ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 Resin 3D Printer: features, specs and who it suits

The ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 is a desktop resin 3D printer built around a 7-inch monochrome LCD screen. Resin printers cure liquid photopolymer one layer at a time, which suits small, highly detailed objects such as miniatures, jewellery patterns and dental-style models. This page explains what the Mono 4's headline specs mean and what to think about before bringing a resin printer into your workspace.

How an LCD resin printer works

A resin printer holds liquid resin in a vat with a transparent film at the bottom. A light source sits beneath the vat, and an LCD screen between the light and the resin acts as a mask. Where the screen is transparent, light passes through and hardens the resin. The build platform lifts a little after each layer, and the model slowly emerges, hanging upside down from the platform.

Because a whole layer is exposed at once, print time depends on the number of layers rather than on how much detail each layer holds. That is one reason LCD printers handle fine detail so well.

What a 10K mono screen means

ANYCUBIC lists the screen as 7 inches with a resolution of 9024 x 5120 pixels, and an XY pixel size of 17 x 17 micrometres. The brand says this is a 105% increase in print precision over its predecessor. In general, smaller pixels let the printer draw finer edges and smaller features in the horizontal plane. Monochrome screens also pass more light than older colour-filtered ones, which typically allows shorter exposure times. ANYCUBIC gives a single-layer exposure as short as 1.5 seconds.

The LighTurbo Matrix light source

Light uniformity matters in resin printing. If the light is brighter in the centre than at the edges, parts print inconsistently across the platform. ANYCUBIC says its LighTurbo matrix light source delivers stable, balanced and uniform lighting, which it says helps reduce visible layer lines and rasterization, the faint pixel grid that can show on curved surfaces.

Build volume and platform

The listed build volume is 153.4 x 87 x 165 mm (6.04 x 3.42 x 6.49 inches). That is enough for several miniatures at once, or a single figure up to about 16 cm tall, but not for large props in one piece. Bigger designs are usually split into parts and glued after printing.

The platform has been redesigned with laser-engraved patterns. ANYCUBIC says it gives enough adhesion to limit lifting and warping while keeping removal of finished prints simple.

Setup and everyday use

The brand says each printer is assembled, calibrated and tested before shipping, so the first job is levelling the platform and then printing. It also lists power-loss recovery, so a print can resume after an outage. Resin printing involves more than the printer itself. Most people also need isopropyl alcohol or a resin-compatible cleaner, a way to cure parts under UV light, gloves, and a well-ventilated space.

Who it suits

The Photon Mono 4 suits hobbyists working on tabletop miniatures, small collectibles, prototypes and detailed models. It is a poor fit for large functional parts, which filament printers generally handle better.

What to check before you buy

• Size: confirm your typical models fit within 153 x 87 x 165 mm.
• Workspace: resin has a smell and needs ventilation; follow the resin maker's safety guidance and wear gloves.
• Extras: plan for cleaning liquid, curing equipment, spare vat film and resin.
• Software: check which slicer software it works with and that your computer can run it.
• Support: ANYCUBIC lists a one-year warranty, with the LCD screen covered for six months and films and the tool kit excluded. Read the terms.

The short version

• A desktop resin printer with a 7-inch, 9024 x 5120 mono LCD and 17 x 17 micrometre XY pixels.
• LighTurbo matrix light source and exposures as short as 1.5 seconds per layer.
• 153.4 x 87 x 165 mm build volume with a redesigned, laser-patterned platform.
• Pre-calibrated, with power-loss recovery.
• Best for small, detailed models rather than large parts.

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