How Material Jetting 3D Printing Tech Works & When to Use it

Material jetting is one of the most precise and visually detailed 3D printing methods available today. If you imagine how inkjet printers work, layering ink dot by dot, material jetting 3D printing works similarly, but with droplets of photopolymer resin or wax that are cured layer by layer using UV light.

This method shines in applications where ultra-smooth surface finish, high accuracy, and color realism are critical. But it’s not for everyone, costs, material options, and durability limitations keep it in a specialized corner of additive manufacturing.

So, what is material jetting exactly? How does it work? And when should you choose it over other 3D printing processes? Read on to understand completely!

(source: Loughborough University)

What Is Material Jetting?

Material jetting is a 3D printing process that deposits tiny droplets of build material (usually a photopolymer or wax) directly onto a build platform, one layer at a time. These droplets are then instantly cured using ultraviolet (UV) light, hardening them into a solid form.

This method belongs to the “vat polymerization” family of 3D printing techniques but stands apart due to its drop-on-demand deposition style, allowing for precise material placement, multi-material prints, and full-color objects.

How Does Material Jetting 3D Printing Work?

The process follows these key steps:

Droplet Deposition

Microscopic droplets of build material are jetted through nozzles (similar to inkjet printers) onto the print bed in a very thin layer.

UV Curing

After each layer is deposited, a UV light source cures the material, hardening it in place before the next layer is applied.

Support Material Application

Simultaneously, a separate support material (usually wax-like and water-soluble) is deposited to support overhangs and complex geometry.

Layer-by-Layer Construction

This process continues until the object is built, layer by precise layer, often at resolutions as fine as 16 microns.

Post-Processing

The final steps involve removing support material and possibly curing the part further under UV light for added strength.

Curious how resin-based technologies like material jetting stack up against filament printing? Explore our detailed comparison of resin vs filament 3D printing methods to find the right fit for your project.

Key Advantages of Material Jetting

High Resolution & Detail

Among all 3D printing technologies, material jetting offers the highest resolution, perfect for applications like dental molds, jewelry prototypes, and visual product models.

Smooth Surface Finish

Objects come off the printer with a finish that often doesn’t require sanding or polishing, a huge plus for showpieces or client-facing parts.

Multi-Material & Full Color

Some material jetting 3D printers can blend materials and colors mid-print, allowing for rubber-like overmolds, gradients, or CMYK-level realism.

Support Material Removal Is Easy

Water-soluble support structures simplify the cleanup process without damaging fragile details.

Disadvantages & Limitations

Material Cost & Waste

Material jetting printers are notorious for using expensive photopolymers, and any unused material in the cartridge often goes to waste after a print cycle.

Brittle Parts

Even the best materials used in material jetting 3D printing are typically brittle compared to nylon or thermoplastics like ABS or PETG.

Not for Functional Parts

Because the mechanical strength is limited, parts printed using material jetting are often just for visualization or prototyping, not end-use.

Printer Cost

High-end material jetting 3D printers like the Stratasys J750 or Mimaki 3DUJ-553 can run into six figures, making them suitable mostly for industrial or professional studio settings.

Common Applications of Material Jetting

a. Dental molds and surgical guides

b. Jewelry and luxury item prototyping

c. Marketing mockups and consumer product packaging

d. Museum-quality artifact replicas

e. Full-color concept models for pitches or presentations

Material Jetting vs. SLA, FDM, and SLS

Material Jetting vs SLA

Resolution: Both are high-res, but MJ offers multi-material and full-color in one go. SLA is usually mono-material.

Post-processing: SLA often needs more clean-up and curing; MJ parts are nearly presentation-ready.

Cost: SLA is cheaper for single-material prototypes; MJ is pricier but unbeatable for appearance models.

Material Jetting vs FDM

Surface Finish: FDM can’t compete, MJ parts are smooth, detailed, and sharp, even at small scales.

Color Options: MJ wins again, full CMYK color in one print, whereas FDM is mostly single-filament.

Use Cases: FDM is good for functional parts and drafts; MJ is for visual prototypes and accuracy.

Material Jetting vs SLS

Surface Finish: MJ delivers smooth, polished surfaces; SLS parts are rough and powdery without post-processing.

Detail & Precision: MJ offers finer resolution and multi-material detailing; SLS is better for strong, complex geometries but lacks fine features.

Use Cases: SLS is ideal for functional prototypes and durable parts; MJ is perfect for realistic visual models and presentation pieces.

Need photorealistic prototypes but don’t want to worry about printer costs or brittle models? Our 3D printing services can guide you toward the most cost-effective material and method, even if it’s not material jetting. Get a custom quote here.

Top Material Jetting Printers

Here are some of the most popular MJ 3D printers in the market:

Stratasys J750 Digital Anatomy

Material support: Rigid, flexible, transparent, color.

Strength: Prints life-like anatomical models for surgical training and device testing.

Use Case: Medical, education, and device R&D.

Mimaki 3DUJ-553

Material support: Full-color resin (10 million+ colors).

Strength: Exceptional color fidelity, photorealistic parts without post-processing.

Use Case: Figurines, visual prototypes, fine art, packaging.

Objet260 Connex3

Material support: Up to three materials per print; color blends.

Strength: Combines transparency, flexibility, and rigidity in a single part.

Use Case: Product design studios and prototyping firms.

Who Should Use Material Jetting?

Material Jetting isn’t for everyone, but for the right user, it delivers unbeatable precision, surface quality, and multi-material capabilities. Here’s who benefits most:

Design Studios & Industrial Designers

If your work revolves around high-fidelity visual models or client-ready product mockups, material jetting shines. Its full-color and multi-texture output lets you create lifelike prototypes that impress during presentations, pitches, and client reviews.

Dental Labs & Medical Manufacturers

Dental applications demand accuracy down to microns. Material jetting handles crowns, bridges, and aligner molds with the kind of fine detail and biocompatibility that other technologies can’t match. It’s ideal for custom prosthetics, anatomical models, and surgical guides.

Product Development Teams & Engineers

Speed up iteration with functional, high-detail prototypes, especially those requiring soft-touch components or internal mechanisms. With multiple material support and smooth surfaces, material jetting helps evaluate form, fit, and finish without sacrificing quality.

Jewelry Designers

The crisp resolution and castable materials available with some material jetting printers make them ideal for producing intricate wax-like patterns used in investment casting for fine jewelry.

Luxury Packaging and Concept Mockups

When aesthetics matter, material jetting lets you combine transparent, colored, and textured finishes in a single part, perfect for premium packaging prototypes and branding mockups.

Should You Use Material Jetting?

If your priority is visual perfection, ultra-high resolution, or multi-material capability, material jetting might be the perfect choice. However, if you need strength, durability, or functional performance, consider alternatives like SLS or FDM.

Material jetting 3D printing is an elite tool, excellent for the right job, but overkill for many standard prototypes.

FAQ

Q: What is Material Jetting in 3D printing?

A: Material Jetting (MJ) is a high-resolution additive manufacturing process where droplets of photopolymer resin are jetted onto a build surface and cured with UV light. It’s known for exceptional surface finish, fine detail, and full-color capabilities.

Q: How does Material Jetting work?

A: MJ printers deposit tiny drops of liquid resin layer by layer. Each layer is instantly cured by UV light before the next one is applied, allowing for multi-material and multicolor prints with high accuracy.

Q: What are the advantages of Material Jetting?

A: Key advantages include:

a. Smooth, injection-mold-like surface finish

 b. Full CMYK color and transparency options

 c. High dimensional accuracy

 d. Multi-material printing in a single part

Q: What materials are used in Material Jetting?

A: Primarily UV-curable photopolymers and wax-like support materials. Some systems can combine rigid, flexible, transparent, and colored materials in one print.

Q: What are the common applications of Material Jetting?

A: MJ is ideal for:

 a. Full-color product prototypes

b. Medical models (like anatomical replicas)

 c. Dental restorations

 e. Casting patterns and molds

f. Packaging and consumer product visualization

Q: What’s the difference between Material Jetting and SLA?

A: While both use photopolymer resins, MJ jets material droplets like an inkjet printer, offering better color and multi-material capabilities. SLA uses a laser to cure resin in a vat and is generally more suited for clear, single-material prints.

Q: Is Material Jetting expensive?

A: Yes, it tends to be more costly than FDM or SLA due to its high-end hardware, advanced material cartridges, and waste from support structures. However, it’s unmatched in visual realism.

Q: Can Material Jetting parts be used functionally?

A: Not typically. MJ parts are mostly for visual prototypes or form-fit models. The resins lack the strength and heat resistance needed for functional use.