Find the right material for your part
Five 3D printing processes, dozens of materials. We'll explain how each one works in plain English — and which one fits your project.
Pick your process
Auto-cycling preview of all five technologies — use the arrows, swipe, or click a dot to jump to any one.
Five ways to print
Each process has its own strengths. Compare side-by-side to pick what fits your project.
How it works: A spool of plastic filament is heated and squeezed through a moving nozzle, drawing the part one layer at a time onto a build plate.
- Most cost-effective option, fast turnaround
- Wide range of plastics (PLA, PETG, ASA, TPU)
- Great for big parts
- Visible layer lines
- Weaker between layers
- Functional prototypes & concept models
- Jigs, fixtures, tooling
- Large mock-ups and housings
How it works: A UV laser cures liquid photopolymer resin one cross-section at a time, producing parts with an injection-mould-like finish.
- Best surface finish — smooth, glossy
- Captures very fine detail
- Strong in all directions (isotropic)
- Brittle — not for high-impact parts
- Degrades in sunlight over time
- Visual prototypes & presentation models
- Dental, jewellery, miniatures
- Casting masters & lens housings
How it works: A laser sinters nylon powder layer by layer. No support structures required, enabling complex geometries impossible with other methods.
- No support marks anywhere on the part
- Strong & isotropic — great for complex geometry
- Good chemical resistance
- Grainy surface finish as-printed
- Limited material range vs FDM
- Parts come out grey (dyeable)
- Complex functional parts & interlocking assemblies
- Ducting, manifolds & captured assemblies
- Low-volume production runs
How it works: An inkjet head sprays fusing agent onto a bed of nylon powder, then heat lamps melt the printed areas. The leftover powder acts as the support — no support marks.
- Strong & isotropic — production-ready
- Fast for batches; no support scars
- Handles complex geometries (living hinges)
- Slightly grainy matte texture
- Mostly nylon — fewer material options
- End-use functional parts
- Low-to-mid volume production
- Captured assemblies & living hinges
How it works: A high-powered laser fully melts metal powder layer-by-layer in an inert chamber. Parts are heat-treated after printing to relieve stresses.
- Real, fully-dense metal parts
- Properties match or beat machined parts
- Internal channels & complex geometries
- Most expensive process, longest lead time
- Always needs supports + post-machining
- Aerospace & motorsport components
- Medical & dental implants
- Tooling with conformal cooling channels
Which process should I choose?
Pick the priority that matters most for your project.
Functional plastic parts, prototypes and large mock-ups in 1–3 days from $.
Smooth, presentation-ready parts. Dental, jewellery, lenses, casting masters.
Sintered nylon. Captured assemblies, ducting and intricate parts no other process can build.
Production-ready nylon parts. Strong in every direction, batch-friendly.
Aluminium, stainless, titanium. Engineering-grade parts that match machined ones.
Compare 3D Printing Surface Finishes Side by Side
Pick any two of our five 3D printing finishes and drag the handle to compare them at the same scale, lighting and angle.
All five surfaces
All five, side by side
A quick scan when you want the technical numbers.
| Property | FDM | SLA | SLS | MJF | SLM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$ | $$$$ |
| Surface Finish | Layer lines visible | Smooth, glossy | Grainy as-printed | Matte, uniform | Rough as-printed |
| Detail | Moderate (0.4 mm) | Excellent (0.05 mm) | High (~0.3 mm) | High (0.2 mm) | High (0.1 mm) |
| Tolerance | ±0.5 mm | ±0.15 mm | ±0.3 mm | ±0.3 mm | ±0.1 mm |
| Material Type | Thermoplastic filament | Photopolymer resin | Nylon powder | Nylon powder | Metal powder |
| Strength direction | Anisotropic (weaker between layers) | Isotropic | Isotropic | Isotropic | Isotropic |
| Supports needed | Yes (overhangs) | Yes (touch marks) | No (powder is the support) | No (powder is the support) | Yes (always) |
| Lead Time | 1–3 days | 2–4 days | 3–5 days | 3–5 days | 5–10 days |
Material spotlight
A curated range across all five technologies. Need something specific? Just ask.
FDM Materials
PLA Easy
Rigid, low-cost, biodegradable. Easy to print and takes colour well.
Use for: Visual prototypes, display models, classroom projects.
PETG All-rounder
Tough, chemical-resistant, food-safe. The everyday workhorse.
Use for: Functional parts, containers, indoor housings.
ASA Outdoor
ABS-strong with UV & weather resistance. Doesn't yellow in sun.
Use for: Outdoor signs, automotive parts, garden fixtures.
TPU Flexible
Rubber-like, oil-resistant, very impact-tolerant.
Use for: Grips, gaskets, bumpers, protective cases.SLA Resins
Standard Smoothest
Best surface finish at the lowest resin price. Brittle though.
Use for: Visual prototypes, master patterns, art models.
Tough ABS-like
Higher impact strength. Holds snap-fits and tolerates flex.
Use for: Functional prototypes, snap-fit enclosures.
Transparent Clear
Polishes to optical clarity. Stays clear with proper finishing.
Use for: Light pipes, lens prototypes, fluidic devices.SLS Materials
PA12 Nylon Workhorse
Same nylon as MJF but sintered, not fused. Strong, isotropic, chemical resistant.
Use for: Functional parts, complex assemblies, ducting, enclosures.
PA12 GF Stiffer
Glass-filled nylon. Higher stiffness and dimensional stability for load-bearing parts.
Use for: Brackets, fixtures held under load, jigs.MJF Nylons
PA12 Workhorse
Strong, isotropic nylon. Chemical and water resistant. Watertight at 4 mm walls+.
Use for: End-use parts, enclosures, jigs, brackets.
PA12 GB Stiffer
PA12 with glass beads. Higher stiffness, better thermal stability, less deflection.
Use for: Load-bearing parts, fixtures held under load.SLM Metals
AlSi10Mg Aluminium
Light, strong, conducts heat well. The everyday metal choice.
Use for: Brackets, heat sinks, drone & UAV parts.
Stainless 316L Corrosion
Marine and medical-grade stainless. Hard, ductile, resists chemicals.
Use for: Valves, clamps, surgical tools, food contact.
Titanium Ti6Al4V Aerospace
Highest strength-to-weight; biocompatible; corrosion-proof.
Use for: Implants, motorsport, turbine components.