Our 3D Printing FAQ
Ordering and pricing
How do I order a 3D print?
Drop your file into the quote tool on our homepage, choose your material, colour and layer height, and you'll see your price straight away. Add it to your cart, pay at checkout, and we take it from there. A real person checks your file before anything prints.
How much does 3D printing cost?
Prices start from €8, our minimum order before delivery. As a guide, a pencil case costs about €15 and a Benchy €8. The price mostly depends on how much plastic your part uses. Our guide to 3D printing costs in Ireland has real examples.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes, €8 excluding delivery. If your part is very small, it's worth adding a few bits to the same order, since two or three small parts can cost the same as one.
Why is my quote higher than I expected?
Usually it's size, since a part twice as big in every direction uses about eight times the plastic. Solid parts, fine layer heights and PETG also add to the price. Try switching settings in the quote tool to see how each one changes the cost.
How can I keep my price down?
Choose PLA unless you need PETG's toughness, pick Standard or Draft layer height, and choose regular dispatch over priority. Bundle parts into one order to share the delivery cost, and check your file's scale before you upload, because a part printed at the wrong size means paying twice.
What payment methods do you accept?
Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna, Shop Pay and Union Pay.
Do you offer discount codes?
We run offers from time to time, which we share with our email list and on social media. Enter any code at checkout.
Files and designs
What file types do you accept?
STL, 3MF, STEP (STP) and OBJ. If your file is in another format, export it from your design software as an STL, or get in touch and we'll advise.
Do you design 3D files?
Not at the moment. We print from your file rather than designing from scratch. If you don't have a file yet, you'll need to source one first.
I don't have a file. Where can I get one?
Our homepage links straight to Printables with filters set to show only designs licensed for us to print. You can also find models on MakerWorld and Thingiverse, or hire a freelance 3D designer for something custom made.
What does "commercially licensed" mean?
Designers choose how their files can be used. Licences like CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA and CC BY-ND allow us to print them for you. Files marked "personal use only", "non-commercial" or "NC" don't, because printing them for a fee breaks the designer's terms. Always check the licence before you order.
What should I check before uploading my file?
Three things. First, scale: STL files don't store units, so a part designed in inches can arrive tiny, so check the dimensions in the quote tool preview. Second, wall thickness: anything thinner than about 1mm may be too fragile or may not print. Third, fit: parts that slot together need a gap of about 0.2 to 0.3mm.
My design has several parts. How should I upload it?
Split it into its separate parts in your slicer or design software and upload each one. Uploading an assembled model as one piece can push the quote up, because the parts can't be laid out efficiently. 3MFs work perfectly for us, as they can be split up automatically for our quote.
Will you change or fix my file?
No. We print your file as you upload it, at the settings you choose. We will only add supports to your file if it requires it. If we spot a problem when we check it, we'll contact you before printing, but we don't edit, repair or redesign files.
Is my file kept private?
Yes. We use your file only to make your order. We never sell it, share it or use it in marketing without your permission. We delete order files 14 days after dispatch, so keep your own copy.
Materials and quality
What materials do you print in?
PLA and PETG, in over 10 variations, with more colours in PLA. We print exclusively with Bambu Lab filament on a Bambu Lab P1S with an AMS 2 Pro, so quality and colours stay consistent from order to order.
Should I choose PLA or PETG?
PLA for looks, PETG for use. PLA gives the sharpest detail and is the cheaper option, perfect for models, display pieces and gifts. PETG is tougher, flexes a little instead of snapping, and handles heat and the outdoors better. Our PLA vs PETG guide goes into more detail.
Can you print in multiple colours?
Yes. Our AMS 2 Pro switches between four colours automatically, so we can print multi-colour parts in one go. Upload a 3MF file with the colours already assigned for the best result.
Which layer height should I choose?
Standard suits almost everything. Choose Fine or Ultra Fine for curved, detailed display pieces, and Draft for quick test prints. Finer layers look smoother but take longer, so they cost more. Our layer height guide shows the difference.
What will my print look like?
FDM printing builds your part one layer at a time, so you'll see fine lines on every surface and small marks where supports were removed. That's how the process works, not a fault. Colour can vary slightly between filament batches and changes between filament.
How strong are 3D printed parts?
Plenty strong for everyday use, but parts are strongest along their layers and weakest between them. Use PETG for extra toughness.
How accurate are the dimensions?
Usually within about 0.1 to 0.2mm of your design. If parts need to fit something precisely, build that tolerance into your design.
Can my print handle heat?
PLA starts to soften at around 60°C, so keep it out of hot areas. PETG handles heat up to around 80°C. Neither is suitable near a naked flame.
Are your prints food safe?
No. 3D printed objects should never be eaten or drunk from.
Turnaround and delivery
How long will my order take?
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 working days. Large prints that take a long time to print may take longer, and we'll tell you if so. An Post then usually delivers within 1 to 3 working days.
How much is delivery?
€7 by tracked An Post anywhere in the Republic of Ireland, and free on orders over €75.
Do you ship outside Ireland?
Not at the moment. We only deliver within the Republic of Ireland.
Will I get tracking?
Yes. You'll get an email with your An Post tracking number as soon as your order leaves us.
Can I collect my order?
Not at the moment. All orders are sent by tracked An Post.
What if my parcel is lost or arrives damaged?
Contact us with your order number and photos where relevant, and we'll sort it out with An Post. See our Shipping Policy for details.
Changes, cancellations and refunds
Can I cancel my order?
Yes, free of charge, any time before printing starts. Email sales@rapid3d.ie with your order number as soon as you can. Once printing has started, we can't cancel.
What if my print arrives faulty or wrong?
Email us with your order number and clear photos. If it's damaged, in the wrong material or colour, or doesn't match your file, we'll reprint it or refund you, whichever you prefer. In most cases photos are enough and you won't need to send it back.
Can I return a print if I change my mind?
Custom prints are made to order from your file and settings, so they can't be returned for a change of mind. This doesn't affect your rights if something is faulty. Ready-made items listed in our store come with the standard 14-day right to cancel.
What doesn't count as a fault?
Visible layer lines, small support marks, small imperfections, slight colour variation between batches and minor dimensional differences are all normal for FDM printing. Problems that come from the file itself, like wrong scale or parts that don't fit together, aren't faults in the print.
How quickly will I get my refund?
Within 5 working days to your original payment method, though your bank may take a few extra days.
What we can't print
Is there anything you won't print?
Yes. To keep everyone safe and on the right side of the law, we won't print:
Copyrighted, Trademarked or Patented Intellectual Property (without permission): You cannot print branded logos, characters or movie props without explicit commercial licensing from the creator or rights holder.
Firearms and Restricted Weapons: firearms, receivers, magazines, or weapon components.
Medical Devices and PPE: Items like surgical masks, medical-grade nasal swabs, or custom orthotics/implants.
Electrical Mains Components: high-voltage enclosures, custom AC wall sockets, or direct mains-powered electrical adapters carry severe fire and electrocution hazards.
Food-Contact Items: Standard 3D printing filaments (PLA, ABS, PETG) and layer lines trap bacteria, and many common brass or standard nozzles contain lead.
Load bearing items: Automotive suspension, steering linkages, seat mounts, tow hooks, harness brackets, carabiners, harness clips, rope anchors, rigging hardware, car seat clips, stroller hinges, high-chair joints, crib hardware, chairs, stools, hammock brackets, pull-up bar mounts, hoist hooks, crane loops, heavy lighting rig brackets, large TV mounts, heavy shelf supports, structural railing brackets.
Children's items: teething toys, dummies, small parts for under-threes, choking hazards.
Pressure and rotation: pressure vessels, compressed gas fittings, propellers, flywheels, drone parts.
Security bypass: lock picks, key copies, shims, bypass tools.
Counterfeits: currency, official seals, ID documents, branded packaging.
Gas and high heat: gas fittings, burner parts, anything near a naked flame.
This list is not exhaustive, we may refuse any order we find unsafe, illegal or unsuitable, and will cancel and refund it before printing.
About us
Where are you based?
In Clonskeagh, Dublin. Every order is printed by us here and posted anywhere in the Republic of Ireland.
Who checks my file?
A real person, not just a machine. If anything looks off, you'll hear from us before a single layer goes down.
Are the photos on your site real?
Yes. Every print on our site came off our own printers.
Do you print for students and businesses?
Yes, both. Students on deadlines are some of our most regular customers, and our student guide has tips for getting your project printed on time. Businesses can order one-off parts or prototypes in the same way, and you can contact us about larger runs.
How do I contact you?
Email sales@rapid3d.ie or use the contact form on our site. We reply as quickly as we can.