Digital WorkshopGuide

Additive manufacturing for makers, educators, and small shops.

3D Printing

Start making with 3D printing. Explore printers, filament, resin, software, accessories, troubleshooting, and buying guides for FDM and resin 3D printing.

See all guides
A desktop FDM 3D printer producing a part
3D Printing in the modern workshop.

New to 3d printing? Start here

3D Printing, in plain language

3D printing is additive manufacturing — building up material rather than cutting it away. Consumer machines fall into two main categories:

FDM / FFF

Builds objects layer by layer by melting and extruding filament. Commonly associated with materials such as PLA, PETG, and TPU. The most common and affordable starting point.

Resin / MSLA

Uses light to cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. Often chosen when fine detail and smooth surfaces are the priority. Requires handling and post-processing of resin.

Neither technology is universally better — FDM and resin suit different work, and many makers eventually use both.

Learn the basics

Understand the basics

A handful of terms explain most of what separates one printer from another.

Printer type
FDM and resin suit different work. FDM is versatile and affordable; resin delivers fine detail at the cost of more handling and post-processing.
Build volume
The largest part a printer can make in one piece. Bigger isn't always better — it affects price, reliability, and footprint.
Layer height
Thinner layers improve surface detail and take longer; thicker layers print faster with more visible lines. It's a per-print tradeoff.
Nozzle
Nozzle diameter and material affect detail and flow. Smaller nozzles print finer detail; larger ones extrude faster.
Build plate
The surface parts print on. A flat, properly leveled (or auto-leveled) bed is essential for a good first layer.
Slicer software
Converts a model into the layered instructions and settings a printer runs. Settings like infill, supports, and speed shape the result.
Supports
Temporary structures that hold overhangs during printing. Some printers and materials need them; others minimize or avoid them.

Applications

What can you make?

3D printing covers a remarkably wide range of practical and creative work — though not every printer or material suits every application.

  • Prototypes

    Fast physical prototypes to test fit, form, and function before committing to production.

  • Replacement parts

    Custom or hard-to-source brackets, knobs, and fittings for repairs.

  • Organizers

    Drawer, desk, and tool organizers designed to fit a specific space.

  • Miniatures

    Detailed figures for tabletop gaming and modeling — a strength of resin printing.

  • Models

    Architectural, scientific, and display models with fine surface detail.

  • Tools and jigs

    Workshop helpers, gauges, and jigs tailored to a specific task.

  • Educational projects

    Hands-on models for classrooms, from molecules to simple machines.

  • Hobby components

    Parts for RC, cosplay, drones, and maker projects.

  • Custom enclosures

    Project boxes and housings for electronics.

  • Decorative objects

    Vases, sculptures, and gifts.

Materials

Materials at a glance

Material choice depends on what the part needs to do, what the printer can run, and how it's handled. These are introductions, not processing instructions.

PLA
Easy to print, low odor, and great for prototypes and display parts. Less heat- and impact-resistant than engineering filaments.
PETG
Tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA, with good layer adhesion. A versatile general-purpose filament.
TPU
A flexible filament for grips, gaskets, and parts that need to bend. Slower to print.
ABS / ASA
Stronger and heat-resistant, but require ventilation and an enclosed printer. ASA adds UV resistance for outdoor use.
Resin
Cured by light for fine detail. Types range from standard to tough and flexible; all need careful handling and post-processing.

Find your fit

Choose by what you want to do

These are the decisions 3D printing buyers work through. 3D printing buying guides are on our roadmap — the cards below are topics in research, not live links.

Print miniatures and figures

Detail, resolution, and why resin often wins for tabletop and modeling.

In research — coming soon

Print functional parts

Strength, materials, and tolerances for parts that have to work.

In research — coming soon

Choose a first printer

FDM vs resin, build volume, and what a beginner actually needs.

In research — coming soon

Pick materials

Matching filament or resin to the job — properties, cost, and handling.

In research — coming soon

Learn the software

Slicers, settings, and the workflow from model to printed part.

In research — coming soon

Fix print failures

Diagnosing adhesion, warping, stringing, and layer issues.

In research — coming soon

Before you buy

Choosing a first 3D printer

A first printer is a balance of what you want to make, what you can maintain, and where it will run.

  • What you want to make

    Detail-focused work leans resin; functional, larger, or multi-material work leans FDM.

  • FDM vs resin

    FDM is easier to start and maintain; resin needs ventilation, handling care, and post-processing but delivers finer detail.

  • Build volume

    Match capacity to your typical part. Most prints are small; only pay for volume you'll use.

  • Material costs

    Filament is inexpensive; resin costs more and varies by type. Factor consumables into running cost.

  • Software

    Most printers include a slicer; popular options like Cura and PrusaSlicer work across many machines.

  • Maintenance

    FDM needs occasional leveling, nozzle cleaning, and part replacement; resin needs vat care and handling.

  • Workspace

    Resin and some filaments (ABS, ASA) need ventilation; plan for where the printer will live and run.

  • Parts and support

    Available replacement parts, firmware updates, and community documentation make ownership far easier.

Safety

Responsible 3D printing

Most 3D printing is safe with basic care. A few points matter — these are general guidance, not handling instructions.

Resin handling

Resin is a skin sensitizer and needs gloves and careful handling. Work in a ventilated area and follow the manufacturer's safety guidance.

Filament ventilation

Some filaments — especially ABS and ASA — emit fumes when heated. Use ventilation or an enclosure with exhaust.

Hot and moving parts

Extruders and beds get hot, and axes move during printing. Keep hands clear and follow the printer's safety guidance.

On the way

3D printing guides on the way

Research-based guides on our roadmap. These cards are placeholders for structure — they don't link to thin pages, and they become live as each article is published.

Best 3D Printers for Miniatures

Detail, bed leveling, and resin vs FDM for tabletop and modeling.

In research — coming soon

Best 3D Printers for Schools

Safety, enclosed designs, and classroom-friendly workflows.

In research — coming soon

Are 3D Printers Worth It?

A realistic look at cost, learning, and what you actually get out of a printer.

In research — coming soon

3D Printing Accessories You Actually Need

The essentials versus the extras, and where to spend first.

In research — coming soon

FAQ

3D Printing frequently asked questions

A manufacturing process that builds a physical object from a digital model, usually one layer at a time, by adding material.

Explore other workshop technologies

Trying to choose between all three workshop technologies? Our upcoming 3D Printer vs Laser Engraver vs CNC Router comparison will help — it's in progress.

Laser Engraving & CuttingDiode, CO2, and fiber lasers for makers and small businesses.CNC RoutersDesktop CNC for woodworking, metal, and precision parts.
Back to home