FDM vs SLA 3D Printing
FDM melts plastic filament layer by layer; SLA cures liquid resin with a laser. FDM is the workhorse for tough, functional and larger parts; SLA wins on fine detail and smooth surfaces.
| FDM | SLA (Resin) | |
|---|---|---|
| Detail & finish | Visible layer lines (0.1–0.3 mm layers) | Very smooth, fine features (0.025–0.1 mm) |
| Strength | Strong, but weaker between layers | Rigid; standard resins can be brittle |
| Materials | PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, TPU, composites | Standard, tough, dental, castable resins |
| Build size | Large parts are easy and cheap | Best for small–medium detailed parts |
| Cost & cleanup | Low cost, minimal post-processing | Higher cost; wash + UV cure needed |
| Best for | Functional parts, jigs, prototypes, big models | Miniatures, jewellery, dental, fine prototypes |
Choose FDM
Choose FDM for functional or large parts, durable prototypes, and the lowest cost per part.
Find FDM providers →Choose SLA (Resin)
Choose SLA/resin when you need crisp detail, smooth surfaces, or small high-precision parts.
Find Resin/SLA providers →