FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is a 3D printing process that builds models via layered extrusion of melted filament, while PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a biodegradable thermoplastic material used as filament in FDM printers.
The key difference: FDM refers to **how the model is made** (the printing method), and PLA refers to **what it’s made of** (a plant-based, eco-friendly plastic). FDM can use other materials (like ABS or PETG), but PLA is a popular FDM choice for its ease of printing, low warping, and sustainability.
For beginners, PLA with an FDM printer is ideal—its forgiving nature means less setup (often no heated bed) and fewer failed prints, perfect for learning.