New to 3D printing guide

If you are new to 3D printing, it is a good idea to first understand some basic concepts before you submit your file for printing with us at PrintCity.

Purpose & Requirements

• What is the part for?
  • Decorative, functional, structural, prototype?
• Does it need to bear load or stress?
• What environment will it be used in?
  • Indoors/outdoors? Heat? Moisture? UV?

This determines material choice (PLA vs PETG vs ABS, etc.) and whether printing is even suitable. If you are unsure, please speak to one of our friendly technical staff at PrintCity.

Geometry & Design

• Is the model printable without major issues?
  • Overhangs > ~45°?
  • Thin walls?
  • Tiny features?
• Will it need supports?
  • If yes, will they be difficult to remove?
• Is the orientation obvious?
  • Can it be rotated to improve strength or surface finish?

If the design fights the process, it’s often not worth printing as-is.

Time & Cost

• How long will it take to print?
• How much material will it use?
• Will it likely fail and need reprints?

A cheap part that takes 20 hours and 3 retries isn’t really cheap.

Strength & Reliability

• Is 3D printing strong enough for this use?
  • Layer adhesion is a weakness (anisotropy)
• Would a manufactured part (metal, injection moulded) be better?
• Do I need infill, thicker walls, or reinforcement?

Many failures come from underestimating layer-direction weakness.

Post-Processing

• Will I need to:
  • Sand?
  • Remove supports?
  • Glue parts?
  • Paint or finish?

Sometimes post-processing effort outweighs the benefit.

Alternatives

• Could I:
  • Buy it cheaper/faster?
  • Laser cut it?
  • Machine it?
  • Use off-the-shelf components?

3D printing is great, but not always the best solution.

Tolerances & Fit

• Does this part need to fit with others?
• Have I accounted for printer tolerances?
  • Clearance (~0.1–0.3 mm typical)
• Will it warp or shrink?

Iteration Strategy

• Can I test a small section first?
• Can I print a low-quality draft version?

Never jump straight to a full 12‑hour print.

Quick Decision Test

Before printing, you should be able to answer:

• I know the purpose
• The geometry is printable
• The material suits the job
• Time/cost is acceptable
• I’ve considered alternatives

For a more comprehensive guide, download and read the relevant sections of this eBook

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