Showpiece 3D Printing Materials
Materials that look injection-moulded straight off the platform — for miniatures, presentation prototypes, scale models and display pieces.
When surface finish matters more than mechanical strength, SLA leads and FDM covers scale. SLA resin on the Formlabs Form 4 — 0.025mm layers, 0.05mm XY detail — produces the smoothest surface: tabletop minis, presentation prototypes, dental study models, pieces that have to look injection-moulded. Clear Cast adds optically clear parts for light guides and display work. PLA is the FDM equivalent for larger pieces (architectural massing, scale sculpture, display models) where SLA's build volume is limiting. Most showpiece jobs are SLA-first; PLA second when scale forces the trade.
SHOWPIECE 3D PRINTING MATERIALS FAQ
SLA grey resin at 0.05mm layer detail produces the smoothest surface — layer lines invisible at standard viewing distance. Surface reads injection-moulded straight off the platform with no secondary post-processing. For larger pieces where SLA build volume (200×125×210mm) is limiting, FDM ABS acetone-smoothed is the second-best finish.
SLA grey resin is the standard for tabletop minis at 28mm and 32mm scale — face features, weapon detail and rank insignia all paint clean. FDM at 0.1mm layer height handles larger display figures (54mm+) and scenery acceptably, especially when post-painted. For Citadel-quality detail straight off the platform, SLA.
SLA grey resin straight off the platform reads as injection-moulded at standard viewing distance — 0.05mm layers are below the visible threshold. FDM ABS can be acetone-vapour smoothed to a near-injection-moulded finish. PLA sanded and primed reaches presentation quality but layer lines remain visible under raking light.