Comparing Standard vs ABS-like Resin for SLA 3D Printing
- Tamara Arkhangelskaya
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 22
When exploring SLA printing materials, it is easy to assume that ABS-like resin is always the better option. After all, many of the plastic products we use every day, such as remote controls, appliance housings, and toys, are made from molded ABS. That gives ABS a strong reputation for durability.
But just because we are surrounded by ABS products in daily life does not mean that every 3D printed resin part requires ABS-like properties. For many prototypes, visual models, and miniatures, standard resin is often the well-suited and more cost-efficient choice.
In this post, we explain what makes these two resin types different. We will show you some key metrics taken directly from a material manufacturer, and help you decide when each option makes sense.
How Standard Resin and ABS-like Resin Differ
Standard resin is made for smooth finishes, sharp detail, and easy printing. It is great for visual models such as miniatures and prototypes where parts are not subjected to frequent handling. It is stiff and strong, but can be brittle under heavy stress.
ABS-like resin is designed to feel closer to traditional ABS plastic. It sacrifices some stiffness in exchange for more toughness and impact resistance. Parts made with ABS-like resin can handle more bending or moderate stress before breaking.
It is important to remember that even though ABS-like resin mimics some features of molded ABS, it is still a UV-cured resin and will not behave exactly like injection-molded ABS.
If you want to learn more about these materials individually, check out our dedicated pages on standard resin 3D printing and ABS-like resin printing.
Why We Often Think of ABS as the Best Choice
ABS plastic is everywhere. Countless everyday products are made with injection-molded ABS. It is not only durable but also easy to mold and provides reliable impact resistance. ABS can also withstand moderate heat, and it has a smooth surface that can be painted or finished easily. These combined qualities make it suitable for many consumer products, which is why manufacturers rely on it for so many end-use items.
However, for many SLA printing projects, such as prototypes or decorative pieces, there is no need for the added toughness that ABS-like resin provides. If the printed part will mostly serve as a visual model, standard resin is often the more practical solution.
How to Find Accurate Material Data
If you want a clear comparison of resin properties, Elegoo makes it easy. Their Compare Products page lets you select up to three materials side by side and view detailed specs such as tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, hardness, and more.
For this post, we used exact data from Elegoo’s tool to compare two specific materials:
Elegoo Standard Resin Colored
Elegoo ABS-like Ultra Resin Colored
Here is a simplified table with the key values taken directly from their comparison tool.
Comparison Table for Standard Resin vs ABS-like Resin
What These Numbers Tell Us
Tensile strength shows that standard resin is stiffer, while ABS-like resin is more flexible. Elongation at break is much higher in ABS-like resin, meaning it can bend or stretch more before it snaps. Shore hardness is slightly higher for standard resin, so it feels a little firmer to the touch.
Impact strength values look similar, but standard resin is more brittle, so it tends to crack instead of flexing. Flexural strength and modulus are higher for ABS-like resin, which makes it better for parts that experience some bending without breaking.
Put simply, standard resin is better for rigid and precise parts, while ABS-like resin works better for pieces that will be handled more often or assembled together.
When to Choose Standard vs ABS-like Resin
Choose standard resin if
The part is primarily visual, such as a display model or miniature
You need high detail and a high-quality surface finish
The part will not face mechanical stress or frequent handling
Choose ABS-like resin if
The part needs to survive more handling or light stress
You want a feel closer to consumer product plastics
You are prototyping parts that might later be made in ABS or other engineering plastics
If you are deciding between standard resin and tough resin, our post on standard resin vs tough resin for SLA printing explains the differences and when to use each.
Practical Considerations
In practice, for prototypes that will stay in the design studio or serve as purely visual models, standard resin keeps costs lower. For parts that will be touched more often or require light functional testing, ABS-like resin is worth considering.
If you want to explore more about SLA technology in general, see our SLA printing services page for more details. We are always happy to assist you with selecting the right resin for your 3D printing project.
