How Long Does a 3D Print Take? From Upload to Your Door

If you're ordering a 3D print, the first question is usually how long it will take. The answer has two parts: how long the part takes to print, and how long the whole order takes to reach you. Here's how both work.

How long the print itself takes

A 3D printer builds your part one layer at a time, so print time depends mostly on how much material has to be laid down. As a rough guide, small parts take anywhere from under an hour to about two hours. Mid-sized items usually take a few hours. Large display models and big functional parts can take 10 to 20 hours or more.

What makes a print take longer

Five things drive print time. Size matters most, since a part twice as big in every direction uses roughly eight times the material. Infill, the internal structure inside the part, adds time as it gets denser, and strong functional parts need more of it than display pieces. Layer height is a trade-off between detail and speed: finer layers give a smoother finish but take longer. Supports, the temporary structures printed under overhangs, add both time and material. Quantity counts too, since ten copies of a part take longer than one, although several small parts can often print together on one plate.

From upload to your door

The full journey has four steps.
First, the quote is instant. Drop your file into the quoting tool, pick your material and colour, and you'll see your price straight away. You don't have to wait on an email.
Second, a person reviews your file after you pay. We check it will print properly and that it's safe and allowed to make. If there's a problem with your file, we'll contact you before printing anything.
Third, we print and inspect. Your part is printed, checked, and reprinted if it doesn't pass, then packed for posting.
Fourth, delivery. We aim to dispatch within 2 to 4 working days, and tracked An Post delivery usually takes 1 to 3 working days after that. Most orders arrive within a week.

A note on working days

Dispatch times count working days, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. An order placed on a Friday evening starts its clock on Monday, so if you're working to a deadline, order early in the week and leave a buffer.

Tips if you're on a deadline

A few simple choices will get your part to you faster. Choose PLA where it suits the job, since it prints quickly and reliably. Keep infill sensible, because display pieces rarely need a solid core. Check your file's scale and wall thickness before ordering, since a file problem is the most common cause of delay. And order as early as you can. Students heading into project submissions should aim to order at least a week and a half before the deadline.

Get your price in seconds

Upload your file at rapid3d.ie for an instant quote. Printed in Dublin and posted anywhere in the Republic of Ireland.