---
title: "PolyJet 3D Printing | Multi-Material & Fine Detail | OpenSpindle"
description: "PolyJet jets photopolymer for the finest detail and smoothest surfaces, with multi-material and multi-color parts and rigid-plus-flexible combinations in a single build."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/capabilities/polyjet
---

# Get quotes for PolyJet 3D printed parts

PolyJet jets and UV-cures tiny droplets of photopolymer, producing very fine detail, smooth surfaces, and full color, and it can combine rigid and flexible materials in one part. It is the go-to process for realistic multi-material prototypes, color models, and parts that need a mix of hard and soft sections without an assembly step. Upload your model and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.

## How to design for PolyJet

PolyJet builds up support-heavy layers of jetted photopolymer, which is what unlocks its detail and multi-material range. Design around removable support material and the resin properties.

| Design rule | Typical spec | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Layer resolution | 16 to 28 microns | The finest layer height of the common additive processes. |
| Typical tolerance | +/- 0.1 mm | Holds tight on small to mid-size parts; confirm on larger builds. |
| Min wall thickness | 0.6 to 1.0 mm | Thinner walls are fragile once support material is removed. |
| Multi-material / digital materials | up to dozens of blends in one build | Rigid, flexible, and digital-material blends can sit side by side in a single part. |
| Support removal | water-jet or dissolvable support | Fine features and internal channels can trap support material; flag them for the shop. |

Typical values from PolyJet datasheets; a shop confirms against its printer and material set.

## PolyJet vs other 3D printing processes

When another process fits better than PolyJet material jetting.

| Process | Best for | Typical volume | Choose it over PolyJet when |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Resin, SLA/DLP](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/resin-3d-printing.md) | Durable single-material detail at lower cost | Prototype to low volume | You do not need multi-material or multi-color and want a more durable single resin at a lower cost. PolyJet wins when you need multi-material combinations or the smoothest, most color-accurate surface. |
| [FDM / FFF](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/fdm-3d-printing.md) | Cheap functional prototypes | Prototype to low volume | You want the lowest cost or a rugged functional prototype and can accept visible layer lines. |
| [SLS](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sls-3d-printing.md) | Functional nylon parts | Low-volume production | You need strong, near-isotropic functional parts rather than fine cosmetic or multi-material detail. |

## Industries Served

- Consumer products
- Medical devices
- Dental
- Design & modeling
- Electronics

PolyJet is common wherever a model needs to look and feel like the finished product before tooling is cut.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is PolyJet 3D printing?

PolyJet jets microscopic droplets of liquid photopolymer onto a build tray and cures each layer with UV light, similar to a 2D inkjet printer working in 3D. It produces very fine detail, smooth surfaces, and can jet multiple materials and colors within the same layer.

### PolyJet vs SLA resin: what is the difference?

Both cure liquid photopolymer with light, but SLA and DLP cure a single resin per build with a laser or projector, while PolyJet jets droplets and can combine multiple resins, colors, and rigid-to-flexible material blends in one part. SLA resins are generally more durable and lower cost; PolyJet wins on multi-material realism and surface smoothness.

### Can PolyJet print multiple materials or colors?

Yes. PolyJet can jet rigid and flexible photopolymers, and combinations of them called digital materials, side by side in a single build, along with full color. That makes it well suited to overmolded-look prototypes, soft-touch grips on a rigid housing, and realistic color models.

### How accurate is PolyJet?

PolyJet holds tight tolerances and very fine layer resolution, which is what gives it the smoothest surface finish and crispest detail among common additive processes. A shop confirms exact tolerance against its printer and the specific material or material blend used.

### Are PolyJet parts functional or mainly cosmetic?

PolyJet parts are primarily used for cosmetic models, color and multi-material prototypes, and design validation rather than load-bearing functional parts, since the photopolymers are generally less durable and more UV-sensitive than nylon or engineering thermoplastics. For functional testing, shops often recommend SLS, MJF, or CNC machining alongside a PolyJet appearance model.

## Other Capabilities

- [Resin (SLA/DLP) 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/resin-3d-printing.md)
- [FDM / FFF 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/fdm-3d-printing.md)
- [3D Printing (overview)](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/3d-printing.md)
- [SLS 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sls-3d-printing.md)

## Get PolyJet quotes

Upload a model and we'll source fine-detail, multi-material PolyJet pricing from qualified manufacturing partners.