How to get a print made as a Student
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Quick answer: Students in Ireland can get 3D prints made without owning a printer by uploading a file to us. At Rapid3D.ie, prints start from €8, delivery is €7 anywhere in the ROI and small prints can often be dispatched the same day.
Who is this guide for?
It's for anyone studying engineering, design, architecture or art in Ireland who needs a part printed for a project. If you've never ordered a 3D print from us before, this walks you through it.
Why get my project printed by us?
Because you get a part that's been checked by a person before it prints, in the exact material and colour you choose, delivered to your door. If we get it wrong, we reprint it or refund you. You upload a file and see the price straight away.
How fast will I get my print?
It depends on the size of your print and how busy our printers are. Small prints can often be dispatched the same day, while bigger prints or busy weeks can take a couple of days. We try to get it to you as quickly as we can.
What file do I need?
An STL, 3MF, OBJ or STEP file. Most CAD software, including Fusion360, SolidWorks, Onshape and Tinkercad, exports these. Before you upload, check three things:
Scale. STL files don't store units, so a part designed in inches can arrive tiny. Check the dimensions in the quote tool preview.
Wall thickness. Anything thinner than about 1mm may be too fragile or may not print.
Fit. Parts that slot together need a gap of about 0.2 to 0.3mm.
How can I keep the price down?
Use low infill for display models, since they don't need to be solid inside. Use regular instead of priority and use standard or draft instead of fine and ultra fine layer height. Choose PLA unless you need PETG's toughness. Combine parts with classmates into one order, which splits the delivery cost and can get you over the €75 free delivery threshold. And get your file right first time, because a reprint costs twice.
Ready to print?
Drop your file into the quote tool at rapid3d.ie and you'll have your price in seconds!