3D Printing Frequently Asked Questions

3D Print It provides professional custom 3D printing services in New Zealand. We manufacture parts and products from customer-supplied 3D models and provide on-demand printing for prototypes, replacement parts, functional components, models, cosplay, display pieces and other custom projects.

No. You provide the 3D model or design, and we handle the printing, production and shipping.

Yes. You can submit your own 3D model for printing.

You remain responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary rights and permissions to use the design. We do not claim ownership of customer-supplied designs.

Yes. We can manufacture many 3D printed replacement parts from an existing 3D model.

If you don’t already have a suitable 3D model, contact us to discuss whether the part can be modelled or recreated.

Yes. 3D printing is suitable for many prototypes, brackets, enclosures, fixtures, replacement parts and functional components.

The correct material, wall thickness, print orientation and design tolerances depend on the intended application.

For safety-critical applications, engineering certification or regulated products, please contact us before ordering.

We support commonly used 3D printing formats including:

• STL
• 3MF
• OBJ
• STEP

Additional formats may be accepted depending on the project.

If you are unsure whether your file is suitable, contact us before ordering.

3MF is often preferable when the file contains additional manufacturing information, while STL is widely supported and suitable for many standard 3D printing jobs.

For simple models, STL is generally sufficient.

We review submitted models for basic manufacturability and printing suitability.

Our review is not an engineering, structural, legal or safety certification. Customers remain responsible for ensuring that their design is suitable for its intended purpose.

If we identify a significant issue with your model, we may contact you before production to request a revised file or discuss possible changes.

If a supplied design cannot be manufactured successfully, the order may need to be revised or cancelled.

Minor adjustments may be possible depending on the model and the requested change.

For more extensive modelling or redesign work, please contact us before ordering.

Upload your 3D model through our online quoting system.

The system can calculate an estimated price based on the requirements of your print.

For complex projects, large production runs, unusual materials or specific requirements, you can contact us for a custom quote.

The cost of a 3D printed part can depend on several factors, including:

• Material
• Filament usage
• Print time
• Model size
• Part complexity
• Print orientation
• Supports
• Number of parts
• Post-processing requirements
• Packaging and shipping

For standard jobs, the online quote provides the price for the selected options.

If a project requires additional design work, unusual manufacturing requirements or other services not included in the online quotation, we may need to provide a revised quote before production.

Yes. If you require multiple copies, select the required quantity when ordering or contact us for a production quote.

Larger quantities may be suitable for small-batch production.

We offer a range of 3D printing materials for different applications, including PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PEBA 90A and Nylon. Carbon-fibre and glass-fibre reinforced options are also available for selected materials. Available colours and materials may vary, so the options shown in our online quoting system provide the most current availability.

It depends on what you are making. Start with our 3D printing materials guide.

PLA is an excellent choice for models, prototypes, display pieces and many general-purpose applications.

PETG provides greater toughness and improved resistance to heat and moisture compared with PLA.

ABS, ASA, TPU, Nylon or reinforced materials may be more appropriate where heat resistance, outdoor exposure, flexibility, wear or additional stiffness matter.

For lightweight, high-rebound flexible parts, PEBA 90A may be suitable where elastic recovery, cushioning or repeated dynamic movement is important.

If you are unsure, tell us what the part it will be used for and we can recommend a suitable material.

Yes. Available colours depend on the material and current filament stock.

If you require a particular colour, select the available option when ordering or contact us before placing your order.

We can try to select a filament that is visually close to a requested colour.

Exact colour matching cannot always be guaranteed because filament batches, manufacturers, lighting and display screens can vary.

We use professional 3D printing equipment, appropriate print profiles and quality materials.

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process, so normal characteristics can include:

• Visible layer lines
• Minor surface texture
• Support marks
• Seam lines
• Small dimensional variations
• Minor colour variation

These characteristics are normal for FDM 3D printing.

For most FDM printed parts, typical dimensional accuracy is approximately ±0.2 mm or ±0.5% of the nominal dimension, whichever is greater, depending on the material, geometry, size, orientation and other manufacturing factors.

If your part requires tight engineering tolerances, contact us before ordering so the requirements can be assessed.

Potentially, yes.

Layer lines are a normal characteristic of FDM 3D printing. Lower layer heights can improve surface detail but generally increase printing time.

Support structures can leave small witness marks or texture differences where they contact the model.

We select print orientations and support strategies to balance strength, quality, reliability and production efficiency.

Post-processing may be available depending on the material and project.

Possible services can include support removal, sanding, deburring, assembly, priming and painting.

Ask us about post-processing requirements before ordering.

Yes.

FDM parts are produced layer-by-layer, so print orientation can affect:

• Strength
• Layer adhesion
• Surface finish
• Dimensional accuracy
• Support requirements
• Print time

We normally select an orientation that provides a suitable balance between these factors.

Yes. If you have a specific orientation requirement, let us know before production begins.

Changing orientation can affect the appearance, strength and cost of the finished part.

Many 3D printed parts can be made very strong by selecting an appropriate material, wall thickness, infill and print orientation.

However, printed parts are not automatically suitable for every mechanical or structural application.

For demanding applications, contact us before ordering.

Our general process is:

1. Submit your design
   Upload your 3D model and select your requirements.
2. Review and payment
   Review the quotation and complete your order through our secure online checkout.
3. Production
   Your part is prepared and manufactured using the selected specifications.
4. Quality inspection
   The finished item is inspected before dispatch.
5. Shipping
   Your order is packaged and shipped using the selected delivery method.

Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change an order.

Once production has started, changes may not be possible and additional costs may apply.

Because custom products are manufactured specifically to your requirements, cancellation may not be possible once production has commenced.

Contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or change an order.

We accept the payment methods displayed at checkout. Depending on your order and eligibility, these may include card payment, Afterpay and other payment services made available by 3D Print It.

The payment options available to you will be shown during checkout before you complete your order.

Yes. Afterpay is available for eligible orders through our online checkout.

Select Afterpay as your payment method at checkout and follow the instructions provided by Afterpay.

Your use of Afterpay is subject to Afterpay’s eligibility requirements and applicable New Zealand terms and conditions.

Afterpay allows eligible customers to pay for an order in instalments according to the payment schedule provided by Afterpay.

When you select Afterpay at checkout, you will be directed through the Afterpay payment process. Afterpay determines eligibility, approval and the payment schedule.

The total price of your 3D Print It order, including applicable GST and shipping charges, is shown before you complete the purchase.

Our normal Returns & Refund Policy applies to orders paid using Afterpay.

If we approve a refund, we process it through the applicable payment system. Afterpay then adjusts or cancels the remaining payment schedule and, where applicable, refunds amounts already paid in accordance with its terms.

For more information, see our Returns & Refund Policy and Afterpay’s applicable terms.

Production turnaround depends on the size and complexity of the model, material, number of parts, current workload and any post-processing requirements. An estimated timeframe will be provided where applicable. Shipping time is additional.

Contact us before ordering if you have a deadline.

We will let you know whether an expedited production option is available.

Print time depends on much more than the physical size of a part.

Factors include:

• Layer height
• Model geometry
• Infill
• Walls
• Supports
• Number of parts
• Material
• Printer speed
• Required quality

Yes. We provide shipping options for customers throughout New Zealand.

Available shipping methods and costs are displayed during the ordering process where applicable.

Shipping time depends on your location, courier service and selected shipping option.

Production time and shipping time are separate.

Where tracking is available for the selected shipping method, tracking information will be provided after dispatch.

Keep the product and all packaging and take photographs of the damaged item, packaging and shipping label.

Contact us as soon as possible with your order number and photographs so we can investigate and determine the appropriate remedy.

Custom-made products are produced specifically to your requirements, so returns or refunds generally cannot be provided simply because you have changed your mind, selected the wrong option or supplied the wrong file.

Your rights under applicable New Zealand consumer law are not affected.

If your product has a manufacturing defect, is significantly different from what was ordered, or otherwise qualifies for a remedy under applicable New Zealand law, contact us.

Depending on the circumstances, the remedy may include repair, replacement, reprinting or refund.

Our workmanship warranty covers eligible manufacturing defects caused by our production process.

It does not generally cover customer design errors, unsuitable materials selected for the application, misuse, accidental damage, normal wear or normal characteristics of FDM 3D printing.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, our products are not certified for safety-critical applications.

This includes applications such as medical implants, life-support systems, aviation safety systems, structural engineering and critical automotive safety components.

You retain ownership of your uploaded designs and associated intellectual property.

You grant 3D Print It permission to use the files only as reasonably necessary to review, quote, manufacture, quality-check and fulfil your order, subject to our applicable policies.

We understand that customer files may contain confidential or commercially sensitive information.

We do not intentionally disclose customer designs except where required to fulfil an order, comply with the law or protect our legal rights.

If you require specific contractual confidentiality or a non-disclosure agreement, please contact us before submitting your files.

You must have the necessary rights, licences or permissions to have a design manufactured.

We may refuse an order where we reasonably believe that manufacturing the requested item would infringe intellectual property rights or otherwise breach the law.

Yes.

Tell us what you are making, how the part will be used, whether it will be exposed to heat, sunlight, moisture or chemicals, and whether strength or appearance is the priority.

We can help you determine an appropriate material and printing approach.

Depending on the project, we may be able to assist with modelling or advise you on what information is required to create a printable model.

Contact us with photographs, measurements, sketches or other information about the part you need.

You can contact 3D Print It by email at:

[email protected]

If you’re ready to get started, use our online quoting system to upload your model and get an instant price.