A project that combines gray and clear resin is more than a color variation. It requires decisions about appearance, construction and production scheduling.
My 1/6-scale Mandalorian and Grogu diorama, from a sculpt credited to Zenith Patreon, is a useful example. The model files are available on Cults3D. The customer requested gray resin for most of the model and clear resin for two large jetpack fire-effect pieces.
Start with the expected finish
Before printing, establish what the customer means by “clear.” A translucent effect and a glass-like finish are different expectations. A freshly printed clear-resin part may need further finishing to approach the appearance the customer has in mind.
Define who will perform that finishing and what the printing scope includes. Avoid treating the name of the material as a promise about the final surface.
Explain that a glass-like finish can require fine-grit sanding over multiple passes and additional finishing. Agree on the appearance of the delivered print so there are no surprises when the customer receives it.
On my diorama, I brushed clear resin from the vat onto the already cured clear parts as a finishing step. The case study records that step; the detailed finishing and curing procedure belongs in a separate resource.
Decide where hollowing makes sense
On large models, hollowing can reduce weight and material use. With clear parts, also consider how the cavity and internal surfaces could affect the visible result.
The useful question is: does this construction support the appearance and physical requirements of this particular part?
For this diorama, I hollowed the clear-resin flame pieces with 2 mm walls and provided drainage openings. The base, boots and upper legs also used 2 mm walls; the torso and arms used 1.5 mm; the helmet, head and Grogu used approximately 1 mm. These confirmed settings describe this build, rather than universal settings for other models or resins.
Schedule separate materials deliberately
Compatible gray-resin jobs may share a production run. A clear-resin part requires its own compatible material workflow.
For the diorama, I allocated a machine to the clear effects. Returning that machine to gray-resin work required removing the clear resin and cleaning the equipment. Include that changeover when planning capacity and delivery time.
The large clear parts were printed on an Anycubic M3 Max, while the gray parts were printed on an Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra. There were no print failures on this project.
Estimate the whole job
An estimate should account for preparation, material, printing, machine occupancy, post-print work and cleanup. If finishing is included, define and estimate it separately.
I would charge ¥40,000 today for the diorama project described here. The original customer received a slight discount because they had purchased from me before. That current project price is distinct from the underlying production cost and is not a standard quote for every figure at this scale.
The calculator on this site can help organize material, machine time and labor estimates. It still depends on your inputs: the unusual steps in a mixed-resin project need to be included in the estimate you prepare.
Inspect the source model before quoting
A beautiful digital sculpt is not automatically straightforward to manufacture. Inspect the parts, connections and intended assembly, then consider what the geometry asks of your equipment and skills.
That assessment helps you set a realistic scope, delivery expectation and price. It also gives you a chance to resolve difficult production decisions before resin and machine time are committed.
Before you start
- Define the desired clear-part appearance and finishing responsibility.
- Review weight and material use alongside the visible effect of hollowing.
- Plan separate material runs and the equipment changeover.
- Include preparation and cleanup in the estimate.
- Check that the files and assembly are practical for your production capabilities.