3D printing services allow everyone to bring their designs to life, including those who don’t have the time, money, or space to invest in their own equipment.
Perhaps you want to print with a more challenging or expensive type of filament, or you want a special kind for a couple of prints, without buying an entire spool. Maybe it’s not even about the filament but about the technology. Or, you just know that your fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer simply won’t yield the same results as a resin one, but you don’t want to change your whole setup.
Whatever the reason, it’s always useful to know that there’s a service out there that can help you get what you want, hassle-free.
In this article, we’ll go over a few ways to locate nearby 3D printing options that either give you printer access or use their own equipment to 3D print your project. You can forget about stringing, bed adhesion issues, or any other problems by leaving the printing to the professionals!
Why Outsource Your 3D Printing Needs
If you’re on the fence about setting up your own 3D printing system, why not outsource your printing needs? Whether you’ve got a specific project in mind that you’re not sure you can tackle on your own or you simply want some more information, here are a few things to consider when it comes to outsourcing.
- First of all, it’s cheaper, especially if you don’t need to 3D print frequently. Desktop 3D printers cost hundreds of dollars for a lower-priced model, and that doesn’t include the additional investments in filament or resin and printer accessories. Middle-range and industrial 3D printing equipment costs even more.
- You’ll get access to materials and processes that would be out of reach if you had to buy them for your own setup. By only paying for one print with a tricky filament such as copper, for instance, you’ll pay a fraction of the price you would if you were to buy a full roll of filament and a 3D printer capable of printing metal (or modifying your own machine to do so).
- You can benefit from expertise when working with complicated projects. If you want the effects of working with a filament or process with which you have little to no experience, it’s not a bad idea to get a professional on your side by turning to a service.
3D printing services are popping up everywhere as the process garners more mainstream recognition. The combination of increased customer demand and lower barriers to entering the business means you’ll likely have several options, from local libraries to UPS stores and 3D printer labs.
Read on for our advice on how to pick out the perfect 3D printing service for you, whether it’s down the street or across the globe! And while some of the options may be specific to certain countries, with a little bit of research, you’re likely to find similar alternatives closer to you.
3D Printing Marketplace: Craftcloud
Craftcloud by All3DP is a 3D printing marketplace that takes all the work out of shopping around for a good 3D printing service. Simply upload your design, choose the materials you need, and then pick from the instant offers from trusted third-party 3D printing services.
With 175 contracted partners all over the world, over 100 materials, and many different technologies, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. You can filter the results by production location to see services nearby. And if you have special requirements, you can always contact specific partners or customer care for more personalized attention.
Craftcloud works with printing partners across the globe and also offers custom solutions for complex prints and unusual materials.
- Types of 3D printing technology: FDM, SLA, SLS, DMLS, binder jetting, MJF, and others
- Range of materials: Large
- Ordering and delivery: Instant quote, worldwide shipping
- Other specialties: Price comparison, personalized customer assistance
Online Listings
3D printing services near you are, of course, going to be highly specific to wherever you live. Still, we’ve got a few ways for you to find what’s on offer in your area and what to look for to make sure they’re the 3D printing services you need.
Just like surfing Yelp for clues on restaurants or hotels, you can use sites that compile 3D printer reviews by searching with your area code.
Treatstock
When looking for a printing service through Treatstock, the site gives you a short list of details for each result, side by side, in a scrollable grid. You can click to compare prices, the distance from your location, and the services offered. It’s also got buttons for both “Instant order” and “Get instant quote”, which means you can start your order as soon as you see something you like, or shop around for more information from the companies themselves.
Yellow Pages
The Yellow Pages have taken their services online and made them searchable, meaning that you can use the keywords “3D printing” and your area code to get a comprehensive list of 3D printing services near you. Plus, they’ve added user-starred reviews so you can distinguish between the good and the bad before you even click on their website. If you can’t find anything in your area code, look up the area codes of neighborhoods near you, especially if you live outside of a city.
Local 3D Printers or Labs
An alternative to a 3D printing service is to take advantage of local 3D printers by using them in their off time. Check your nearest options with one of these databases.
MakeXYZ
This site has pioneered the use of 3D printing networks. It allows you to upload your design and send the job to a participant whose 3D printer is nearby and not currently in use. This keeps the price and shipping time down for you and allows 3D printer owners to get the most out of their machines.
Fablab
Fablab is a network of manufacturing spaces that are connected and share resources through the website. You can start your own local 3D printing lab with Fablab’s resources or join one of the affiliated maker spaces. Use their Fablab finder to see if any of their locations are near you; there are more than 1,750 across 100 countries! If you’ve already got a lab going and want to find more like-minded makers or offer your own services to those who need it, add yourself to their map and help others start printing.
Make Community
Make: Magazine has an updated map of maker spaces around the world. It’s color-coded and lists the names and details of each of its community spaces, so you’ll know exactly which ones can handle your projects and how. It’s not super expansive, but it does contain a lot of useful details for each site listed. If you can’t find anything near you, it might be a great excuse for a 3D printing road trip!
Local Libraries
Local 3D printing services are starting to pop up in places that already offer standard printer access. One example is your local library!
To start with, many public libraries are adding maker spaces and tools to their services, so why not check your local branch? You can contact your library directly or consult their website to find out more information.
A major bonus is that library services are often free or very affordable. That said, come prepared because libraries that offer 3D printing don’t always have an expert on hand beyond the librarian who has taken the project over as part of their duties. You may also experience a long wait time if it’s a popular service handled by just one or two machines.
UPS Stores
UPS stores started rolling out 3D printing options in 2013. Currently, 10 locations in the US are listed where you can use 3D printing services, though the company is looking to expand this service to more stores nationwide. Additionally, an online portal gives options to anyone who doesn’t live near one of the stores with 3D printing capabilities.
Customer reviews indicate that the UPS’ 3D printing process is easy for those who don’t have strong knowledge of 3D printing. However, the setup is very basic, with fewer material types to choose from than other services we’ve talked about. It’s therefore not a good choice for heavy industrial or delicate, ornate objects, but it is easy and fast, according to users.
UPS offers design help, and if you live near one of its stores that offers 3D printing, your object will be ready between 4 and 24 hours, depending on its complexity.
License: The text of "3D Printing Near Me: How to Find a Service Easily" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.