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Best 3d printing service online


Best 3D Printing Services Of 2023 – Forbes Advisor

Updated: Nov 4, 2022, 10:52pm

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The 3D printing industry is valued at more than $17 billion and it is expected to more than double that by 2026. There are many useful applications for 3D builds, from toys to prosthetics. But buying a commercial 3D printer is a big investment, and learning how to use it can be time-consuming. So if you don’t want to mess with the extensive setup required of having an in-house unit and leave it to the pros, we found the best 3D printing services to suit your needs.

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Show Summary

  • The Best 3D Printing Services of 2023
  • Sculpteo
  • SD3D
  • Xometry
  • makexyz
  • Hubs
  • 3D Printing Ally
  • Autotiv
  • Forbes Advisor Ratings
  • How to Choose the Best 3D Printing Service
  • Methodology
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Next Up in Business

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Best 3D printing services 2022 (to order a 3D print online)

What’s the best 3D printing service in 2022?

An online 3D printing service provider can help you save time and money. It’s much cheaper to order a 3D print online rather than investing in an expensive 3D printer and learning how to use it.

Moreover, 3D printing technology still isn’t fail-safe; although the tech has made leaps and bounds over the years, a 3D printer generally requires a lot of attention and tweaking to get the settings right for each 3D printed part.

Taking into account the numerous hours it takes to 3D print an object and the number of things that can go wrong (even up to when your part is 99% 3D printed!), it’s easy to waste a whole lot of precious time.

That’s where digital manufacturing platforms swoop in: you just send them your 3D model file – or have them model it for you – and choose your preferred 3D printing method and material (plastic, wood, metal, etc.). Then, their experts make sure you quickly receive your 3D printed part on demand just the way you need it.

Now, there are hundreds of on-demand manufacturing service platforms. Our hand-picked selection of online manufacturing services is here to cut through the clutter and help you get off to the right start. We divided these services into two categories:

  • Additive manufacturing platforms (3D printing only)
  • Hybrid digital manufacturing platforms (3D printing, CNC milling, laser cutting, etc.)

Further on, we also mention a few peer-to-peer 3D printing services and 3D printing service comparison engines, as well as benefits and limits of ordering 3D prints online.

3D printing services vs hybrid on-demand manufacturing services

Some platforms exclusively use additive manufacturing methods (3D printing), while others can also make use of subtractive methods (e.g. CNC milling or laser cutting).

If you just want to print specific items in small quantities, like a plastic Baby Groot or a professional prototype, you’re better off choosing a 3D printing service. Subtractive methods will likely be a better choice when it comes to large series of objects.

The 11 best online 3D print services in 2022

Online 3D printing/manufacturing platforms Type* Metal 3D printing service Country of origin More information
Beamler 3D printing service Yes Netherlands Details
i. Materialise 3D printing service Yes BelgiumDetails
Kraftwurx 3D printing service Yes United States Details
Materialise OnSite 3D printing service Yes BelgiumDetails
Shapeways 3D printing service Yes United States Details
Sculpteo 3D printing service Yes France Details
FictivOn-demand manufacturing platform –United States Details
3DiligentOn-demand manufacturing platform YesUnited States Details
Hubs On-demand manufacturing platform YesNetherlandsDetails
3ERP On-demand manufacturing platform YesChinaDetails
Protolabs On-demand manufacturing platform YesUnited St Details

*Type: some platforms offer 3D printing exclusively, while others feature additional manufacturing methods such as CNC milling, laser engraving/cutting, injection molding, etc.

3D printing services and on-demand manufacturing services overview

We divided these services into two categories: 3D printing services (additive manufacturing only) and on-demand digital manufacturing platforms (both additive and subtractive manufacturing methods).

3D printing services (additive manufacturing only)

Based in the Netherlands, Beamler is a 3D printing service that relies on a global network of additive manufacturing service providers. The site provides instant quotes and all uploaded files go through a printability check by Beamler software, which also guides users towards the most suitable AM process and materials for their parts.

Beamler specializes in 3D printing silicone, technical ceramics, composites, and metals such as Tungsten, Tungsten-Carbide, and Copper.

Site

i.materialise offers over 20 types of prints including 3D metal printing, and a large list of compatible 3D file formats. The i.materialise platform gives you an instant 3D printing quote once you upload your 3D file. Their fulfillment rate is between 2-12 days, depending on the chosen material and method.

The company is based in Belgium but ships internationally. If you’re still unsure about what you want to print, I.materialise has a large collection of previously printed items that you can order.

Site

Kraftwurx has by far the largest selection materials, with a whopping amount of 85 materials to choose from. Their site is slightly difficult to navigate though, and you may find it hard to find what you are looking for. Also, Kraftwurx only supports six different 3D file types, so make sure to create or download a 3D file that they support if you choose them.

While Kraftwurx does offer 3D printing, the site is geared more towards e-commerce. You can upload your ideas and use Kraftwurx’s infrastructure to drop-ship your products.

Site

Materialise OnSite is equipped with a number of 3D printing services, including an FDM 3D printing service (fused deposition modeling), selective laser sintering (SLS), a 3D metal printing service, stereolithography (resin), and PolyJet, with over 25 materials to choose from. The website has an instant quote option, giving you your 3D printing service cost immediately.

Their lead time for shipping products is 10 days or under for almost all materials, except for vacuum casting materials for which the lead time is 15 days. The site also has a large list of 3D software for preparing files as well as a dedicated space for medical 3D printing.

Site

Shapeways is one of the largest printing services in the world. They offer SLS, Multi Jet Fusion (full-color 3D printing), PolyJet, Digital Light Synthesis (DLS), Binder Jetting, and metal 3D printing services, along with 16 different Shapeways materials to print with. Shapeways is probably the most famous 3D model printing service where you can order 3D printed parts online or use their custom 3D printing service.

If you are looking to 3D print jewelry, their printing materials even include platinum, gold, silver, bronze, and other precious metals. If you do not have 3D modeling software, you can use Shapeways’ site to order 3D models online. Their lead time is between 2 and 15 days, depending on the material.

Site

Sculpteo, one of the market leaders, is a high resolution 3D printing service which offers 75 different material combinations to print with, including a carbon fiber 3D printing service. Their lead times can be anywhere between 2 and 21 days.

Sculpteo partnered with Staples 3D printing service in 2015 offering cheap online 3D printing, so you can also pick up your order at select production centers in France or California, US. They also have an online 3D printing store where you can buy pre-designed prints.

Note: Sculpteo features a laser cutting service as well, but we still included it in this additive manufacturing section as they are historically and mainly known for that segment.

Site

Other notable cloud 3D printing services

While these previous 3D printing services were our choice as the best, there are a few notable mentions:

  • Fast Radius
  • Trinckle
  • Voodoo Manufacturing
  • X3D Print
  • FedEx 3D Printing
  • CIDEAS

On-demand manufacturing platforms (CNC machining, laser cutting, injection molding, etc.

)

3Diligent is a digital manufacturing network that can connect you with large 3D printing services, 3D fabrication services, or on-demand manufacturers that will bring your 3D concept to life. Their services include 3D printing, CNC machining, casting, and injection molding.

3Diligent will connect you with an affordable 3D printing service and will find where to 3D print something for you. They also offer strategy consulting to help your business know exactly how to use a 3D model printing service or an on-demand manufacturing service correctly.

Site

Hubs (ex 3D Hubs) on-demand manufacturing partners use 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding. If you need to order 3D prints on a large scale quickly, Hubs is your one-stop-shop. They have produced over 2 million parts, shipped globally.

The site offers an instant quote for on-demand manufacturing, something that not many sites do. Their system also includes manufacturability confirmation of your 3D file, which means that they make sure that there are no issues in your final product.

Note: the 3D Hubs network was initially intended for hobbyists that had 3D printers at home. In 2018, however, the company decided to focus on professional and industrial providers only.

Site

3ERP offers the most manufacturing possibilities with CNC machining, vacuum casting, injection molding, pressure die casting, 3D printing, sheet metal prototyping, aluminum and plastic extrusion, and surface finishing. You can also sign up for a free project review on their site.

3ERP promises to have one of the fastest turnarounds on the market because they do all their on-demand manufacturing on-site. For users looking for a 3D printing service in China, 3ERP is a great choice.

Site

Fictiv is a global manufacturing network which also includes a 3D model printing service. Fictiv has an affordable 3D printing service with 7 different materials. Other manufacturing methods they feature include CNC machining, injection molding, urethane casting, and CNC machine finishing, allowing you to produce not just 3D printed parts but also subtractive prints and beautiful finished products.

They can also connect you with a large scale 3D printing service or an on-demand manufacturing service.

Site

Protolabs is a little different in the on-demand manufacturing world because they have figured out how to reduce turn-around times drastically. Their founder used automation to make the entire process perform smoother and faster.

Protolabs offers a metal, elastomer, LSR, and plastic 3D printing service for printing prototypes and parts. They also offer injection molding, CNC machining, and CNC finishing. It is a high-quality 3D printing service with better delivery times than most other services.

Site

Other notable digital manufacturing platforms

If you need to get something 3D printed online or you want to order 3D prints online and the companies we’ve already listed are not up to the job, check out these honorable mentions:

  • SD3D
  • Star Rapid
  • Rapid Direct
  • Stratasys Direct
  • Weerg
  • Xometry

Peer-to-peer 3D printing services (distributed manufacturing)

Peer-to-peer 3D printing services are made up of networks of users – both hobbyists and professionals – that own a 3D printer.

Freelabster

Freelabster has a network of over 3,500 people who have 3D printers, making their service a little different. If you have a 3D file you want to be printed and need it quick, Freelabster is perfect. Most products ship in 48 hours and arrive quickly because you choose a printer that is close to you. The site also has an option to help you with 3D modeling, if you don’t have a 3D file yet.

makexyz

Makexyz is another peer-to-peer service that connects you with local printers. The site has a little extra in that it also offers instant pricing, makes sure your project can be 3D printed (feasibility), and offers free shipping. They achieve this by having an enormous printing network and choosing someone who is closest to your town to print your 3D file.

Compare 3D printing services (comparison engines)

3D printing service comparison engines will find which platforms are suited for your project depending on your budget, material choice, manufacturing method, etc.

3DCompare

3DCompare offers 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding, laser cutting, metal casting, urethane casting, CAD designing, and 3D scanning. Since they have such an enormous network of manufacturers, they can offer over 200 materials to choose from. The site also has customer support, instant quotes, 3D file analysis, and quality control.

The 3DCompare tool helps you order a 3D print online at the lowest possible price. Source: 3DCompare

Craftcloud

Craftcloud is a comparison engine from All3DP. You can upload your 3D file to the site and receive an instant quote for a wide range of materials. Craftcloud will then find the best manufacturer for your item and have the item shipped to you.

Treatstock

Treatstock is a comparison engine with a little bit of everything else. They offer 3D printing services, a 3D printing marketplace, and can connect you to local 3D printers and service providers. The site also has a collection of free applications which you can use online to create 3D files, view them, test them, and upload them to their site.

On-demand manufacturing platforms: special mentions

Below we list a few interesting platforms that didn’t make the cut in our final selection for varying reasons.

Plethora CNC machining

Plethora does offer a beginning-to-end service, starting with your 3D file and ending with a product in your hand. However, they can only help with products that are CNC-machined. They do not yet offer additive manufacturing, but their website promises to make them one of the leading competitors.

Ponoko 3D laser cutting and engraving

This platform no longer offers 3D printing services. Ponoko does offer laser printing, cutting, and engraving. The site also offers instant quotes, same-day shipping, and cheap prices. They offer 85+ materials that you can order and cut, print, and engrave on.

Staples 3D printing service

The Staples 3D printing service is a relatively new one on the market. Staples joined up with Sculpteo to create this additive manufacturing service. Their website does not give much information regarding which materials they use or which methods of 3D printing they offer, but apparently you can find 3D printing in most Staples stores, which is very convenient.

Why choose on-demand manufacturing over in-house 3D printing?

Benefits of using a 3D printing service

Cost reduction

Although some online 3D print platforms charge a lot for their services, it’s still faster cheaper than investing in a 3D printer and all the costs that go along with it (energy, maintenance, management, materials, etc.). That said, if you need to 3D print many parts all throughout the year, you might want to produce them in-house with your own additive manufacturing system.

Simplicity

3D printing is still a complex technology, especially for beginners. By using an on-demand 3D printing service, you can skip the steep learning curve and reap the benefits without the hassle.

Quality

The people that operate the platforms’ 3D printers are experts, so you can rest assured that your parts will be delivered close to perfection. You don’t have to worry about print failures, layer adhesion, warping, and other issues which can be a real headache.

Material choice

The vast array of materials available for you to choose from is something that you can’t access otherwise unless you have an entire warehouse filled with different kinds of 3D printers (stereolithography, powder bed fusion, extrusion, binder jetting…) and corresponding materials.

There are so many advantages linked to externalizing 3D prints, it would be too long to list them all. The main takeaway is that– in most cases– it’s quicker, easier, and cheaper.

Of course, there are also all the advantages that 3D printing offers in comparison to traditional manufacturing methods (e.g. time-consuming and expensive injection molding), but that’s a whole other story.

Limits of ordering 3D prints online

Pricey

It can cost several hundred dollars just to 3D print one small part, depending on the material and technology you want to use (especially with a 3D metal printing service). Again, it’s still cheaper than buying a $200K printer, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Time/delays

Ordering a 3D print-on-demand can be much quicker than producing it internally. However, if you’re making a prototype that you need to keep enhancing until its final version (which is generally the case in product design), it means you’ll have to wait whichever amount of days it takes for the provider to print and ship the newest version.

Certification

Your parts won’t necessarily be certified (e. g. ISO standards). 3D Hubs does offer some certifications, but this isn’t the case for most platforms. If you’re making parts that you need to sell (versus personal objects), think twice about this.

Hence, ordering a 3D print online isn’t always the best way to go depending on your needs and use cases.

FAQ

What is a 3D printing service bureau?

A 3D printing service bureau is a company that can 3D print your files for you, without you having to buy expensive equipment.

What is distributed manufacturing?

Distributed manufacturing is when a 3D manufacturing platform takes your design and sends it to the most appropriate manufacturer- geography-wise, technology-wise, or both.

Where can I find a 3D printing service near me?

Peer-to-peer 3D printing services will find local 3D printers for you, We recommend Freelabster and Makexyz.

What’s the difference between i.Materialise and Materialise OnSite?

Materialise OnSite is geared more towards professional and industrial use cases, while i.Materialise is more adapted for hobbyists and occasional users. They are two different 3D printing services, but both under the umbrella of the Materialise Group.

Where to find a 3D printing service in India?

Anjali3D is a 3D printing service in India.

Where to find a 3D printing service in China?

3ERP is a 3D printing service in China, with a wide range of manufacturing capabilities.

List of 3d printing services / Habr

AndreyPanov

3D printers

Good afternoon everyone!

On Habré, you can relatively often see articles on 3d printers, comparing their prices and ordering opportunities with us.
And what about the finished 3D models?
What if I don’t want to buy a printer yet, but it would be interesting to “feel” the printed model. And it is advisable to choose from a catalog of ready-made models, and not draw it yourself. nine0011 Are there many resources where they can be downloaded, bought or printed from the catalog?
Answering these questions, I decided to make a small list of resources with the ability to select ready-made models and order printing.

Foreign services:

  • www.thingiverse.com is probably the most well-known one in existence. The service was created for the free exchange of models under the GNU General Public License. The service has been operating since 2008. Owned by MakerBot Industries, USA. nine0023
  • www.shapeways.com - custom printing. The service has been operating since 2011. Production (printing) is located in the Netherlands and the USA. You can add your own, you can even create your own store. Due to the extensive fleet of 3d printers, they provide a large selection of materials, including ceramics and steel. They deliver to Russia.
  • i.materialise.com/gallery - Print models from the catalog. The company has been operating since 1990 and is located in Belgium.
  • It is also possible to evaluate your model and choose a material
  • www.sculpteo.com/en/gallery/today - print 3d models and sell your own. There are quite complex and expensive models.
  • www.kraftwurx.com - a platform for creating 3d models and selling them.
  • www.turbosquid.com — database of 3d models for game designers, architects, etc. Many models were not created for the purpose of 3d printing, you can find something.

Russian services:

  • 3dmarket.org is a service that allows you to download and upload models, as well as select an artist for printing. nine0023

If the list is not complete, please add in the comments, I will update the post.

UPD:
from foreign ones, the service https://www.ponoko.com was added, they are engaged not only in 3d printing, but also in laser cutting.
From Russian:

  • 3dprintus.ru is a start-up, manufacturing various products according to individual sketches.
  • can-touch.ru - there is a catalog with ready-made models. Large selection of materials.
    • nine0005

    The best free services for building three-dimensional figures online 3D modeling and design

    Work with three-dimensional graphics today is in demand in many areas of activity. It is used in the design of new mechanisms, in the development of interior design, the corresponding models are developed before printing on a 3D printer, as well as in video games and in many other cases. There are expensive professional applications, such as "3D MAX", "Autodesk 123D" and the like. But there are also free online services in which you can draw online 3D on your computer right in the browser window. nine0005

    Some people call Tinkercad the online version of the popular 3DMax application. Both of these software products were developed by the same company, Autodesk.

    Tinkercad is free and novice friendly. It uses complex objects that are made up of simple shapes. You can use pre-made forms or upload your own. The existing shapes can be moved or rotated. It is also possible to set the required dimensions. In addition, you can create new forms by combining existing ones. Using the built-in module "Chains" you can design electronic devices. Using this service, you can not only design, but also create programs that create dynamic, adaptive 3D forms. nine0005

    On the official Tinkercad website you can find instructions, tutorial videos and other useful content for beginners that will help you master modeling as quickly as possible. In the "Gallery" section of the site, you can see the works of other users.

    This service supports the most common file formats used for 3D printing. After creating a 3D model, it can be downloaded and printed. The Tinkercad interface is Russified.

    3D Slash is for those who want more options than Tinkercad provides. It provides more tools for processing 3D models, such as tools for "engraving", drilling holes, changing colors, and many others. nine0005

    A simple user interface helps beginners get started quickly, and tutorials can be found on the official website.

    Only 8 colors available in the free version, no project collaboration, no folders to organize models, only low resolution files to upload. Commercial use of the created 3D models is also prohibited. Russian interface is missing.

    Planner 5D is a shareware online service for interior design. It was launched in September 2012 and already in November 2013 it had 2,000,000 registered user accounts. nine0005

    Using Planner 5D, it's easy to design any interior with ready-made projects, to which you can add furniture, floors, paintings, clocks and other elements. You can also create a project for a house by the sea and design a landscape around it. In addition, you can create a design for a cafe or a gym.

    You can also download a room plan, digitize it and build a model to work with. It is not difficult to redevelop an apartment or house, change the location of walls, windows, doors and change the area of ​​​​rooms. nine0005

    Among the advantages of this service are a simple, intuitive user interface, the presence of various directories and subdirectories with many interior items, as well as the realism of the created images.

    The SketchUp service is different from the tools described above. If in previous cases it was necessary to create your own objects from 3D shapes, such as balls, cubes, then in this case you have to draw, that is, create models from lines. Therefore, SketchUp is considered a rather complex tool. But it has a clear user interface that makes it much easier to use. SketchUp is used primarily for designing architectural objects and furniture. nine0005

    Not all file formats are supported in the free version, and you cannot create new materials and visual styles. This service has a Russian interface, but you need to switch to it, since the English version is loaded by default.

    Sweet Home 3D is an online interior design service that allows designers and architects to draw house plans and arrange furniture. It provides the following options:

    • draw walls and rooms on one or more levels; nine0023
    • drag doors, windows and furniture from the catalog to the floor plan;
    • update the colors, texture, size, and orientation of furniture and rooms;
    • view all changes simultaneously in 3D;
    • create photorealistic images and videos with various light sources;
    • Import additional 3D models and export the floor plan in various formats.

    There is a Russian interface. There is also an application for a computer that can be downloaded from the developer's website. nine0005

    Clara.io is a complex application that is more suitable for users who have previously worked with professional 3D desktop applications. But it also provides more opportunities than others. You can work with it even on a weak computer, since the processing of models is performed in the cloud and does not require computer resources. The free version has the following limitations: there is not too much space for storing developments and the time for processing models in the cloud has been cut. Russian interface, unfortunately, no. nine0005

    Plastisketch is different from other 3D modeling services. It is designed for those who want to create 3D sculptural objects. Admittedly, it takes time to comprehend this new approach to 3D modeling. To save users the hassle of dealing with hundreds of dots, PlastiSketch allows you to adjust the smoothness and quality of your 3D design. In this application, you draw layers and merge them into one object. It looks like you have divided the object into several small parts using several horizontal planes. After that, the parts were placed at a small distance from each other, and the free space between the planes filled itself. After completing the work, you can save the result as an OBJ file for 3D printing or additional processing in other programs. nine0005

    You can use this service absolutely free of charge, the only limitation is that the created files will contain a link to the official Plastisketch website. The interface is only English.

    With Homestyler, you can create a home design project from scratch, design your own interior and decorate it with more than 200 furniture brands, and walk through the project in real time thanks to a 3D view. You'll be able to see how your home will look from any angle by turning on or off the lights you install, and get an idea of ​​what your home will look like when it's completed. nine0005

    If you like some design element, you can click on it and go to the seller's website to immediately purchase the item you like. The official website also has a blog from which you can learn about the latest innovations and trends in interior design.

    The free version has no limit on the number of projects and all elements of the catalog are available. But you won't be able to render in 4K and remove watermarks.

    Planoplan is an online 3D design application that provides a complete set of tools for designing a room. No training is required to get started with this tool. A professional designer will need 2 hours to study the program. A beginner will feel confident and comfortable after one day of working with the program. nine0005

    In the free version of Planoplan, you can find more than 5 thousand different interior items, they can be scaled, repainted, matte or glossy. You can also upload models. You can store only one project of a one-story house with an area of ​​\u200b\u200bno more than 350 square meters for free.

    Learn more