3D Printing Blog
In-depth guides, comparisons, and tutorials for hobbyists and professionals. Written by makers, for makers.
Rossmann Hosts Banned Bambu Lab Firmware Fork Anyway
Louis Rossmann is openly hosting a banned Bambu Lab firmware fork after a cease-and-desist, daring the company to actually sue over right-to-repair.
Prusa Core One L vs Bambu H2S: Which Handles ABS Best?
Comparing the Prusa Core One L and Bambu H2S on the materials that matter: ABS, ASA, and polycarbonate, and which enclosure actually keeps up.
How the Ghost Gun Crackdown Could Affect 3D Printing
Six states passed laws targeting 3D-printed firearms in one year, with California close behind. Here's what the crackdown means for hobbyists.
Best Multicolor 3D Printers of 2026, Compared
From $299 AMS bundles to toolchangers, multicolor printing is now standard. Here's how the top 2026 multicolor 3D printers actually compare.
Bambu Lab's AGPL Violation Sparks $275K SFC Lawsuit Fund
The Software Freedom Conservancy confirmed Bambu Lab has violated the AGPLv3 license for years, and raised $275K to fund a legal fight against it.
5 Underrated 3D Printing Filaments Worth Trying
Most people's filament rotation starts and ends with PLA, PETG, and maybe ABS. But there's a small group of materials that solve real problems — better durability, better heat resistance, better...
4 Filaments That Give 3D Prints a Metallic Finish
Want prints that look cast in bronze or brushed steel without buying an actual metal printer? A handful of filament types get you there — and they're not all the same material or the same hassle....
Why Filament Snaps or Jams Mid-Print (And the Real Fixes)
That sudden silence when the extruder starts clicking and nothing comes out is one of the most common failures in FDM printing — and it almost always traces back to one of a handful of spots along...
3D-Printable Fixes for Filament Dust and Moisture
Dust and moisture quietly wreck more prints than bad slicer settings do. The good news: some of the best fixes for filament dust and moisture are things you can print yourself, and the designs...
Carbon Fiber Filament: What to Know Before Your First Spool
Carbon-fiber-filled filament promises stiffer, lighter parts than plain PLA or nylon — but it also eats nozzles, needs different settings, and creates a dust you should treat with real caution...
TPU Filament Guide: Settings, Tips, and Fixing Jams
TPU bends and stretches where PLA and PETG crack. This guide covers the print settings and troubleshooting you need to print flexible filament well.
Qidi Tech in 2026: The Heated Chamber Specialist
Qidi Tech leads in prosumer 3D printing with reliable heated chamber models favored by professionals for consistent, high-quality prints.
Qidi Q1 Pro Review: Fast 600mm/s Workhorse with Heat
The Qidi Q1 Pro offers a 60°C heated chamber, 350°C nozzle, and fast CoreXY kinematics for reliable ABS, ASA, and Nylon prints under $500.
Qidi Plus4 Review: Heated Chamber FDM Above Its Weight Class
The Qidi Plus4 delivers an actively heated chamber built for engineering filaments, with a few QC issues at launch. Here's the honest verdict.
Pre-Print Preparation: The Complete Setup Checklist
A successful print begins before the printer moves. Pre-print preparation checks the filament, plate, slicer, machine, and room before problems waste time and plastic. This guide covers those...
Polycarbonate Filament Guide: Strength, Heat, Settings
Polycarbonate is one of the strongest, most heat-resistant desktop filaments around. Here's what it takes to actually print PC successfully.
PETG Filament Guide: The Sweet Spot Between PLA and ABS
PETG splits the difference between PLA's ease and ABS's strength. Here's how to dial in settings and get consistent, workhorse-quality prints.
Nova3D Resin Printers in 2026: Which Model Is Right For You?
Explore Nova3D resin printers in 2026 and find the right model for your needs—whether it's miniatures, prototypes, or jewelry molds.
Multi-Material 3D Printing Explained: AMS, MMU & Toolchangers
For years, 3D printing was mostly a monochromatic hobby. If you wanted a part with multiple colors or materials, you printed separate pieces and glued them together. Today, multi-material systems...
Local Print Farms: The Production Partner Most People Overlook
Most small businesses that need physical parts do not know that a local 3D print farm exists within driving distance. They assume their only options are expensive injection molds, overseas...
How to Dial In Retraction Settings
Learn how to set optimal retraction settings for your 3D printer to prevent stringing and clogging, ensuring clean part movements between prints.
Anycubic Kobra S1 Max Combo Review: Multi-Color Rival to Bambu
For the last few years, if you wanted reliable multi-color 3D printing, the advice was simple: buy a Bambu Lab printer with an AMS. Other companies tried to compete, but their solutions were often...
ABS & ASA Filament Guide: How to Stop Warping for Good
ABS and ASA make tough, heat-resistant parts, but warping ruins prints fast. Here's how to get flat, functional parts off your bed every time.
The Honest Broker's Guide to 3D Scanners: Brands & Tiers
Explore top 3D scanner brands and tiers to find the right tool for your maker workshop, saving time and resources efficiently.
3D Printer Enclosures: DIY vs. Buy, Which Is Worth It?
Open-air printing fights uneven cooling and warping. This guide compares building an enclosure yourself against buying one, and when each wins.
3D Printer Nozzle Size Guide: 0.2mm to 1.0mm Compared
Nozzle size affects speed, strength, and detail more than most settings. Here's when to swap from the stock 0.4mm nozzle and what you'll gain.
Bed Adhesion Guide: When You Actually Need Glue Stick
Failed adhesion wastes filament and time. This guide breaks down which bed surfaces and materials need glue stick, and which do better without it.
Eco-Friendly 3D Printing Filaments Beyond Basic PLA
Up to 30% of FDM filament becomes waste. Here are the recycled and biodegradable filament options actually worth trying if you want to print greener.
Nozzle Materials Explained: Brass, Steel, and When to Swap
A worn brass nozzle looks fine but wrecks your line width. Here's how to tell when brass has failed and which nozzle material actually fixes it.
Creality K3 KliTek: A 5-Second Nozzle Changer for Q3 2026
Creality's upcoming K3 swaps nozzles in seconds with its KliTek system instead of full toolhead changes. Here's what it promises for multi-material printing.
UV-Durable Outdoor 3D Prints: Materials That Survive the Sun
My PLA garden hook cracked in two weeks outdoors. Here's what I learned about which filaments actually hold up to UV and weather long term outside.
How to Store 3D Printer Filament So It Stays Dry
More stringing and rough surfaces usually mean wet filament. Here's how to store your spools properly so moisture never ruins another print.
Selling 3D Prints on Etsy: What Actually Sells There
Etsy's 33 million buyers want handmade and custom goods. Here's what actually sells for 3D printers on the platform and what tends to sit unsold.
Resin Printing Supplies: The Checklist You Actually Need
Resin printing gear lists get overwhelming fast. After two years of miniatures and functional parts, here's what's actually worth buying versus skipping.
Resin Printing Safety: Workspace Setup and Protection
Resin fumes and uncured resin are riskier than most beginners realize. Here's the ventilation, gloves, and workspace setup that actually protect you.
Scaling 3D Printing: From One Prototype to 500 Units
Going from a single prototype to hundreds of units is a make-or-break decision point. Here's how to scale 3D-printed production without stalling out.
Choosing a 3D Print-on-Demand Service: What to Compare
Dozens of print-on-demand services all claim to be the best. After two years of ordering from several, here's what actually separates good from bad.
Post-Processing 3D Prints: Sanding, Painting, Polishing
Visible layer lines and support marks don't have to stay. Here's how sanding, priming, and painting turn rough 3D prints into finished pieces.
PEEK Filament Guide: Settings and Can You Print It?
PEEK needs serious heat and a hardened setup. Here's what nozzle, bed, and chamber temps it actually takes, and whether your printer can handle it.
PA-CF Nylon Filament: Print Settings and Best Uses
Carbon-fiber nylon is strong but tricky to print. Here are the settings, hardware needs, and part types where PA-CF actually earns its higher cost.
Metal-Look Filaments on a Budget: What Actually Works
Want a metallic finish without buying special equipment? Metal-filled PLA can get you there — here's what works, what doesn't, and how to finish it right.
Marlin vs Klipper vs Repetier: Which One Do You Need?
Confused about 3D printer firmware? Here's how Marlin, Klipper, and Repetier actually differ, and which one fits your printer and skill level.
How to Fix Stringing and Oozing in Your 3D Prints
Thin plastic hairs ruining your prints? Stringing is one of the most fixable print problems — here's exactly which settings to adjust to clean it up.
Drying Wet Filament: Temps and Times by Material
Popping nozzle sounds or stringy prints usually mean wet filament. Here's how long to dry each material, at what temperature, so it prints clean again.
Bed Adhesion Guide: Getting Your First Layer to Stick
Warped corners or a print that won't stay put? A bad first layer is usually the cause. Here's how to fix bed adhesion for good, whatever printer you run.
3D Scanners for 3D Printing: Tiers, Brands, What Works
Want to scan a broken part or mini for reprinting? Here's a breakdown of 3D scanner price tiers and brands, and which ones give usable results.
3D Printer Nozzles: Material, Size, and When to Swap
Your nozzle affects quality, speed, and what filaments you can print. Here's how to pick the right material and size, and know when it's time to replace it.
15 Beginner 3D Printing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
New to 3D printing and prints keep failing? These are the 15 mistakes almost everyone makes early on, and the fixes I wish someone had told me sooner.
TPU Stuck to Your Build Plate? Here's How to Remove It
TPU fused to your PEI or glass bed isn't a failed print — it's the material bonding too well. Isopropanol is the trick to release it without damage.
5 Beginner Mistakes That Waste Filament (and Fixes)
Burning through spools before you finish a project? These 5 common beginner mistakes waste the most filament, and each one has a quick, cheap fix.
California AB 2047: What the 3D Printer Bill Would Do
AB 2047 could change what it means to own a 3D printer in the U.S. Here's what the bill actually proposes and how it might affect hobbyists and makers.
Best 3D Printers for Home, Workshop, or Business in 2026
The 2026 printer market looks nothing like a few years ago. Here's how to pick the right machine for home use, a workshop, or a small business.
Best 3D Printing Filament and Resin Deals Right Now
Filament cost adds up fast if you print a lot. Here's where to find real deals on PLA, PETG, TPU, and resin so your spool budget stops eating your savings.
Resin vs Filament 3D Printers: Which Fits You in 2026?
Still the first question every newcomer asks: resin or filament? Here's how the two compare on detail, speed, mess, and cost so you pick the right one.
Best Buy 3D Printer Deals: How to Spot a Real Bargain
3D printers are now sitting next to laptops at Best Buy. Here's how to tell a genuine discount from a marked-up 'sale' before you check out.
Resin vs Filament 3D Printers: Which Wins for You?
Shopping for your first printer or adding a second machine? Here's how resin and filament actually compare for detail, speed, mess, and cost per part.
Best Buy 3D Printer Deals: Score One and Print Same-Day
Best Buy's 3D printer sales can get you printing for under $200. Here's how to pick the right deal and have your first print done within the hour.
Prusa MK4S vs Bambu P1S: The Current Head-to-Head
Choosing between the two dominant mid-range FDM printers of 2026? Here's how the Prusa MK4S and Bambu P1S actually stack up, spec for spec, feature for feature.
How to Glue 3D Prints: Right Adhesive for Each Filament
Not every glue bonds every plastic. Here's an honest rundown of which adhesive actually holds for PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, and the rest of your prints.
3D Printer Build Plates Explained: Which Surface to Use
Smooth PEI, textured, glass, or garolite? Here's an honest breakdown of every common build plate type and which one actually suits your filament.
The Hidden Math Behind Print Farm Pricing Explained
Wondering why a $20 spool turns into an expensive quote? Here's the real math print farms use — machine hours, failure rates, and labor — behind every price.
3D Printing Starter Kit: 15 Tools Every Beginner Needs
Just got your first 3D printer? Here are the 15 tools beyond the printer itself that help prints stick, finish clean, and go smoothly from day one.
Bambu Lab Open-Source Fight in 2026: Where It Stands Now
3D printing's open-source culture is under strain. Here's where the Bambu Lab firmware and slicer dispute actually stands in 2026, plainly explained.
Standard PLA Guide: Best Print Settings & Top Brands
Everything you need to print PLA well: recommended nozzle and bed temps, common problems to watch for, and which brands deliver consistent spools.
Resin vs FDM 3D Printing: Which One Should You Buy?
Trying to pick between a resin printer and an FDM printer? Here's how they actually compare on detail, mess, and cost before you spend your money.
Resin Printer Buying Guide: SLA vs DLP vs MSLA/LCD
Confused by 8K, 12K, and pixel-size specs on resin printers? This guide breaks down SLA vs DLP vs MSLA/LCD and which of those specs actually matter.
PLA Silk Filament: Best Settings, Brands & Common Issues
Want that glossy, silky sheen without banding or stringing? Here are the print settings and top-rated PLA Silk brands that actually work well.
How to Read Resin Printer Reviews Without Getting Fooled
Every new resin printer claims to be a game-changer. Here's how to spot marketing hype in reviews and find the specs that actually matter most.
How to Choose a Local 3D Print Farm for Your Order
Need 50 copies of your model fast? Here's what to actually check about materials, quality control, and pricing before you pick a local print farm.
From Prototype to First 500 Units: How Print Farms Help
Got a working prototype but no way to scale it? Here's how small businesses use print farms to bridge the gap to their first real production run.
3D Printing and the Law in 2026: What's Actually Banned
Seen the headlines about 3D printers being banned or background checks required? Here's what's actually restricted by law in 2026, and what isn't.
4 Budget Filaments That Mimic Metal: Step-by-Step Guide
Want a metallic finish without buying real metal-fill filament? Here are 4 affordable filaments and the settings that give a convincing metal look.
Best 3D Printers Under $300 for Beginners (2026)
Shopping on a tight budget? This no-sponsor pick list ranks the best FDM printers under $300 based on real specs and pricing, not hype or ads.
Is 3D Printing Food-Safe? The Honest Truth Explained
Printed a cookie cutter or cutting board and wondering if it's safe to use? Here's the honest breakdown of what food-safe actually requires.
3D Printing Tabletop Miniatures: FDM vs Resin Detail
Printing minis for tabletop games? Here's how FDM and resin actually compare on detail and durability, so you can pick the right technology.
The Early-Adopter Tax: Buy the Flagship Printer or Wait?
New flagship 3D printers often ship with bugs a firmware update later fixes. Here's how to decide when buying on day one is actually worth it.
Selling 3D Prints on Etsy: What Actually Sells
Thinking of selling 3D prints on Etsy? Generic benchies won't cut it. Here's what actually sells and what buyers on the platform are looking for.
3D Printer Bed Leveling: Manual, Assisted & Auto (ABL)
Bad first layers usually mean bad bed leveling. Here's how manual, assisted, and auto bed leveling (ABL) work and which one fixes your printer.
Common Resin Print Failures and How to Fix Them
Print came off the build plate after hours of waiting with nothing attached? Here's how to fix the most common resin support and exposure failures.
Best Uses for Resin 3D Printing: Minis, Jewelry, Dental
Resin printing isn't for everything—it's brittle and messy for functional parts. Here's where it actually shines: miniatures, jewelry, and dental work.
3D Printing Temperature Guide: Nozzle & Bed Temps
Wrong temps ruin prints. Here's a compiled reference of recommended nozzle and bed temperatures for every common filament type, so you get it right.
142 Filaments Tested: These 5 Are Worth Your Money
After 4 years and 142 filaments tested in real workshop conditions, here are the 5 materials one reviewer says actually held up and performed well.