SLA 3D Printing — Best Surface Finish & Fine Detail
Professional-grade resin 3D printing with the smoothest surfaces and sharpest details available. Powered by Formlabs Form 3 technology.
Stereolithography (SLA) uses a precision laser to cure liquid resin layer by layer, producing parts with exceptional surface finish, tight tolerances, and fine feature detail that FDM simply cannot match. SLA is the go-to process when appearance, fit accuracy, or smooth surfaces matter.
When to Choose SLA
- Visual prototypes & presentation models — smooth, professional surfaces right off the printer
- Assemblies that need to fit together — high dimensional accuracy
- Fine features & small text — 85 µm laser spot captures details FDM misses
- Medical & dental models — including veterinary bone models from CT scan data
- Clear or transparent parts — our Clear resin can be polished to near-optical clarity
- Functional prototypes — Tough and Rigid resins handle real-world loads
Our Equipment
We print on the Formlabs Form 3 — a professional-grade SLA printer using Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) for consistently accurate, detailed parts.
- Build Volume: 145 × 145 × 185 mm (5.7 × 5.7 × 7.3 in)
- XY Resolution: 85 µm laser spot size
- Layer Height: 25–300 µm (material dependent)
- Laser: 250 mW, 405 nm
- Technology: Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) — reduced peel forces for better surface quality and print reliability
Available Materials
Standard Stock (No Setup Fee, Fastest Turnaround)
| Material | Color | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLA Standard | Grey (default) | General prototyping, visual models, form checks | $$ |
| SLA Black | Black | Presentation models, enclosures, dark housings | $$ |
| SLA White | White | Medical/dental models, clean visual prototypes | $$ |
| SLA Clear | Frosted/Clear | Light pipes, fluidics, transparent housings (polishable to near-optical clarity) | $$ |
| SLA Rigid | Off-white (glass-filled) | Stiff structural parts, jigs, fixtures | $$ |
Specialty Materials (Available on Request)
| Material | Properties | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tough 1000 | HDPE-like, impact resistant | Snap fits, living hinges, functional parts that need to bend without breaking | $$$ |
| Tough 2000 | ABS-like, strong and stiff | Functional prototypes, end-use parts needing strength and some flexibility | $$$ |
Need a material not listed? Formlabs offers 40+ engineering resins including biocompatible, castable, and high-temperature options. Contact us for specialty material requests.
For detailed mechanical properties of each material, see our SLA Material Properties page.
SLA vs. FDM — Which Process Should You Choose?
| Factor | SLA | FDM |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Finish | Excellent — smooth, minimal post-processing | Good — visible layer lines |
| Fine Detail | 85 µm laser | 200+ µm nozzle |
| Part Strength | Good (material dependent) | Excellent (especially Nylon, ULTEM) |
| Max Part Size | ~5.7 inches | Up to 36 inches |
| Cost | Higher per part | Lower per part |
| Best For | Appearance, fit, detail | Strength, size, economy |
Not sure which process is right for your project? Send us your file and we’ll recommend the best approach.
Get a Quote
Upload your STL, STEP, or 3D CAD file for a fast quote:
Most quotes returned within 1 business day. Rush turnaround available.