How to Use Ironing for Smoother 3D Print Tops
Ironing is a slicer feature that adds a low-flow finishing pass to flat top layers, reducing ridges without changing part dimensions.
Guide
105 articles
Additive Manufacturing Economics: The High-Cost Question Every New Shop Faces
A new series on 3DPrint.com breaks down the real cost of running an additive manufacturing business, from powder costs to machine utilization.
MeltCalc Is a Free Database That Cuts Through Hot End Marketing Claims
A new open database compares 64 hot ends and 36 filaments to show realistic flow rates instead of the optimistic numbers makers often quote.
How to Split and Assemble Large 3D Models Without Ruining the Finish
Sovol's latest guide explains how to divide oversized prints into interlocking pieces, choose adhesives, and hide seams for a clean final assembly.
We Tested 8 PC-CF Filaments So You Don't Have To
A new video comparison of eight polycarbonate-carbon fiber filaments finds clear winners for stiffness, heat resistance, and ease of printing.
3D Printing Is Changing How Labs Work, One Part at a Time
From $10 bead dispensers to custom MRI coils, researchers are building their own lab equipment with cheap desktop 3D printers instead of waiting for commercial shipments.
Sovol's Guide to Thin-Wall 3D Printing: When Vase Mode Helps and When It Hurts
Vase mode is fast and looks clean, but it is not a universal solution for thin parts. Here is when to use it and when to stick with multi-wall perimeters instead.
A New Free Database Matches Hot Ends With Filaments for Realistic 3D Print Speeds
MeltCalc collates thermodynamic data for 64 hot ends and 36 filaments, replacing optimistic marketing specs with realistic flow rate estimates.
MIT ShiftLens Lets 3D-Printed Objects Change Appearance Without Any Electronics
MIT researchers built a system that 3D-prints interactive objects with mechanically switchable surfaces. No batteries, no circuits, no screens required.
The Best AI 3D Model Generators for 3D Printing Right Now
AI can turn a text prompt into a printable 3D model in under a minute. Here are the tools that actually work for makers, plus the honest catch none of them mention.
Hybrid Manufacturing: Why 3D Printing and CNC Machining Belong in the Same Workflow
Combining additive and subtractive processes lets teams print near-net shapes then finish critical surfaces to tight tolerances.
The Best AI 3D Model Generators for 3D Printing Right Now
AI can turn a text prompt into an STL file in minutes, but not every generator produces models worth printing.
Designing Reliable 3D-Printed Snap-Fit Joints for FDM
Most 3D-printed clips fail at the root. Here is how to size cantilever arms, add fillets, and pick the right filament so your parts click together and stay locked.
SLS 3D Printing Explained: What It Is and When to Use It
Selective Laser Sintering uses a laser to fuse powder into functional nylon parts without support structures. Here is when it is the right choice.
3D Printed Pet Feeders: Materials and Designs That Actually Last
Custom pet feeders are popular maker projects, but material choice and hygiene design determine whether they survive real use.
SLS 3D Printing Explained: What It Is and When to Use It
Selective Laser Sintering prints functional nylon parts without supports, but it is not the right tool for every job.
The Best Free STL File Websites for 3D Printing in 2026
From Thingiverse to Printables, these are the best places to find free STL files for your next 3D printing project.
4 FDM Support Settings That Stop Your Prints from Fusing to the Scaffolding
The right slicer settings make support removal painless instead of a nightmare.
MiniSkyline Turns Any City Into a Full-Color 3D-Printed Map for Free
A free web tool called MiniSkyline now lets anyone turn a real city, neighborhood, or landscape into a slicer-ready multicolor 3D model in under a minute.
A German Maker 3D Prints Hollow Tubes With Compressed Air
A maker in Germany built a dual-extruder setup that prints plastic tubes filled with compressed air, producing lightweight structures that would otherwise require solid infill.
Tinkercad Is the Best Free Browser Tool for First-Time 3D Modelers
Autodesk's free online CAD tool lets beginners design printable 3D models in minutes, no software install needed.
4 Practical Ways to 3D Print Organizers for Your Home
Gridfinity drawers, wall-mounted pegboards, shelf inserts, and cable management hacks are the most useful things you can print.
Stop Overpaying for 3D Printer Filament
Premium brands like Bambu Lab often source from the same factories as budget labels. A side-by-side test shows you can get identical prints for half the price.
Sovol Support Settings: How to Get Cleaner Overhangs and Easier Removal
The right slicer settings make support removal almost painless. Here are the exact values to use for PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS.
Print-in-Place 3D Printing: How to Design Hinges and Joints That Actually Work
Most print-in-place hinges fuse solid on the first try. The fix is usually clearance, orientation, or slicer settings. Sovol's new guide gives you the exact numbers.
Boom Supersonic Cuts Drill Guide Costs 92% With FDM
Boom Supersonic is using Stratasys FDM printers to make drill guides for Overture assembly, cutting fixture costs by 92% and shortening lead times.
Print-in-Place 3D Printing: How to Design Hinges and Joints That Actually Move
The right clearance values, hinge orientation, and slicer settings determine whether a print-in-place mechanism comes off the bed ready to move or fused solid.
A Maker Turned Salvaged Adirondack Chairs Into Something Better
Instead of restoring two damaged Adirondack chairs, a maker used 3D printing and CAD to build improved versions from the originals.
How Formula 1 Teams Actually Use 3D Printing
Most 3D printed parts on an F1 car never see track. The real advantage is in the wind tunnel models, tooling, and brackets that let teams iterate faster than the competition.
Hi3D's Split-to-Print Beta Makes AI-Generated 3D Models Actually Printable
A new beta tool in Hi3D Studio automatically slices AI-generated character models into print-ready parts with ball joints and connectors.
Sovol M1D Material Compatibility Guide: What Prints Together
Sovol published a detailed guide to mixing materials on the M1D tool-changer, from PLA and PVA to PETG and TPU, with the thermal rules that actually decide whether a pair will work.
ASTM Proposes First Design Framework for 3D Printed Ceramics
A new ASTM proposal aims to give designers concrete rules for ceramic additive manufacturing, targeting shrinkage and embrittlement problems that have kept the material out of serial production.
Phase3D Brings In-Situ Metal AM Monitoring to Rowan University's Training Hub
Phase3D's Fringe Inspection system is now running at Rowan University's DEHub, giving students hands-on experience with real-time metal 3D print monitoring.
OpenCAL: Build an Open-Source Volumetric 3D Printer That Prints in Seconds
A Berkeley research project turned open-source project lets makers build a volumetric 3D printer for around 1,400 dollars. Parts come out fully formed in 20 seconds, not hours.
How to Mix Filaments on the Sovol M1D Without Ruining Your Print
Sovol's new M1D guide explains which filament pairings work on the DualX IDEX tool-changer, and which combinations will waste your time and filament.
How to Fix an SD Card Your 3D Printer Refuses to Read
Most 3D printer SD card problems come down to formatting, not a broken card. Here is the quick fix.
How to 3D Print Gears That Actually Work
A new Sovol guide breaks down the exact parameters for functional FDM gears: backlash, module size, orientation, and why most printed gear sets fail.
How to Design and 3D Print Reliable FDM Threads and Screws
M6 is your safe starting point for direct printed threads. Here is what clearance, orientation, and material choice actually do to thread strength.
Drive Character LCDs From Arduino With GCBASIC: A Maker's Guide
Filament Friday host Chuck shows how to wire and program character LCDs from an Arduino using the GCBASIC compiler in this practical walkthrough.
Arduino and GCBASIC: Control a Character LCD With Built-In Commands
CHEP walks through every built-in GCBASIC command for driving character LCDs from Arduino and AVR boards.
Copper 3D Printing: Two Paths That Actually Work
Desktops and industrial machines both offer routes to copper parts now. Here is what each approach costs, what it produces, and where it falls short.
Copper 3D Printing Is Quietly Reshaping EV Motor Design
EV manufacturers are turning to copper 3D printing to cut motor weight and squeeze more power into the same package.
How to Print Large ABS and ASA Parts Without Warping
Large ABS and ASA prints fail when they cool unevenly. The fix starts with dry filament, the right bed temperature, and a draft-free enclosure.
Copper 3D Printing: The Materials and Methods That Actually Work
Pure copper parts are hard to print but increasingly common. Here are the processes, alloys, and post-processing steps that make them possible.
What you can actually make with a 3D printer (beyond the benchy)
From spare parts to prosthetics, a practical look at the objects people print at home and in industry.
Bambu Lab vs Creality vs Prusa: Which Brand Should You Buy?
Three brands dominate consumer 3D printing. Here is where Bambu Lab, Creality, and Prusa each earn their spot.
3D Printed Kit Cards: From Business Cards to Real Model Kits
Kit cards started as novelty business cards. Now they are small, print-in-place model kits you snap together in minutes.
Thinking About Getting Back Into Resin Printing? Here Is What Changed
If you walked away from resin printing a few years ago, the newer printers fix most of what annoyed you.
Creality Pika 3D Scanner: Specs, Features, and Who It's For
Creality's pocket scanner weighs 260g, hits 0.03mm accuracy, and leans on AI to fill holes and finish scans. Here is what it actually does.
Still Using Thingiverse? Three Sites That Find Better 3D Models
Thingiverse has not been the best place to find prints for years. MakerWorld, Cults3D, and Thangs each do the job better, for different reasons.
BamBuddy: The Free Dashboard That Gives Bambu Printers Real Local Control
Bambu hardware is excellent, but the cloud software leaves a gap. BamBuddy is a free, self-hosted dashboard that fills it without the lock-in.
PLA 3D Printing Settings: The Temperatures and Speed That Actually Work
PLA is the easiest filament to print, right up until it isn't. Here are the temperatures, speeds, and cooling settings that stop the common failures.
Best 3D Printers for Cosplay Props in 2026: Resin for Detail, FDM for Scale
Cosplay props live or die on the printer. Here are the best resin and FDM machines for helmets, armor, and detailed props this year.
HIPS filament in 2026: the ABS support trick and the settings that work
HIPS prints like ABS and then dissolves in citrus solvent, which makes it the cleanest support material you can run on a dual extruder.
TPU vs PLA vs PETG: best filament for 3D printed drone parts
Every FPV builder hits the same wall: which filament for the part in hand. Here is how TPU, PLA, and PETG actually behave in a crash.
TPU 3D printing: the settings that stop stringing and jams
Flexible TPU can string, jam, and buckle if your settings are wrong. Here is how to dial in temperature, speed, and retraction for clean flexible prints.
Best 3D Printers for Miniatures in 2026: Resin Picks for Sharp Tabletop Prints
Resin still wins for miniature detail. These are the 3D printers worth buying in 2026 for tabletop and display figures.
PVA Filament in 2026: The Water-Soluble Support Trick That Saves Finicky Prints
PVA dissolves in water and leaves no scars on delicate overhangs. Here is how to print it, dry it, and pick the right spool.
Who Actually Makes 3D Printing Filament in the USA (and Who Quietly Stopped)
The US filament map looks crowded until you read the corrections. Here is who is really extruding spools on American soil.
Metal 3D Printing Filament: Two Materials Hiding Behind One Name
One kind looks like metal and stays plastic. The other becomes real metal in a furnace. Knowing the difference saves you a ruined print.
How to choose your second 3D printer without wasting money
Your second printer should fix what your first one can't, not just give you a second copy of the same limits.
Why your first layer fails, and the 5 fixes that actually work
A bad first layer ruins the whole print. These are the settings and habits that fix adhesion, gaps, and warping before they start.
Bambu Lab vs Creality vs Prusa: Where Each Brand Actually Wins
Three brands dominate the 3D printing conversation. Here is the job each one is genuinely best at.
Metal-Look Filaments: Fake the Machined Finish at Home
Real metal printers cost a fortune. These four filament types get you a convincing metal look straight off the print bed.
Why Dentists Embraced 3D Printing When Past Tech Took Decades
CAD/CAM and CBCT took years to reach the dental chair. 3D printing reached it in roughly a decade, and the reason is structural.
3D Printed Textiles: How Hybrid Craft Is Rewriting Wearable Design
From rigid wearable sculptures to flexible fabric, 3D printing is finally learning to drape. Here is where hybrid textile craft stands in 2026.
This Free Web App Generates 3D-Printable Synth Stands and Pedalboards
loopop's new web tool designs a custom 3D-printable stand or pedalboard for your gear, then hands you the files for free.
The Real Cost of 3D Printing: What a Print Actually Runs You
Filament is only part of the story. Here is what electricity, drying, and failed prints add to every model you print.
The Functional Prints That Earn Their Keep in a Print Farm
Slant 3D runs a thousand-machine farm and leans on a short list of functional parts. Here are the prints that pull real weight, day after day.
A Slicer Trick Slashes Tool Changes for Multi-Color 3D Prints
A maker's new slicing approach prints multi-color models with a fraction of the usual tool changes and waste.
TPU 3D Printing Settings: Beat Stringing and Jams for Clean Flexible Parts
TPU delivers flexible, tough parts, but only with the right settings. Here's how to kill stringing and jams for clean flexible prints.
Best 3D Printers for Everyone in 2026: Tested Picks for Every Budget
From budget Elegoo to premium Bambu and Prusa, here are the 3D printers that earned their place in 2026, picked for every budget and skill level.
PLA 3D Printing Settings Guide: Temperature, Speed & Cooling for Perfect Prints
The gap between a mediocre PLA print and a stunning one comes down to a handful of slicer settings. Here are the exact numbers to dial in.
Finish-It-Yourself: Why Co-Printable Products Haven't Taken Off
With desktop 3D printers everywhere, 'finish-it-yourself' products that ship a kit plus printable parts should be booming. All3DP asks why they aren't — here's the real barrier.
Hexagon Pairs the ATLASCAN Pro Handheld Scanner With Geomagic Design X to Speed Up MRO Reverse Engineering
Hexagon's new workflow links its handheld ATLASCAN Pro scanner directly to Geomagic Design X, letting MRO teams rebuild CAD models up to 8x faster than mainstream CAD.
3D-Printed Construction: Speed, Materials, and the Sustainability Trade-Offs Nobody Talks About
Houses in 9 days, 70% less material, curved walls for free, construction 3D printing is fast. But speed and sustainability don't always move together. Here's the real trade-off.
Top 5 Bambu Lab Alternatives for High-Performance 3D Printing
Bambu Lab's closed ecosystem pushed makers toward open alternatives. Five high-performance picks, Prusa, Voron, Creality, Sovol, Qidi, that keep you in control.
PLA vs PETG vs ASA for Outdoor 3D Printing: Which Filament Actually Survives the Sun?
PLA, PETG, or ASA for outdoor prints? We break down heat, UV, toughness, and printability so your garden bracket doesn't droop by August.
How to Start Selling Your 3D Models Without Owning a Print Farm
You designed the model. Slant 3D's Portals prints, packs, and ships it for you, no printers, no inventory, no risk. Here's exactly how to start.
45 Years After Toffler's 'Prosumer,' AI and 3D Printing Might Finally Make It Real
Alvin Toffler predicted the 'prosumer' in 1980. Cheap AI design tools and desktop 3D printing may finally be closing the gap between producing and consuming.
How to Make Your 3D Printed Products More Marketable With Laser Engraving
Pairing a 3D printer with a desktop laser engraver turns rough prints into branded, sellable products — here's how to combine the two workflows safely and profitably.
Silence Mode: Research Team Claims Your Noisy Workshop May Be Sabotaging Print Strength
A research team claims that the ambient noise in your workshop could be affecting your 3D prints, and a 'silence mode' could fix weak layer bonds.
Heat-Set Inserts for 3D Printing: The Complete Guide to Finding the Perfect Hole Size
Everything you need to know about heat-set threaded inserts for 3D printed parts, from selecting the right hole size for PLA, PETG, and ABS to installation tips for maximum strength.
LDO Micron+ Kit Build Guide 2026: The Ultimate DIY 3D Printer Project
A comprehensive look at building the LDO Micron+, the community-beloved miniature 3D printer kit that packs Voron-grade performance into a 180mm build volume.
Are Our Heat-Set Insert Datasheets Wrong? CNC Kitchen Puts Them to the Test
CNC Kitchen tests heat-set insert hole sizing and discovers datasheets may be leading makers astray.
Turn PLA Prints Into Real Cast Iron With This Kitchen Hack
A maker has developed a method to convert ordinary 3D prints into actual cast iron using a microwave and iron filings
AmeraLabs Debunks 23 Resin 3D Printing Safety Myths
Lithuanian resin manufacturer AmeraLabs published a comprehensive guide addressing 23 widespread misconceptions about resin 3D printing safety, including permanent allergy risks.
New VOC Calculator Helps Makers Estimate Air Quality in 3D Printing Environments
Heatforge 3D releases a free VOC calculator to help makers understand the air quality implications of FFF 3D printing in enclosed spaces.
Mastering the 3D Printed Lenticular Effect: How Makers Are Creating Objects That Change With the Viewing Angle
What if your 3D printed objects could change their appearance based on the angle you view them from? The lenticular effect is bringing this optical illusion to additive manufacturing.
Ameralabs Publishes 23-Point Safety Guide for 3D Printing Resin: Why Clean Rooms Arent as Safe as You Think
A new 23-point safety analysis reveals hidden dangers in resin 3D printing that many users overlook, including invisible vapor contamination that lingers long after printing.
Why Manufacturers Are Moving to 3D-Printed QR Codes — Embedded, Unspoofable Part Identification
Manufacturers are embedding QR codes directly into 3D printed parts instead of using adhesive labels. The codes become permanent part features that can't be removed, solving long-standing traceability challenges.
Complete Guide to Multi-Material 3D Printing in 2026
Everything you need to know about printing with multiple materials, colors, and composites in one build — from AMS systems to integrated print heads.
ASA vs PETG vs ABS for Outdoor 3D Printing: The Complete 2026 Guide
Sun, rain, and UV rays can destroy the wrong filament. We compare ASA, PETG, and ABS to find the best choice for outdoor 3D prints that actually last.
Industrial vs Desktop FDM Printers: Is the Premium Worth It in 2026?
Desktop printers have never been more capable. But when does it make sense to spring for an industrial FDM machine? We break down the real differences.
Skip the Ironing: How Math Gets You Smooth 3D Prints 34% Faster
A maker discovered how to get perfectly smooth top layers without the time-consuming ironing step — using Bayesian statistics to find the perfect settings first time.
Speed vs Strength: How Much Do You Really Lose When Printing Fast?
Testing reveals up to 12% strength loss at extreme speeds. Here is what the data says about the speed-strength tradeoff.
FDM vs Resin: Which 3D Printing Technology Is Right for You?
Confused between filament and resin? This guide breaks down when to choose FDM vs SLA printing.
Resin Types Explained: Standard, Tough, Flexible, Castable & More
Standard, tough, flexible, water-washable, castable — which resin should you use? Here's what each type is good for.
Resin 3D Printing Troubleshooting: Why Your Prints Fail and How to Fix Them
Print failures, layer separation, and suction cups explained. Your complete resin printing troubleshooting guide.
Is Carbon Fiber PLA Worth It? The Honest Guide for 3D Printing Makers
CF-PLA costs more, destroys standard nozzles, and the strength gains are often oversold. Here's when it actually makes sense — and when to skip it.
3D Printer Filament Types: A Beginner's Guide to PLA, PETG, ABS, and Beyond
PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU — which filament should you actually use? Here's what each material is good for and when to avoid it.
3D Printing Troubleshooting: The 12 Problems You'll Actually Face
From stringing to warping to that nightmare first layer — here's how to diagnose and fix the problems that actually show up in real printing.
How to Fix Stringing: The Complete Guide to Clean Prints
Stringing is the most common cosmetic defect in FDM printing. Here's how to eliminate it for good.
The Perfect First Layer: A Complete Guide to Bed Adhesion
The first layer determines everything. Here's how to get it right every time.
Best 3D Printers Under £300 in the UK (2026): Tested Picks
You don't need to spend £600 to get great prints in 2026. These are the best printers under £300 available in the UK right now.