Bridges and overhangs are some of the most challenging 3D printing techniques you can do. Add ABS to the equation and it’s even more challenging to pull off successfully.
Why? Because ABS is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, it doesn’t work well with a lot…
ABS Bridging: 5 Settings for Flawless 3D Printed Bridges Read More
Anyone who regularly works with 3D printing materials like PLA or PETG knows what a pain (literally) it is to get smooth and shiny 3D prints from sanding. A medium-sized print can take several hours to sand smooth, which just isn’t feasible for large-scale production.
That’s…
Smoothing ABS: Get Smooth 3D Prints with Acetone Vapor, Brushing & Baths Read More
The top and bottom layers of your 3D prints often have a rough finish because of extrusion lines. These lines can give your prints an unfinished appearance and affect their overall visual appeal. Sometimes, you just need parts that look smooth and clean. Fortunately, there’s…
Cura Ironing: The 7 Best Settings for a Smooth Top Layer Read More
PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is a great material for 3D printing. The low price and high printability make it the material of choice for all newcomers to 3D printing.
Now picture this: One fine evening, you’re all set to 3D print your masterpiece. You have set…
PLA Print Settings: The Complete Guide for Perfect 3D Prints Read More
Support structures are a core element in 3D printing. They hold up the overhangs of your pieces, making it easier to print elaborate models. But one problem with these supports is that they sometimes show up in unwanted places.
What if the printer makes support even…
Cura Support Blocker: How to Block Supports in 6 Easy Steps Read More
If you’re ready to upgrade your 3D printing experience past basic PLA, we’ve got some great news for you: you don’t have to lose your sanity jumping into more advanced filaments just yet. There are plenty of types of PLA filament you can explore.
These PLA…
PLA Filament Types Explained: Master 17 Versatile Variants Read More
PLA or TPU, which filament should you use for your project? While these two materials are both popular 3D printing filaments, they have vastly different properties and uses. Understanding when to use and how to combine them can take your 3D prints to a whole…
TPU vs (Flexible) PLA Filament: 8 Key Factors to Guide Your Choice Read More
The vase mode in Cura is a pretty unique tool that is both useful and fun to use. Think of it as making a whole model with a single strand of 3D printer filament. No seams, no transitions between layers—just one continuous line 3D print.
Even…
Cura Vase Mode: How to Create Spiralized Contours in 3 Easy Steps Read More
Polycarbonate and PLA are two of the most popular 3D printing materials for good reason, but if you’re finding it hard to keep track of what they are and how to use them with so many other materials out there, that’s totally understandable!
That’s why we’re…
Polycarbonate vs PLA Filament: 4 Notable Differences Read More
Cura has an extensive library of high-quality infill patterns to choose from. Each infill pattern has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are better for strength, while others have a superior appearance. Some patterns use less material, while others cut down on the amount of…
Cura Infill Patterns: Which of the 14 Are Best, Fastest, and Strongest? Read More
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most commonly used material in FDM 3D printing. This plant-based plastic is well-known for its ease of printing, reasonable cost, and wide assortment. Also, it’s better for the earth than other 3D printing materials.
Every 3D printing enthusiast or professional user…
PLA Filament for 3D Printing: A No-Nonsense Guide Read More
Each of Cura’s nifty features contributes to an overall better 3D printing experience. Ranging from tried-and-true standards to novel experiments, the slicer has a lot that helps you. One of the more experimental settings we’ll examine today is Cura’s Adaptive layers.
Adaptive layers are a handy…
Cura Adaptive Layers: Use Variable Layer Heights for Insane 3D Prints Read More
Starting a business in 3D printing is now more affordable and easier than ever. You’ve probably already seen dozens of online sellers of 3D-printed items on eBay, Etsy, and Amazon, so you know making money with a 3D printer is possible.
Aside from the fun side…
Selling 3D Printed Items Like a Pro: Essential Do’s and Don’ts Read More
Even if you have your print settings down to a science, your 3D prints might still have holes and gaps. Most of the time, it’s easy to ignore these gaps because they’re small and don’t affect the strength of the print. But sometimes, they can…
Holes and Gaps in 3D Prints: 4 Tips for Smooth Surfaces on Every Print Read More
You’ve been using your 3D pen long enough that you know all the basic plastics. PLA, ABS, PCL—
Hang on, what the heck is PCL filament?!
Well, PCL is another 3D printing material that works great with 3D pens. Don’t worry if it’s new to you—it isn’t…
PCL vs PLA: A Fast Comparison of 3D Pen Filaments Read More
The new Creality K1 3D printer aims to deliver high-quality prints in a fraction of the time. With true CoreXY kinematics, powerful print cooling, and an innovative bed leveling system, the machine appears to be capable of delivering just that.
But with Creality having had several…
Creality K1 Review: A High-Speed 3D Printer With Potential Read More
Painting PLA can be a bit more challenging than painting other 3D printing materials. While it might be tempting to skip a few steps to save time, that can lead to chips, bubbles, and all sorts of other issues with your paint job.
If you want…
Painting PLA: How To and Tips for Stunning 3D Prints Read More
It’s the question heard ‘round the world in the 3D printing community: Is PLA biodegradable or not? PLA filament makers still say yes, even as their customers swear their prints won’t degrade.
So, what’s the truth about PLA plastics? And how can shoppers worried about plastic…
Is PLA Biodegradable or Not: Debunking 3D Printing Myths Read More
You have the perfect 3D printing project in mind. You think PLA is the best material for it and decide to use a roll you bought a few months ago. You have everything set and ready to go when the worst happens—your PLA filament snaps…
Brittle PLA Filament: 6 Tips to Avoid Snaps Read More
Do you have a spool or two of PLA filament that hasn’t seen the light of day in a year or two (or five)? If so, you may be asking yourself: does PLA filament go bad?
If you’ve already checked the label for an expiration date,…
Does PLA Filament Expire? 10 Truths About Its Shelf Life Read More
Did you leave a spool of 3D printing filament out in the open? Or maybe you’re trying to print with a filament that’s a bit past its prime. Either way, you’ve got a moisture problem and you need to solve it, stat.
Lucky for you, drying…
Drying 3D Printing Filament: 3 Effective Methods Read More
The Snapmaker J1s is a brand-new dual-extruder 3D printer that is focused on fast printing. While dual extruder 3D printers are not uncommon, the addition of fast printing speeds makes the J1s an appealing option over its competitors.
Given Snapmaker’s reputation for high build quality and…
Snapmaker J1s Review: Dual-Material 3D Printing at Its Best Read More
With its latest SV07 3D printer, Sovol is joining many other printer manufacturers by focusing on a fast 3D printing experience. Unlike other manufacturers’ machines, the Sovol SV07 has a budget approach that makes it more accessible for beginners.
The 3D printer has quite a few…
Sovol SV07 Review: A Fast But Rushed 3D Printer Read More
Supports are weird! Often you want them in your 3D prints, but nobody really likes them. Standard support structures don’t always work well and are known for being hard to take off the model. You can always “fine-tune” your support settings, but let’s be honest:…
Cura Tree Support: A No-Nonsense Guide With 4 Critical Settings Read More
Cura has loads of features tuned toward adjusting the retraction in your 3D prints. There’s coasting, sweeping, Z-hop, and the topic of today: combing. Combing in Cura is meant to reduce stringing and improve the surface quality of your prints.
In this article, we’ll look at…
Cura Combing Mode: 5 Optimized Settings to Reduce Stringing Read More
There’s no way around it. If you want to regularly print large objects, you’ll need a large 3D printer. While you can split 3D models, print them, and glue them together afterward, this is a time-consuming and challenging process. That’s where the Creality CR-M4 3D…
Creality CR-M4 Review: Unmatched Large-Scale 3D Printing Read More
By lifting the nozzle during retractions, Z-Hop helps to reduce the chances of your prints getting knocked over from the bed and scarring on your prints. With a Z-hop height of 0.2 mm, you can get smoother 3D prints and reduce print failure.
Z-Hop is one…
Z Hop: The Best Cura Settings for Flawless 3D Prints Read More
How long it will take to 3D print depends on multiple parameters. For example, the print speed, size of the 3D model, and printing technology. Typically, 3D prints can take anywhere between a couple of hours to several days.
On average, a 3D Benchy takes about…
How Long Does It Take to 3D Print? The True Answer Read More
The QIDI X-Plus 3 is the newest machine in QIDI’s line of enclosed 3D printers. With features like a heated chamber, a high-temperature extruder, CoreXY mechanics, and stock Klipper firmware, it promises a high-speed and versatile printing experience.
In this QIDI X-Plus 3 review, we’ll test its…
QIDI X-Plus 3 Review: Easy Warpless 3D Printing Read More
SuperSlicer is an extensive slicing software that’s based on Prusa Slicer. It provides you with numerous additional settings to fine-tune your slicing process. You get better control over perimeters, thin walls, and also benefit from an excellent community that’s ready to help you out with…
SuperSlicer: More Than Just Another Slic3r Software Read More
Fast 3D printing is focused on more and more nowadays. From the increasing popularity of CoreXY and Delta 3D printers to the release of standalone Klipper pads like the Sonic Pad, there’s a clear interest in shortening 3D print times.
The Creality Ender 5 S1 is…
Creality Ender 5 S1 Review: Fast 3D Printing with Limitations Read More
Despite their low price, there are plenty of 3D printers under $200 that offer a good mix of features and printing quality. Long gone are the times where 3D printing was exclusively a domain of expert engineers or hobbyists spending thousands of dollars on high-end…
The 9 Best 3D Printers Under $200 Read More
Klipper is an open-source 3D printer firmware that’s developed for high-speed 3D printing. It utilizes an additional single-board computer for extra features and improved print quality at fast print speeds.Â
Klipper firmware is swiftly gaining popularity in the 3D printing community because of its improved feature…
Klipper Firmware: 6 Key Reasons to Use It for Your 3D Printer Read More
Shortly after releasing its SV06, Sovol has now released the SV06 Plus 3D printer. It’s the first Plus model in the company’s range. Just like in other manufacturers’ naming schemes, it is reserved for the larger model in the same 3D printer series.
You could expect…
Sovol SV06 Plus Review: Bigger and Better Read More
The main difference between the Ender 3 S1 and the Ender 3 S1 Pro is that the Pro version comes with an all-metal hot end and a PEI print bed to print with high-temperature filaments. Moreover, the Pro gets a touch screen and supports up…
Ender 3 S1 vs S1 Pro vs S1 Plus: Find the Perfect Option for You Read More
PLA is one of the easiest 3D printing materials to work with. It has a low printing temperature, practically no shrinkage, and little to no fumes while printing. However, even with its superior printability, many users have trouble with PLA not sticking to the bed…
PLA Not Sticking to Bed: 8 Ways to Fix It Read More
The Creality Ender 3 V2 is the latest iteration in the Ender 3 series. You get an updated design that is more modern and up-to-date. Its glass bed helps with print adhesion, and the silent controller board lets you experience more silent 3D printing.Â
The Ender…
Ender 3 Pro vs Ender 3 V2: A Detailed Comparison Read More
Fast 3D printers have taken the 3D printing world by storm. You have printers hitting 200, 300, and 600 mm/s printing speeds without sacrificing much print quality.
We remember one of the first 3D printers to make these fast printing waves—the Voron. Well, technically, it still…
The 8 Fastest 3D Printers for Maximum Speed Read More
Painting 3D prints allows you to add an amazing amount of detail to them. It also adds some protection to your prints from moisture, dirt, and even some chemicals. But before you can pick up a paintbrush (or airbrush if you’re feeling brave), there is…
How to Paint 3D Your Prints: 8 Steps for Jaw-Dropping Results Read More
Creality’s ‘Neo’ refresh of the Ender 3 line-up is meant to bring a breath of fresh air to this popular (but aging) 3D printer series. The Ender 3 Max Neo is a refresh of the Ender 3 Max, with new features that aim to make…
Creality Ender 3 Max Neo Review: Exceeding Expectations Read More
The Snapmaker 2.0 is one of the best 3-in-1 3D printers at the moment. If you are looking at buying it, however, you will notice that a lot of its accessories have to be purchased separately.
One of those accessories is the Snapmaker 2.0 enclosure. It…
Snapmaker 2.0 Enclosure Review: A Key Accessory Read More
3D printers are sophisticated pieces of machinery. And as with any such machine, they come with their own set of essential tools and accessories that help make the 3D printing experience easier and more reliable. From print removal tools to calipers, these accessories are essential…
18 Must-Have 3D Printer Accessories & 3D Printing Tools Read More
With its Ender 3 series 3D printers, Creality established itself as a 3D printer manufacturer for end users with an excellent price-performance ratio.
Technology has advanced in the last couple of years, and to make sure that the Ender 3 line stays ahead of the curve,…
Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo Review: A Welcome Refresh Read More
One of the best things about owning a 3D printer is having the ability to make a seemingly endless supply of unique and personalized items whenever you want. This is especially useful during special occasions when you can skip the stores by making your own…
51 3D Printed Gift Ideas for Any Occasion Read More
Upgrading to Klipper firmware is something that many 3D printer enthusiasts consider at some point. The benefits of using Klipper are well-documented, but the process of working with a Raspberry Pi and installing the firmware can be intimidating for some.
The Creality Sonic Pad is a…
Creality Sonic Pad Review: A Klipper Solution in Progress Read More
Sovol is a 3D printer manufacturer that is known for its low-budget machines. With their previous SV01 and SV03 models, they’ve shown that they can put out decent 3D printers that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
A noticeable pattern in Sovol’s 3D printers is…
Sovol SV06 Review: The Best Prusa Clone? Read More
PolyLactic Acid (PLA) is one of the primary plastic filaments in 3D printing. It’s easy to 3D print, affordable, and comes in many colors and varieties. And with its popularity, many users are always looking to get the best PLA 3D prints possible. You can…
How to Melt and Dissolve PLA Filament: 5 Effective Methods Read More
Flashforge’s Finder line-up is a series of 3D printers that is mostly oriented towards beginners, children, and users in educational settings. With a solid build quality and a user-friendly interface, Flashforge Finder machines have created a good reputation.
With its new Finder 3, Flashforge wants to…
Flashforge Finder 3.0 Review: A Solid 3D Printer for Beginners Read More
Snapmaker originally made its way onto the market with its Snapmaker Original, the first commercially available 3-in-1 3D printer. A couple of years later, it released the Snapmaker 2.0, an updated and improved version of the original.
With 3-in-1 3D printers you can 3D print, laser…
Snapmaker 2.0 A350T Review: The Most Capable 3-in-1 3D Printer Read More
The easiest way to fix Z-banding is to replace your lead screw(s) and correctly align the Z-axis with your 3D printer’s frame. PID tuning your heat bed and cleaning out your nozzle are secondary solutions that can help resolve your Z-banding lines on your 3D…
Z-Banding and Z-Wobble in Your 3D Prints: 11 Easy Fixes Read More
