to dial in your resin settings.

 

14. Choosing the Resin: Anycubic Water Wash Resin 2.0

For this workflow, the resin we are going to use is Anycubic Water Wash Resin 2.0. This resin is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced users alike, especially for printing high-detail miniatures and character models.

Below is a clear explanation of what all the images above represent and why this resin is so well suited for this tutorial.

Resin Parameters & Mechanical Properties

The technical chart shows the core material characteristics:

  • Low viscosity (190–230 mPa·s at 25°C), which helps the resin flow easily and capture fine details.

  • Good surface hardness (82–85 HD), ideal for crisp details on miniatures.

  • Balanced strength and flexibility, reducing the risk of brittle parts.

  • Controlled shrinkage, which improves dimensional accuracy.

These properties make the resin reliable for consistent, high-quality prints.

Wide Compatibility

The compatibility diagram shows that this resin works with all common LCD/DLP resin printers on the market, especially those using 405 nm UV light, which includes most modern consumer resin printers.

Low Viscosity = Stable Printing

The low-viscosity visuals explain why prints have:

  • Better platform adhesion

  • Higher success rates

  • More consistent layer formation

This is particularly important when printing complex supports or thin details.

Anti-Yellowing & Color Stability

The anti-yellowing comparison demonstrates how Water Wash Resin 2.0 maintains its color and appearance much better over time, even after exposure to light—especially important for white, gray, or transparent prints that will later be painted.

Less Odor – Better for Indoor Use

The odor comparison images show that this resin produces significantly less smell than many alternatives, making it far more comfortable to use at home or in indoor environments.

High Resilience & Reduced Cracking

The flexibility tests highlight the resin’s high elongation at break (around 16–17%), meaning:

  • Printed parts are less brittle

  • Thin elements are more resistant to snapping

  • Finished miniatures are more durable

This is a huge advantage for tabletop figures and detailed characters.

High Precision & Fine Detail

The miniature examples demonstrate the resin’s ability to reproduce extreme surface detail, sharp edges, and clean textures—exactly what we want for character models and collectible miniatures.

Easy Cleaning with Water

Finally, the water-cleaning images show one of the biggest advantages:

  • No alcohol required

  • Cleaning is done using only water

  • More cost-effective and eco-friendly

  • Simpler and safer post-processing for beginners

Why We Recommend This Resin

In short, Anycubic Water Wash Resin 2.0 offers:

  • Excellent detail quality

  • Easy and clean post-processing

  • Reduced odor

  • Strong yet flexible prints

  • Beginner-friendly handling

That’s why it’s the resin we recommend for this tutorial and for printing your newly created STL characters at home with confidence.

 

You can use this link to purchase Anycubic Water Wash Resin 2.0, the ideal resin for printing high-quality miniatures at home with ease and excellent results.

This resin is beginner-friendly, easy to clean using only water, and perfect for realistic figurines and character models like the one you’re creating.

In the past, resin 3D printing was much more complex. Cleaning prints required isopropyl alcohol, dedicated washing machines, strong odors, and a more expensive and complicated setup. That alone was a major barrier for many people who wanted to get into the hobby.

Today, with new-generation Water Washable resins (2.0), everything has changed. Once your model is printed, cleaning it is as simple as washing it with water. No alcohol, no complex equipment, and far less hassle.

This makes the entire 3D printing process:

  • Cheaper

  • Easier

  • Cleaner

  • More accessible

It truly changes the rules of the game. 3D printing has never been this simple, affordable, or approachable. For the first time, anyone can do this at home.

If you’ve ever wanted to get into 3D printing, this is your moment. It has never been easier, simpler, or more affordable to start this incredible hobby.

Here’s a clear, well-structured explanation in English introducing Anycubic Photon Workshop as the perfect slicer software for your resin prints, with the download link included:

15. Anycubic Photon Workshop – The Perfect Slicer Software

Once we have created our STL file and we know which 3D printer and which resin we are going to use, we are ready to move on to the next step: choosing the slicer.

The slicer is the software that prepares your STL file with the correct parameters for your specific printer and selected resin. It converts your model into a printable file, setting layer heights, exposure times, and supports so your miniature can be printed smoothly, accurately, and without issues.

The software we recommend for preparing your STL files for printing is Anycubic Photon Workshop. It is specifically designed to work with resin 3D printers, including the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 and other models in the Anycubic family.

Anycubic Photon Workshop allows you to:

  • Import your STL file

  • Position, scale, and rotate your model

  • Add and customize supports

  • Slice the file for optimal layer exposure

  • Export the print file ready for your printer

It is easy to use, powerful, and ideal for beginners and experienced users alike.

Download the Software

Before anything else, you need to download the slicer software directly from the official Anycubic website.

👉 Download link:
https://www.anycubic.com/lcdDownload

This link takes you to the Anycubic downloads page where you can find Photon Workshop for your operating system.

Once downloaded and installed, you will be ready to open your STL model and prepare it for printing.

Here is the clean, well-structured explanation in English, written in a clear, beginner-friendly, step-by-step instructional tone:

16. Using Anycubic Photon Workshop

Once we have downloaded Anycubic Photon Workshop for Windows or macOS, depending on our operating system, we install the software and we are ready to start working.

First, in the top-right corner, you will find the Import Model button. Click on it to import your STL file quickly and easily.

Next, in the bottom-right corner, you will see the options to select:

  • Machine (3D Printer)

  • Resin

Under Machine, select Anycubic Photon Mono 4, which is the printer we are using in this workflow.

Under Resin, select Water Washable Resin +.

With these two selections, you don’t need to configure any additional parameters. In the past, this step was much more complex and required manual tuning. Today, the process is completely straightforward: choose your printer, choose your resin, and you’re ready to go.

Scaling the Miniature

Once the printer and resin are selected, go to the left-side toolbar.
Select the Scale option to set the correct size for your miniature.

For tabletop RPGs, miniatures are typically around 40 mm in height.
Set the Z-axis value to 40 mm, and the software will automatically scale the model proportionally.

Rotating the Miniature for Printing

After scaling, still in the left-side toolbar, select Rotate.
Tilt the miniature slightly by a few degrees. This is the correct way to print resin miniatures.

It is not recommended to print miniatures completely upright. A slight inclination improves:

  • Surface quality

  • Support efficiency

  • Print success rate

Adding Supports

Once the miniature is tilted, go to the top menu and select Supports.

In the Support Script options:

  • Choose Light supports

Because this is a small 40 mm miniature, light supports are more than sufficient.
For larger or heavier models, you would choose Medium or Heavy supports, but for RPG-scale miniatures, Light supports are ideal.

Click Generate Automatic Supports, and the software will automatically place the supports.

Once you click the Generate Automatic Supports button, the supports will be created automatically, and you will be able to see that your miniature is now properly supported and fully prepared for printing.

Take a moment to visually confirm that the miniature is properly supported.

Slicing and Saving the File

When everything looks correct, go to the bottom-right corner and click Slice.

This will take you to a new screen where you can save the sliced file.
Click Save Slice File.

 Then, choose a file name (for example: MiniReady), and click Save.

Your file is now fully prepared and ready to print. Simply copy it onto a USB drive, insert it into your 3D printer’s USB port, and start the print.

With just these steps, your miniature is fully prepared, sliced, and ready to be printed—simple, clean, and beginner-friendly.

Here is the clean, professional explanation in English, written in a clear, beginner-friendly tone and suitable for a guide or tutorial:

17. Post-Processing the Miniature

Printing the miniature is the easiest part of the process. You simply pour the resin into the printer’s tank, insert the USB drive with the file created in Anycubic Photon Workshop, and press the Print button. In a short amount of time—usually within a couple of hours—the printer will finish the job, and your miniature will be fully printed and ready for post-processing.

Now we move on to the post-processing stage of the miniature.

Once the miniature has finished printing, it will be attached to the build plate of the resin 3D printer. The first step is to carefully remove it from the plate and proceed with cleaning.

Because we are using water-washable resin, the cleaning process is simple and safe. Submerge the miniature in water to remove any remaining resin residue.

Ideally, the water should have a bit of pressure and be warm, as warm water helps dissolve and carry away resin residue more effectively.

You can also gently clean the miniature using a soft toothbrush, brushing it while it is submerged in warm water. This makes the cleaning process easy, fast, and very effective.

Once the miniature has been washed with water and we are sure that all remaining resin has been properly removed, we proceed to inspect it and let it dry completely.

After it is fully dry, we carefully check the figure to make sure it has printed correctly, that there are no defects, and that it is indeed ready to move on to the next stage.

Removing the Supports

Removing the supports is usually very straightforward. In most cases, supports can be removed carefully by hand.

If you prefer more precision, you can use fine clippers, especially for tighter or more delicate areas.

  • For sturdy miniatures, removing supports by hand is usually enough.

  • For delicate parts, clippers are recommended.

  • Always wear protective glasses when using clippers for safety.

Once all the supports have been removed, the miniature should be clean and ready for curing.

Curing the Miniature

Place the miniature in a curing station and expose it to UV light for approximately 10 minutes. This final curing process fully hardens the resin and ensures the miniature reaches its final strength.

After curing, the miniature is officially finished from a printing perspective and ready for the artistic stage.

Priming and Painting

Before painting, apply a primer coat to the miniature. In this workflow, we recommend white primer, but the artist or hobbyist can choose white, gray, black, or any preferred colour.

Make sure the primer covers the miniature completely, from all angles, ensuring no surface is left unprimed.

Once primed, you can move on to painting—one of the most exciting and creative parts of the hobby.

For beginners, we strongly recommend using Speedpaints. They are:

  • Extremely easy to use

  • Designed for single-coat application

  • Perfect for beginners

  • Capable of producing professional-looking results with minimal effort

Our top recommendation is The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 range.

These paints are incredibly accessible, simple to use, and allow anyone—with just basic miniature painting knowledge—to achieve stunning, high-quality finishes.

With these tools, your miniature can reach a spectacular final result, making the entire process both rewarding and incredibly fun.

18. Anycubic Wash & Cure Station

The Anycubic Wash & Cure Station is the perfect option we recommend for curing all kinds of miniatures, statuettes, and parts printed with your resin 3D printer. It is, without a doubt, the final piece that closes the loop and completes a fully functional home 3D printing setup.

After washing your prints (especially when using water-washable resin), proper UV curing is essential. This station provides uniform ultraviolet light, ensuring your miniatures are fully cured, durable, and ready for handling, priming, and painting. The process is simple, clean, and beginner-friendly—just place your model inside, set the timer (around 10 minutes is usually enough), and let the machine do the work.

In short, to build a complete and accessible 3D printing kit, you only need:

  • Anycubic Photon Mono 4 – your resin 3D printer

  • Anycubic Water-Wash Resin 2.0 – easy to clean, beginner-friendly resin

  • Anycubic Wash & Cure Station – washing and UV curing in one device

This initial investment typically ranges between £200 and £300, which is incredibly affordable considering you can print hundreds of miniatures, fully develop the hobby, and enjoy one of the most creative, exciting, and rewarding activities available today. It offers total freedom for creativity and innovation, hours of entertainment, and a solid first step toward becoming confident—and even professional—at 3D printing.

You can purchase the Anycubic Wash & Cure Station directly on Amazon by clicking the link provided HERE.


19. Army Painter Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0

We highly recommend starting with the Army Painter Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0, which you can purchase on Amazon for a very affordable price. This starter set is perfect for beginners and one of the easiest, fastest, and most intuitive ways to start painting miniatures with great-looking results right from the start.

Why this set is ideal:

  • Extremely easy to use, even if you have never painted miniatures before

  • Designed for single-coat painting with built-in shading and highlights

  • Saves time while still delivering a professional-looking finish

  • Ideal for RPG miniatures, wargames, and display models

👉 Click here to buy the Army Painter Speedpaint Starter Set on Amazon


👉 Click here to access the official Speedpaint usage guide – a very simple, beginner-friendly tutorial that shows you exactly how to use Speedpaint step by step

If you want to expand your paint collection, explore new colors, or upgrade your painting setup, you can also visit the official Army Painter website (CLICK HERE), where you’ll find:

  • Full Speedpaint 2.0 color ranges

  • Advanced paint sets

  • Brushes, primers, and hobby tools

This system makes miniature painting accessible, fast, and fun, allowing anyone to achieve stunning results without years of experience. It’s the perfect way to grow your hobby, improve your skills, and bring your printed miniatures to life. 🎨✨

20. Bonus Content

As an additional bonus, and to conclude this fascinating tutorial, I’m sharing a link to a complete PDF guide (TAP HERE) featuring advanced miniature painting techniques from the acclaimed paint brand Army Painter.

This guide is available for you to download freely, print, and use however you like, helping you continue improving your skills and becoming a true professional in miniature painting.

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