Terms & Their Meanings

Layer height

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process; models are built from layers. The distance between successive layers is the layer height. The smaller the distance, the more precise and detailed the model will be, but print time increases significantly. Using larger layer heights speeds up printing, though we don’t recommend it for precise, detailed objects.

Infill density

The internal fill of the 3D model. Higher density uses more material and makes the part stronger. For decorative items, dense infill is unnecessary; for functional parts, choose a higher value. Increasing density raises both print time and part weight.

Color

The filament color. Currently we print one color per part — a single color per model.

Scaling

Changing the size of the object relative to its default. Scaling applies along all axes. For example, a 10mm × 10mm × 10mm model scaled by 0.5 becomes 5mm × 5mm × 5mm.

Wall thickness

The thickness of the model’s solid outer wall. Thicker walls add strength but increase print time. This does not change the part’s external dimensions because the printer thickens towards the inside.

FDM technology

FDM printers precisely extrude molten filament layer by layer from a digital file. The print head moves on X, Y, and Z axes to create almost any shape. It’s a fast and cost‑effective method ideal for prototypes and small runs.

SLA technology

SLA printers use photosensitive resin that solidifies where exposed to light, building the object layer by layer. This technology achieves very fine detail (50 microns or less), but it’s typically slower and more expensive than FDM.