Stereolithography — the original 3D printing technology and still the gold standard for surface finish and detail resolution. Export Commodity delivers professional SLA printing with the full range of engineering resins for demanding applications.
Get an SLA Quote Compare TechnologiesStereolithography Apparatus (SLA) is a vat photopolymerization process that uses a UV laser to selectively cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. The laser traces each cross-section of the part into the resin bath, solidifying precise geometry at each layer. The build platform then moves by one layer thickness, fresh resin flows over the solidified layer, and the process repeats until the complete part is formed.
SLA produces the finest surface finish of any 3D printing technology — parts emerge from the machine with surfaces so smooth they appear injection-molded, and with feature detail that can resolve features as fine as a human hair. This makes SLA the technology of choice for jewelry casting masters, dental models, highly detailed prototypes, optical-quality clear parts, and any application where appearance and surface quality are the primary requirements.
Unlike FDM parts, SLA parts are isotropic — they have the same strength properties in all directions because the cure process bonds each layer fully to the previous one through cross-linking of the polymer network. This makes SLA structurally superior to FDM for parts that experience multi-directional loads.
| Resin Type | Properties | Best For | Color Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Resin | Rigid, smooth, moderate strength | Visual prototypes, models, display pieces | White, gray, black, clear |
| Tough / ABS-Like Resin | Impact resistant, semi-flexible | Functional prototypes, snap fits, assemblies | White, gray |
| Durable / PP-Like Resin | Flexible, high elongation, fatigue resistant | Living hinges, snap fits, jigs and fixtures | White |
| Flexible / Rubber-Like Resin | Highly flexible, 160% elongation | Gaskets, soft grips, wearable components | Black |
| Clear / Optical Resin | Transparent, polishable | Lenses, light pipes, clear enclosures, fluidics | Clear |
| Castable Resin | Burns out cleanly for investment casting | Jewelry masters, metal casting patterns | Purple/blue (standard) |
| High-Temp Resin | HDT up to 238°C | Molds, thermoforming tools, heat-resistant parts | Orange, tan |
| BioMed Clear / Dental SG | Biocompatible, Class I or IIa | Surgical guides, splints, dental models | Clear |
| Ceramic-Filled Resin | High stiffness, thermal resistance | Kiln-safe tooling, heat applications | Gray-white |
SLA prints require post-processing before they reach their final material properties. Export Commodity handles this entirely in-house — you receive fully finished, fully cured parts.
Parts are removed from the build platform with supports attached, then washed in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to remove uncured liquid resin from the surface and internal cavities. We use a dedicated wash station with agitation for thorough cleaning.
After washing, supports are carefully removed. Support contact points on fine-detail models are cleaned with precision tools to eliminate artifacts. This step requires significant care on high-detail parts.
Parts are post-cured in a calibrated UV chamber at the resin manufacturer's specified time and temperature. This final curing step brings the part to its rated mechanical properties and eliminates surface tackiness.
Castable resin produces wax-pattern-equivalent masters for investment casting. The resin burns out completely with no residue, producing clean metal castings in gold, silver, platinum, and bronze. Our layer resolution captures even fine engraving detail.
Biocompatible resins produce dental models, surgical guides, and dental appliances with the dimensional accuracy and surface quality demanded by clinical applications. We work from patient STL files generated from CBCT scans.
Clear SLA resin produces optically transparent parts that can be post-processed to high polish. Applications include light pipes, display lenses, custom eyewear components, microfluidic channels, and aesthetic cover plates.
Tabletop gaming miniatures, figurines, scale models, and architectural details that require submillimeter feature resolution. SLA captures detail that FDM physically cannot resolve — individual scales, fine engravings, hair-thin features.
Consumer product prototypes that need to look finished for investor presentations, sales samples, or photography. SLA surfaces sand and paint to an appearance indistinguishable from injection-molded production parts.
High-temperature resins produce silicone mold masters, thermoforming tools, and injection molding inserts for short-run production. The smooth SLA surface transfers to the mold cavity for superior cast-part finish quality.
Traditional SLA uses a laser to cure resin, while MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) uses an LCD screen to flash-cure entire layers at once. MSLA is faster and cheaper, SLA lasers offer more consistent precision across larger build volumes. We use both systems — our MSLA printers handle high-volume detail work at competitive prices, while our SLA systems handle large-format and highest-precision applications.
Standard SLA resins are not UV-stable and will yellow and become brittle with prolonged sun exposure. For outdoor applications, we recommend FDM in ASA or SLS Nylon. If SLA is required for outdoor use (for detail reasons), we apply a UV-protective clear coat that significantly extends outdoor service life.
At 0.05mm layer height, SLA surfaces have layers that are at the very edge of tactile perception — you can feel them with a fingernail but they don't show up well in photographs. At 0.025mm, the surface is essentially smooth to touch. After a light sand and primer, SLA surfaces are indistinguishable from injection-molded parts. The top surface of SLA parts (the build platform side) is the smoothest; the bottom surface and support contact areas require the most finishing.
Standard commercial resins are not certified for direct food contact. Formlabs BioMed Clear and dental-grade resins have Class I biocompatibility but are for oral/clinical use, not food service. For food contact applications, we recommend FDM in food-safe PETG or PA12, or we can direct you to certified food-safe resin options where applicable.
Print time varies by part size and layer count — small detailed parts may take 2–4 hours, larger parts 8–14 hours. Post-washing and UV cure adds 1–3 hours. Total production time for most SLA parts is 1–2 business days from file approval. Rush same-day or next-morning delivery is available for appropriately-sized parts with adequate lead time in our queue.
Upload your file and specify your material and finish requirements. We'll quote within one business day and can have parts in your hands within 48 hours.
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