Craftcloud is a network of 3D printer service providers that have been vetted for quality and service. It hosts hundreds of providers, large and small, from all over the globe. For each model or project that you want to print, you’ll get quotes from several partners so you can be sure that you’re getting the best price for your exact needs.

Placing your order just takes three steps. First, you upload your model in one of the 35 accepted file formats. Next, you can select your desired material, color, and finish. Over 100 different materials are offered from more than 20 different manufacturing technologies. Finally, browse through the quotes instantly generated from applicable partners and select the service that best fits your budget, project specifications, and shipping speed.

If you’re in doubt about which material is the best for your project, don’t worry because Craftcloud has a Material Guide that lists all the mechanical properties and manufacturing technology of each material offered as well as color and finishing options available.

The platform doesn’t require signing up to quote your model. If you don’t have a 3D model, you can even take advantage of Craftcloud’s partner, CADmore, a top-tier 3D design service that can help bring your ideas to life.

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The 3D printing service i.Materialise emerged from Materialise’s 25 years of expertise in additive manufacturing. They offer 3D printing services out of their own facilities consisting of more than 100 3D printers and 10 different types of 3D printing technology. Although located in Belgium, they ship worldwide.

You can get an instant quote and place an order in just a few steps. You’ll need to upload a 3D model (consult the supported 3D file formats) and choose from the 20 different materials and the available color and finishing options. If you’re in doubt about which material to choose, you can purchase a sample kit before ordering your printed part. Then, all you need to do is set a scale and the quantity needed to get the final price and place your order. If you’re a teacher or a student, i.Materialise offers a 10% educational discount.

If you don’t have a 3D model in hand, i.Materialise can still help you to get what you need. The first possibility is to hire a 3D designer from their extended list of professionals. Alternatively, you may find a suitable part in the i.Materialise Shop, where talented designers offer prints of their designs ranging from jewelry to functional gadgets.

Sculpteo was born as a French 3D printing online service enterprise in 2009 and was acquired by BASF 3D Printing Solutions 10 years later. They have their own production center with the capacity to manufacture batches of up to 100,000 parts. While it’s open for small-scale orders (after signing up for an account), its main specialty is small-batch parts for businesses.

The process of getting an instant quote or ordering a print starts when you upload your desired model. Choose from over 75 different material and finish combinations they offer and set parameters for your needs, including the infill percentage. You can also purchase sample kits to check out their material selection if you’re unsure about what fits your needs best. If laser cutting better suits your needs, Sculpeto provides on-demand services for this as well.

Sculpteo offers factory pick-up from their location in Villejuif, France, for the fastest turnaround. If you’re able to directly pick up your products, you have the choice between economy, standard, and express shipping methods worldwide.

While Sculpteo doesn’t offer a 3D design service if you don’t have a 3D model, they do have consulting services for businesses looking for strategies to implement 3D printing and other additive manufacturing technologies into their line.

Makerspaces are a global network of fabrication workshops that aim to serve communities with digital and technological knowledge. The philosophy is based on maker culture and it attracts kids, adults, professionals, craftspeople, teachers, and entrepreneurs alike. Makerspaces house tools for a wide range of makers all in one place, from sewing machines and music instruments to 3D printers and welding tools. The exact equipment stock will vary from Makerspace to Makerspace, so be sure to check out which options are available locally to you.

The main and revolutionary feature of Makerspaces is their power to give access to advanced or specialized equipment to the local community that would otherwise require a large investment of money or space. In return, the locals turn themselves into skilled craftsmen able to serve the community and provide hands-on STEM education. Innumerable ideas and startups have emerged from Makerspaces!

To participate in a Makerspace, check out what options are in your community. Many only require a membership fee, although some Makerspaces devoted to young people and education may be free of charge.

Fab labs are a global network of digital fabrication laboratories open to the general public. With the condition that your project will be available to every fab lab in the network, anyone can sign up to a fab lab for a membership fee. Their equipment includes laser cutters, CNC milling machines, wood routers, a set of electronic components, microcontrollers, and (of course) 3D printers. Several different types of printers are often available.

Both Makerspaces and fab labs offer opportunities to learn and improve your maker skills. Fab labs are a type of Makerspace that are operated by the Fab Foundation, a non-profit organization that’s responsible for guiding and supporting the fab labs. What differentiates fab labs from Makerspaces is the standardized equipment lineup available at the former. Fab labs, per definition, should provide users with the same learning experience and technology whether in Berlin or in Canada.

Note that some fab labs located in schools and universities may only be open to the general public on specific days of the week, generally for free. Go check out where the closest fab lab to your location is!

Throughout many communities, local libraries have been key to providing everyone access to knowledge and technical resources. Depending on your age, you may have had the experience of heading to the library for access to a computer before personal computers became commonplace.

Now history repeats itself as more and more libraries are onboarding the next generation of technology – 3D printing. Depending on the guidelines of the particular library, you might need to undergo a training session to gain access to their equipment or to have a membership. After that, the costs are often only the amount of material you used in printing.

You may also find other local places where you can find access to a 3D printer. For example, some UPS stores house 3D printing equipment with a mission to support local small businesses and nearby communities. If you’re interested in 3D printing through a UPS Store, you can check if there is one located near you. Contact the store for more information about quotation, materials and color availability, and delivery time.

There are a bunch of online communities about 3D printing nowadays. It’s impossible to speak about online communities without mentioning Reddit. The major subreddit about 3D printing nowadays is r/3Dprinting. Nonetheless, the best subreddit to ask for a peer-to-peer 3D print is r/3Dprintmything, where you can post a request (following the rules and etiquette) and wait for a fellow Redditor to make an offer.

Another online spot organized in online communities that should be acknowledged is Discord. Discord enables users to communicate by text, voice, video, and even screen sharing in real-time. The most active Discord community for our interests is 3D Printing. There is a channel named “#make-a-request” in which you can post the part you need to be printed, including your specifications, so others who have the capabilities can reach out to arrange a deal.

A growing community in Discord is MakerDeck, which was originally a Twitch channel that streams 3D printing in progress. In their Discord community, there is a forum channel called “model-requests” in which you can request someone to create a design for you. Unfortunately, there is no channel for requesting a 3D print.

The last online community platform that is worth mentioning is Facebook. There is a great variety of 3D printing Facebook groups that can be based on your location or the type of technology that you’re interested in. However, if you’re aiming to 3D print without a 3D printer, the fastest way to find a person nearby is using the Facebook Marketplace and searching for “3D print”.

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r/3Dprinting: Reddit & Other Places to Discuss 3D Printing