Resin vs filament 3D printing — SLA vs FDM for real-world parts.
Resin printing (SLA) cures liquid photopolymer with a UV laser or DLP screen. Filament printing (FDM) melts thermoplastic and deposits it layer by layer. They are the two most common desktop and professional 3D printing processes, and they excel at different things. If you are choosing between them for a specific project, the answer usually comes down to what matters more: surface finish or toughness.
Specifications
Head-to-head comparison
| Spec | SLA | FDM |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerances | ±0.2mm | ±0.5mm |
| Layer height | 0.025-0.1mm | 0.1-0.3mm |
| Min wall thickness | 0.8mm | 1.2mm |
| Max build size | 335 x 200 x 300mm | 360 x 360 x 360mm |
| Lead time | From 2 business days | From 1 business day |
| Materials | Standard Resin, Grey Pro Resin, Durable Resin, Tough 2K, Tough 1500, Rigid 4K, Rigid 10K, High Temp, Flexible, Elastic, Castable | PLA, PETG, TPU, ASA, PC CF |
| Best for | Visual prototypes, Medical models, Casting patterns, High-detail parts, Presentation models | Jigs & fixtures, Functional prototypes, Concept models, Large-format parts, Cost-sensitive runs |
Detailed comparison
Property-by-property breakdown
| Factor | Resin (SLA) | Filament (FDM) |
|---|---|---|
| Surface finish | Smooth (25–100μm layers) | Visible layers (100–300μm) |
| Dimensional accuracy | ±0.1mm | ±0.2–0.5mm |
| Part toughness | Brittle to tough (resin dependent) | Tough (thermoplastic) |
| UV and outdoor stability | Limited without coating | ASA and PC CF are outdoor-rated |
| Build volume (ours) | Up to 1000mm (Industrial SLA) | Up to 360mm |
| Material catalog | 14 resins | 6 thermoplastics |
| Cost per cubic inch | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Visual, detailed, presentation | Functional, rugged, affordable |
Our recommendation
Choose resin (SLA) when surface finish, dimensional precision, or fine detail resolution are the priority — visual prototypes, snap-fit validation, jewelry patterns, dental models. Choose filament (FDM) when part toughness, cost, build volume, or material breadth matters more — functional prototypes, jigs, outdoor parts, and large structural builds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is resin 3D printing better than filament?
Resin (SLA) produces smoother surfaces (2 Ra μm vs 15 Ra μm) and finer detail (25μm layers vs 100–300μm). Filament (FDM) produces tougher parts in engineering thermoplastics at lower cost. Neither is universally better — it depends on your priority.
Are resin prints stronger than filament prints?
Generally no. FDM thermoplastics like PETG and PC CF are tougher than most SLA resins. SLA Tough 2K is an exception with 79% elongation. FDM parts handle impact, vibration, and mechanical load better in most cases.
Which is cheaper, resin or filament 3D printing?
FDM filament printing is cheaper per part. Resin costs 2–3x more per cubic inch and requires post-curing. FDM also prints faster for most geometries. Choose resin when surface quality justifies the premium.
Can resin prints survive outdoors?
Most SLA resins degrade under UV exposure without coating. ASA on FDM is specifically formulated for outdoor use with excellent UV stability (93°C HDT). For outdoor parts, FDM with ASA is the better choice.
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