FDM vs SLA vs MJF — the complete 3D printing technology comparison.
FDM, SLA, and MJF are the three most widely used 3D printing technologies — and we offer all three. Each excels at different things: FDM is the fastest and most affordable, SLA delivers the best precision and surface finish, and MJF produces the strongest production-grade parts. Most projects use at least two of these technologies across their development lifecycle.
FDM
SLA
MJF
Specifications
Head-to-head comparison
| Spec | FDM | SLA | MJF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tolerances | ±0.5mm | ±0.2mm | ±0.3mm |
| Layer height | 0.1-0.3mm | 0.025-0.1mm | 0.08mm |
| Min wall thickness | 1.2mm | 0.8mm | 0.7mm |
| Max build size | 360 x 360 x 360mm | 335 x 200 x 300mm | 380 x 284 x 380mm |
| Lead time | From 1 business day | From 2 business days | From 5 business days |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, TPU, ASA, PC CF | Standard Resin, Grey Pro Resin, Durable Resin, Tough 2K, Tough 1500, Rigid 4K, Rigid 10K, High Temp, Flexible, Elastic, Castable | Nylon PA12, Nylon PA11, Nylon PA12 Glass Filled |
| Best for | Jigs & fixtures, Functional prototypes, Concept models, Large-format parts, Cost-sensitive runs | Visual prototypes, Medical models, Casting patterns, High-detail parts, Presentation models | End-use production parts, Production runs, Complex geometries, Automotive components, Aerospace hardware |
Our recommendation
Start with FDM for early concepts ($, fast). Move to SLA for precision prototyping ($$, accurate). Scale to MJF for production ($$$, strong). This progression — from cheap-and-fast to production-grade — is how most successful hardware programs move through our shop.
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