Most quotes that come back higher than a customer expects can be fixed with a couple of small changes to the model. Here's what we look at before printing anything.

1. Make sure it's watertight

Your model needs to be a single closed solid with no holes or flipped faces. Free tools like Meshmixer or Microsoft's 3D Builder will repair most problems automatically. If your slicer shows odd translucent patches, that's usually the culprit.

2. Check the scale

STL files carry no units. A model exported in inches arrives at 1/25th the size you meant. Always confirm the bounding box in millimetres before sending it.

3. Mind the wall thickness

Anything under about 1.2mm gets fragile fast. Two to three millimetres is a good default for functional parts. Thicker isn't always better either — solid chunky models eat material and print time, and that's what drives price.

4. Think about orientation

Layer lines are the weak axis. A hook printed flat is far stronger than the same hook printed standing up. Tell us how the part gets loaded and we'll orient it accordingly.

5. Reduce infill where you can

Most parts don't need to be solid. We print at 15–20% infill by default, which is plenty for the vast majority of jobs and keeps costs down. Ask for higher only where it genuinely matters.

6. Allow tolerance on fits

FDM printing isn't dimensionally perfect. Leave roughly 0.2–0.4mm of clearance on any part that needs to slide or snap into something else.

Upload and see the price

Drop your file onto the Instant Quote page and you'll get a live price in seconds — adjust the model, re-upload, and watch the number change.

How to Prepare an STL File for 3D Printing (and Get a Better Price)