A $699 resin printer from a company better known for machines costing thousands of dollars is an intriguing proposition, especially for hobbyists accustomed to filament-based 3D printing. Jeff Geerling approaches the Formlabs Form Studio 1 as a complete newcomer to resin printing, exploring whether its exceptional surface detail justifies the additional expense, cleanup, and technical complications. Rather than presenting a conventional performance benchmark, he combines practical printing experiments with an examination of the engineering decisions that allowed Formlabs to reduce its entry price. The result is an approachable introduction that balances genuine enthusiasm with a useful appreciation of the compromises involved.
Geerling establishes credibility by acknowledging both his limited resin-printing experience and the circumstances surrounding the review. Formlabs supplied the printer, resins, and accessories, bringing the tested setup above $1,000, but did not pay him directly or exercise editorial control. This disclosure is particularly important given the largely positive impression that follows. His discussion of additional expenses also prevents the attractive $699 starting price from becoming misleading. Cleaning supplies, alcohol, replacement tanks, and optional washing equipment quickly increase the total investment, while the company's proprietary PreForm slicing software introduces restrictions that may frustrate users accustomed to open-source alternatives. Fortunately, the printer operates locally without requiring an internet connection or cloud account, a capability Geerling rightly treats as a significant advantage.
The initial printing demonstrations effectively illustrate why resin technology appeals to makers seeking exceptionally fine detail. A calibration-style test piece delivers impressive results, while a black Raspberry Pi enclosure demonstrates respectable dimensional accuracy and surface quality. Geerling also identifies practical imperfections, including a slight ridge on surfaces printed against the build platform. His observations extend beyond finished objects to the machine's relatively quiet operation, modest measured power consumption, and limitations in local print monitoring. The inability to access time-lapse recordings without using a cloud-connected mobile application is an especially relevant criticism for his preferred workflow. These details make the examination more useful than a simple showcase of attractive finished prints.
The clearest demonstration of the printer's capabilities comes from recreating the curved enclosure of a retro-inspired modem. Geerling obtains the original design files to reproduce a distinctive raised speaker section that proved difficult to manufacture cleanly using conventional filament printing. Transparent resin produces an attractive frosted appearance after washing and drying, although the initial impression of exceptional clarity fades once the remaining liquid resin is removed. More importantly, his decision to eliminate certain automatically generated supports causes slight warping, leaving a visible gap in the assembled enclosure. This mistake becomes a valuable lesson about print orientation and structural support rather than something concealed to preserve an overly favorable verdict. Additional experiments with a detailed T-Rex skull and a translucent computer mouse enclosure reinforce the printer's potential while demonstrating that impressive resolution cannot compensate for unsuitable model dimensions or imperfect orientation.
The discussion becomes particularly informative when Geerling moves beyond print quality to examine everyday resin handling. Switching between black and transparent materials requires careful tank changes, cleaning the build platform, managing sticky residue, and dealing with substantial quantities of isopropyl alcohol. These procedures make filament printing seem comparatively convenient, especially for users frequently changing materials. His experience with the $199-per-liter Flexible 80A resin adds another layer of realism: three unsuccessful attempts caused by a dispensing problem precede a successful Raspberry Pi bumper that closely resembles a commercially molded part. The result demonstrates promising prototyping accuracy, but the expensive material and substantial support consumption undermine its practicality for inexpensive production items. His treatment of ventilation and resin exposure is more limited, however. Although he monitors volatile organic compounds and reports minimal odor, his measurements cannot establish comprehensive exposure safety, and the handling discussion would benefit from more explicit attention to protective practices and contaminated waste disposal.
The final engineering discussion gives the presentation a distinctive identity. Conversations with Formlabs engineers reveal several cost-saving decisions, including simpler plastic hinges, the removal of an automated resin mixer, reduced light-source performance, and a soldered system-on-module replacing the Raspberry Pi hardware found in the Form 4. Geerling explains how seemingly small component choices can influence software development, certification requirements, manufacturing expenses, and long-term product capabilities. The decision to support third-party resins through a comparatively inexpensive upgraded tank is another welcome departure from the company's traditionally restrictive material ecosystem. These insights are particularly valuable because Geerling connects them to his own hardware-development interests rather than treating the product exclusively as a consumer appliance. Still, the engineering explanations largely reflect information supplied by the manufacturer, and the review does not include independent measurements establishing how much performance was sacrificed relative to more expensive models.
Geerling ultimately succeeds because he makes the learning process itself interesting. His conversational presentation, curiosity about unfamiliar machinery, and willingness to show mistakes make potentially intimidating technical procedures understandable without overwhelming beginners. The projects are varied enough to demonstrate different strengths, from transparent decorative objects to mechanically functional prototypes. At the same time, the evaluation remains primarily an extended first impression rather than a definitive buying guide. There are no systematic comparisons against similarly priced competing resin printers, limited evidence concerning long-term maintenance, and several conclusions depend on preproduction software or accessories that may change before general availability. These limitations restrict how confidently viewers can assess overall market value, but they do not diminish the practical usefulness of watching an experienced maker encounter resin printing for the first time.
Pros
- Transparently discloses the manufacturer-provided equipment and explains how additional accessories, materials, and cleaning supplies affect the true cost of ownership.
- Demonstrates resin-printing accuracy and surface quality through varied projects, including a retro modem enclosure, Raspberry Pi case, detailed dinosaur skull, and flexible bumper.
- Candidly documents printing mistakes, warping, material-handling difficulties, and equipment limitations instead of presenting only successful results.
- Clearly explains the advantages of local printing without mandatory cloud accounts while identifying restrictions imposed by proprietary slicing software.
- Provides valuable engineering insights into the component choices, manufacturing compromises, and certification considerations behind the lower price.
- Uses an engaging, approachable presentation that makes unfamiliar printing technology accessible to hobbyists and experienced filament-printer users alike.
Cons
- Lacks direct performance comparisons with competing resin printers or Formlabs' more expensive machines, limiting the strength of its value assessment.
- Relies substantially on manufacturer explanations for engineering trade-offs and anticipated improvements to preproduction hardware and software.
- Gives insufficient attention to protective handling procedures, resin waste disposal, and the limitations of informal air-quality observations.
- Provides little evidence about long-term reliability, maintenance costs, or sustained performance across repeated printing cycles.
- Some printing experiments remain unfinished or imperfect, particularly the translucent mouse enclosure, leaving certain practical applications unresolved.
Jeff Geerling delivers an informative and entertaining introduction to affordable Formlabs resin printing, combining hands-on experimentation with unusually interesting insights into product engineering. His willingness to document unsuccessful prints, unexpected expenses, and material-handling frustrations gives the generally enthusiastic assessment credibility. Although the absence of rigorous competitor testing and deeper safety analysis prevents it from becoming a comprehensive purchasing guide, the practical demonstrations and thoughtful explanations make it a valuable resource for hobbyists considering their first resin printer.
