How to choose a 3D printing process
The printing families differ by feedstock: SLA cures liquid photopolymer resin, SLS fuses nylon powder, DMLS fuses metal powder, MJF fuses polymer with an absorbing agent, and FDM extrudes thermoplastic filament. That choice sets surface quality, mechanical behavior and the geometry each process tolerates.
Screen the set with two questions. What must the part survive? Resin parts from SLA suit visual models, jigs and fixtures; nylon from SLS or MJF gives functional, snap-fit and low-friction behavior; DMLS is the route when the part must be metal. How fine is the detail? SLA resolves the finest features, SLS and MJF need no support structures because unsintered powder holds overhangs, and FDM trades resolution for the lowest material cost on large, simple volumes.
The table compares the families on tolerance practice, build-envelope size and quoted lead times. Layer height, warpage guidance and minimum-feature notes live on each detail page with their conditions — follow a family through before locking a design to it.
Product family
SLA 3D Printing
Stereolithography (SLA) resin 3D printing service using photopolymer resins such as Loctite 3843 and IND147 for tools, fixtures, molds, and functional parts.
Product family
SLS 3D Printing
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing service offering nylon materials such as Nylon 11, Nylon 12, and Nylon 12 Glass-Filled for end-use parts and functional testing.
Product family
Metal 3D Printing (DMLS)
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) 3D printing service for metal prototypes and production parts, using a laser to selectively fuse fine metallic powder layer by layer into fully dense parts. Offers instant quotes, free shipping on US orders, and ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, IATF 16949:2016, AS9100D certification with ITAR registration. Parts sinter to 98%+ density with as-printed surface roughness of 150-1000 uin Ra, with standard media-blast finishing and optional CNC machining or polishing post-processing.
Product family
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing builds functional nylon parts layer by layer with a 0.08 mm resolution, bridging prototyping and production runs of 10–1,000 units. Build envelopes reach 380 x 284 x 380 mm (15 x 11.2 x 15 in); tolerance is ±(0.3 mm + 0.002 mm/mm) with a 1 mm minimum wall for consistent mechanical properties and 0.2 mm minimum gaps between mating parts (0.3 mm recommended). Lead time is as fast as 3 days in PA 12, glass-bead-filled PA 12 or polypropylene.
Product family
FDM 3D Printing
FDM 3D printing builds functional thermoplastic parts layer by layer from extruded filament — the affordable route for jigs, fixtures, enclosures and end-use components. Prototyping FDM reaches a 500 × 500 × 500 mm build volume at ±0.5% dimensional accuracy (minimum 0.5 mm); Industrial FDM trades envelope (406 × 355 × 406 mm) for tighter ±0.3% accuracy and production-grade materials. Walls bottom out at 0.8 mm, features and holes at 2.0 mm, with layer heights from 100–300 µm.
Process comparison
Values are reproduced verbatim from each family's catalog specification; an em dash means the family does not carry that field.
| Family | Tolerance | Build envelope | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLA 3D Printing | ±0.2 mm up to 100 mm; ±0.2% beyond 100 mm | 189 x 118 x 326 mm | 3D printing service build time quoted at 2 days on online service listings (SLA among FDM, MJF, SLM, SLS and similar processes) |
| SLS 3D Printing | Well-designed parts: +/- 0.010 in (0.25 mm) plus 0.1% of nominal length, geometry-dependent | 700 x 380 x 580 mm | About 6 business days |
| Metal 3D Printing (DMLS) | ± 0.005” for the first inch is typical, plus ± 0.002” for every inch thereafter | 10" x 10" x 10" (250 x 250 x 250 mm) | Metal 3D printing build time quoted at 2 days on online service listings that run SLM alongside SLA, MJF, FDM and SLS processes |
| Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) | ±(0.3 mm + 0.002 mm/mm); resolution 0.08 mm | 380 x 284 x 380 mm (15 x 11.2 x 15 in) | As fast as 3 days |
| FDM 3D Printing | Prototyping FDM: ±0.5% (lower limit ±0.020 in / 0.5 mm); Industrial FDM: ±0.3% (lower limit ±0.012 in / ±0.3 mm) | Prototyping FDM up to 500 × 500 × 500 mm; Industrial FDM up to 406 × 355 × 406 mm | 3D printing service build time quoted at 2 days on online service listings (FDM among SLA, MJF, SLM, SLS and similar processes) |
Where to go next
Printed parts are frequently combined with machined or cast components — the related categories below are the usual companions.