Custom 3D printing services for practical needs

What it is

This is our most straightforward service. Upload your 3D model file, specify quantity and material preference, and we review the file for printability, confirm the price, and print it. You receive the finished part by post.

Accepted file types

• STL (.stl) — most common
• STEP / STP (.step, .stp)
• OBJ (.obj)
• 3MF (.3mf)
• IGES / IGS (.iges, .igs)

Who it suits

• Engineers and makers with CAD files ready to print
• Designers needing a physical prototype
• Customers who have already purchased a file online
• Businesses needing small-batch functional parts

What to include in your request

• The 3D file
• Intended use of the part
• Quantity required
• Preferred material (or ask us to advise)
• Colour preference if applicable
• Any print orientation or tolerance requirements

What it is

For customers who have an idea, a broken part, or a description but no 3D model file. We can assess whether we can produce a suitable printable model and include that work in the quote. This is suitable for relatively straightforward geometries — we will always confirm feasibility before committing.

What to send us

• Clear photos from multiple angles
• Rough hand measurements (calipers ideal)
• A sketch with dimensions if available
• Description of the part’s function and what it attaches to
• The original broken or worn part (if you can photograph it well)

Typical use cases

• Discontinued appliance clips, levers, and covers
• Custom brackets and holders
• Simple enclosures and housings
• Spacers, adaptors, and mounting parts
• Workshop jigs and fixtures

Important limitations

• Highly complex or organic geometry may not be achievable without an existing file
• Accuracy depends on quality of measurements and photos provided
• Tight-tolerance engineering fits require precise dimensions
• We will confirm whether the part is within our CAD scope at quote stage

What it is

One of the most practical applications of 3D printing. A broken or worn plastic part — particularly one that is discontinued, out of stock, or no longer supported by the manufacturer — can often be reproduced accurately using FDM printing. Parts are functional replacements, not OEM items.

Common replacement part types

• Appliance and white goods plastic components
• Vehicle interior trim parts and clips
• Consumer electronics housings and covers
• Garden machinery and tool plastic parts
• Industrial machinery wear parts
• Furniture hardware and fixings

Material options

• PLA for simple, low-stress indoor parts
• PETG for slightly tougher, moisture-resistant parts
• ABS for heat and chemical resistance
• ASA for outdoor or UV-exposed parts
• TPU for flexible or rubber-like replacements

Limitations to be aware of

• Exact mechanical performance cannot be guaranteed without detailed testing
• Not suitable for safety-critical, load-bearing, or regulated applications without review
• Tight fitment requires accurate dimensions from the original part
• Complex internal geometry (e.g. gear teeth) may require a 3D file

What we can offer

For jobs where time matters, we can prioritise your print in the queue. We will assess the feasibility of your deadline when you submit the request. Urgent jobs require a clean, print-ready file (or a very clear, simple description) to minimise review time. A same- or next-day dispatch is possible for straightforward parts in standard materials, but this depends on current workload.

How to request urgent work

• Select “Yes” under the urgency field in the quote form
• State your deadline clearly
• Include a print-ready file if possible
• Specify your delivery address and postcode
• We will confirm feasibility and any express handling cost

Best suited to urgent work

• Single or low-quantity parts in standard materials
• Parts under 150 mm in any dimension (faster print time)
• PLA or PETG (faster to process and print reliably)
• Print-ready files with no revision needed

Not ideal for urgent processing

• Very large parts (long print times)
• Parts requiring complex support removal or post-processing
• CAD work from scratch (adds time before printing)
• High-quantity orders where several prints are needed

What it is

FDM 3D printing is well suited to prototyping. It is relatively fast, affordable for single units, and produces physical parts that can be handled, tested for fit, and used to refine a design. It is not a substitute for production tooling or injection moulding — but for early-stage design validation it offers real practical value.

Good prototype applications

• Concept models to check scale and proportion
• Fitment checks before final design sign-off
• Functional test pieces for non-critical loads
• Jigs and fixtures for manual assembly processes
• Housing and enclosure designs

What to provide

• STL, STEP, OBJ, or 3MF file
• Description of the intended test or application
• Whether dimensional accuracy is critical
• Whether the prototype needs to bear any load or stress
• Quantity (one is fine)

Material guidance for prototypes

• PLA: quick, clean, ideal for form and visual checks
• PETG: more representative for functional tests
• ABS: for higher-temperature or chemical exposure environments
• TPU: for flexible or rubber-like prototypes

What it is

Small-batch printing is ideal for low-volume production runs where investment in injection moulding tooling does not make economic sense. We can produce batches of functional plastic parts from your file, consistent in material and dimensions. Suitable for small businesses, product trials, maker projects, and custom component supply.

Typical batch sizes

• No minimum order — even a single part is fine
• Practical upper limit depends on part size and complexity
• We will advise on realistic batch sizes during quoting
• Pricing is per unit — larger batches may attract reduced unit cost

Who it suits

• Small businesses needing branded or custom plastic parts
• Makers producing limited-edition product runs
• Businesses replacing worn stock of a custom component
• Designers fulfilling small product orders

Limitations to consider

• FDM is not injection moulding — surface finish differs
• Layer lines are visible on most standard prints
• Large batches of large parts require longer lead times
• Not suitable for applications requiring injection mould quality or certification