The definitive guide to 3D printing design tips

3D printing is a great way to prototype and produce parts that are not accessible by other means. However, there are some common mistakes that designers make that can result in a product not working as intended or even worse, not working at all.

Designers need to be aware of the limitations of 3D printing and how it works. They also need to know the best practices for designing with a SLA printer so they can avoid these pitfalls and create successful products.

Designers should always remember that 3D printing is an iterative process, meaning they will need to make many versions before the final product is created. This means they will have to pay attention to detail and avoid any design mistakes that could cause their prototype from working properly or at all.

Designing for 3D printing is not the same as designing for other manufacturing processes. There are many pitfalls that designers should be aware of. This article will provide you with some design tips and best practices to avoid common design pitfalls of SLA 3D printing.

The first pitfall is over-designing the model. When designing a part, it is important to make sure that there are no unnecessary features on the model that will not be printed. The second pitfall is failing to consider the limitations of SLA 3D printing when designing parts. For example, certain models are too small or too thin to print properly on an SLA printer without breaking apart during printing or warping after being printed. The third pitfall is improper orientation of parts in CAD software which can lead to problems when

3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing process, where objects are created from a 3D digital model by laying down successive layers of material.

The key to designing for 3D printing is to remember that you are working with a new technology and as such it has its own set of limitations and advantages. It is important to take these into account when designing your product.

A few things to keep in mind:

- The build area can be limited, so it's important that the design incorporates this limitation.

- The resolution of a 3D printer can be lower than what we might be used to from other sources like images or photographs, so designs need to take this into account too.

- Designing for 3D printing requires more consideration for how the object will actually

3D printing is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from digital 3D models. SLA stands for Stereolithography apparatus which is one of the most common technologies used in 3D printing.

Designing for SLA 3D Printing can be tricky, but there are some best practices that designers should follow to ensure successful printing. The most important thing to keep in mind is material thickness and accuracy of the model. A designer should consider these two factors when designing an object on their computer program.

Designing for SLA 3D printing can be a daunting task. There are many pitfalls that designers need to avoid. This article will provide you with some of the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

1. Designing for a sla printer is different from designing for other types of printers

2. Designers should stay away from sharp edges and corners

3. Designs should not have more than 10% overhang on any side of the object

4. Designs should be as dense as possible without compromising quality of design

Designing for 3D printing is more than just designing for a 2D printer. You need to take into consideration the different properties of the material, the limitations of the process and your design goals. Here are some pitfalls to avoid while designing for 3D printing with SLA printers.

1) Designing too large or too small:

2) Designing in low resolution:

3) Printing solid objects that will break during assembly:

4) Printing too many small parts that will be difficult to assemble:

5) Printing parts with overhangs or undercuts, which can't be printed without support material

SLA 3D printers are becoming more and more popular. The design tips and best practices listed in this section will help you avoid common pitfalls when designing for a SLA 3D printer.

It is important to note that the nature of SLA 3D printing gives it a few different limitations than other types of printers, such as FDM or SLS. For example, because of the nature of the process, you cannot print overhanging parts. This means that if your design has any overhanging parts, you will need to find alternative ways to make those parts.

The process also requires you to keep in mind the thickness of your layers which can be an issue if your design has thin features like wires or small holes.

3D printing is not just about creating something for the sake of it. It’s about designing with a sla printer in mind.

Designers need to understand the limitations of the machine they are working with and what can be done to make it work better. Avoiding common pitfalls is an important step in this process.

A few common design pitfalls that designers should avoid are:

- Printing too much detail or too little detail on a model

- Not making models big enough for 3D printing

- Not testing models before sending them to print

SLA 3D printing is a new type of printing that is becoming more popular. This article will provide design tips for those who are designing with a SLA printer.

Some things to keep in mind when designing your product are to make sure you have enough space for the object, make sure your design is printable, and be mindful of the colors you are using.

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PartzPro Frequently Asked Questions

The "Open-Book" Business Model

Q: Why is there a factory invoice in the box?

That is your Commercial Import Invoice. Because we ship Factory Direct to your door, international customs requires an invoice that travels with the package.

Transparency & Compliance: This invoice lists the origin factory (showing you exactly who made your parts) and declares the exact value you paid at checkout.
Why it matches your payment: We ensure the commercial invoice matches your transaction value so that Customs calculates your duties correctly and legally, preventing delays or penalties at the border.

Q: Why don't you offer Instant Quotes?

Because "Instant" usually means "Inaccurate." Competitors use algorithms to guess the price based on geometry averages. This often leads to:

The "Bait & Switch": They quote low instantly, then email you 24 hours later to raise the price once a human actually looks at it.
The "Risk Buffer": They inflate the price by 30% just to cover the errors their algorithm makes.

We measure twice, cut once. We have the factory validate the CAM strategy before we give you a price. You wait a few hours, but the price you get is the price you pay—guaranteed. No surprises.

Q: If I have the factory’s info, why shouldn't I just go direct next time?

First, strictly speaking, you cannot. To protect our platform, our Terms of Use include a Non-Circumvention clause that prohibits direct transactions with our suppliers for 24 months.

But practically, clients stay for the "US Shield." When you order through PartzPro, your money is held in US-based Escrow. We handle the legal leverage, language barriers, and financial security. If you go direct, you lose that protection and have zero recourse if something goes wrong.

Q: What exactly does your Service Fee cover?

Your fee covers Financial Security (Escrow), Vendor Vetting, AI Engineering Analysis, and Project Management. We act as your US-based legal firewall. We find the best factories, negotiate the rates, and hold the money until the job is done right.

Logistics, Customs & AI Technology

Q: Who handles the HTS Codes and Customs paperwork?

Our AI does the heavy lifting; you just confirm the release. We don't leave you guessing on complex government tariffs.

Heavy AI Analysis: Our proprietary AI Assistant performs a 40-point analysis of your part's geometry and material. It automatically searches the official US Government HTS database to generate a precise HTS Code Breakdown for your specific parts.
The Process: This data is provided to the carrier (DHL/FedEx/UPS). When the broker contacts you, the classification is already estimated—you simply confirm it to release the shipment.

Q: Who pays the duties?

You do—which saves you money. Because we ship DAP (Delivered at Place), you pay the exact duties owed to the government based on the AI-generated HTS code.

Why this is better: Competitors who offer "Free Shipping/DDP" often inflate the price to cover the worst-case tariff scenario. By paying the actual duties yourself, you ensure you are never overcharged for import taxes.

Q: How fast is shipping?

Since we skip the "Middleman Warehouse," our standard international shipping is extremely fast (typically 3–5 days transit). Your parts fly directly from the machine shop to your desk.

Quality Assurance & Liability

Q: Competitors inspect parts at a US warehouse before shipping. Why don't you?

Because "double handling" kills speed and adds unnecessary cost. We operate on a "Dock-to-Stock" model. The factory performs the rigorous QC, and parts ship directly to you.

We treat you like a professional: we know you will verify the fit and function of your parts upon arrival. By removing the redundant middleman inspection, we save you 30% on cost and 3–5 days on lead time.

Q: What happens if the parts arrive out of spec?

You are protected by the PartzPro Escrow Guarantee. Because we hold the funds, the factory does not get paid until you verify the order.

The Process: You have a 3-Day Inspection Window upon delivery to verify fit and function. If parts are non-conforming, simply upload a photo and inspection report within that window. We will either force an immediate priority remake at the factory’s expense or issue a refund.

*Bulk Order Extension: For large volume orders, this inspection window can be extended. To request an extension, simply reply to your automatic invoice email.

Q: Does your AI just check for geometry errors?

No. Our AI Cost-Driver Audit goes beyond simple DFM (Design for Manufacturing). It helps you perform Value Engineering by highlighting features that are disproportionately expensive (e.g., deep pockets, tight radii, non-standard threads). We show you the cost drivers so you can engineer the price down before you order.

Payments & Corporate Orders

Q: We are a company, not a hobbyist. Can we pay via Purchase Order (PO)?

Yes. We specialize in serving agile engineering departments and mid-sized manufacturing firms.

How to order with a PO: You can select "Pay via PO / Wire" at checkout or email our sales team directly with your PO attached. We will verify your company details and send a payment link or wire instructions immediately so production isn't delayed.

Q: Do you offer Net-30 Terms?

We offer terms to qualified business partners after an initial credit review. Please contact our sales team to set up your corporate account. For new customers, we recommend using our PO-to-Wire workflow for the fastest start.