Guide
How to Prepare Your File for 3D Printing (STL, 3MF and OBJ)
A good print starts with a good file. Most problems we see are easy to avoid before you upload. Run through this list and your quote will be accurate and your part will print the first time.
File format and units
Upload STL, 3MF or OBJ. STL is the most common and works well. Make sure the model is exported in millimeters, or tell us the intended size in the notes: a model exported in inches or meters comes in at the wrong scale.
Make sure the model is watertight
A printable model is a closed solid with no holes, flipped faces or loose surfaces. Most CAD programs and slicers can check this and repair small problems. Models downloaded from the internet are the most common source of broken geometry.
Check that it fits the printer
The Bambu Lab X1C builds up to 256 × 256 × 256 mm, and the Creality CR-6 SE up to 235 × 235 × 250 mm. Larger objects can be split into parts that are glued or joined together. The quote tool warns you when a model may not fit the selected printer.
Wall thickness and small details
Walls thinner than about one millimeter can print incompletely or break easily, and very small text or pins may not come out. As a rule of thumb, keep walls at least 1.2 mm thick and raised or engraved text at least 0.6 mm deep or tall, with letters large enough to read.
Overhangs, orientation and supports
Printers build upward layer by layer, so surfaces that overhang more than about 45 degrees need support material that is removed afterward and leaves a rougher surface. If you can orient the part so its important faces are flat on the bed or steeply angled, you will get a cleaner result and a lower price. Tick the supports option in the quote if your part needs them.
Parts that must fit together
Printed parts are never exactly their modeled size. For parts that slide or snap together, leave a gap of roughly 0.2 to 0.4 mm on each mating surface, and print a small test piece first when the fit is critical.
Infill, layer height and strength
Infill is how solid the inside is. Around 20 percent is a sensible default for display pieces; raise it for parts that carry load. A finer layer height gives a smoother surface at the cost of print time. If you are unsure, leave a note and we will review the settings when we check your quote.