We’ve got something new for anyone pushing the limits of what they achieve with 3D printing. Shapeways has added four professional-grade materials to our self-serve platform, giving designers, engineers and innovators more ways to move from idea to part.
- SAF™ Polypropylene (PP)
- SAF™ Nylon 11 (PA11)
- Somos® Watershed Black
- Somos® Watershed XC 11122
These aren’t just incremental updates — they open up real options whether you’re building flexible hinges, rugged end-use parts or a clear prototype you can actually see through.
A quick primer — what’s SAF?
Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF™) is a powder-based process that uses infrared energy to fuse layers together. Think of it as a smart, scalable way to produce strong functional thermoplastic parts. Perfect for prototypes. Even better for short-run production.
SAF™ Polypropylene (PP)
Lightweight. Flexible. Chemically tough.
Polypropylene has been a workhorse material for decades and now you can print it directly with SAF. It resists fatigue, shrugs off chemicals and handles snap fits and living hinges with ease.
Use it for: automotive components, packaging, housings, industrial parts.
SAF™ Nylon 11 (PA11)
Flexible. Tough. Renewable.
Made from castor beans, PA11 delivers high ductility, impact resistance and isotropic strength. It’s tough enough for demanding use and sustainable enough to feel good about using.
Use it for: drone parts, protective gear, sports equipment, automotive clips.
What about SLA?
Stereolithography (SLA) cures liquid resin with a UV laser to create precise parts with smooth surfaces and fine detail. If SAF is all about strength and function, SLA is about accuracy and polish.
Somos® Watershed Black
Smooth. Rigid. Looks sharp.
This matte black resin makes parts that don’t just perform, they look finished right off the printer. Minimal post-processing, maximum presentation value.
Use it for: consumer electronics, snap-fit casings, visual prototypes.
Somos® Watershed XC 11122
Clear. Strong. Versatile.
Need transparency? XC delivers water-clear parts after polishing, with mechanical properties similar to ABS. Perfect for showing fluid flow, light paths or just getting a clean look at your design.
Use it for: lenses, light guides, medical models, fluidic prototypes.
Getting started is simple
Upload your model, pick your material, place your order. Self-serve gives you full control — no back-and-forth, no gatekeeping. Just faster paths from design to part.
What’s next?
We’re not stopping here. New materials and processes are always in the pipeline because your projects keep demanding more.
Want to be the first to know? Subscribe to our newsletter and check the Materials Hub to see what’s already waiting for you