Digital　light　processing　(DLP)　based　3D　printing　is　a　well　recognized　area　with　tremendous　technical　and　commercial　potential.　The　printing　process　is　essentially　a　photochemical　material　synthesis,　which　involves　a　dynamic　light　source　as　the　energy　input,　a　mechanical　printing　platform　as　the　reaction　container　and　photo-curable　precursors　as　reaction　mixtures.　This　review　article　focuses　on　introducing　the　recent　progress　in　illumination　approaches,　instrumental　design　and　precursor　formulation　in　DLP　based　printing.　The　working　principle　as　well　as　the　instrumental　setup　of　each　technique　is　discussed　in　detail.　The　above　developments　have　significantly　extended　the　capability　of　DLP　based　printing,　leading　to　potential　applications　in　soft　robotics,　wearable　electronics,　sensors,　smart　materials　and　biomimetic　devices.　A　brief　account　on　exemplary　applications　is　highlighted　and　a　perspective　on　this　field　is　provided　at　the　end.