PMPA Craftsman Cribsheet #146: Resin Powder Bed Printing for the Shop

Published December1, 2025

By David Wynn, Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs

Download/View Cribsheet

Powder bed printing has been around for a while but has typically been available for high-end printers. The raw material is a powder which is fused together with heat or a chemical binder. In general, parts must be post processed to complete the part. Typically, loosely bound material (green-highlighted section) will be heat-treated and washed to reach the finished condition. Metal can be printed using this method. Prints can also be hollow like fused deposition modeling (FDM). Tolerances ±0.015 inch can be achieved, but dimensional change during heat treatment can make tight tolerances challenging.

*All data presented in the image above is for reference. Mechanical properties can vary based on raw material used, 3D printer specifications and heat-treat postprocessing — presented as a general guideline to the above materials. Items in green are for comparison to standard materials.