Whether you need to print a toy model for your kids or a heart valve model for your patients, ordering from a 3D printing service company is the fastest and most affordable way to get custom-made objects. All you need is a digital model and a little bit of knowledge on the different types of 3D printing.
Resin 3D, which is a broad category of several technologies, offers finely detailed parts of practically any size. Prints can have realistic surface texture and true-to-life colors. You would choose resin 3D printing over other technologies when the look and finish of your part is more important than the strength or durability, generally speaking. In other words, it’s for a model, not a tool – with some notable exceptions when it comes to industrial resin 3D printers, which we cover below.
Today’s wide range of 3D printing services can guide you through the options and materials, but some may leave you on your own to figure out the best option. Don’t worry, by the time you’re finished reading this article you’ll have enough information to make the best choice.
Whether your project involves one unique gift for a friend, several jewelry molds, or hundreds, even thousands, of parts for your business, we’ve collected the top 10 resin 3D printing services providing a range of material and technology options.
Why 3D Print in Resin?
Of all the 3D printing methods for polymer (plastic) parts, resin 3D printing is prized for its fine detail and excellent surface finish, which makes it ideal for product prototypes, molds, casts, display models, architecture models, and art, among many other applications. Some resin materials are also extremely tough, durable, wear-resistant, flame resistant, and even flexible, making the technology popular for auto parts, factory tools, and sports equipment.
When you order a part from a service provider, they’ll usually be using professional- and industrial-level resin printers and materials. Yet, some smaller services set up shop using consumer 3D printers like the ones you may have at home. Many consumer-leverl resin printer can produce outstanding results for prototypes, visual models, and figurines. For more durable materials you’ll want to understand your resin options.
Vat Polymerization
The most common resin 3D printing technologies are based on using a vat of liquid photosensitive plastic exposed to UV light to build an object layer-by-layer. These technologies are collectively known as vat polymerization. The category is further split into different distinct technologies, such as stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP), and liquid-crystal display (LCD) also called masked-stereolithography (mSLA).
If you were buying a machine, the difference between these three technologies would be more important, but when ordering parts, their attributes are less of a factor. If you’re simply looking for fine detail, either technology is applicable.
Another vat polymerization process your service provider may offer is called Digital Light Synthesis (DLS), which is only available from a company called Carbon. It’s a version of resin printing that is widely used in manufacturing because it uses a range of engineering-grade durable materials and can produce very high output in terms of quantity. It’s for functional prototypes and end-use parts, such as these bicycle seats sold by Specialized and the midsoles of these shoes by Adidas.
PolyJet
If you need multi-color or multi-material parts with fine detail, such as product prototypes, you’ll want to look for a service provider that offers PolyJet technology from a company called Stratasys. This technology, which is also ideal for volumes of parts, uses inkjet print heads to deposit droplets of resin onto the print platform. The resin is immediately hardened by UV light. As there are multiple print heads, different materials can be printed at once.
PolyJet is probably to top option for multi-color medical models and product prototypes, so much so, that we have an entire service guide devoted to it linked below.
Guide to Terms in 3D Printing with Resin
Resin 3D printing service providers sometimes use a wide variety of terms to describe their technology, often mixing what a brand of 3D printer calls its technology with the more general name for the technology. For example, LFS (low force stereolithography) is what 3D printer maker Formlabs calls its stereolithography. This is important only if you’re looking for parts from a particular brand of printer to evaluate it before purchase or if you’re supplementing your production with an on-demand service and want to match the technology exactly. Otherwise, it’s just confusing.
- Vat Polymerization is a general term for SLA, DLP, & LCD
- Stereolithography (SLA) uses a laser to cure the resin
- Digital Light Processing (DLP) uses a UV light to cure the resin
- Liquid crystal display (LCD) also called masked stereolithography (MSLA) also uses UV light
- Brand-Specific Versions of Vat Polymerization
- Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) from Formlabs
- Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) from Carbon
- Material Jetting (M-Jet) is a rapid and multi-color resin tech
- Polyjet is a type of material jetting from Stratasys 3D printers
- InkJet is a type of material jetting from Mimaki
Craftcloud
Craftcloud by All3DP isn’t just a 3D printing service. It’s a marketplace for 3D printing services. It helps you compare services and prices to find the resin 3D printing service that’s right for you.
Craftcloud partners with more than 100 printing service providers all across the globe. Comparing them is easy — all you do is upload your CAD model, pick the resin technology, material, and finish you need, and browse through the list to find a quote that works for you. Craftcloud generates quotes instantaneously in real time and doesn’t include any hidden fees, so you will always get an accurate quote.
For resin parts, Craftcloud lists an extensive library of materials. The options include everything from standard, tough, and high-detail resins for display pieces and prototypes to transparent and elastic resins, castable resins for jewelry and metal casting, and even medical, surgical, and carbon resins.
The service works for both one-off prints, like gifts or prototype samples, and small batches of fully functional industrial-grade parts. Craftcloud also has an extensive library of material and support documentation to help you choose the right service provider.
- Maximum build volume: 2,100 x 700 x 800 mm
- Available technologies: PolyJet, SLA, DLP, MSLA, LCD
- Detail level: 32 microns (PolyJet), 100 microns (SLA)
- Materials: 20+ options including tough, transparent, castable, elastic, biomedical, and carbon resins
- Turnaround: Varies by the supplier
Sculpteo
Sculpteo has been in business since 2009 and quickly became one of the biggest names in 3D printing services. In 2019, the company was acquired by BASF and it has since added a slew of new materials and services to its catalog, with options for practically every industry.
For printing parts in resin, Sculpteo offers four different technologies. In addition to standard SLA printers, they have DLS, DLP/LCD, and PolyJet printers. With the wide range of resin technologies, Sculpteo has available a wide range of resin materials.
The company has available one Prototyping Resin material for SLA. DLS printing comes with Elastomeric and Rigid Polyurethane. With LCD, it can print using production-ready Ultracur3D EPD 1086 which can create parts up to 510 mm in size (X-axis). For DLP, Sculpteo offers three prototyping materials. Finally, for PolyJet, the company has on the shelf the transparent VeroClear resin and the VeroWhite resin, which can be dyed in 12 different colors.
Sculpteo’s SLA parts are eligible for 24-hour express lead times. The other technologies have lead times starting at five days. The company ships worldwide, but longer distances can affect delivery times.
Sculpteo’s ordering process includes handy CAD analysis and repair tools. It also offers 3D part design and consultation, laser cutting services, and an extensive library of support and educational documents.
- Available technologies: SLA, DLS, DLP, LCD, PolyJet
- Maximum build volume: 510 x 280 x 350 mm
- Detail level: 100 microns (SLA, DLS, DLP/LCD), 28 microns (PolyJet)
- Materials: Black, white, clear, varies by resin printing technology
- Turnaround: From 3 business days, 24h possible with SLA
Materialise
Materialise has been active in additive manufacturing for more than 30 years. Over this long history, they’ve built a reputation with their software solutions, but the company also offers a large range of on-demand 3D printing services.
Setting Materialise apart is one option that no others on our list offer: Giant resin prints. Using their own patented Mammoth Stereolithography machines, they can print parts up to 2 meters long in a single build.
These services include both SLA and PolyJet resin printing technologies. Both technologies have multiple material options available and Materialise offers short lead times, starting at only three days. The company also offers the 12-hour NextDay service, although that’ll limit available materials and print sizes.
With SLA machines, Materialise can print with eight materials. The company can produce SLA parts for a wide range of applications from visual and functional prototypes to casting masters and patterns. With some materials, Materialise can accept offline orders to print SLA parts that are more than two meters wide!
For PolyJet printing, Materialise offers dyable Vero and transparent Veroclear materials. They can also print with flexible Agilus composite materials which are suitable for prototypes of rubber components.
In addition to consultation and training, design and engineering services for additive manufacturing are also listed in their catalog. Ordering online is easy with instant quotes, however Materialise also takes offline orders for large-scale print jobs.
- Available technologies: SLA, PolyJet
- Maximum build volume: 2,100 x 700 x 800 mm
- Detail level: 100 microns (SLA); 32 microns (PolyJet)
- Materials: Poly1500, ProtoGen White, TuskXC2700T, TuskCX2700W, Taurus, Xtreme, Tusk Somos SolidGrey3000, PerFORM (SLA); Vero, VeroClear, Agilus (PolyJet)
- Turnaround: From 3 business days
Shapeways
Shapeways was founded in 2007 with the goal of bringing 3D printed parts to consumers long before desktop 3D printers were a reality. Today, they are one of the largest 3D printing service providers, focusing on a wide range of manufacturing technologies for big businesses, like Google and Target.
Shapeways offers resin printing using SLA and material jetting technologies. In the latter category, the company uses Mimaki 3DUJ-553 printers.
The available lead times are rather slow, starting at four days for Fine Detail MJ. Shapeways ships parts globally, with some country restrictions. It also offers rapid prototyping and 3D file design services for a wide range of industries, from gaming to medical, education, and robotics.
- Available technologies: SLA, MJ
- Maximum build volume: 609 x 711 x 457 mm
- Detail level: 25 microns
- Materials: Accura 60, Accura Xtreme, Accura Xtreme 200 (SLA); three material jetting resins
- Turnaround: From 4-10 business days
Stratasys Direct
Stratasys is not only the inventor of PolyJet resin 3D printing technology, it is also one of the largest 3D printer manufacturing companies in the world. It launched its own on-demand additive manufacturing service in 1991 and offers parts from its own 3D printers and other machines.
The company promises extremely high detailed prints through its services. With PolyJet, in particular, Stratasys claims to be able to create layers as thin as 27 microns. It also offers very detailed SLA prints at 50-micron layer heights.
Stratasys supplies resin parts for rapid prototyping, concept and anatomical modeling, and investment casting. The company promises production times of 2-3 business days, not accounting for shipping.
The Stratasys Direct website has a handy Material Wizard tool that lets you compare the physical properties of different offered materials in real-time. The wizard can make finding the appropriate printing material for your application faster and easier with instant quotes. The company also offers design services and can provide CAD modeling and model customization, training, and consultation.
- Available technologies: PolyJet, SLA
- Maximum build volume: 635 x 736 x 533 mm (SLA)
- Detail level: 50 microns (SLA); 27 microns (PolyJet)
- Materials: Somos Protogen 18420, Somos WaterClear Ultra 10122, Somos WaterShed XC 11122, Somos NeXt, SC 1000P (SLA); Vero, Agilus 30A-95A, Agilus over Vero, Digital ABS Plus, Rigur (PolyJet)
- Turnaround: From 2-3 business days
Protolabs
Protolabs was founded in 1999 with the goal of reducing lead times when it came to prototyping. Its 3D printing service launched in 2014 and has expanded since. In 2021, for example, Hubs came under the Protolabs family. Today, the company operates 12 manufacturing centers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
Protolabs can print resin parts using a wide range of technologies. SLA, PolyJet, and Carbon DLS are all in the company’s repertoire. For SLA, Protolabs offers one of the highest detail levels, making the surface a great choice for intricate, high-accuracy prototypes.
The company has multiple materials available for each technology they use, giving them great versatility in producing prototypes, concept models, and even end-use parts. Protolabs serves multiple industries and claims lead times as short as one business day.
Multiple surfacing options are available for resin prints and Protolabs maintains a sizeable collection of design guides for 3D printed parts. Using SLA, it can produce large-format resin parts. However, the size comes at the cost of detail quality.
Unlike many other companies on this list, Protolabs doesn’t offer separate design services. They are, however, able to produce highly detailed parts very fast, which makes them a good prototyping partner.
- Available technologies: SLA, PolyJet, Carbon DLS
- Maximum build volume: 736mm x 635mm x 533mm
- Detail level: 25 microns (SLA); 30 microns (PolyJet); 100 microns (DLS)
- Materials: Accura Xtreme White 200, Accura Xtreme Gray, Accura 7820, WaterShed XC 11122, MicroFine Gray and Green, Somos 9120, Accura 60, Accura 5530, PerFORM (SLA); 30A-95A, Rigid (PolyJet); Carbon RPU 70, Carbon FPU 50 (DLS)
- Turnaround: From 1 business day
Fast Radius
Fast Radius, a Skybridge Company, founded in 2014, provides comprehensive additive manufacturing solutions for both small and large scale clients worldwide. The company uses advanced cloud technology to offer global printing and other additive manufacturing services to its clients.
In resin printing, Fast Radius focuses on Carbon DLS, but it also offers SLA printing using Formlabs Form 3 printers. The company has a commendably wide range of materials available for both technologies, enabling them to serve many different industries and applications from prototyping to on-demand production parts.
The ordering process is simple and gives users instant quotes on their parts based on uploaded CAD models. The quoting process includes an integrated tool that gives DfAM insights to help users better optimize their projects for quality and cost. Fast Radius’ global Cloud Manufacturing Platform has manufacturing partners across the world, allowing them to serve a worldwide user base.
Due to their choice of 3D printers, Fast Radius can’t produce as large parts as many other printing services. They compensate, however, by offering virtual warehouse services that allow manufacturers to store their parts on the Cloud Manufacturing Platform as CAD files and order new parts as needed from the nearest manufacturing partner.
- Available technologies: Carbon DLS, SLA
- Maximum build volume: 400 x 250 x 460 mm
- Detail level: 250 microns (DLS); N/A for SLA
- Materials: 11 DLS resins, 12 SLA resins
- Turnaround: From 3 business days
Fathom
Fathom is the largest privately-owned on-demand additive manufacturing service in North America. Although they focus primarily on U.S. and Canadian customers, they have an excellent range of 3D printing and additional services in places to deliver high-quality parts quickly.
For making resin parts, Fathom operates PolyJet and SLA printers. Although it claims to have a range of more than 900 materials for PolyJet, the company’s range of SLA materials is very limited, featuring only two options.
That said, the company’s emphasis is clearly on PolyJet. With this technology, Fathom promises customers can have parts with certain characteristics manufactured within 24 hours. SLA printing isn’t exactly slow either, with Fathom offering next-day delivery.
Fathom offers instant quoting through a simple online user interface. Large-scale SLA parts may require a quote review, though. The company has manufacturing locations across the U.S. and is constantly expanding its network if its history of steady acquisitions is anything to go by.
In addition to 3D printing services, Fathom offers extensive post-processing services for additive manufacturing, including finishing, dyeing and coloring, assembly, polishing, and more. The company can also help customers with part design, concept development, and quality assurance. Fathom provides a comprehensive package of additive manufacturing services — if you’re located in North America.
- Available technologies: PolyJet, SLA
- Maximum build volume: 650 x 750 x 550 mm
- Detail level: 30 microns (PolyJet); 100 microns (SLA)
- Materials: Digital ABS Plus (Ivory), Vero Clear, Vero, Rigur, Agilus 30 Clear, TangoBlack+ (PolyJet); Accura 25, Accura ClearVue (SLA)
- Turnaround: From 1 business day
Xometry
A relative newcomer to 3D printing services, Xometry started its operations in 2013. But since then, they’ve grown significantly. Today, Xometry operates a global network of more than 5,000 suppliers for both additive and traditional manufacturing.
When it comes to resin printing, Xometry is a real powerhouse. It has three different resin 3D printing technologies available, including SLA, Carbon DLS, and PolyJet. The breadth of technologies allows the company to produce parts for everything from concept models and rapid prototyping to functional end-use parts and serial production.
Xometry also offers wide material libraries for each technology. SLA leads the way with 17 materials, but DLS and PolyJet also have many available options.
All 3D printed parts produced in the U.S. through Xometry are eligible for free two-day shipping or ground shipping, and expedited next-day delivery is also available. The company can also ship parts internationally and has production partners in multiple countries. The Xometry website offers instant quotes based on an uploaded CAD model and selected options.
Xometry also offers rapid prototyping, high-volume production, and custom assembly services.
- Available technologies: SLA, Carbon DLS, PolyJet
- Maximum build volume: 736 x 635 x 533 mm
- Detail level: 100 microns (SLA); 120 microns (DLS); 45 microns (PolyJet)
- Materials: 17 SLA resins; 7 DLS resins; 4 PolyJet resins
- Turnaround: From 2 business days
Quickparts
Quickparts’ on-demand print service is a good option for industrial parts, such as jigs and fixtures, surgical tools, and Investment casting patterns. The company offers engineering services and can guide you to the best technology and material for your application.
The company uses SLA 3D printers by 3D Systems exclusively because they used to be the on-demand service provider of that company before breaking off on their own. Because of this they offer the full range of 3D Systems materials and they know now to apply them.
- Available technologies: SLA
- Maximum build volume: 500 x 500 x 500 mm
- Detail level: 50 microns
- Materials: 3D Systems’ Accura 25 (ABS/PP-Like), Accura 55, Accura Xtreme White, Accura Xtreme Grey (High-Impact ABS-Like), Accura SL 7820 Black (ABS-Like), Accura 60 (PC-Like), Accura ClearVue (PC-Like), Accura Bluestone (High-Temp ABS-Like), Accura 48 (High-Temp PC-Like)
- Turnaround: From 2 business days (desktop); 4 business days (industrial)
Bonus Pick: Purple Porcupine
Don’t be fooled by the funny name. California-based Purple Porcupine is one of the earliest companies to embrace 3D printing as a tool in the manufacturing market. Created back in 2007, Purple Porcupine has helped all sorts and sizes of companies across the US create their products and grow their businesses.
Purple Porcupine provides three kinds of resin 3D printing — PolyJet, SLA, and DLP — as well as two fusion technologies (SAF and MJF) and post-processing finishing. Along with its printing services, this ambitious company also lists 3D scanning, 3D CAD sesign, RTV and cast urethane, and corporate branding services available to its clients.
The ordering process is simple. Upload your file onto the companies secure online system, and its team will check for any possible errors to ensure a flawless print. Prints are then cleaned and shipped quickly, with an average lead time of 2.6 days.
- Available technologies: PolyJet, SLA, DLP
- Materials: 16 Polyjet resins; 11 SLA resins; 18 DLP resins
- Turnaround: Average lead time 2.6 business days
Resin 3D Printing Closest to Home
Above, we’ve covered the top on-demand 3D printing service providers offering resin technology, but there are thousands more. In fact, the number of companies offering 3D printing as a service is growing rapidly as traditional manufacturing companies of all sizes add 3D printers to their equipment line-up.
Other service providers new to the market are often companies that use resin 3D printing in their own operations and offer printing-as-a-service as a side hustle when the printer isn’t in use for in-house work.
These often smaller shops can provide you with the local personal relationship you may be looking for, while others may take your order, then farm it out to one of the major providers above and take a cut, so it’s always good to ask about your service company’s hands-on expertise with the technology. If you’re looking for a specific technology, like some of the resin methods we cover above, you can also reach out to industrial resin 3D printer manufacturers directly to find a service near you. Craftcloud, for example, will provide you with services closest to you.
Lead image source: The first two figurinese are printed with Elegoo resins, the last part is printed by Nexa3D using a co-branded photopolymer SLA resin with Henkel.
License: The text of "Resin 3D Printing Service: Top 10 Providers in 2024" by All3DP Pro is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.