Core Process · Stereolithography
SLA 3D printing: detail you can't see the layers in
Stereolithography cures liquid resin with a laser, layer by microscopic layer. The result is the smoothest, sharpest output in our shop — the process of choice when your part will be photographed, presented, painted or measured.
When SLA is the right call
Choose SLA when surface quality and dimensional accuracy carry the project: product prototypes headed to a client meeting, architectural models, master patterns for casting, anatomical replicas, and any part with fine text, thin walls or crisp edges.
Because the laser spot is far finer than an extruder nozzle, SLA reproduces features FDM simply blurs over. Parts come off the printer with a near-injection-molded finish, and light sanding takes them to paint-ready in minutes rather than hours.
Four resins, four personalities
We stock standard resin for everyday detail work, tough resin when parts need to survive handling and snap-fits, clear resin for lenses, fluidics and see-through housings, and BioMed resin for skin-contact and medical-adjacent applications. Your quote will name the resin we'd use and why.
| SLA at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 25–100 microns |
| Typical tolerance | ±0.1% (±0.05 mm floor) |
| Surface finish | Smooth / paint-ready |
| Resins | Standard · Tough · Clear · BioMed |
| Best for | Detail, presentation, patterns |
| Standard lead time | 2–4 business days |
| Rush | 24–48h on qualifying parts |
Typical SLA projects
Common SLA applications
Presentation prototypes
Looks-like models that photograph like production units for pitches and packaging shots.
Scale models
Towers, sites and interiors where clean edges at 1:200 decide whether the model convinces.
Master patterns
Smooth masters for silicone molding, urethane casting and jewelry investment casting.
Clear components
Light pipes, lenses and fluidic parts polished to genuine transparency.
Browse finished resin work in the gallery, or compare processes in our guide to SLA vs FDM vs SLS.
See what SLA does for your model
Upload the file and we'll confirm resin choice, orientation and finish level with your quote — usually within business hours.