Question 1

Do I need an account to order?

Accepted Answer

No. You can check out as a guest. Add items to your basket and pay securely at checkout.

Question 2

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Checkout is handled securely by Shopify and accepts major debit and credit cards plus the express payment options shown at checkout.

Question 3

Is your Bambu Lab filament genuine?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All the Bambu Lab printers, filament and accessories we sell are genuine Bambu Lab products.

Question 4

What's the difference between a spool and a refill?

Accepted Answer

A refill is the same 1kg of filament without the plastic spool. You fit it onto a Bambu reusable spool. Refills are cheaper and create less waste.

Question 5

Can I collect my order from the shop?

Accepted Answer

Our workshop is at Unit 23 Merton Buildings, Glandwr Industrial Estate, Aberbeeg, NP13 2LN, open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Contact us before you visit so we can have your order ready.

Question 6

Do you offer trade accounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We run an invitation-only Trade Portal for businesses that order regularly, with personal pricing and quantity breaks. Get in touch to ask about an account.

Question 7

How fast do you ship?

Accepted Answer

We send UK orders by Royal Mail Tracked 24. Orders placed before 1pm on a working day are usually dispatched the same day. See our Shipping page for full details.

Question 8

Do you ship outside the UK?

Accepted Answer

We currently focus on UK delivery. Contact us if you're overseas and we'll see what we can do.

Question 9

What if an item arrives damaged or faulty?

Accepted Answer

Contact us within a few days of delivery with your order number and a photo, and we'll sort out a replacement or refund.

Question 10

Can I return custom or personalised items?

Accepted Answer

Personalised items, such as custom text, uploaded images or bespoke prints, are made specially for you, so they can't be returned unless they're faulty.

Question 11

How do I get a quote for my own design?

Accepted Answer

Upload your STL file to our Instant Quote tool, choose a material and finish, and you'll see a price straight away. No account is needed.

Question 12

What file types can I send?

Accepted Answer

STL is best. We can also work with 3MF, OBJ and STEP files. If you only have a sketch or photo, contact us and we can model it for you.

Question 13

How long does a custom print take?

Accepted Answer

Most orders are printed within 48 hours. Large or multi-part jobs take longer, and we'll tell you the timescale up front.

Question 14

Can you copy or replace a broken part?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Send us clear photos with a ruler in shot, or bring the part to the shop. We can measure it, model it and often make it stronger than the original.

Question 15

Do you do bulk or production runs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our print farm handles batches from tens to thousands of parts. Ask us for volume pricing.

Question 16

Which filament should I choose?

Accepted Answer

PLA is easy to print and great for decorative items. PETG is tougher and copes with heat and moisture. ASA suits outdoor parts that need UV resistance. TPU is flexible and rubbery.

Question 17

Why are my prints stringy?

Accepted Answer

The most common cause is damp filament, especially PETG and TPU. Dry it in a filament dryer, then store it sealed with silica gel. Fine-tuning retraction settings can help too.

Question 18

How strong are 3D printed parts?

Accepted Answer

Strong enough for many functional uses. Strength depends on the material, the infill and the direction the part is printed. Parts are weakest between layers, so we orient prints to suit the load.

Question 19

Are 3D prints food safe?

Accepted Answer

Generally, we don't recommend 3D printed parts for repeated food contact. Tiny gaps between layers can trap bacteria, even if the filament itself is food safe.

Question 20

What's the difference between FDM, laser engraving and UV printing?

Accepted Answer

FDM 3D printing builds objects layer by layer from filament. Laser engraving marks or cuts materials like wood and slate. UV printing puts full-colour images directly onto surfaces. We do all three.

Question 21

What filament diameter do I need?

Accepted Answer

Almost all modern desktop printers, including every Bambu Lab printer, use 1.75mm filament. A few older machines use 2.85mm. Check your printer's manual before you buy.

Question 22

What is infill and how much should I use?

Accepted Answer

Infill is the internal pattern inside a print. 10–20% suits most decorative items, 30–50% suits general functional parts, and 80–100% is for parts under heavy load. More infill uses more material and takes longer to print.

Question 23

What layer height should I print at?

Accepted Answer

0.2mm is the everyday default and balances speed with quality. 0.12–0.16mm gives smoother curves and fine detail, while 0.28mm is faster for large, rough parts.

Question 24

Why won't my first layer stick to the bed?

Accepted Answer

Usually the plate is dirty, the bed isn't level or calibrated, or the first layer is too high. Wash the plate with warm soapy water, run bed calibration, and use the correct plate temperature for your filament. A glue stick helps with PETG and engineering materials.

Question 25

What causes warping and how do I stop it?

Accepted Answer

Warping happens when a part cools unevenly and its corners lift. Use a clean plate, add a brim, avoid draughts, and print ABS or ASA in an enclosure. PLA and PETG warp far less.

Question 26

Do I need supports?

Accepted Answer

You need supports when part of a model overhangs by more than about 45° or bridges a long gap. Tree supports are easier to remove and leave fewer marks. Rotating the model can often avoid supports altogether.

Question 27

How do I store filament?

Accepted Answer

Keep it in a sealed bag or airtight box with silica gel, away from sunlight. PETG, TPU and nylon are especially sensitive to moisture, so dry them before printing if they've been left out.

Question 28

Can 3D prints go outside?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the right material. ASA is the best choice because it resists UV and weather. PETG also works well outdoors. PLA can soften in hot sun and become brittle over time, so it's better kept indoors.

Question 29

How hot can 3D printed parts get?

Accepted Answer

PLA starts to soften at around 55–60°C, so don't leave it in a hot car. PETG copes with around 70–80°C, and ASA or ABS with around 95–100°C. For anything hotter, ask us about engineering materials.

Question 30

Can 3D prints be painted or sanded?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sand from about 200 grit up to fine paper, apply a filler primer to hide layer lines, then paint with acrylics or spray paint. Matte filaments such as PETG Matte already hide layer lines well, so they need less finishing.

Question 31

What is an AMS and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

The Bambu Lab AMS (Automatic Material System) holds several spools and switches between them automatically. That lets you print in multiple colours or materials and keeps backup rolls ready. It's optional, but brilliant for colourful prints.

Question 32

How long does a 3D print take?

Accepted Answer

Anything from 10 minutes to a couple of days. Print time depends on the size, layer height, infill and speed. Your slicer shows an accurate estimate before you start.

Question 33

Is 3D printing safe to do at home?

Accepted Answer

Generally, yes. Keep the printer on a stable surface away from flammable items, and never leave a printer unattended for long periods without monitoring. PLA and PETG give off very little smell. ABS and ASA give off fumes, so use them in a ventilated room or an enclosure with a filter.

Frequently asked questions

Ordering & the shop

Shipping & returns

Custom 3D printing

3D printing in general

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