Question 1

How long will it take to print my part?

Accepted Answer

Majority of orders get printed and posted within 48-72 hours. For large parts or larger quantities the lead time is likely to be longer.  If your order is urgent then please specify that during the ordering process.

Question 2

What delivery options are available?

Accepted Answer

We use Royal Mail 24 service for our deliveries. If required we can also use alternative carriers, but please confirm this with us before ordering your parts.

Question 3

Which payment methods are available?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major debit and credit cards for online orders. For design and 3D scanning projects, we prefer bank transfers.

Question 4

What printing processes do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We provide FDM/FFF and resin printing services. Please see our 3D Printing Service page for more details.

Question 5

What materials can I choose from?

Accepted Answer

We offer a variety of materials for your 3D printing needs. Check out our materials page for the full list. If you need a specific material not listed, feel free to contact us directly.

Question 6

How do I know what material to use for my part?

Accepted Answer

This will depend on what the function of your parts is. It is important to choose the correct material for your use case. Please see our Materials (https://www.3dprintingforge.co.uk/3d-printing-materials)page for an overview of different materials. 
If you are not sure what material to choose please get in contact and we can provide guidance on material selection.

Question 7

How do I know what print settings to specify in the quoting tool?

Accepted Answer

For FDM:
Layer height (also often referred to as print quality) is usually 0.2mm but can be between 0.1 and 0.3mm. Layer height affects how the printed part will look like. At 0.1mm layer thickness the layer lines might be hard to spot, but the print takes a long time to finish and will therefore also increase the cost of the part. 
Infill percentage specifies how much plastic there is internally in the part. As a standard practice 3D printed parts are not solid. This can drastically reduce print time depending on how strong you need the parts to be.
The standard infill percentages we use are:
20% - non-functional parts which do not require significant mechanical strength.
50% - medium strength parts
80% - high strength parts

For resin prints:
Generally there are no specific printing parameters that need to be specified by the client. However, if there are some specific parameter that you want to specify please include this in your enquiry.

Question 8

Do you provide post processing service?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as part of our standard service we provide support removal and curing services on all prints.

If you are interested in other post processing services such as tapping holes, installing threaded inserts, painting or assembly etc. please contact us directly with your requirements.

Question 9

What is the maximum size of part that you can print?

Accepted Answer

FDM prints
 • For PLA and PETG the maximum print size is 350x350x350mm
 • For ABS, ASA, PA12-CF and PC the maximum print size is 290X240X300mm
Resin prints:
 • Maximum print volume is 192X92X245mm

Question 10

Which CAD file formats can I use?

Accepted Answer

You can upload stl, obj, and step files using our online ordering tool.

Question 11

What if I do not have a CAD file of my part?

Accepted Answer

If you do not have a CAD file of your part, then you can contact us to get a quote for our CAD modelling service.
Alternatively, there are multiple CAD software packages available free for home users - Fusion360, Tinkercad, Blender, FreeCad etc. 
Or for professionals there is a wide range of modelling software packages available - Fusion 360, Solidworks, NX, Inventoretc.

Question 12

How do I know if my part is printable?

Accepted Answer

Our quoting tool performs basic checks on your models, but this does not guarantee that it can be printed.
Before we start printing your part we carry out basic checks on your models to make sure that there are no major issues. This mostly involves checking that the model is "water tight" and looking for overhangs and bridges. If we find any issues we will contact you before starting manufacture.
We do not automatically check or guarantee things like small details on the models that may not print properly due to their size.
If you have any specific questions about the printability of your model please don't hesitate to contact us.

Question 13

How do I choose between FDM and resin printing?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the right printing technology depends on your model's requirements. FDM is ideal for functional parts and larger volumes, offering cost-effectiveness but less detail. Resin printing excels in fine detail and small parts, perfect for figurines or design validation. If you need high performance, FDM or resin might not be suitable. Contact us for advice on the best process for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our 3D Printing Services