Knowledge base & design service

Do you have an idea, but not yet a 3D model?

No problem. Whether you have a sketch, photo, example or just an idea: Printics can help you create a printable 3D model.

💡 Idea
✏️ Sketch
💻 3D design
🖨 Print
📦 Final product

We help at every step

Only have an idea?

We think along with you and turn your ideas into a concrete design.

Only have a photo?

We can often create a printable model based on photos and dimensions.

A broken part?

In many cases, we can redesign it (reverse engineering).

Already have a 3D model?

Then we check whether it is printable and provide advice where needed.

Do you already have a design?

Yes: I have a file

STL, OBJ or 3MF? Upload it directly to our price calculator for pricing, print time and material advice.

🤝

No: we can help

Sketch, photo, broken part or just an idea? Request a design; we guide you from start to finish.

How can we help?

Reverse engineering

Redesign an existing part when the original is broken or no longer available.

  • 📷 Photo of the part
  • 🔩 The broken item (if possible)
  • 📏 Dimensions or a comparable example

New products

Have an idea for a new product, gadget or part? We design it from sketch to print-ready file.

From prototype to small production run: we think along with you about shape, function and production.

Improvements

Bestaand STL-bestand dat niet goed print, te zwak is of aangepast moet worden? Wij passen het aan zodat het beter past bij jouw toepassing.

Make print-ready

Model already finished? We check and optimize it where necessary:

  • Wall thickness
  • Tolerances
  • Printability
  • Material choice

You do not need technical knowledge

Many customers think they first need a perfect 3D model. That is not necessary.

Often a simple sketch, photo or verbal explanation is enough to work together towards a suitable, printable design. We guide you through the entire process.

What can you provide?

📷
A photo
✏️
A sketch
📐
A technical drawing
📦
An existing part
🧱
An STL file
💡
Just an idea

You do not need a complete design. We are happy to think along with you and help turn an idea into a printable product.

We also help during the design process

Practical advice from people who work with 3D printing every day, not just software.

Material choice
Strength
Tolerances
Snap-fit connections
Threads
Print orientation
Cost savings
Assembly

Want to learn how to design yourself?

Want to get started yourself? This overview helps you quickly choose the right software.

Purpose Software Note
First design Tinkercad Free, browser-based; ideal for getting started
Technical parts Fusion 360 Free hobby license, professional CAD
Organic models Blender Open source, powerful for free-form modeling
Engineering SolidWorks Industry-standard mechanical design
Free CAD FreeCAD Open source, for technical use

More information about 3D models and file formats? What is a 3D model?

Design tips if you create your own models

Limit overhangs

Angles > 45° require support. Avoid steep surfaces where possible.

Wall thickness in 0.4 mm increments

Preferably at least 0.8 mm. Less than 0.4 mm often cannot be printed; thinner walls also break more easily during printing.

Tolerance for fits

Moving fit: 0.2–0.5 mm clearance. Press fit: 0.1–0.2 mm.

Design for print direction

Weak points gain more layer support when you orient the model intelligently.

From idea to a real product

You do not need experience with CAD software. No STL file. No technical knowledge. Tell us what you want to make. We think along with you about the design, printability, material choice, finish and production.

From first sketch to final product, we guide you at every step.