Many 3D printing services will offer a few materials and a limited number of technologies with which they will 3D print objects. This means that one will inevitably have to navigate several potential 3D printing services in order to find those that can meet their needs.

Not only that, but with 10 different tabs open of different 3D printing services all having the same part uploaded, it can take a long time to browse through each service to find the most competitive price and to verify that the service is reliable.
Craftcloud, a 3D printing service marketplace run by All3DP, solves both of these issues at the same time. Once you’ve uploaded a model and selected a material (over 80 material choices are available along with various color and finish options), it compares the prices of several services that can both print your object(s) out of the selected material and ship to your area.

All of the providers listed on Craftcloud have been screened by our team and the quality of their service continues to be monitored. Just choose the provider that best suits your needs and your print will be making its way to you soon enough! Head over to Craftcloud and follow these steps to try it for yourself:

1. Upload a 3D file or 3D files to the site: Craftcloud accepts most types of 3D files such as STL and OBJ. You’ll be able to upload multiple files and specify the desired quantity of each uploaded item. Note: If you don’t have a model and just want to experience Craftcloud’s ordering process, you can select the “Try it Now” button on Craftcloud’s homepage. This will allow you to go through Craftcloud’s material selection process with your choice of three example files.
2. Select the material: The choice of material will change the final price of the object and will have different color options available depending on availability.
3. Select the surface finish: This could mean leaving the part raw 3D printed, having it sandblasted, polished, or any of a number of finishes. Typically, more work required to finish a part will increase the price.
4. Choose from a number of different services: You’ll get the quotes instantly, without hassle, to compare the different prices, production times, and delivery dates that are available to you. Then you can place the order the very same day on the website.

Craftcloud by All3DP

Get quality parts 3D printed at the most competitive price!

Pros

3D printing services can do a lot. Here’s a quick recap of what they can do for you:

• Try out new materials without incurring waste: Even just buying a new kind of filament can be a major investment. Some of the more advanced and unusual materials, like wood, glass, and metal, take considerably more time and money to make work. If you only want to use them for a special project or two, a 3D printing service will give you access without throwing away extra cash or leftover materials.
• Get better layer resolution and detail work: If you can’t afford a 3D printer that gives you the level of detail you need for your object, a 3D printing service can help. They give access to their professional grade machines at a fraction of what it would cost to upgrade your own rig.
• Size up: 3D printing services let you play around with the size of your objects. Large-scale 3D printers come at large-scale pricing, so it lets you have a taste without forking over the big bucks.
• Pay less for one-time needs: In the same vein, if you’re not 3D printing objects on a regular basis, a 3D printing service will be much more cost-effective than buying your own equipment. Its one-and-done price structure lets you clearly budget for each print.
• Have others do intensive post-processing for you: Sandblasting and lost-wax casting are labor-intensive processes that have a high chance of failure for makers without experience. Many 3D printing services offer to do these (and other) intensive post-processing for the customer. Consider whether you could benefit from ordering a part that has already been post-processed using professional and consistent tools rather than doing this post-processing yourself and risk breaking the part.

Cons

While these advantages make 3D printing services seem incredibly appealing, it’s important to also pay attention to the drawbacks of 3D printing services:

• Longer wait times: Unlike the 3D printer that sits at home or at the workshop, lead times for 3D printing services are going to be a few weeks to a few months, so it’s necessary to plan to use 3D printing services well in advance of any deadlines. Rush jobs can be ordered from many services, but they can be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, if you’re prototyping a part, you’ll need to make sure that you send in the correct prototype or you might pay for the service and wait several weeks just to receive a nonfunctional part in the mail. On top of this, even if you’ve ordered the correct model, you won’t be able to test and make changes to the physical prototype until it arrives.
• Higher price: A 3D printing service, after all, is a service. It’s going to cost much more to get a part from one of these services than the material cost of the part. While this is more economical than buying an expensive 3D printer to print one part, regularly using a 3D printing service will eventually cost more money than having a 3D printer that will print the part you need. This is especially important to consider when running a small business that 3D prints its products – how many items could you order from a printing service before it would be cheaper to buy (and maintain) a 3D printer?

All that being said, these disadvantages aren’t crippling. In fact, there’s many ways to reduce the price without compromising on the quality of a 3D print.

If you’re thinking about using a 3D printing service, there are many ways to get the part you need while saving money. Before finalizing your purchase, there are a few things you may want to consider.

• Is printing each component necessary? It sounds intuitive, but it’s best to avoid ordering items (such as standard screws and bolts) to be printed that can be bought from retailers. Mass-produced parts, after all, will be cheaper so it would be a waste of money to order a tailor-made one.
• Are you getting the best deal? There is a huge number of 3D printing services, many of which specialize in certain areas and offer prices depending on the specific technology. Explore multiple different 3D printing services to find the best price for the exact part, material, and processing that meets your requirements. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, consider our guides on the best overall 3D printing services, the best cheap 3D printing services, and the best large 3D printing services.
• Which material, color, and finish do you need? Materials are expensive. Ordering a finished part is expensive. If you can, changing to a less expensive material and/or selecting a less labor-intensive finish will reduce the price. Only order what you need; your wallet will thank you.
• Can the amount of material be reduced? Where possible, scaling parts down and decreasing the infill density will reduce the amount of material, which saves money. There is, of course, a limit to this, especially if the part needs to meet certain performance standards like bearing weight.
• Will multiple parts be needed? This will depend on your project, but if you can make use of multiple parts, you stand to save money in the long run by ordering in batches. This is because some services include overhead costs in print job fees, which becomes less per part with more parts being ordered at once.
• What are the production and shipping times? Just like anything else you order on the internet, shipping times are directly related to how much you’re willing to pay. Priority mail or flash shipping can add up surprisingly quickly, especially if you’re getting a bulky and/or heavy print. Many 3D printing services ship around the world too, so if you’re worried about international mail rates, find a 3D printing service based in your country (or at least your hemisphere).

The best way to find the 3D printing service cost for your project is to do a little research. This will ensure you get the best value for your money or risk major disappointment when you get your result. Luckily, the internet is full of advice about 3D printing services.

• Right here at All3DP: Everybody at All3DP is passionate about 3D printing and has experience we want to share. We have many articles for 3D printing services for specific materials or technologies like resin, metal, PolyJet, SLS, and MJF.
• 3D printing forums: User-based tech forums have a plethora of first-hand experience with 3D printing services that you can use to your advantage. Since customers don’t have any incentive except informing others about their experiences, they’re quick to point out flaws and gaps in services that official websites may not mention. Forums also give you the opportunity to have a conversation with fellow makers for helpful tips when choosing a service.
• Price quotes: 3D printing services offer personalized cost quotes. You can go as far as uploading your design, choosing a material, and letting them know your shipping address before committing to pay so you can see the full cost.
• Stay on the lookout for deals: Like most businesses, 3D printing services offer special deals on their websites. These could be one-time coupons, bulk discounts, and more. Taking advantage of these opportunities to save money while still using the 3D printing service are a great way to get a high-quality 3D printing service experience for a very reasonable price.