Order 3D printing and 3D modelling: material, technology, price
Do you have a file or just an idea
The first question decides everything: do you already have a 3D model (STL, STEP, OBJ), or does it still need to be created? With a ready file, printing takes hours and costs the material plus printer time. If you only have a sketch, a photo or a broken part as a sample, modelling comes first, and that is a separate job for a modeller.
Sometimes dimensions and a short note on what the part is for are enough, and the maker will work out the rest. But the more details you give, the fewer surprises in the price.
Technology and material: what to choose
FDM printing with plastic filament is the most common and affordable. PLA prints easily but does not like heat. PETG is stronger and copes better with moisture and moderate heat. ABS and nylon give more impact resistance, and TPU makes flexible parts. Resin printing (SLA) gives a smooth surface and fine detail, and is chosen for figurines and prototypes, but resin is more brittle. If the part will be under load, outdoors or near hot components, be sure to say so.
How ordering works on BlaBlaPrice
On BlaBlaPrice you describe the job once and can add a photo of a sample. Makers with printers and modellers reply in the chat: which technology, which material, the price or what it depends on, and the lead time. You do not need to write to each studio separately.
What to put in your request
- Item — enclosure, bracket, figurine, prototype, spare part.
- Model or drawing — you have a file, or it needs to be modelled from a sketch, photo or sample.
- Material and colour — PLA, PETG, ABS, nylon, TPU, photopolymer resin.
- Dimensions in millimetres.
- Quantity of copies.
- Technology and accuracy — FDM or SLA, layer height, surface quality.
- Purpose — load, temperature, outdoor use or decoration.
- Deadline, city (pickup or delivery) and budget.
Example: “I need 50 enclosures printed for a circuit board, 120×80×40 mm, STL file ready. Material PETG, black, must withstand heat up to 60 °C. By Friday, pickup in Bengaluru, budget up to ₹4,000.”
What affects the price
- Volume and weight of the part: more material and more hours of printing.
- Technology and layer height: a thinner layer means longer printing.
- Supports and finishing: removing supports, sanding, painting.
- Batch size: the price per piece is usually lower on a batch than for a single part.
- Modelling: a separate job if you have no file.
What to watch for
Ask whether the maker will do a test print or show photos of similar work. For functional parts, agree tolerances and fitting dimensions, because plastic shrinks. And do not forget the rights to the model: if you use someone else’s, make sure you are allowed to.
If the part has to be metal, look at turning and milling or laser cutting and engraving. For painting finished items, see powder coating. How the service works is on the “How it works” page.
