Print quality guide

What is 3D printing, and how do you choose the right quality level?

This page explains the key settings customers encounter when ordering: layer height, infill, walls, supports, material, and surface quality.

FDM/FFF basics

The part is built one thin layer at a time.

In FDM/FFF printing, plastic filament is heated, pushed through a nozzle, and laid down along a defined path. The printer repeats this process layer by layer until the digital model becomes a physical object.

Finer detail a thinner layer reproduces fine features more accurately, but printing takes longer Greater strength thicker walls, appropriate print orientation Lower price shorter print time, less material, and simpler finishing
3D print samples with different infill and wall thicknesses
How to read the samples
  • Thicker walls retain their shape and withstand loads better.
  • Infill increases internal stiffness, but also increases print time and material use.
  • Layer height affects surface smoothness and how visible the print lines are.

Key settings to understand before ordering

These settings most often affect the appearance, price, strength, and lead time of a 3D-printed product.

Layer height

Layer height is the thickness of each printed layer. A lower layer height reduces stepping on sloped and curved surfaces and improves vertical detail. More layers are needed, so printing takes longer.

Infill

Infill is the internal structure of the model. It supports top surfaces and affects weight, print time, material use, and strength under load. Many decorative products do not need a high infill percentage.

Walls and perimeters

The outer shell is often more important for strength than simply increasing infill. More perimeters can make a functional part stronger and more reliable without making the part fully solid.

  • 2 walls: often enough for decorative objects
  • 3–4 walls: better for functional parts
  • More walls: useful for parts under load

Supports

Supports are temporary structures under overhangs. They make complex shapes printable, but increase print time and material use and may leave small marks where they touch the model.

Material

PLA works well for decor and prototypes. PETG is often chosen for functional parts for its toughness and heat resistance. TPU is flexible. ABS and ASA can be useful for technical products, but require more careful control of printing conditions. The right choice depends on the specific material, loads, and operating temperature.

Orientation

Print orientation affects layer visibility, strength, support marks, and sometimes price. The best-looking orientation is not always the strongest, so it should be chosen for the part’s intended use.

Choose a quality level

These presets help you choose an option without needing to understand every slicer setting.

Standard Best for most holders, organizers, trays, and functional parts. A good balance of surface quality, print time, and price.
Fine Better for small decorative products, gifts, detailed surfaces, and items intended for photography or display.
Strong Best for brackets, load-bearing parts, replacement parts, and products that need thicker walls, a stronger material, or heat resistance.
Not sure which settings to choose?

Help with print settings

Send us your model. We’ll review the file and recommend the material, layer height, infill, orientation and finishing. You’ll know which quality level suits your project.

Ask for a recommendation