How to Achieve Exact Resin Colors on Your SLA 3D Printer

Getting custom colors from a resin-based SLA printer? Unheard of for most of us. In a previous post, we presented multiple ways you can blend custom colors for your resin printer, and highlighted how labor-intensive the trial-and-error recipe-finding process can be.

In this guide we’ll show you a streamlined workflow that removes the guesswork entirely. By leveraging an online color-picker, you can generate a precise mixing recipe in seconds, then even preview the resulting color and translucency on your model with PrismSlicer SLA. The bottom line is consistent, repeatable colors on the first try without endless manual experimentation.

The Solution in One Sentence

The calculator works with CMYKW (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, White) resin sets from multiple manufacturers. If a color can’t be reproduced perfectly, the tool returns the closest possible match.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1. Open Our Online Color Picker

• Head over to appearan.cz/color-picker/
• Our company provides this online tool for free without advertisements.
• No lock-in for specific resin or printer manufacturers: Our goal is to support as many as possible!

2. Choose Your Resin Kit

• From the dropdown, pick the CMYKW resin kit you’ll be mixing
• We are constantly working on adding support for more. Let us know which one you are using!
• If you work with multiple manufacturers, you can combine them as well (see Feature for Power Users below).

3. Input Your Desired Color

• Either select a hue from the wheel or paste exact values (HEX, RGB, Lab, etc.).
• Remember: human color perception is always relative to a certain light source. Most commonly, outdoor sunlight at noon (D65) is used as the reference for the color value (sRGB, CIE Lab etc.).
• RAL colors can be converted using this list on Wikipedia.
• Pantone provides a converter as well, but tries to lock you in, and you have to pay to convert into a standard color format.

4. Generate the Recipe

• The calculator automatically processes your input color to find the optimal recipe for it.
• Colors that are outside the gamut, meaning they cannot be reproduced by the chose resin kit, will be mapped to their closest equivalent that is mixable.
• The tool returns two formats:

  Format	What It Shows
  Percentages	Relative proportion of each base resin (e.g., 42 % Cyan, 18 % Magenta…)
  Milliliters	Absolute volumes for a target batch size you specify (e.g., 50 ml total → 21 ml Cyan, 9 ml Magenta…)

5. Preview the Result in PrismSlicer SLA (Optional)

1. Download & Install — Grab the latest version of PrismSlicer SLA from the download page.
2. Load Your Model — Import your STL, OBJ, or 3MF file onto the build plate.
3. Apply the Recipe — In the Material Mixture panel, paste the percentages for each resin (multiply by 10 to input fractional numbers).

4. Select an Environment — Choose a lighting setup (studio, outdoor, indoor, etc.) that matches your intended use case.

5. Render — Hit Render Preview. PrismSlicer uses physically-accurate ray tracing to generate a photorealistic image of the printed part with the exact color and translucency of your resin mixture.

   

6. Fine-Tune Your Recipe (Optional)

• Too Opaque? Increase the proportion of clear resin.
• Too Translucent? Need More Opacity? Add a bit more white (or black, depending on the shade).
• Adjust Roughness — Tweak the surface roughness parameter to simulate your post-processing (sanding / polishing).
• Quick Iterations — Experiment and re-render until you’re satisfied with the recipe.

Experimenting virtually with PrismSlicer (all versions) saves you from having to measure resins (15 min), stir the mixture (5 min), print a test piece (≥10 min), and clean the printer (15–30 min) over and over again. You can cut down your iteration times from hours to minutes while saving resin and manual labour.

7. Measure and mix your resins

• Pour the resins together in a container (HDPE is recommended) where you can stir it well.
• Use syringes, pipettes, or graduated measuring cups to transfer the exact amounts.
• Sneak up on the full amount in coarse and fine steps (e.g. 34.2 ml = 20+10+1+1+1+1+0.2 ml) so you don’t accidentally overshoot.
• Clean the syringes in Propanol afterwards so you can re-use them (after drying).

8. Print

• With your resin-mixture loaded into the vat, print your models from your favorite slicer.
• Curing times can affect the final color, so make sure to stay with the manufacturers recommendations.
• Enjoy the final part in the right color without having to paint it!

Feature for Power Users

PrismSlicer SLA isn’t limited to a single resin brand. You can:

• Add Multiple Resin Kits — Define separate CMYKW sets for different manufacturers.
• Swap Individual Colors — Replace the default white resin with a tougher, UV-stable white from another supplier, or swap a magenta for a high-viscosity variant.
• Blend Across Brands — Mix and match any combination, then instantly see how the hybrid formulation behaves on your model.

This flexibility lets you tailor mechanical properties (hardness, toughness, flexibility) while still controlling color.

Quick Checklist

• Color Picker URL
• PrismSlicer SLA Download
• Required Resins — At least one CMYKW resin kit
• Required Tools — Syringes/pipettes, graduated measuring cup, clean mixing container
• Minimum Batch Size — 50–100 ml (adjust based on print bed size)

Closing Thoughts

By integrating an online color calculator with PrismSlicer’s virtual preview, you eliminate the tedious “mix-and-test” loop that has long plagued resin printing in color. The workflow is deterministic, repeatable, and adaptable to any resin brand you prefer.

Give it a try on your next project, and you’ll see how much time and head-ache this process saves you. Happy printing!