Formlabs Form Studio 1:
A New Benchmark for Consumer Resin 3D Printing
Accessible pricing, an open material mode, and a refined printing workflow.
Formlabs Form Studio 1 brings a new option to consumer resin 3D printing.
For years, consumers have been longing for a resin 3D printer that offers the exceptional user experience that Bambu Lab brought to the FDM space, while maintaining professional-grade performance.
Now, the Formlabs Form Studio 1 has arrived. With its relatively accessible price point and built-in open material mode, it introduces new possibilities for consumer resin 3D printing.
Form Studio 1 Unboxing: From Packaging to First Start
Upon opening the box, the first thing that catches your eye is the striking "Start Here" box, which contains the installation guide.
Behind the box is a sturdy protective foam frame, rather than the standard foam inserts commonly found elsewhere. Once you remove the printer, discard the protective packaging, plug it in, and power it on, the subsequent setup is guided entirely through the touchscreen.
Design and Practical Details
The Formlabs Form Studio 1 features an orange lid, a gray rear chassis, and a translucent base. The overall aesthetic is reminiscent of the late 1990s Game Boy and the early 2000s G3 iMac.
The translucent design is primarily aesthetic, but the pop-out tool box is quite practical. The front cover can also be customized with different patterns, allowing users to give their device a more personalized look.
Connectivity, Initial Setup, and Everyday Hardware Design
Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB-C Connectivity
The Form Studio 1’s connection ports are concentrated on the back of the machine. The power port and toggle switch are on one side, while the Ethernet and USB-C ports are on the other, with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
The USB-C interface is especially useful as it supports full offline operation, including in air-gapped environments. This means the device does not rely entirely on a cloud connection and can be operated locally.
Dimensions and Workspace Requirements
The lid opens upward, with a protruding front edge serving as a handle. The machine dimensions are approximately 50 cm (H) × 34 cm (W) × 32 cm (D), and the height reaches about 75 cm when the lid is fully open.
If you plan to place the device on a shelf or build a dedicated printer stand, you must account for the clearance required to open the lid. The footprint of the machine when closed does not reflect the total space needed for operation.
Automated Resin Dispensing and VOC Purifier
The standard resin bottle delivers resin via a mechanical valve; it requires the user to open the bottle cap to allow air in during operation. The system does not dispense the entire bottle at once, but rather in small, frequent amounts, which helps manage temperature and resin pressure.
There is also a port at the back of the machine to connect to a Formlabs VOC purifier, which filters the air and recirculates it into the room.
It is worth noting that the connector accessory itself is made of nylon parts printed on a Formlabs Fuse printer, showcasing how Formlabs applies its own additive manufacturing technology to its actual products.
Build Platform and Camera: Enhancing Operational Convenience
Standard Platform and Flex Build Platform
The Form Studio 1 standard build platform features an aluminum printing surface and a plastic body, ensuring only the print surface comes into contact with the resin, which minimizes resin accumulation on other areas of the platform.
The Flex Build Platform adds a flexible stainless steel panel. By squeezing the levers on the corners of the platform, the panel bows outward, helping the user remove finished prints.
Integrated Camera, Lighting, and Privacy Controls
The Form Studio 1’s camera is equipped with a light to illuminate the part currently being printed. This system supports remote monitoring and time-lapse recording downloads.
Privacy control options are also available, allowing users to disable these features as needed.
Resin Tank Selection and Long-term Operating Costs
The Form Studio 1 offers two types of resin tanks: the Standard Resin Tank and the Resin Tank Pro.
Both feature plastic frames, convenient pour spouts, and spring-loaded handles for ease of daily use.
Differences Between Standard and Pro Tanks
Standard Resin Tank
Utilizes Formlabs' proprietary release film, which offers easier release properties compared to standard PFA film.
Resin Tank Pro
Since certain third-party resin ingredients may cause the standard release film to become brittle, Formlabs recommends using the Pro tank when using resins from other brands.
The release film on both tanks is not replaceable by the user, primarily to maintain controlled film tension and more predictable print results.
Rated life of resin tank: approx. 75,000 layers. Formlabs recommends using separate tanks for different materials and utilizing the recessed label area on the tank for identification.
Build Volume, LPU Module, and Heating System
The Form Studio 1 retains the platform size of the Form 4, but by increasing the print height, the actual build volume is:
Build Volume: 20.0 × 12.5 × 23.5 cm
Integrated Light Processing Unit (LPU)
The Light Processing Unit (LPU) is located below the build chamber. It integrates the LCD and the surrounding heater frame into a replaceable module, which can be detached from above by removing screws.
The wavy top surface and side air channels help manage release forces, and the heating function is built-in and configurable.
This allows the Form Studio 1 to integrate material properties, temperature management, and optical systems, reducing the burden on the user to manually coordinate various settings.
7-inch Touchscreen and PreForm Printing Workflow
Touchscreen Simplifies Daily Operation
The 7-inch touchscreen makes initial setup and daily operations more intuitive. Frequently used settings are concentrated at the top of the screen, with remaining print time and progress clearly displayed.
Before a print starts, the machine asks whether the build platform is clean and confirms that the resin tank and platform are correctly installed and locked.
After printing, the system provides material-specific cleaning and curing guidance. Furthermore, users can opt to send feedback and photos to Formlabs via the success rating system.
PreForm: From Model Preparation to One-Click Printing
The Form Studio 1 supports only the PreForm slicing software. While this limits the choice of slicer, it allows for highly integrated hardware and software workflows.
Once the printer is ready, users can simply click "Print" in PreForm, letting the software handle slicing, transmission, and job startup, reducing the steps of repeated exporting, transferring, and manual machine-side operation.
The system also supports print job queuing and can assign tasks to available machines with the correct material, which is especially useful for fleet management and 3D print farms.
Model Positioning, Supports, and Alerts
PreForm allows you to move models by dragging them, rotate them using on-model controls, hold Shift to rotate in 15-degree increments, and align parts to the edges of the build platform.
When generating supports, users can set exposure levels for the model and supports separately. The software also provides optimized combinations of material, support, and print settings, which helps increase the success rate.
PreForm’s warning messages include helpful tooltips and links to detailed support articles to help users understand and resolve issues.
Reviewer Observation: Beyond hardware specs, the comprehensive and intuitive PreForm workflow may be one of the Form Studio 1’s most competitive advantages.
Alpha Series Resins, Safety, and Open Material Mode
The Alpha Series resins launched alongside the Form Studio 1 include general-purpose resin, model resin suitable for fine finished pieces, and Formlabs’ fastest "Rapid" resin to date.
When the Form Studio 1 is used with Alpha Series resins and the VOC purifier, it has received UL GREENGUARD Gold certification.
According to the original documentation, the new Alpha Series resins do not contain chemical substances known to have acute toxicity or known long-term effects on organs or health; the skin irritation of the liquid resin is described as comparable to standard detergents.
Safety Note: The certification applies to the specified equipment, material, and purifier combination. Liquid resin should still be handled according to the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, avoiding direct skin contact and using appropriate personal protective equipment.
Built-in Open Material Mode
The Form Studio 1 features a built-in open material mode; there is no need to purchase additional unlock features to use resin from other brands.
Print Quality and Anti-Aliasing Supersampling Technology
The print results of the Form Studio 1 are impressive. Finished pieces feature smooth surfaces, sharp edges, and rich textural details.
How Does Supersampling Improve Model Surfaces?
One technology worth noting on the Form Studio 1 is anti-aliasing supersampling.
Previously, during the painting process for miniatures, even if details were well-represented, dry-brushing and washing techniques could still accentuate layer lines.
This system compares adjacent layers, identifies curves and slopes based on pixel offsets, and then selectively adjusts edge softening.
It does not blur the entire surface, but rather applies smoothing to appropriate curves while retaining sharp edges in other areas.
Formlabs Post-Processing Equipment and Complete Workflow
The Form Studio 1 can be used with existing Formlabs post-processing equipment, including the Form Wash V2 and the Form Cure V2 120V.
Form Wash V2 and Form Cure V2
Form Wash V2 raises the platform or basket to drain excess liquid and closes internal flaps to minimize solvent evaporation.
Form Cure V2 120V provides material-specific curing time and temperature settings.
Form Studio Wash+Cure Station
If you are looking for a more accessible post-processing solution, you can also consider the Form Studio Wash+Cure resin cleaning and curing station.
It includes a wash bucket with an impeller and a UV turntable, allowing for manual selection of processing times.
Review Conclusion: A New Benchmark for Consumer Resin 3D Printing
The Form Studio 1 not only delivers outstanding results but also features a fluid workflow, comprehensive support, and software design that focuses on solving real-world problems.
For miniature painters and statue hobbyists who value stable settings and want to minimize trial and error, the Formlabs Form Studio 1 is a worthy consideration.
For 3D print farms, if the resin tank costs, platform capacity, and operational turnaround time meet business needs, this workflow can also provide significant production efficiency advantages.
Overall Verdict: The appeal of the Form Studio 1 is not just any single hardware spec, but the integration of print quality, material selection, PreForm software, and the post-processing ecosystem. Its design philosophy focuses more on long-term value rather than a short-term spec race.
