Material jetting is a 3D printing process in which print heads deposit tiny droplets of liquid photopolymer that are instantly cured by ultraviolet light, building parts layer by layer with exceptional surface smoothness, fine detail, full colour, and even multiple materials in a single object. Often compared to an advanced inkjet printer working in three dimensions, material jetting stands apart for its accuracy and finish. For Fabit, understanding this technology enriches the advice we give clients about visual models, prototypes, and the presentation quality that a premium award must project from every angle.
How material jetting works
The heart of material jetting is an array of print heads containing hundreds of nozzles. As the head sweeps across the build area, it jets microscopic droplets of liquid resin exactly where the layer should form. Immediately behind the jets, ultraviolet lamps cure the droplets, hardening them in place before the head returns for the next pass. Because the droplets are so small and the deposition so precise, the layers are extraordinarily thin, which produces parts with a smoothness that few other additive methods can rival.
A defining feature is the ability to jet more than one material at once. Different nozzles can lay down rigid resin, flexible resin, clear resin, and coloured resin simultaneously. This means a single print can blend hard and soft zones, transparent and opaque areas, and a full spectrum of colour, all in one seamless object. Where overhangs occur, a removable support material is jetted alongside the model and washed or melted away afterward.
Why material jetting is prized for appearance
When appearance is everything, material jetting is hard to beat. Its layer lines are barely perceptible, its colour reproduction is rich, and its ability to render transparency makes it ideal for concept models, architectural presentation pieces, and lifelike prototypes. Designers use it to show clients exactly how a finished product will look before committing to expensive tooling. For award design, that same fidelity is invaluable at the concept stage, letting a client see and hold a faithful preview of a piece before it is committed to metal.
The considerations to keep in mind
Material jetting has trade offs. The photopolymers it uses are resins, not metals, so parts are lighter and less durable than a fully dense metal award, and some resins can become brittle or shift colour with prolonged ultraviolet exposure. The process is also comparatively slow and the materials relatively costly. For these reasons, material jetting shines as a visual and prototyping tool rather than as the final medium for a lasting metal trophy. We are candid about this, because guiding clients honestly toward the right material is central to our craft. The metals and finishes that endure are set out on our materials overview.
Material jetting compared with binder jetting
The names sound similar, but the processes differ fundamentally. Material jetting deposits and cures the actual build material, droplet by droplet, producing a finished part directly with superb surface quality. Binder jetting deposits only a glue onto a separate powder bed, then relies on later sintering or infiltration to create a solid part. Material jetting therefore leads on smoothness, colour, and multi material capability, while binder jetting leads on material range, including true metals, and on speed for larger volumes.
Where material jetting serves an award project
- Concept previews: a smooth, full colour model lets a client approve form and detail before production.
- Transparent elements: clear resin can preview glass like features.
- Fine detail validation: intricate lettering and logos can be checked at true size.
- Multi texture studies: combining rigid and flexible zones tests how a design will feel.
- Client presentations: a lifelike model communicates the vision better than any render.
How Fabit uses this knowledge
Fabit produces genuine metal and craft based awards, and material jetting is best understood as part of the design and validation toolkit rather than the final medium. Knowing its strengths lets us recommend the smartest path from idea to finished object. Because everything we do is coordinated in house in Antwerp, we can move fluidly between concept models and final production, respond to enquiries within twenty four hours, and deliver completed pieces to clients anywhere in the world. Explore how this end to end approach shapes our custom trophy service.
Starting your design
Every great award begins as an idea that deserves to be seen clearly before it is made. Whether your project benefits from a visual model or moves straight to metal, our team is ready to advise. Begin shaping your concept today with our online create tool.
Frequently asked questions
Can material jetting print in full colour? Yes. It is one of the most capable full colour additive processes, with smooth gradients and fine colour detail.
Is a material jetted part durable enough for a trophy? It is excellent for models and prototypes, but photopolymer resins are less durable than metal, so we reserve material jetting for concept work and choose metal for lasting awards.
Can it print multiple materials in one part? Yes. Rigid, flexible, clear, and coloured resins can be combined in a single build.
Why is the surface so smooth? Extremely thin, precisely cured droplet layers leave almost no visible layer lines.
Material jetting reminds us that the path to a beautiful finished award often runs through a beautiful preview, and understanding it keeps our advice sharp at every stage.
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