FAQ
Common Questions
Anything not covered here, put it on the quote form and we will answer it in the reply rather than make you chase us.
Can you print my STL or 3MF file?
Yes. Upload it on the quote form. STL and 3MF are the two model formats we accept. We check it for printability and come back with a line-item quote. If you do not have a file and we are modeling it for you, we quote the design work first and price the print once the model exists, since the print cost comes from the finished shape.
What materials do you use?
PLA, PLA+, PETG, and TPU. PLA and PLA+ suit most decorative and indoor pieces. PETG is tougher and handles outdoor or warmer conditions. TPU is flexible, used for grips, cases, and anything that needs to squash. Those four are what we run. We do not print ABS, resin, nylon, carbon fiber or other filled composites, and we do not do metal printing, casting, or engraving. If your project needs one of those we will say so up front instead of taking the job.
What is your typical print size?
Most projects fit comfortably on our print bed in one piece. Larger pieces get printed in clean sections and assembled with bolts or glue. For unusually large projects, ask on your quote and we'll let you know what we can do case-by-case.
Can you print multi-color prints?
Yes. Our printers swap filament mid-print, so one piece can carry several colors with no painting or gluing. Team colors, brand colors, and lettering that reads against its background are routine. Each color change purges a little filament and adds machine time, so a four-color piece takes longer on the printer than the same shape in one color. Most designs stop looking better past four colors, which is why we tend to suggest stopping there, but we will run more when the design genuinely calls for it.
Can you quote a print before the model is designed?
Usually not, and it is better that we say so. A print is priced on the finished shape: how much material it uses and how many hours it sits on the printer. Until the model exists there is nothing to measure, so any number we gave you would be a guess. What we can do is quote the design work up front, then price the print once there is a real model. You approve both before anything runs.
Is there a minimum order?
No. We make single items, full event runs, or anything in between. Single-item projects are welcome.
How do you get our order to us?
Three ways. Meet us somewhere public around Stanislaus County, have it dropped at your home or office anywhere in the county, or shipped USPS at going rates. Bigger pieces that print in sections get assembled before they go out, so you are not handed a bag of parts. Delivery outside the county may carry a small fee depending on distance.
Will my print be perfectly smooth?
3D printed items may contain small imperfections like layer lines. This is completely normal and a part of the process. We strive to make the best product possible, and any small imperfection makes each item unique in its own way. Quality is our top priority and we take care that every item meets quality standards before it leaves the shop. If for any reason you are unhappy with the final product, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Do you sign NDAs or do confidential work?
No. We don't do NDA work or sign non-disclosure agreements. If your project needs to be kept top-secret, you'll need to find someone else. We're happy to print prototypes, patent application models, and custom one-off designs, but we don't take on projects with confidentiality requirements.