You have a 3D file in hand, or simply a clear idea of the part you need, and a question comes up before the quote even does: resin or filament printing? Both processes build objects in volume, layer after layer, but they don't do it the same way and they don't excel at the same parts. Choosing correctly from the start avoids a figurine with its detail drowned out, or conversely paying for high precision on a shelf bracket that never needed it.
This guide sets out the concrete differences between the two, without jargon, so you arrive at the quote already knowing which way to lean.
Two processes, two logics
Filament printing, or FDM (fused deposition modeling), melts a plastic filament and lays it down layer after layer until the part is complete. It's the most widespread process, the one that produces most 3D printed objects: brackets, enclosures, spare parts, decorative pieces.
Resin printing starts from a liquid resin cured by light, also layer by layer, but with far greater fineness. The result: smoother surfaces and much finer detail, at the cost of a more delicate process, designed above all for precision.
Neither is "better" in absolute terms. The right question is one of use: what does your part have to do, and at what level of detail?
What filament does best
FDM is the default choice for anything that has to be useful. A wall mount, an electronics enclosure, custom storage, a spare part for an appliance: these objects need material, robustness and a controlled cost, exactly filament's territory.
Its other strength is the range of materials. Our workshop prints in PLA for decor and simple figurines, in PETG when mechanical strength is needed, in TPU for flexible parts and in nylon for those that rub and work over time. We've detailed these choices in our guide to PLA and PETG and its companion piece on technical TPU and nylon filaments.
Finally, filament is the natural home of large dimensions: a bulky part stays reasonable in both cost and machine time.
Its limit is visual: the deposited layers remain perceptible on surfaces, especially on gentle curves. Sanding, primer (an undercoat that evens out the surface before painting) or hand painting can improve the result considerably, but very fine detail stays out of the process's reach.
What resin does best
Resin takes over as soon as the level of detail becomes the main criterion. It's the high-definition process: figurines with finely modeled faces and textures, prototypes where appearance matters as much as shape, precision technical parts, micro-mechanisms whose elements are measured in millimeters.
On that ground, the difference with filament isn't up for debate. Where FDM smooths over or ignores relief that's too fine, resin renders it. Surfaces come out smoother, edges crisper, and a part destined to be painted offers a base far more faithful to the original 3D model.
In exchange, for a bulky, low-detail object, resin adds nothing that filament doesn't do more cheaply: you choose it for the precision it brings, not for volume.
Three questions to settle it
How big is the part? Large part, think filament. Small detailed part, think resin. In between, move on to the next question.
Is detail the main criterion? If your part has to render faces, textures, fine engraving or elements a few millimeters across, resin is made for it. If it mainly has to perform a function, filament is more than enough.
Will the part be working? For a part under mechanical stress, taking impacts, bending or friction, technical filaments like PETG or nylon are safe bets. Resin shines on precision more than endurance: it's the process for prototypes and fine mechanisms, not for load-bearing brackets.
If in doubt, there's no need to decide alone: describe the part and its use along with your file, and we'll confirm the most suitable process in the quote.
What about price?
For filament, our workshop publishes clear indicative rates: PLA material from €22 per kilo, PETG at €26, TPU at €35, nylon at €65, plus machine time at €7 an hour. In practice, a small part starts around €15, a medium part sits around €40 to €50, and a large technical part can exceed €120.
For resin, the price depends on the project and the level of fineness required: the quote, free and sent within 24 hours, remains the reliable way to price your part. On the filament side, the service works from a single part, with no minimum order, and discounts on identical copies.
FAQ
Is a resin part fragile?
It depends on the resin and the use. Resin is above all the precision process: for a part under heavy daily stress, we'd steer you toward a technical filament like PETG or nylon, and we'll say so at quoting time if your initial choice doesn't look like the right one to us.
Which file should I send for a quote?
An STL, OBJ or 3MF file, or simply a link to the model you spotted online. If you're hesitating between formats, our guide to file formats covers the question.
Can I have a figurine I found online printed?
Yes, provided you have the right to use the file: you remain responsible for the rights on the models you send us. On our side, your files are never shared or reused without your agreement.
Have your part printed in Moselle
A detailed piece, a precision prototype or a micro-mechanism: send your file through our resin printing service and get your free quote within 24 hours. For an everyday object, a functional part or a large piece, head for on-demand 3D printing. And if you'd rather describe your project before choosing, our workshop page lets you request a quote in a few minutes, whichever process it turns out to be.