Follow these design best practices to ensure your parts are printable and meet quality expectations:
1. Wall Thickness
Minimum: 1.0mm for FDM, 0.4mm for SLA
Recommended: 2.0mm+ for structural strength
Avoid extremely thin walls that may warp or break
2. Overhangs & Bridges
Keep overhangs under 45° when possible
Angles steeper than 45° require support material
Supports leave marks that may require post-processing
3. Small Features & Details
Minimum feature size: 0.5mm for FDM, 0.2mm for SLA
Text should be embossed or engraved at least 1mm deep
Avoid tiny protruding details that may break off
4. Tolerances & Fit
Add 0.2-0.4mm clearance for FDM parts that need to fit together
Add 0.1-0.2mm clearance for SLA parts
Account for material shrinkage in precision assemblies
5. Holes & Threads
Design holes 0.2mm smaller for press-fit inserts
Avoid printing threads — tap after printing or use threaded inserts
Orient vertical holes along the Z-axis for best results
6. File Preparation
Export as STL or OBJ with proper units (mm recommended)
Ensure models are watertight (no gaps or holes)
Check normals are facing outward
👉 Our engineering team reviews files for printability issues and will flag potential problems before production.
Learn more on our website:
Full Design Guidelines — comprehensive rules by technology
File Requirements — formats, mesh settings, export tips
Browse Materials — find the right material for your application