Preparing your print

Upload a watertight model in STP, 3MF, or STEP format. Check scale, wall thickness, and orientation before ordering.

Remove hidden internal geometry, repair non-manifold edges, and avoid paper-thin surfaces that cannot be printed reliably.

Materials

Choose a filament based on strength, heat resistance, outdoor durability, and surface finish.

ABS

Strength
Temperature resistance
UV resistance (outdoor)
Cost

Pros

High heat resistance, impact resistant, post-processable (acetone smoothing)

Cons

Warps easily, requires enclosure, emits fumes, not UV stable

Applications

Automotive parts, enclosures, tools, high-temp environments

ASA

Strength
Temperature resistance
UV resistance (outdoor)
Cost

Pros

Excellent UV resistance, weather resistant, similar strength to ABS, good chemical resistance

Cons

Requires enclosure, slight warping, more expensive than ABS

Applications

Outdoor signage, garden equipment, automotive exterior parts, marine use

PETG

Strength
Temperature resistance
UV resistance (outdoor)
Cost

Pros

Good chemical resistance, flexible enough to resist impact, food-safe options, low warping

Cons

Stringing prone, absorbs moisture, softer surface than PLA

Applications

Functional parts, food containers, mechanical components, light outdoor use

PLA

Strength
Temperature resistance
UV resistance (outdoor)
Cost

Pros

Easy to print, biodegradable, wide color range, low warping, affordable

Cons

Brittle, low heat resistance, degrades with moisture over time

Applications

Prototypes, decorative models, low-stress parts, educational prints

PLA-CF

Strength
Temperature resistance
UV resistance (outdoor)
Cost

Pros

High stiffness, lightweight, great surface finish, low warping

Cons

Abrasive to nozzles (requires hardened steel), brittle under impact, more expensive

Applications

Structural prototypes, drone parts, stiff lightweight components

TPU

Strength
Temperature resistance
UV resistance (outdoor)
Cost

Pros

Flexible, impact resistant, abrasion resistant, good chemical resistance

Cons

Slow print speeds required, stringing, difficult to dry, not rigid

Applications

Phone cases, gaskets, seals, flexible joints, wearables

Nozzles

The tip opening defines how wide each extruded line can be. A wider tip lays down more material per pass—helpful for speed and rigid structures—while a narrower tip preserves small features. Choose a size that matches your layer height and how the part will be used.

0.2 mm

Precision

Crisp lettering and thin walls

Our finest tip option. Choose it when visible quality matters more than build time—small lettering, thin ribs, and smooth cosmetic surfaces benefit most.

Comfortable layer range: 0.06–0.10 mm with this tip.

Pros

Excellent finish on tiny features. Great for parts that will be viewed up close.

Cons

Slow on larger volumes. Benefits from clean filament and moderate print speeds to reduce jams.

Best for

Display models, small mechanisms, embossed labels, and decorative pieces.

0.4 mm

Everyday

Balanced quality for most jobs

The setup we suggest for most orders. It balances speed, stiffness, and surface quality across common filaments from PLA to PETG and ABS.

Typical layers: 0.12–0.24 mm; 0.20 mm is a reliable everyday choice.

Pros

Works well across a wide range of part sizes without exotic tuning.

Cons

Very fine embossing under about 1 mm may look softer than with a 0.2 mm tip.

Best for

Enclosures, brackets, mounts, and iterative prototypes.

0.6 mm

Production

Faster builds with wider beads

Deposits material quickly using wider lines. A good fit when lead time counts and a little extra surface texture is acceptable.

Practical layer range: 0.20–0.36 mm, depending on part size.

Pros

Shorter run times on medium and large jobs. Strong walls with fewer outline passes.

Cons

Small holes and tight corners appear less sharp. Higher material use per part.

Best for

Shop fixtures, tooling, large housings, and functional parts with relaxed tolerances.

0.8 mm

Bulk

High deposition for big geometry

Intended for large, straightforward shapes where minutes saved outweigh surface refinement. Pairs well with taller layers for thick, resilient walls.

Often printed at 0.28–0.48 mm on this tip.

Pros

Fastest route for oversized prints and solid blanks.

Cons

Not ideal for tight tolerances or delicate surface detail. Support cleanup can leave bolder marks.

Best for

Large fixtures, form studies, architectural mock-ups, and continuous spiral (vase) forms.

Layer height

Layer height is the thickness of each stacked slice. Thinner slices smooth curves and reduce visible stepping; thicker slices shorten print time and can stiffen a part.

  • 0.08–0.12 mm — presentation surfaces and tight tolerances
  • 0.16–0.20 mm — general-purpose quality
  • 0.24–0.32 mm — draft builds and larger functional pieces

As a starting point, keep layer height between one quarter and three quarters of your nozzle diameter.

First-layer appearance

The underside of your print picks up the texture of the surface it is built on.

  • Smooth / PEI — mirror-like bottom with easy release on many standard filaments
  • Textured — subtle grain that masks minor first-layer variation and improves grip on tricky materials
  • Matte — soft, even look suited to assemblies where the bottom face is visible but not glossy

Pick a finish based on whether the bottom of the part will be seen in the final product.