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.
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SLA 3D Printing Service
Smooth-finish SLA 3D printing in 14 resins. Visual prototypes, snap-fit validation, and presentation models down to 25μm layers.
FDM 3D Printing Service
FDM 3D printing in 6 thermoplastics — PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PC CF, TPU. The fastest and most cost-effective way to get functional parts in your hand.
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Choose FDM when cost and speed matter most, or when you need tough engineering thermoplastics (PETG, ASA, PC CF) at larger build volumes. Choose SLA when surface finish, dimensional accuracy, or fine detail resolution is the priority — visual prototypes, snap-fit validation, and presentation models.
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Choose SLA when surface quality and dimensional precision are the priority — client presentations, snap-fit prototypes, and parts that need painting. Choose MJF when mechanical performance and batch consistency matter — production parts, functional testing, and parts that ship to customers.
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Choose PLA for display models, concept prototypes, fit-checks, and any part that will live indoors at room temperature. Choose ABS when the part needs to survive mild impact, moderate heat (above 55°C), or when you need to match an existing injection-molded reference. For most modern FDM work, PETG is a better default than either — tougher than PLA, cleaner than ABS.
Related Insights
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