WOW3DPROWOW3D Co., Ltd. / 3D Cookie Hongdae

Print Methods

3D printer
process comparison

FDM·SLA·DLP are available via auto-quote; SLS/SLM/DMLS and PolyJet/MJP are produced by WOW3D when you contact an admin. Compare processes by use case.

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Quick tip

Functional prototypes → FDM

Looks & fine detail → SLA / DLP

How to choose

3 steps to choose a process

Compare processes

Review FDM·SLA·DLP traits and uses

Pick materials & options

Choose material and finishing for your goal

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Processes you can quote and produce now

FDM

Fused Deposition Modeling

Solid filament is heated and melted in a nozzle, then deposited layer by layer on the bed. The most widely used 3D printing technology.

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SLA

Stereolithography

A UV laser scans and selectively cures liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. Surfaces are smooth with excellent detail.

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DLP

Digital Light Processing

A light source (projector/UV panel) cures an entire resin layer at once. Per-layer cure time is short, so builds can be faster than SLA.

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Processes via admin inquiry

SLS/SLM/DMLS and PolyJet/MJP are not listed in auto-quote, but WOW3D can print and produce them. Contact an admin when you need these processes.

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SLS / SLM / DMLS

Powder bed fusion

Powder is spread thin and selectively sintered or melted by laser to build layers. Complex shapes can be made without supports; applies to plastics (SLS) and metals (SLM·DMLS).

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PolyJet / MJP

Material jetting

Liquid material is finely jetted and cured to build layers. Multiple materials and colors can be combined in one build—strong for visual models and high-res appearance prototypes.

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Auto-quote process comparison

FDM · SLA · DLP

Item	FDM	SLA	DLP
Best for	Functional prototypes & assembly	Looks & precision models	Small precision & repeats
Surface quality	Fair	Very high	Very high
Mechanical strength	High	By material	By material
Cost efficiency	Excellent	Moderate	Moderate

Admin-inquiry process comparison

Powder bed · Material jetting

Item	SLS / SLM / DMLS	PolyJet / MJP
Principle	Laser sinter/melt powder	Fine liquid material jets
Typical processes	SLS · SLM · DMLS	PolyJet · MJP
Strengths	No supports · metals possible	High res · multi-color
WOW3D	Ask admin	Ask admin

WOW3D

Auto-quote process details

FDM

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Fused Deposition Modeling · Fused Deposition Modeling

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Surface quality

Fair

Durability

High

Print speed

Fast

Cost

Economical

How it works

Solid filament is heated and melted in a nozzle, then deposited layer by layer on the bed. The most widely used 3D printing technology.

Key materials

PLAABSPETGTPUNylonPC

Best for

Prototypes
Functional & durability tests
Assembly parts & tooling
Education & hobby builds

Strengths

Strong cost efficiency
High mechanical strength & durability
Wide material choices
Great for functional tests & assembly parts

Notes

Layer lines may be visible
Surface precision lower than SLA·DLP

SLA

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Stereolithography · Stereolithography

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Surface quality

Very high

Durability

By material

Print speed

Moderate

Cost

Mid-range

How it works

A UV laser scans and selectively cures liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. Surfaces are smooth with excellent detail.

Key materials

Standard resinTough resinClear resinFlexible resin

Best for

Design validation & visual prototypes
Jewelry, dental & medical models
Masters & silicone mold patterns
Precision prototypes

Strengths

Smooth surface & high detail
Complex shapes & fine features
Ideal for dental, jewelry & visual models

Notes

Resin cost & post-processing (wash & secondary cure)
Impact/heat resistance depend on material

DLP

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Digital Light Processing · Digital Light Processing

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Surface quality

Very high

Durability

By material

Print speed

Fast

Cost

Mid-range

How it works

A light source (projector/UV panel) cures an entire resin layer at once. Per-layer cure time is short, so builds can be faster than SLA.

Key materials

Standard·Tough·Clear·Flexible resin

Best for

Dental, jewelry & small precision parts
Low- to mid-volume identical parts
Models where fine detail matters

Strengths

Fast per-layer cure
Good for many identical small parts
Excellent precision & surface quality

Notes

Build area limited by machine
Resin storage & handling required

Reference

Admin-inquiry processes

SLS/SLM/DMLS and PolyJet/MJP are not in auto-quote, but WOW3D produces them. Share your file, use case, and quantity and an admin will quote and schedule production.

SLS / SLM / DMLS

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Powder Bed Fusion · Powder bed fusion

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SLS

Selective Laser Sintering. Lasers sinter nylon/TPU powders. Common for plastic functional parts and prototypes.

SLM

Selective Laser Melting. Fully melts metal powder into dense metal parts for aerospace, medical, and automotive uses.

DMLS

Direct Metal Laser Sintering. Metal powder laser process name used by EOS and others; produces metal parts similar to SLM.

Surface quality

By material & finish

Durability

Very high

Print speed

Moderate

Cost

High

How it works

Powder is spread thin and selectively sintered or melted by laser to build layers. Complex shapes can be made without supports; applies to plastics (SLS) and metals (SLM·DMLS).

Key materials

Nylon (PA12)TPUAluminumTitaniumStainless steelInconel & other alloys

Best for

Functional prototypes & low-volume production
Metal parts for aerospace & medical
Hinges, clips & assembly structures
Internal channels & lattice structures

Strengths

Complex internals & undercuts without supports
Strong heat resistance for functional tests (by material)
Useful for low-volume multi-SKU metal parts
Widely used in pre-production validation

Notes

Equipment & operating cost higher than FDM/resin
Surface roughness & accuracy depend on post-processing
Metal workflows need more setup, safety & finishing

PolyJet / MJP

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Material Jetting · Material jetting

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PolyJet

Stratasys-family material jetting. Jets multiple materials/colors in one build for high-res multi-color models.

MJP

Multi Jet Printing. Jet-based processes from 3D Systems and others for precise visual models and casting patterns in wax/resin.

Surface quality

Best-in-class

Durability

By use case

Print speed

Moderate

Cost

High

How it works

Liquid material is finely jetted and cured to build layers. Multiple materials and colors can be combined in one build—strong for visual models and high-res appearance prototypes.

Key materials

Acrylic-based resinsRubber-like materialsClear & multi-color resinsMedical / simulation materials

Best for

High-res appearance prototypes
Multi-color & overmold mockups
Dental/medical guides & models
Design reviews & marketing samples

Strengths

Very high resolution & smooth surfaces
Multi-material & full-color (PolyJet)
Great for design validation, medical & dental models
Excellent fine labels & textures

Notes

Large or high-volume jobs can be costly
Mechanical strength more limited than FDM/metal
Strong dependency on materials & machines

Common Questions

FAQs before you choose a process

From FDM·SLA·DLP auto-quote to SLS and PolyJet via admin inquiry—common questions answered.

For functional prototypes, is FDM or SLA better?

If you need fit checks, durability tests, or functional trials, FDM is usually better. If looks and fine detail matter more, choose SLA or DLP.

SLA and DLP look similar—what is the difference?

Both are resin processes, but SLA cures point-by-point with a laser while DLP cures a full layer at once. For repeating small precision parts, DLP can be faster.

Which process is best when surface quality matters most?

For smooth surfaces and fine detail, pick SLA or DLP. FDM is more economical but layer lines can show.

How do SLS·SLM·DMLS differ from FDM?

Powder bed fusion can build complex shapes and metal parts without supports, but equipment and cost are higher. Everyday prototypes are often more economical with FDM·SLA·DLP auto-quote; if you need SLS/SLM/DMLS, contact an admin—WOW3D can produce them.

What is the difference between PolyJet and SLA?

Both deliver high resolution. PolyJet/MJP jets materials and excels at multi-color/multi-material; SLA photopolymerizes resin and is widely used for fine detail and clear materials. For PolyJet/MJP production, contact an admin.

Guide