Follow these design best practices to ensure your parts are printable and meet quality expectations:
Wall thickness
Minimum: 1.2mm for FDM, 0.8mm for SLA (1.5mm unsupported), 1.0mm for Industrial SLA, 0.7mm for MJF, 2.0mm for FGF
Recommended: 2.0mm+ for structural strength
Avoid extremely thin walls that may warp or break
Overhangs & bridges
Keep overhangs under 45° when possible
Angles steeper than 45° require support material
Supports leave marks that may require post-processing
Small features & details
Minimum feature size: 1.8mm for FDM, 0.5mm for SLA
Text should be embossed or engraved at least 1mm deep
Avoid tiny protruding details that may break off
Tolerances & fit
For parts that go together by hand, leave 0.2–0.3mm per side on FDM and MJF, and 0.125–0.2mm per side on SLA
Moving parts need more and press fits less — see What clearance should I give two fitting parts?
Account for material shrinkage in precision assemblies
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
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.
What should I know before designing a 3D CAD file for 3D printing?
Before designing a 3D CAD file for 3D printing, it's important to consider the technology and material you'll be printing with. Each process, FDM, SLA, Industrial SLA, MJF, or FGF, has its own design rules around wall thickness, overhangs, support needs, tolerances, and orientation.
Here are key things to keep in mind:
Wall thickness: Don't go too thin, each material has a minimum requirement (e.g., 1.2mm for FDM, 0.8mm for SLA, 0.7mm for MJF).
Tolerance planning: If your part involves mating features or assemblies, build in clearance based on the material's accuracy.
Overhangs and supports: Avoid extreme angles or unsupported geometry, especially for FDM and SLA.
Orientation: Design knowing how the part will be printed, flat surfaces, fine details, and structural load all benefit from correct orientation.
Export correctly: Always export a watertight STL or STEP file, at actual size and in millimeters.
If you're unsure, we're happy to review your file and give guidance, just reach out