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A beginner’s guide to additive manufacturing: what 3D printing is, how it differs from traditional manufacturing, and the seven technology families that make it work.
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is a process in which parts are built by adding material until the desired three-dimensional geometry is formed. It creates objects in a wide range of materials, colours and shapes — and its biggest advantage is access to complexity: with 3D printing you can manufacture objects that are impossible to build with traditional methods. There are seven additive manufacturing technologies, as classified by ASTM F42.
How is it different from traditional manufacturing?
Traditional methods are usually subtractive (machining away material) or formative (moulding and casting). Additive manufacturing works the other way round — it adds material only where it is needed. That means far less waste, no dedicated tooling, and the freedom to print complex internal geometries, lightweight lattices and one-off customised parts economically. Traditional manufacturing still wins on cost at very high volumes; additive wins on complexity, customisation and speed to first part.
Every 3D printing process falls into one of seven families defined by ASTM F42. They differ in how each layer is formed and joined — and therefore in the materials, precision and applications they suit.
One of the most mature 3D printing technologies on the market. It uses a photosensitive resin and a light source, usually in the ultraviolet range. Stereolithography (SLA) cures the resin point by point or line by line with a laser; LCD and DLP cure a whole layer at once. Each technique trades off speed, precision and cost. Explore our photopolymer resin line.
Typical materials
Photopolymer resins
Strengths
High accuracy and complexity
Smooth surface finish
Accommodates large build areas
Also calledSLA — Stereolithography ApparatusDLP — Digital Light Processing3SP — Scan, Spin and Selectively PhotocureCLIP — Continuous Liquid Interface Production
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Material Extrusion
Material deposition using polymer granulates (FGF). Image credit: Kings 3D Printing.
One of the best-known 3D printing methods, largely thanks to its popularity in desktop machines. Material is pushed through a nozzle and deposited layer by layer. Minimal facility requirements and low cost make it accessible to a wide range of users, while its versatility spans prototyping to end-use production. It works with polymers, metals, ceramics and more — note that metal variants (ADAM, BMD) require post-print sintering. Browse our filaments & pellets.
M5 screws 3D-printed with Binder Jetting. Image credit: Digital Metal.
An advanced technology that applies a liquid binder onto a powder bed, bonding particles together layer by layer. It is fast, capable of full colour, and works across a wide range of material classes — metal and ceramic parts require post-print sintering to reach full density. See our metal & ceramic powders.
Typical materials
Powdered plastic, metal, ceramics, glass and sand
Strengths
Allows for full-colour printing
High productivity
Uses a wide range of materials
Also called3DP — 3D PrintingBJ — Binder Jetting
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Material Jetting
Material Jetting 3D-printed parts. Image credit: All3DP.
An advanced technique that deposits liquid material in ultra-thin layers, then solidifies them with UV curing. It produces parts with exceptional precision and can combine multiple materials and colours in a single build — ideal for realistic, functional prototypes. Browse our photopolymer & DLP materials.
Typical materials
Photopolymers, polymers and waxes
Strengths
High accuracy and fine detail
Multi-material and full colour
Smooth, realistic prototypes
Also calledPolyJetSCP — Smooth Curvatures PrintingMJM — Multi-Jet ModelingProJet
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Powder Bed Fusion
Industrial Powder Bed Fusion system. Image credit: Farsoon Americas.
Uses a powder bed as the base: a laser or electron beam selectively fuses each layer of powder to build parts with high precision. It is ideal for complex, customised parts in demanding industries such as aerospace, automotive and medical. See our metal powders.
Typical materials
Powdered polymers, metals and ceramics
Strengths
Complex geometries — polymer SLS needs no supports
Production-grade mechanical properties
Wide range of industrial materials
Also calledSLS — Selective Laser SinteringSLM — Selective Laser MeltingDMLS — Direct Metal Laser SinteringEBM — Electron Beam MeltingMJF — Multi Jet Fusion
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Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
DED / DMT 3D printing onto a metal substrate. Image credit: 3Printr.com.
An advanced technique that deposits melted material directly onto an existing substrate. An energy beam — laser or electron beam — melts powder or wire to build precise layers, enabling complex new parts, added features and repairs to existing components. Explore our metal powders.
Typical materials
Metal wire and powder, with ceramics
Strengths
Not limited by direction or axis
Effective for repairs and adding features
Multiple materials in a single part
Highest single-point deposition rates
Also calledLMD — Laser Metal DepositionLENS — Laser Engineered Net ShapingDMD — Direct Metal DepositionLaser claddingWAAM — Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing
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Sheet Lamination
Sheet lamination feedstock: paper, plastic sheets and metal foils. Image credit: Additive Plus.
Builds objects by bonding thin layers of sheet material — paper, plastic or metal — using heat, adhesive or pressure. Its versatility suits large, complex parts and rapid prototyping, and metal-foil variants can even embed components inside the part.
A digital 3D model is sliced into thin horizontal layers, and the printer builds the part one layer at a time — curing resin, melting powder, extruding filament or bonding sheets, depending on the technology. Because material is added rather than removed, complex internal shapes are possible in a single build.
What are the 7 types of 3D printing?
ASTM F42 defines seven families: VAT Photopolymerization, Material Extrusion, Binder Jetting, Material Jetting, Powder Bed Fusion, Directed Energy Deposition and Sheet Lamination. Each forms and joins layers differently, which decides the materials it can use and the parts it suits.
What is the difference between 3D printing and traditional manufacturing?
Traditional manufacturing is usually subtractive (machining) or formative (moulding). 3D printing is additive — it adds material only where needed, cutting waste and tooling and enabling complex, customised geometries. Traditional methods remain cheaper at very high volumes.
What can you make with a 3D printer?
Almost anything, from dental models and lightweight aerospace brackets to functional prototypes, jigs and fixtures, spare parts, jewellery patterns and end-use production parts — in polymers, resins, metals and ceramics.
Curious about 3D printing? Let’s talk.
There’s always more to discover. Reach out for an insightful conversation about 3D printing and its applications in education and industry — and watch for our upcoming webinars. Next, explore materials and software & design.
