A prototype is only useful if you can get it quickly, test it, change the design and print it again. Our online quote is built for that loop: export the part from your CAD software, upload it, and see the price in seconds. When the next revision is ready, upload that one too.
Upload your model for an instant price
From CAD file to part in your hands
- Export your part. Upload STEP straight from CAD, or STL, 3MF or OBJ, up to 600 MB.
- Set it up. Choose the material and colour, the infill, the size and the quantity.
- Check the price. It updates as you change the settings and includes GST.
- Order. Pay by card through Stripe. Shipping is a flat $15 per order anywhere in Australia, free on orders of $80 or more.
For orders placed on a weekday, we normally start printing the same day if the colour is in stock. Most orders are shipped within an average of 3 days of being placed; large prints take longer. If a revision is needed for a meeting or a test date, email quotes@3dprinting.zone before you order and we will tell you whether it can be done.
Visual models and functional parts
It helps to decide first what the prototype is for. Our article on functional prototypes vs visual models goes through this in detail, but in short:
- A visual model checks size, shape, proportion and appearance: a product mock-up, a housing to show a client, a model for a trade show. Low infill keeps the price down, and a matte or silk PLA finish can make it look closer to the final product.
- A fit and function prototype checks that parts assemble, clips engage, screws go in and the part survives use. Here infill, wall strength and print orientation matter more than looks.
Materials for prototypes
Most prototypes in the instant quote are printed in PLA on our FDM printers. PLA is stiff and dimensionally accurate, which makes it well suited to checking fit, form and assembly. It is not the right choice for everything:
- PLA softens at fairly low temperatures. Avoid it for parts that will sit in a hot car, near a motor or in direct summer sun.
- PLA is stiff rather than flexible. Snap fits and living hinges can crack; design them with generous clearances and test early.
The PLA range includes standard colours, matte, silk, glow in the dark, and special finishes: carbon fibre, wood, marble and translucent. For parts that need to bend, such as seals, grips and bumpers, flexible TPU is also in the instant quote. For very small parts where fine detail matters more than toughness, resin printing is also available.
If your prototype needs to take heat or knocks, PETG is in the instant quote. ABS and nylon are not in the instant quote at the moment. Email us and ask. Our guide to choosing a material for functional parts explains where each one fits.
Infill, strength and orientation
For PLA, you can set infill anywhere from 0% to 100% in 5% steps. The default of 20% suits most models. Higher infill makes a part heavier and stiffer, and costs more. For brackets, mounts and anything that takes a load, 40% or more is a sensible starting point.
Layer direction matters as much as infill. A 3D printed part is weakest between its layers, so a part loaded along its layers is stronger than one pulled apart across them. Our guide to designing for FDM covers wall thickness, overhangs, tolerances and orientation. If orientation is critical for your part, email us before you order to talk it through.
Size and quantity
Our FDM printers take parts up to 400 x 400 x 450 mm, which covers most enclosures, housings and brackets in one piece. Larger assemblies can be split into sections and joined.
Need several versions side by side, or a short run for testers? Set the quantity in the quote, or use bulk quoting for many files at once. Shipping stays at $15 per order, and is free on orders of $80 or more. When a design is settled and volumes grow, injection moulding may become cheaper per part; our article on when injection moulding beats 3D printing shows how to find the break-even point.
Beyond prototypes
The same service makes finished functional parts: jigs and fixtures, enclosures, mounts, cable guides and replacement parts for equipment. For more background, read 3D printing in prototyping.
Frequently asked questions
Which file format should I send for a prototype?
STEP works well if it comes straight from your CAD software. STL, 3MF and OBJ are also accepted, up to 600 MB. Check that the size shown in the quote matches your design, and scale it there if it does not.
What infill should I choose?
20% is fine for visual models and most light-duty parts. For parts that take a load, start at 40% or more. 100% gives a solid part, but it costs more and is rarely needed. Our infill percentage guide goes into more detail.
How accurate are the parts?
FDM parts are accurate enough for most fit and assembly checks, but holes tend to print slightly small and mating parts need clearance. Our design for FDM guide gives practical allowances.
Can you print in PETG, ABS or nylon?
Not through the instant quote at the moment. Email quotes@3dprinting.zone and describe what the part has to do.
Can I order a few design variations at once?
Yes. Add each file to your order, or use bulk quoting. Shipping is a flat $15 per order (free on orders of $80 or more), however many parts are in it.
Is there a minimum order?
The minimum price is $1 per PLA part and about $5 per resin part, plus $15 shipping per order (free on orders of $80 or more). There is no minimum quantity: a single prototype is fine.