Transparent SLA Resin · Instant 3D Printing

Clear Resin V5

Formlabs' exceptionally clear, color-neutral general-purpose SLA resin. Clear Resin V5 prints highly transparent, colorless parts that can be polished to near-optical clarity, with mechanical properties and a finish that rival cast acrylic, at up to three times the print speed of the previous version.

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105 MPa

Flexural Strength

Rivals cast acrylic

2.75 GPa

Tensile Modulus

Stiff & deformation resistant

Elongation at Break

2× tougher than Clear V4

85%

Light Transmission

@ 2 mm, polishable further

Real Clear Resin V5 Parts

Actual Formlabs Form 4 series prints in Clear Resin V5, not renders.

Three Formlabs Clear Resin V5 fluidic sample cards engraved with fine microfluidic channels, shown in the transparent as-printed finish — Fluidic sample cards printed in Clear Resin V5, showing fine channel detail straight through the transparent material.

A Clear Resin V5 3D printed manifold block with internal channels and mounting holes visible through the transparent material — Internal channel geometry and mounting features, visible directly through the part without sectioning it.

Summary & Key Takeaways

Near-Optical Transparency: Transmits about 85% of visible light at 2 mm thickness and can be polished for further clarity.
Fast on the Form 4 Ecosystem: A new formulation that prints roughly 3 times faster than the previous Clear Resin.
Tougher Than Before: 2 times the elongation at break and 25% higher impact strength than Clear Resin V4.
General-Purpose Versatility: Suited to optics, fluidics, tooling masters, and transparent enclosures alike.

Compare Clear Resin V5 to Other Transparent Materials

A quick, scannable comparison against alternative 3D printing materials and cast acrylic. All values are shown at once; use the buttons to focus on one comparison at a time.

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Tensile modulus, flexural strength, elongation at break, and light transmission for Clear Resin V5 versus Standard Resin V5 (Grey), Tough 2000 Resin, and cast acrylic (PMMA).
Property	Clear Resin V5	Standard Resin V5	Tough 2000 Resin	Cast Acrylic
Tensile modulus	2.75 GPa	2.68 GPa	1.8 GPa	≈3.2 GPa
Flexural strength	105 MPa	103 MPa	67 MPa	≈110 MPa
Elongation at break	8%	13%	79%	≈4%
Light transmission @ 2mm	85%	Opaque	Opaque	≈92%
How parts are made	3D printed, ready in hours	3D printed, ready in hours	3D printed, ready in hours	Cast or machined, longer lead time

Why Choose Clear Resin V5?

Formlabs' general-purpose transparent SLA resin offers a dependable default for optics, fluidics, and see-through prototyping.

Near-Optical Clarity, Straight Off the Printer

Clear Resin V5 parts print translucent and can be polished to near-optical transparency, transmitting about 85% of visible light at 2 mm thickness, letting you inspect internal geometry or use parts as functional light guides and lenses.

Fast, High-Accuracy Form 4 Printing

Built for the Form 4 ecosystem, Clear Resin V5 prints roughly 3 times faster than its predecessor while holding tight dimensional accuracy, so transparent prototypes and tooling come back quickly.

Stiff Enough to Rival Acrylic, Tough Enough to Handle

A 2.75 GPa tensile modulus gives parts stiffness comparable to cast acrylic, while 8% elongation at break, twice that of the previous Clear Resin, and 25% higher impact strength help parts resist cracking during normal handling.

Clear Resin V5 Design Rules (DFM) at a Glance

Formlabs' Form 4 generation design specifications, with the reference diagrams below the table. Check your CAD feature dimensions against these limits before uploading your file.

Min. wall thickness (supported · unsupported)	1.0 mm or more for both, for reliably flat, functional walls
Min. pin/wire diameter	0.3 mm at 7 mm tall · 0.6 mm at 30 mm tall
Min. hole diameter	0.5 mm
Min. drain/escape hole for hollow or fluidic cavities	0.75 mm
Min. clearance between mating or moving features	0.4 mm
Min. embossed detail (raised text/logos)	0.1 mm
Min. engraved detail (recessed text/logos)	0.15 mm
Max. single-part build size	353 × 196 × 350 mm

Diagram of a 3D printed part showing minimum wall thickness for unsupported walls — **Wall thickness**Design walls to 1.0 mm or more to reliably avoid warping, especially on thin optical sections.

Diagram of a 3D printed part showing minimum hole diameter — **Hole diameter**Through-holes print reliably from 0.5 mm in diameter.

Diagram of a 3D printed part showing a minimum drain hole for a hollow cavity — **Drain holes**Give hollow or fluidic cavities at least one 0.75 mm escape hole so trapped resin can drain during printing.

Diagram of two 3D printed features showing minimum clearance between them — **Clearance**Leave at least 0.4 mm between mating or moving features so they separate cleanly after printing.

Source: Formlabs' Design specifications for 3D models (Form 4 generation), developed using Grey Resin V5 at 50 microns; exact minimums vary slightly by resin, geometry, and layer thickness. Hollow or thin-walled optical parts in Clear Resin benefit from staying comfortably above these minimums, since thin cross-sections are more prone to warping and can reduce clarity. Maximum build size reflects our largest-format SLA printer; actual build size depends on which machine your order routes to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about designing, ordering, and using Clear Resin V5 parts on Form Now.

What is Clear Resin V5?

Clear Resin V5 is Formlabs' exceptionally clear, color-neutral general-purpose stereolithography (SLA) resin, printed on Form 4 series printers. It balances fast print speed, high dimensional accuracy, and a presentation-ready appearance with parts that can be polished to near-optical transparency.

How strong and clear is Clear Resin V5?

Clear Resin V5 has a flexural strength of 105 MPa, a tensile modulus of 2.75 GPa, and an elongation at break of 8%, giving parts a stiff feel comparable to cast acrylic. Parts also transmit about 85% of visible light at 2 mm thickness and can be polished for near-optical clarity.

What is Clear Resin V5 used for?

Clear Resin V5 is commonly used for transparent enclosures, optical components and light guides, parts that need to show internal features, fluidic and microfluidic devices, and molds, masters, and other rapid tooling.

How does Clear Resin V5 compare to the previous Clear Resin?

Clear Resin V5 is a new formulation built for the Form 4 ecosystem that prints about three times faster than the previous Clear Resin version, while offering roughly double the elongation at break and 25% higher impact strength, along with improved transparency and color neutrality.

What finish do Clear Resin V5 parts arrive in?

Form Now Clear Resin V5 parts ship in the standard finish: support marks removed and lightly sanded, leaving a clear, lightly frosted as-printed surface. Sanding and polishing can bring a part closer to full optical transparency; any additional finish options for a given order are shown during part configuration at checkout.

What are the minimum wall thickness and hole size design rules for Clear Resin V5?

Per Formlabs' Form 4 generation design specifications, we recommend a minimum wall thickness of 1.0 mm or more for both supported and unsupported walls, and holes should be at least 0.5 mm in diameter, with at least one 0.75 mm drain hole for hollow or fluidic cavities. Maximum single-part build size is 353 x 196 x 350 mm.