Filament (FDM Printing)

  • Material: Usually thermoplastics like PLA, ABS, or PETG, which come in spools of solid, string-like material.
  • Process: Filament printers (FDM—Fused Deposition Modeling) heat the filament and deposit it layer by layer to build the object.
  • Strengths:
    • Affordable and widely available.
    • Great for larger models or functional parts due to their durability.
    • Easier to handle and requires minimal post-processing.
  • Limitations:
    • Surface finish is often less smooth—layer lines are visible.
    • Less suited for highly detailed or intricate designs.

Resin (SLA/DLP Printing)

  • Material: Liquid photopolymer resin, which solidifies when exposed to UV light.
  • Process: Resin printers (SLA—Stereolithography or DLP—Digital Light Processing) use UV light or lasers to cure the resin layer by layer.
  • Strengths:
    • Superior detail and precision—ideal for miniatures, jewelry, or complex designs.
    • Produces smooth surfaces with minimal visible layers.
  • Limitations:
    • More expensive than filament.
    • Requires additional steps for cleaning and curing the prints (post-processing).
    • Handling liquid resin can be messier and requires safety precautions.