3D printing with stereolithography (SLA)

SLA is most commonly used for prototypes and fit checks, but depending on the material, some SLA parts can be used for short-term functional testing or even low-stress end-use applications. For more demanding functional parts, especially where toughness or flexibility is needed, SLS or PolyJet may be more appropriate.

SLA is one of the most accurate 3D printing methods, capable of producing fine features and thin walls with tight tolerances. It's well suited to complex geometries and assemblies with critical dimensions. While Micro 3D Printing offers even finer resolution, SLA strikes an excellent balance between accuracy, surface finish, and part size.

We offer a carefully selected range of SLA materials designed for prototyping and functional testing. These include:

Each resin offers different properties such as strength, heat resistance, or optical clarity; our team can help you choose the most suitable one. Compared to other technologies, SLA resins offer better surface detail but may not have the durability of SLS nylon.

To find out more about each material, visit our Materials Datasheets page.

SLA produces highly detailed parts with excellent surface finish. It’s especially useful for visual prototypes and parts with tight dimensional requirements. Compared to SLS, SLA offers smoother surfaces and sharper details. Unlike PolyJet, SLA is limited to single-material builds but is more suitable for parts with greater structural integrity. Compared to DLP, SLA can produce larger parts and offers a wider choice of general-purpose resins.

SLA uses a laser to cure resin in a vat, layer by layer. It offers high resolution and excellent finish but generally requires support structures. SLS, by contrast, uses powder and doesn’t need supports, making it better for nested or interlocking parts. DLP cures resin using a projector rather than a laser, allowing faster build times for small parts, but is more limited in build size. PolyJet can print in multiple materials or colours at once, which SLA can’t do, but SLA is often chosen for mechanical strength and stability in single-material prints.