Table 1.

Comparison of 3D Printing Processes and Materials.

Type	Extrusion (FDM, FFF, TPE)	Light Polymerization (SLA, DLP, CLIP)	Powder Bed (Binder Jet)	Powder Bed (Heat/ Laser Melting/ Sintering)	Lamination
Method	Material (often molten plastic filament) is extruded through a nozzle that follows a path in x and y dimensions	Liquid resin is cured with laser light or with a projected image	Liquid binding material is selectively deposited across a layer of powdered substrate	Powdered material is selectively sintered or melted with a laser or electron beam	Layers of paper or film are adhered together and cut to shape with a knife or laser; may incorporate standard inkjet printing methods
Layer height	0.050–0.400	0.010–0.200	~0.100a	~0.100a	~0.100a
Materials	Various thermoplastics (ABS, PLA, PVA, HIPS, PC, nylon, etc.); molten glass or sugar, clay, wax, edible materials (chocolate, icing, pancake batter, etc.)	Various acrylic photopolymers; properties can be rigid, flexible, castable, or transparent	Powdered plaster, sugar	Almost any metal alloy, titanium, thermoplastic, or ceramic powder	Paper, metal foil, plastic film
Printer cost	Start as low as $350 for small-volume printers and printer kits; can cost upward of $4000	Desktop models $2500+; commercial printers can range from $20,000 to upward of $200,000	$15,000–$30,000	Typically $200,000+	$30,000+
Support structures required?	Dependent on materials and geometry; dissolvable supports can be used	Dependent on printer type and model geometry	No	No	No
Pros	Wide variety of affordable materials; with two or more extruders, can print in multiple colors and materials, print dissolvable support structures	Can achieve very fine detail and complexity, quiet operation	Capable of print at high resolution with full color; does not require support structures	Strong, durable parts; does not require support structures	Capable of printing in full color; does not require support structures
Cons	Complex geometries and overhangs require support material; limiting for single-extruder printers	Materials are limited and typically less durable consumables; messy postprocessing	Higher material cost; messy postprocessing; relatively fragile	Printer and material costs are expensive, highly specialized	Limitations in 3D geometry, better for solid structures

ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; CLIP, continuous liquid interface production; DLP, digital light processing; FDM, fused deposition modeling; FFF, fused filament fabrication; HIPS, high-impact polystyrene; PC, polycarbonate; PLA, polylactic acid; PVA, polyvinyl alcohol; SLA, stereolithography; TPE, thermoplastic extrusion.

^aResolution may be dependent on the thickness of the powder substrate or laminated material.