SLA, DLP and LCD 3D Printing Overview

Photopolymer resins developed for vat photopolymerization technologies, including SLA, DLP and LCD/MSLA systems. This portfolio supports industrial, medical, dental and research workflows through made-to-order resin systems and application-driven material platforms.

Start here: Browse & order SLA/DLP/LCD resins | Instructions for Use & Printing Parameters | Compatible printers (examples) | Process engineering (385 & 405 nm)

Speed vs Precision: how to tune your resin system

In vat photopolymerization, printing speed and dimensional control are governed by dose, optical confinement and cure kinetics. 3Dresyns® fine tuning additives allow controlled adjustment of these parameters without redesigning the full resin system.

Need faster printing?
Increase photoreactivity and reduce exposure time using Fine Tuner FT1 (photo-accelerant).
Need higher XY detail and tighter dimensional tolerance?
Improve optical confinement and reduce light bleeding using Fine Tuner LB1 Bio (resolution modifier).
Need quantitative validation?
Use cure depth mapping and working curve modelling: Applied Engineering Analysis (405 nm) and Cure Kinetics & Jacobs Working Curve (405 nm).

What is SLA, DLP and LCD/MSLA?

All three are vat photopolymerization processes that cure liquid resins layer-by-layer. The key difference is how light is delivered, which impacts speed, detail and calibration behaviour:

SLA: laser spot scanning (precision depends on spot size, scan strategy and resin kinetics).
DLP: projected image exposure (detail depends on projected pixel size, optics and irradiance uniformity).
LCD/MSLA: masked pixel exposure (throughput and affordability; performance depends on pixel size, uniformity and exposure control).

What matters most in SLA/DLP/LCD resin performance

Optics and wavelength: resin reactivity must match your light source and available optical power.
Exposure strategy: layer time, bottom layers and transitions strongly affect dimensional accuracy and surface quality.
Viscosity and flow: impacts recoating, peel forces and defect probability—especially at fine features.
Post-processing: cleaning and curing define final mechanical properties and stability.
Constraints: biocompatibility, sterilization, burnout behaviour or regulatory requirements should be considered early.

Browse materials

Main entry points for SLA/DLP/LCD materials, organized by performance level and use case breadth:

Material platforms (selected)

Platform-driven collections often selected based on constraints such as sustainability targets, chemistry class or end-use environment:

Select by application

If you already know your end-use area, start with application collections and then validate printer/process compatibility:

Indirect routes (casting, sacrificial, molds)

If the printed part is an intermediate tool, mold or sacrificial structure, use an indirect route. Concept overview: Indirect Additive Manufacturing (AM).

Printer compatibility and calibration

Performance depends on the full material–printer–process chain (printer model, layer thickness, exposure strategy, temperature, cleaning and curing). For examples and context, see: Examples of compatible SLA/DLP/LCD printers.

Photopolymer Process Engineering (385 & 405 nm)

These two resources translate resin chemistry into real printer settings: faster printing when required, or higher dimensional control when tolerance and detail matter (especially in Z). Written for both technical sales and service/support.

IFU & Printing Parameters

3Dresyns materials are process-dependent systems. Final performance depends on formulation version, printer technology, exposure strategy and post-processing workflow. Use the official guidance in Instructions for Use & Printing Parameters.

Need help choosing the right SLA / DLP / LCD route?

Share your printer model, wavelength (if known), layer thickness, target properties and intended post-processing workflow:

SLA, DLP and LCD 3D printing