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. 2023 Dec 19;12(1):1. doi: 10.3390/dj12010001

Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of each 3D printing technology.

3D Technology Advantages Disadvantages
Stereolithography (SLA)

  • Quick production speed;

  • Precise and highly accurate;

  • Can accommodate complex designs;

  • Numerous material options.

  • Production can be slower compared to other printers;

  • High post-processing requirements.
Digital light processing (DLP)

  • High speed;

  • Precise and highly accurate;

  • Can accommodate complex designs;

  • Numerous material options.

  • Arguably lower quality than other printers;

  • Limited by voxel size.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

  • Cheaper technology;

  • Great layer bonding.

  • Only thermoplastic materials.
Selective laser sintering (SLS) and selective laser melting (SLM)

  • Can print polymers or metals;

  • Batch production;

  • No supports needed.

  • Requires high printing infrastructure;

  • Use of fine powders can he hazardous.
Photopolymer jetting

  • Extremely high resolution;

  • Can print with multiple colors on one single print.

  • Low mechanical properties;

  • Limited heat resistance;

  • Costly maintenance of printer heads.
Powder binder printing

  • Wide range of unique materials;

  • High speed printing.

  • Low mechanical properties;

  • Low resolution;

  • High waste of material.
3D laser bioprinting (LAB)

  • Only option to print living cells and other biomaterials;

  • Completely unique.

  • Costly;

  • Very specific conditions to produce viable biomaterials.