Xometry vs Protolabs vs Craftcloud vs Makelab: which to choose for 3D printing

FDM 3D Printing Service

FDM 3D printing in 5 thermoplastics — PLA, PETG, ASA, PC CF, TPU. The fastest and most cost-effective way to get functional parts in your hand.

SLA 3D Printing Service

Smooth-finish SLA 3D printing in 13 resins. Visual prototypes, snap-fit validation, and presentation models down to 25μm layers.

Large Format 3D Printing Service

Parts up to 2400mm on FGF and 1700mm on Industrial SLA. Architectural models, trade show props, full-scale prototypes.

Design Engineering

DfAM optimization, reverse engineering, geometry tuning.

Makelab vs Xometry for plastic 3D printing: one factory or 5,000 suppliers

For plastic 3D printing, choose Makelab. The instant quote checks wall thickness and part size as you upload, and an engineer reviews every file before it prints. Most parts are printed and inspected on our own floor in Brooklyn, so the people answering your questions are the people running the job. Parts print in one piece up to 94 x 94 x 39 in (2400 × 2400 × 1000 mm) on FGF, past Xometry's 24 x 36 x 36 in limit without splitting. If the file needs work first, our design engineers repair it, rebuild it from a scan or redesign it for printing. In New York and northern New Jersey, pickup is free and delivery is next day.

Makelab vs Protolabs for plastic 3D printing and large parts

For plastic 3D printing, choose Makelab. Our Industrial SLA prints up to 67 x 31 x 24 in (1700 × 800 × 600 mm) in one piece, where Protolabs' largest SLA build is 29 x 25 x 21 in. FGF goes up to 94 x 94 x 39 in (2400 × 2400 × 1000 mm). You work through orientation, splits and material with the engineers who print the part. The instant quote checks wall thickness and part size as you upload, and an engineer reviews every file before it prints. If the file needs work, our design engineers repair it, rebuild it from a scan or redesign it for printing. In New York and northern New Jersey, pickup is free and delivery is next day.

Makelab vs Craftcloud: one US factory or 150+ partner shops

For plastic parts made in the US, choose Makelab. One shop owns the job from the file check to delivery, so a question about your part goes to the engineers printing it. Reorders run with the same team and QA, which matters once a prototype becomes a production part. Industrial SLA prints up to 1700 × 800 × 600 mm and FGF up to 2400 × 2400 × 1000 mm in one piece. Production orders come with certificates of conformity, material data sheets and inspection reports. In New York and northern New Jersey, pickup is free and delivery is next day.

Xometry alternatives: Makelab for plastic 3D printing, and five more by process

For plastic 3D printing, Makelab is the Xometry alternative we recommend. You keep the instant quote, and it checks wall thickness and part size as you upload. Most parts are printed on our own floor in Brooklyn, so the engineers you talk to are the ones running your job. FDM, SLA, Industrial SLA, MJF and FGF cover prototypes through production, with one-piece parts up to 94 x 94 x 39 in (2400 × 2400 × 1000 mm). There is no minimum order, and bulk discounts start at 10 parts. In New York and northern New Jersey, pickup is free and delivery is next day.

FDM

FDM 3D printing service — fastest turnaround, lowest cost per part. 5 engineering thermoplastics including PETG, ASA, and PC CF. Build volume up to 360mm. Brooklyn, NY.

SLA

SLA 3D printing service — smoothest surfaces and tightest tolerances in our catalog. 14 resin options from Standard to High Temp. Build volume up to 1700mm on Industrial SLA.

Industrial SLA

Industrial SLA 3D printing for large-format parts up to 1700 x 800 x 600mm. Presentation-quality surfaces at 5 Ra μm. Architecture models, props, and oversized prototypes.

MJF

MJF 3D printing service — production-grade Nylon PA12, PA11, and PA12 Glass Filled with batch consistency. Isotropic strength, no supports, lead times from 5 business days. Brooklyn, NY.

FGF

FGF 3D printing service — largest build envelope in our facility at 2400 x 2400 x 1000mm. Pellet-fed extrusion for oversized structural parts and props.

I've never used a 3D printing service — where do I start?

Can you print large parts in sections and assemble them?

How long does 3D printing take?