Services and materials
Every service and material offered by shops on Nozzlet, with a plain-language guide to each one.
New to 3D printing?
Start here →What 3D printing is, the main ways parts are printed, how working with a shop works, and the jargon in plain words.Choose a material by what you're making →Decor, household parts, outdoor items, car parts, rubbery parts, miniatures and more: see what's usually used, and why.
Know what you're looking for? Every service and material, with a plain-language guide to each.
Services
Printing
- 3D printing (FDM / filament)The most common and affordable type of 3D printing.62 shops
- 3D printing (resin)Prints in liquid resin hardened by light, for extremely fine detail and smooth surfaces.37 shops
- 3D printing (SLS / nylon powder)Industrial printing that fuses nylon powder with a laser, for strong, complex, production-quality parts.16 shops
- 3D printing (MJF / nylon powder)Industrial powder printing that uses heat and fusing agents to make strong nylon parts quickly in batches.9 shops
- 3D printing (metal)Industrial 3D printing in real metals like stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium.5 shops
- Large-format printingPrinting large parts in one piece on oversized printers, for props, displays, furniture parts, and more.4 shops
- Multi-colour printingPrinting several colours or materials in one part, no painting required.No shops yet
Design and files
- 3D modelling / CAD designTurning your idea, sketch, or measurements into a 3D file ready for printing.21 shops
- File repair and print prepFixing and preparing 3D files so they print correctly: closing holes, fixing errors, scaling, and splitting.No shops yet
- Reverse engineeringRecreating an existing physical part as a 3D file, often to replace broken or discontinued parts.3 shops
Scanning
- 3D scanningCapturing a real object's shape as a digital 3D model, for copying, measuring, or reverse engineering.17 shops
Finishing
- Sanding and finishingSmoothing away layer lines and support marks for a clean, professional look.1 shop
- Priming and paintingPriming and painting prints for a finished look, from single colours to detailed paint jobs.No shops yet
- Fine detailing / miniature paintingDetailed hand painting of miniatures and figurines, from tabletop-ready to display quality.No shops yet
- Vapour smoothingUsing solvent vapour to melt the outer surface of a print into a smooth, glossy finish.No shops yet
- AssemblyJoining multi-part prints and adding hardware like magnets, threaded inserts, and electronics.No shops yet
Other fabrication
- CNC machiningCutting parts from solid metal, plastic, or wood with computer-controlled machines, for precise, strong results.7 shops
- Laser cutting and engravingPrecisely cutting and engraving wood, acrylic, leather, and more with a laser.7 shops
- Mould making and castingUsing a 3D print as a master to make moulds, then casting copies in resin, silicone, or metal.5 shops
Retail
- Printer salesLocal shops that sell 3D printers, with advice, setup, and support you won't get from an online store.1 shop
- Filament and resin salesLocal shops that stock filament and resin, so you can buy supplies today without waiting for shipping.2 shops
- Parts and accessories salesLocal shops that sell nozzles, build plates, spare parts, and upgrades for 3D printers.No shops yet
Printer services
- Printer repair and maintenanceFixing broken 3D printers and keeping them running well, from clogged nozzles to failed electronics.5 shops
- Printer setup and calibrationGetting a new or poorly printing 3D printer set up, levelled, and tuned for great results.No shops yet
- Upgrades and custom buildsUpgrading printers with better parts, or building custom printers for special needs.No shops yet
Teaching and help
- Classes and workshopsHands-on classes to learn 3D printing, 3D design, and finishing, for beginners and beyond.No shops yet
- ConsultingExpert advice on using 3D printing for your business, product, or project.No shops yet
Materials
FDM filaments — Basic
- PLAThe most popular 3D printing material.36 shops
- PLA+ / Tough PLAA tougher version of PLA that is less likely to snap, with the same easy printing and low cost.2 shops
- Specialty PLAPLA with special looks: shiny silk, soft matte, real wood fibres, metal powder, or glow-in-the-dark.2 shops
- PETGA tough, slightly flexible material that handles more heat and weather than PLA.27 shops
FDM filaments — Advanced
- ABSA tough, heat-resistant plastic used in everything from toy bricks to car interiors.26 shops
- ASAThe outdoor version of ABS.13 shops
- TPUA rubbery, flexible material that bends, stretches, and bounces back.23 shops
- Support materials (PVA, HIPS)Special materials printed alongside your part to hold up tricky areas, then dissolved away, leaving clean surfaces and shapes that are otherwise impossible.1 shop
FDM filaments — Engineering
- Nylon (PA)A very tough, slippery, wear-resistant engineering plastic.19 shops
- Polycarbonate (PC)One of the strongest and most heat-resistant common 3D printing plastics, with high impact strength and clear options.8 shops
- Carbon fibre-filledPlastics mixed with tiny carbon fibres for extra stiffness, light weight, and a premium matte finish.13 shops
- Glass fibre-filledPlastics reinforced with short glass fibres for stiffness and stability, usually a bit tougher and more affordable than carbon fibre versions.3 shops
- High-performance (PEEK, PEI / ULTEM)Top-tier plastics for extreme heat, chemicals, and demanding industries like aerospace and medical.3 shops
Resins
- Standard resinLiquid resin hardened by light, giving extremely fine detail and smooth surfaces.20 shops
- High-detail / miniature resinResin tuned for the finest detail and crisp edges.No shops yet
- Tough / ABS-like resinResin made to be less brittle, combining fine detail with better impact resistance.1 shop
- Flexible resinRubber-like resin for small, detailed parts that need to bend or squish.No shops yet
- Clear resinResin that can be finished to a see-through, glass-like look.No shops yet
- Water-washable resinResin that shops can clean with water instead of alcohol.No shops yet
- Castable resin (jewellery)Special resin that burns away cleanly, used to make patterns for casting jewellery and small metal parts.No shops yet
- High-temperature resinResin that holds its shape at high temperatures.No shops yet
- Dental / biocompatible resinCertified resins for specific dental and medical uses, printed and processed following strict, validated steps.No shops yet
Powders (SLS / MJF)
- Nylon PA12 (SLS / MJF)The workhorse of industrial 3D printing.4 shops
- Nylon PA11 (SLS / MJF)A plant-based nylon powder that bends further before breaking than PA12.2 shops
- TPU powder (SLS / MJF)Flexible, rubber-like parts made in industrial quantities, including complex cushioning lattices.No shops yet
Metals
- Stainless steelStrong, corrosion-resistant metal for demanding functional parts, tools, and hardware.4 shops
- AluminumLightweight, strong metal that's widely machined.3 shops
- TitaniumExceptionally strong, light, and corrosion-resistant metal for high-end parts in aerospace, motorsport, and cycling.2 shops
- Brass / bronzeGold-coloured metals for jewellery, decorative hardware, and art pieces, often made by casting from a 3D printed pattern.No shops yet
Other fabrication (CNC and laser)
- Wood / plywoodNatural wood and plywood for laser-cut and engraved signs, gifts, boxes, and decor, or CNC-routed furniture parts.No shops yet
- MDFLow-cost, smooth engineered wood board, great for painted signs, templates, and craft projects.No shops yet
- AcrylicClear or coloured plastic sheet that laser cuts with glossy, polished edges.No shops yet
- LeatherGenuine leather laser cut and engraved for patches, wallets, keychains, and personalized gifts.No shops yet
Comparisons
- 3D printing vs injection mouldingFor one-offs, prototypes, and small runs, 3D printing is usually faster and cheaper because there's no mould to pay for. Injection moulding wins once you need thousands of identical parts.
- ABS vs ASAVery similar materials. ASA resists sunlight and weather; ABS is slightly cheaper and ideal indoors.
- Filament (FDM) vs resin printingFilament printing is affordable, tough, and great for larger or practical parts. Resin printing gives far finer detail and smoother surfaces for models and miniatures.
- PETG vs ABSPETG is easier, cheaper, and handles water well. ABS takes more heat and finishes better, but is harder to print.
- PLA vs ABSPLA is easy, affordable, and detailed. ABS is tougher and much more heat resistant, and can be smoothed to a glossy finish.
- PLA vs PETGPLA is cheaper, more detailed, and easier to finish. PETG is tougher and handles heat, water, and outdoor use better.