We work directly with industrial designers, mechanical engineers, and startup R&D teams to print, test, and refine prototypes. Quotes within 24 hours, NDAs available, and honest design-for-manufacturing feedback before we burn material on a print that's going to fail.
Who this service is for
- Industrial and product designers iterating on form.
- Mechanical engineers testing fit and function.
- Startup teams validating physical product concepts before committing to tooling.
- Inventors prototyping for patent filings or pitch presentations.
What's included
- Quote within 24 hours.
- Material recommendation tied to what you're testing - strength, flex, heat, surface finish.
- DFM feedback on file (we'll flag thin walls, bad orientations, unsupported overhangs).
- Multiple iterations in the same week if needed.
- Project notes kept on file so subsequent runs move faster.
What's not included
- Resin / SLA / MSLA - we're FDM-only.
- Optical-grade transparency.
- Production-volume runs (over ~500 units - see Small-Batch Production).
- Custom material development.
Recommended materials
Material choice for prototypes depends on what you're trying to learn from the print.
PLAPETGABSTPU
Pricing approach
Prototype runs are priced per part with discounts on iterations of the same design. Single prototypes typically run $30 to $200 depending on size and material.
What we’ll tell you about your file
We don’t just hit “print” and ship. If we see something that’s likely to fail - thin walls, unsupported overhangs, bad orientation for the load case - we’ll flag it before printing. Often we can suggest a small change that saves a print cycle.
This is especially valuable on the first iteration when you’re still calibrating your CAD habits to FDM constraints. By iteration three, you’ll know what we look for and the feedback gets shorter.
Iteration workflow
Send file → quote → print → ship → you test → revise → send next file. We keep your project notes on hand so subsequent prints move faster - no need to re-explain the project context every time.
Confidentiality
We treat all client design files as confidential. NDAs are available on request before file submission - we’ll sign yours, or send our standard mutual NDA. By default we keep your files so iteration is fast; we delete on request.
Recommended pairings
- Just need a single piece, no iteration plan? See Custom 3D Printing.
- Past prototyping and ready for a real run? See Small-Batch Production.
- Compare materials side by side: Materials guide.
Frequently asked
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes - we'll sign yours, or send you our standard mutual NDA before you transmit anything sensitive.
What file formats do you accept?
STL, STEP, 3MF, and OBJ. Native CAD files (Fusion 360, SolidWorks) accepted but converted to a neutral format before printing.
Can you print parts that need to fit together?
Yes. Mating parts are common in prototyping. We'll verify fit before shipping - usually with a quick photo check on the assembled assembly.
Do you keep my files?
By default, yes - so iterations and re-orders move faster. We'll delete them on request after delivery.
Can you print transparent or clear parts?
PETG gives you translucent parts that work well for visual checks. We don't produce optical-grade transparency on FDM.