Plastic and Resin 3D Printing Technologies Comparison
Material Properties and Applications of Various 3D Printing Methods for Plastic and Resin
| 3D Printing Technology | Material Category | Material Name | Color Option | Post-Processing | Dimensional Accuracy | Advantages | Limitations | Applications | Max Build Size (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLA | Photopolymer Resin | ABS-like | White | Sanding, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, UV Coating, Laser Engraving | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes | Prototypes, Automotive, Medical, Consumer Electronics, Toys, Machinery, Aerospace | 1200×600×500 600×600×400 800×800×550 |
| ABS-like | Yellow | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes | ||||||
| ABS-like | Green | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes | ||||||
| ABS-like | Black | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes | ||||||
| SLA | Photopolymer Resin | PC-like | Transparent | Sanding, Polishing, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, Laser Engraving | Affordable pricing, Quick cycle time, Assembly possible, Unlimited size capacity | 90% transparency max (vs CNC machining), Limited optical clarity | Transparent parts, Lampshades, Display models | 600×600×400 | |
| PC-like | Semi-Transparent | Affordable pricing, Quick cycle time, Assembly possible, Unlimited size capacity | 90% transparency max (vs CNC machining), Limited optical clarity | ||||||
| SLS | Nylon | PA | Black / White | None | Wear-resistant, High temperature tolerance | Rough surface finish, Not suitable for bonding | Home Appliances, Power Tools, Automotive Components | 200×200×100 | |
| MJF | Nylon | PA11, PA12, PA12+ GF | Black / Grey | None | Wear-resistant, High temperature tolerance | Rough surface finish, Not suitable for bonding | Home Appliances, Power Tools, Automotive Components | 200×200×100 | |
| FDM | Inkjet Fused Filament | PLA,PETG,ASA,PBT, TPU, PA, Carbon Fiber,PC,ABS | Multiple colors available | Grinding, polishing, sandblasting, spraying, silk – screening, laser engraving, etc. | Multiple colors, various materials, cost – effective, no size restrictions | Rough surface | Crafts, lighting fixtures, home furnishings, animation and comics, etc. | 1000*1000*500 | |
| DLP | Red Wax | Red Wax Resin | Red | None | ±0.1mm | High precision, Fine detail capability | Higher cost, Limited build size | Jewelry, Accessories, Animation Models | 200×100×200 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLA |
| Material Category | Photopolymer Resin |
| Material Name | ABS-like |
| Color Option | White |
| Post-Processing | Sanding, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, UV Coating, Laser Engraving |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions |
| Limitations | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes |
| Applications | Prototypes, Automotive, Medical, Consumer Electronics, Toys, Machinery, Aerospace |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 1200×600×500 600×600×400 800×800×550 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLA |
| Material Category | Photopolymer Resin |
| Material Name | ABS-like |
| Color Option | Yellow |
| Post-Processing | Sanding, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, UV Coating, Laser Engraving |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions |
| Limitations | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes |
| Applications | Prototypes, Automotive, Medical, Consumer Electronics, Toys, Machinery, Aerospace |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 800×800×550 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLA |
| Material Category | Photopolymer Resin |
| Material Name | ABS-like |
| Color Option | Green |
| Post-Processing | Sanding, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, UV Coating, Laser Engraving |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions |
| Limitations | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes |
| Applications | Prototypes, Automotive, Medical, Consumer Electronics, Toys, Machinery, Aerospace |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 1200×600×400 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLA |
| Material Category | Photopolymer Resin |
| Material Name | ABS-like |
| Color Option | Black |
| Post-Processing | Sanding, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, UV Coating, Laser Engraving |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Cost-effective, Fast turnaround, Assembling capability, No size restrictions |
| Limitations | Brittle material, Heat resistance \\\~40°C, Yellowing over time without coating, Limited reuse of threaded holes |
| Applications | Prototypes, Automotive, Medical, Consumer Electronics, Toys, Machinery, Aerospace |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 1200×600×400 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLA |
| Material Category | Photopolymer Resin |
| Material Name | PC-like |
| Color Option | Transparent |
| Post-Processing | Sanding, Polishing, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, Laser Engraving |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Affordable pricing, Quick cycle time, Assembly possible, Unlimited size capacity |
| Limitations | 90% transparency max (vs CNC machining), Limited optical clarity |
| Applications | Transparent parts, Lampshades, Display models |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 600×600×400 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLA |
| Material Category | Photopolymer Resin |
| Material Name | PC-like |
| Color Option | Semi-Transparent |
| Post-Processing | Sanding, Polishing, Bead Blasting, Painting, Silkscreen, Vacuum Plating, Laser Engraving |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Affordable pricing, Quick cycle time, Assembly possible, Unlimited size capacity |
| Limitations | 90% transparency max (vs CNC machining), Limited optical clarity |
| Applications | Transparent parts, Lampshades, Display models |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 600×600×400 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLS |
| Material Category | Nylon |
| Material Name | PA |
| Color Option | Black/White |
| Post-Processing | None |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Wear-resistant, High temperature tolerance |
| Limitations | Rough surface finish, Not suitable for bonding |
| Applications | Home Appliances, Power Tools, Automotive Components |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 400×400×400 |
| 3D Printing Technology | SLS |
| Material Category | Nylon |
| Material Name | PA11, PA12, PA12+ GF |
| Color Option | Black / Grey |
| Post-Processing | None |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Wear-resistant, High temperature tolerance |
| Limitations | Rough surface finish, Not suitable for bonding |
| Applications | Home Appliances, Power Tools, Automotive Components |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 400×400×400 |
| 3D Printing Technology | FDM |
| Material Category | Inkjet Fused Filament |
| Material Name | PLA, TPU, PA, Carbon Fiber, PC, ABS |
| Color Option | Multiple colors available |
| Post-Processing | Grinding, polishing, sandblasting, spraying, silk – screening, laser engraving, etc. |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | Multiple colors, various materials, cost – effective, no size restrictions |
| Limitations | Rough surface |
| Applications | Crafts, lighting fixtures, home furnishings, animation and comics, etc. |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 1000*1000*500 |
| 3D Printing Technology | DLP |
| Material Category | Red Wax |
| Material Name | Red Wax Resin |
| Color Option | Red |
| Post-Processing | None |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1 – ±0.3mm Higher precision available with CNC post finish machining. |
| Advantages | High precision, Fine detail capability |
| Limitations | Higher cost, Limited build size |
| Applications | Jewelry, Accessories, Animation Models |
| Max Build Size (mm) | 200×100×200 |
We have multiple affiliated factories dedicated to 3D printing with plastic and resin materials.
As shown in the picture below, this is one of our additional factories, invested and co-owned by our company founder’s wife.
And these are SLA 3D printers in the workshops:
