How to Get Something 3D Printed Without Owning a Printer
You don't need your own 3D printer to get a part made. Here's how it works, step by step: get a 3D file, upload it, choose a material, check the price and have the part delivered anywhere in the EU.
You don't need to own a 3D printer to get something 3D printed. For a replacement part, a prototype or a one-off custom piece, buying a printer often isn't worth it. A reliable machine costs a few hundred euros, it takes practice before the prints come out right, and most people would only use it now and then.
The simpler way is an online 3D printing service. You upload a 3D file, choose the material and see the price. We print the part and send it to you. This guide covers each step, from finding a file to holding the finished part.
How it works in short
- Get a 3D file of your part. Download one, design it yourself or have it designed for you.
- Upload it to our quoter. You don't need an account.
- Choose the material, colour and quantity.
- Check the price and order. The price appears in a few moments.
- Get it delivered. We print in Zagreb, Croatia, and deliver to all 27 EU countries.
Here's each step in more detail.
Step 1: Get a 3D file
A 3D printer can't print from a photo or an idea. It needs a 3D model: a file that describes the exact shape of the part. There are three ways to get one.
Download a ready-made model
Someone has probably already designed what you need, especially for everyday things such as hooks, holders, organisers, clips, replacement knobs and figures. Model libraries such as Printables, Thingiverse and MakerWorld have a huge choice of free models, and Cults3D has both free and paid ones.
Before you download, check two things:
- The licence. Printing a model for your own use is usually fine. If you want to sell the prints, make sure the licence allows it, because many don't.
- The size. The description usually says how big the printed part should be. After you upload the file, the quoter shows its dimensions, and you can make it bigger or smaller if you need to.
Design it yourself
You can design simple shapes yourself, even if you've never done it before. Tinkercad is free, runs in your web browser and is made for beginners. For technical parts that have to fit exactly, CAD programs such as Fusion, Onshape or FreeCAD let you set every dimension precisely.
When the model is ready, export it as STL, 3MF or STEP. Work in millimetres, because the quoter reads the dimensions exactly as they are in the file.
Have it designed for you
If all you have is a sketch, a few photos, a drawing or the measurements of a broken part, we can create the 3D model for you with our 3D modelling service. You get a fixed price before we start, and at the end you receive files that are ready to print.
Step 2: Upload the file to the quoter
Open the quoter and upload your file. It accepts STL, OBJ, 3MF and STEP files up to 100 MB, with no sign-up required.
The quoter then prepares the model the same way it's prepared before every real print. It turns the model to a position that needs fewer supports and works out, layer by layer, how long the print will take and how much material it will use. That's why the price you see is based on your actual part, not on a rough guess from its size.
You'll see a 3D preview of the model with its dimensions. If the size isn't right, you can scale it, where 100% is the original size. In PLA and PETG we print parts up to 500 mm on each side, and between 300 and 450 mm in the other materials.
If your model comes as several files, you can upload up to 5 of them at once. Each one gets its own price, and you can add them to your cart one by one or all together.
Step 3: Choose the material, colour and quantity
The material is the most important choice, and the right one depends on what the part has to do:
| Material | Good choice for |
|---|---|
| PLA | Decorative pieces, figures, display models and prototypes |
| PETG | Everyday functional parts such as holders, clips and housings |
| ABS | Indoor parts that get warm, for example near electronics |
| ASA | Parts that stay outdoors in sun and rain |
| TPU | Flexible parts such as bumpers, grips and pads |
| PAHT-CF | Strong, stiff technical parts that carry a load |
If you're not sure, PETG is a good choice for parts that get used every day, and PLA is the most affordable choice for parts that mainly have to look good. Our materials guide explains each material in more detail. The quoter also shows what the same part would cost in other materials, so you can compare before you decide.
Next, pick a colour and the number of pieces. PLA has the widest choice of colours. If you order several pieces of the same part, the price per piece goes down, and quantity discounts are applied automatically.
You can also change the wall count, infill density and layer height. The default settings suit most parts, so you can leave them as they are. Two more options can be useful:
- Heat-set inserts (M2 to M5): small metal threaded sleeves that we press into the part with heat, so you can screw into it.
- Special instructions: write down anything that matters to you, for example which side should look best.
Step 4: Check the price and order
The price appears in a few moments. If you change the material or the settings, the price changes with them, so you can compare options before you decide. When you're happy, add the part to your cart, choose a delivery option and pay by card, PayPal or one of the other payment methods offered. You can also check out as a guest, without creating an account.
Good to know before you order:
- There's no minimum quantity. A single piece is a perfectly normal order.
- The minimum order value is €15. If your cart comes to less, the difference is added to the price, so small parts are best ordered together.
- You see the delivery price before you pay.
- We check every file before printing. If a model can't be printed reliably, for example because some walls are too thin, we let you know by email and refund the full amount, including delivery.
Want an idea of prices first? Our guide How much does 3D printing cost? shows real examples. In October 2026, printing a small PLA mounting bracket came to about €9 and an electronics enclosure in PETG to about €15, before delivery.
Step 5: Delivery to your country
We make every part in Zagreb, Croatia. Most orders are printed and shipped within 1 to 3 business days, while large or complex orders can take longer. When your order ships, you get a tracking number by email.
- All EU countries: courier delivery to your address, booked through Eurosender.
- Croatia: delivery to a BoxNow locker is also available.
You see the available delivery options and their prices at checkout. The cheapest option is currently free on orders of at least €65 to other EU countries, €50 by courier within Croatia and €40 to a BoxNow locker in Croatia. Because we ship from within the EU, there are no customs duties on deliveries to EU countries. We don't currently deliver outside the EU, for example to the UK, Switzerland or Norway. You'll find all the details in our shipping policy.
Other ways to get something 3D printed
An online service isn't the only option. Here's how the others compare:
- A makerspace or FabLab. Often cheap, and a good way to learn. But you usually have to book a time slot and prepare and run the print yourself.
- A friend with a 3D printer. Fine for a simple PLA part. The result depends on the printer and the person's experience, and not every home printer can handle materials such as ASA or carbon fibre nylon.
- A local 3D printing shop. Handy if there's one nearby, but you often have to email the file and wait for a quote.
- An online 3D printing service. You see the price in a few moments, choose from several materials and get the part delivered. You don't need to know anything about 3D printing.
Tips for your first order
- Check the dimensions in the quoter. A model saved in the wrong units can come out far too small or far too big.
- Order one piece first if the part has to fit something exactly. Once it fits, order the rest.
- Ask if you're not sure. Get in touch and we'll help you choose the material and settings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get something 3D printed without a 3D file?
Not directly, because the printer needs a 3D model. You don't have to make it yourself, though. With our 3D modelling service, we can create the model from a sketch, photos, a drawing or measurements.
Can I print a model I downloaded from the internet?
Yes, as long as the licence allows it. Printing for your own use is usually fine. If you want to sell the prints, check first that the licence allows commercial use.
How long does it take?
Most orders are printed and shipped within 1 to 3 business days. After that, it depends on the delivery option and how far the parcel has to travel.
Do you deliver to my country?
We deliver to all 27 EU countries. In Croatia, you can also choose delivery to a BoxNow locker.
Do I need an account?
No. You can see the price and order as a guest. An account is useful if you want to keep all your orders in one place.
What if my model can't be printed?
We check every file before printing. If a model can't be printed reliably, we let you know by email and refund everything you paid, including delivery.
Ready to start?
If you already have a file, upload it to the quoter and you'll see the price in a few moments. If you don't have one yet, find a model in one of the libraries above or let us design it for you.