No 3D printerHow to get something 3D printed without a printer
If you don't have a 3D printer, the most practical option is to order the part from a maker: you send the STL file (or a photo or the idea) and they print it and ship it to you. On Fabrishare you post your project for free and get offers with price and lead time within 24–48 hours. A 28 mm resin miniature is about €23 and a small FDM spare part about €10. Buying a printer only pays off if you'll print often: up to around 15 parts, ordering them is cheaper.
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without a 3D file
Almost everyone has the file; what's missing is the printer
Of the recent jobs that reached the network, only 3 out of about 70 came without a 3D file. Most people had the STL, downloaded, bought or designed themselves, and what they lacked was the machine and the skill to print it well.
Three ways to 3D print without a printer
Order it from a maker
- Nothing to learn or invest
- Compare several offers on price and lead time
- Resin, FDM and more technologies
- The part arrives by post (or by hand if the maker is nearby)
Use a makerspace or FabLab
- Cheap per part
- You learn to print
- You prepare and print the file yourself
- Limited hours and machines
Buy a printer
- Pays off if you print a lot
- Experiment at your own pace
- Investment and a learning curve
- Resin needs ventilation, gloves, alcohol and curing
Is it worth buying a 3D printer?
It depends on how much you'll print. If an entry-level resin printer costs around €350 and an ordered miniature is about €23, you need around 15 parts just to pay off the machine, before counting time, material and early failed prints.
- Order the part if it's a one-off, if you need a good finish first time, or if it's a technical part.
- Buy one if you'll print often and want to learn the craft.
- Try ordering a couple of parts first: you'll see which technology and material suit you before investing.
Where do I get the STL file?
Download it from repositories like Printables, Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory or Cults, buy it from a designer or have it designed. Check the licence: many models are for personal use only. And if you have no file, send a photo or a sketch: some makers design the part.
How much does 3D printing cost?How to order your part without a printer
- 1Upload your STL to the calculator to see the part in 3D and a ballpark price, or send a photo or the idea.
- 2Post the project for free: dimensions, material if you know it, quantity and when you need it.
- 3Makers send offers with price and lead time within 24–48 hours. You choose and they ship it to you.
Questions about 3D printing without a printer
How can I 3D print something without a printer?
Order it from a maker or a 3D printing service: you send the STL file (or a photo or your idea) and they print and ship the part. On Fabrishare you post the project for free and get offers with price and lead time within 24–48 hours. You can also use a makerspace or FabLab if you want to print it yourself.
Where can I print an STL file?
At any 3D printing service or with a maker. If you upload the STL to the Fabrishare calculator you see the part in 3D with its dimensions and an instant ballpark price, and if it suits you, you ask the network's makers for offers.
How much does it cost to print an STL without a printer?
It depends on the part. As a reference, a 28 mm resin miniature is about €23 (€14–€38) and a small FDM spare part about €10, excluding VAT and shipping.
Is it worth buying a 3D printer?
Only if you'll print often. With an entry-level resin printer at about €350 and an ordered miniature at about €23, you need around 15 parts to pay off the machine, before time, material and failed prints.
Can I order a print of a model downloaded from the internet?
Yes, as long as the model's licence allows it: many are personal use only. When you post the project you confirm you have the right to print it, and makers can turn down jobs that don't.
What if I don't have the 3D file either?
Send a photo, a sketch or a reference and tell us what you need: some makers design the part and quote it together with the print.