Our own data · 2026
What people send off to be 3D printed: 110 requests analysed
What do people 3D print?
Mostly figures: of the 110 requests registered on Fabrishare between May and October 2026, 33 were decor and decorative figures, 28 miniatures and 26 spare and functional parts. 97 of 110 arrived with the 3D file ready, 78 asked for a single part and 66 were in no rush. Fabrishare is a maker network: you post your project for free and the makers who can do it send you their price. Here is the data, unrounded.
Which categories people ask for
The 110 requests registered between May and October 2026, by type of part. The most requested technology counts only those who chose one; the rest left it to the maker.
| Category | Requests | % of total | Most requested technology | With a 3D file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decor and decorative figures | 33 | 30% | Resin (18 of 19) | 30 of 33 |
| Miniatures and figures | 28 | 25% | Resin (18 of 19) | 23 of 28 |
| Spare and functional parts | 26 | 24% | FDM (9 of 13) | 22 of 26 |
| Other | 7 | 6% | Undecided | 7 of 7 |
| Prototypes and technical parts | 5 | 5% | FDM (3 of 5) | 5 of 5 |
| Jewellery | 4 | 4% | Resin (4 of 4) | 3 of 4 |
| Cosplay | 4 | 4% | Undecided | 4 of 4 |
| Replicas and collectibles | 3 | 3% | Undecided | 3 of 3 |
Decor and miniatures add up to 61 of 110 (55%): what people most often get printed is figures, not parts that do a job. Spare and functional parts are the third group, with 26.
Jewellery (4), cosplay (4) and replicas (3) are small groups; among the replicas, a 1:400 scale part for a diorama and a 28-part diorama.
Resin or FDM, depending on what's printed?
Of the 110 requests, 48 asked for resin, 16 for FDM (filament) and 46 didn't decide. Among those who chose, resin accounts for 75%.
| Category | Resin | FDM | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decor and decorative figures | 18 | 1 | 14 |
| Miniatures and figures | 18 | 1 | 9 |
| Spare and functional parts | 4 | 9 | 13 |
| Other | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Prototypes and technical parts | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Jewellery | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Cosplay | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Replicas and collectibles | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 48 | 16 | 46 |
Figures and miniatures almost always ask for resin: 36 of the 38 that chose a technology, for the detail and the smooth surface. Spare parts and prototypes lean towards FDM (12 of 18): working parts, larger and cheaper in filament.
46 of 110 didn't choose a technology: many people don't know which to ask for, and they don't need to. The maker suggests one for the part; the resin vs FDM guide explains when each makes sense.
Do you need the 3D file?
Almost everyone has it: 97 of 110 requests (88%) came with the 3D file, bought or downloaded. 6 came without one and asked for the part to be modelled or scanned, and for 7 it isn't stated.
You can still order without a file: from photos, measurements or an idea, a maker who designs models the part, and the design is quoted separately.
How many parts do people order?
78 of 110 requests (71%) were for a single part.
| Parts | Requests | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 part | 78 | 71% |
| 2 to 5 | 15 | 14% |
| 6 to 20 | 4 | 4% |
| 21 to 100 | 4 | 4% |
| Not stated | 9 | 8% |
23 asked for several parts, 4 of them between 21 and 100. Outside this log, the largest run we've been asked for is 5,000 parts: volumes like that usually get offers from print farms.
How urgent are the requests?
66 of 110 (60%) ticked «no rush». Only 6 wanted it in under 3 days.
| Lead time | Requests | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| No rush | 66 | 60% |
| Within 2 weeks | 12 | 11% |
| Within 1 week | 12 | 11% |
| In under 3 days | 6 | 5% |
| Not stated | 14 | 13% |
Ordering without a rush lowers the price: a maker who can fit your part into a gap in their queue can quote better than one who has to reshuffle. Offers arrive within 24–48 hours and each one states its lead time.
Guides for each type of part
Prices, materials and what to send, for each group in the log:
Figures and decor
33 requests. Nearly all in resin, among those that chose a technology.
3D figure printingMiniatures
28 requests. 28–32 mm miniatures for RPGs and wargames, single or in batches.
Miniature printing serviceSpare parts
26 requests. Clips, covers, brackets and parts that are no longer sold.
3D printed spare partsPrototypes
5 requests. From idea to part, version by version.
Rapid prototypingJewellery
4 requests. Castable resin for casting in silver or gold.
3D printed jewelleryCosplay
4 requests. Helmets, masks and armour pieces.
Cosplay helmets and masksReplicas and models
3 requests. Dioramas and scale parts.
Scale model cars and motorbikesResin or FDM?
46 of 110 didn't decide. When each one makes sense.
Resin vs FDMBatches
4 requests for 21 to 100 parts. Price per unit and when it pays off.
Small batch 3D printingLead times
66 of 110 in no rush. How long a print really takes.
How long does 3D printing take?
How the data was counted
These are the requests that came in through Fabrishare's project form plus a first batch in May, between May and October 2026: 110 in all, from 5 countries. A request is a registered enquiry, not an order that was produced.
They aren't every project handled: projects also come in through other channels that aren't in this log. That's why we talk about registered requests, not a total.
Each request is anonymised when it's logged: no names, emails or addresses. The stated budget isn't published, because the forms used different budget bands and the figures can't be compared with each other.
The data is updated as the log grows; the date at the top is the last update.
Post your project
- 1Upload the file, a photo or the idea, and say the quantity, the deadline and the finish.
- 2The network's makers who can do it send you their offer with price and lead time within 24–48 hours.
- 3Compare, choose, and the maker prints it and ships it to you. Free, no obligation.
Questions about this data
What do people get 3D printed most?
Figures. Of the 110 requests registered on Fabrishare between May and October 2026, 33 were decor and decorative figures and 28 miniatures: 61 in all (55%). Spare and functional parts come next, with 26.
Do people ask for resin or FDM more?
Resin: 48 requests against 16 for FDM, with 46 undecided. Figures and miniatures almost always ask for resin; spare parts and prototypes lean towards FDM.
How many people already have the 3D file?
Nearly all: 97 of 110 requests (88%) came with the file. 6 asked for the part to be modelled or scanned, and for 7 it isn't stated.
How many parts do people usually order?
One: 78 of 110 requests (71%). 23 asked for several, 4 of them between 21 and 100. Outside the log, the largest run requested is 5,000 parts.
How urgent are the requests?
Not very: 66 of 110 (60%) ticked «no rush», and only 6 wanted it in under 3 days. Ordering without a rush usually brings the price down.
Where do the requests come from?
From 5 countries. The network is open to makers in any country and they ship worldwide; if the parcel crosses a customs border there may be duties and taxes, and every offer states this before you accept it.
What is a «registered request»?
A printing enquiry that came in through the project form and was logged, anonymised. It isn't an order that was produced, and it doesn't include projects that came in through other channels.
Why don't you publish the budgets?
Because the forms used different budget bands, so the figures can't be compared with each other. For ballpark prices, see the guide to how much 3D printing costs or the calculator.
How often is the data updated?
Whenever the log grows. The update date is at the top, next to the title.