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FDM vs SLA vs MJF: Which 3D Printing Process Should You Use?

Three additive processes, three sweet spots. A practical guide to picking the right one for detail, strength, speed and cost.

By HIGH On 3D · 15 January 2025 · 7 min read

Choosing the right additive process is the single biggest lever on the quality, cost and lead time of your parts. Here's how we think about it.

FDM: best for durable functional prototypes and larger parts in a huge range of engineering thermoplastics. SLA: best for fine detail, smooth finishes and master patterns, accurate to within 0.05 mm. HP MJF: best for strong, isotropic, production-grade PA12 nylon parts, up to 10× faster than legacy processes.

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