How to Prepare Your 3D Print File
A few quick checks before you send your STL or 3MF — so your print comes out right the first time, and your quote is accurate.
Five Things to Check
Takes five minutes and saves surprises later.
1. Check the scale
Most models are designed in millimetres. If yours isn't, tell us the intended real-world size (e.g. "10cm tall") so the print comes out the correct size. A model that's the wrong scale is the most common reason a print doesn't match what you expected.
2. Make it a solid mesh
If your file contains two separate surfaces rather than one closed solid, it may print with holes or fail entirely. The model needs to be "watertight" — a single closed shell. If you're not sure, send it anyway — we'll check it and tell you before printing.
3. Remove internal geometry
Delete any internal walls, overlapping shells or leftover support geometry that isn't part of the final shape. Internal structures add print time and cost without adding value.
4. Pick the right file format
STL is the most common format and works for almost everything. 3MF is even better — it stores scale and colour information, so there's less ambiguity. We accept both.
Size tip: for the same model, a 3MF file is usually 3–5× smaller than an STL, because it stores each vertex once instead of once per triangle. If your STL is huge, export as 3MF and it'll usually drop well under our upload limit.
5. Send it over
Upload the file on our order form (up to 3MB), share a link (Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer) or email it to info@averysolutions.co.uk. We'll check it and give you a fixed quote before printing anything.
Common Mistakes
The things that cause the most issues.
Wrong units
A model designed in metres or inches will come out huge or tiny. Always tell us the intended real-world size.
Non-manifold geometry
Edges or faces that don't connect properly create gaps and holes. If your slicing software shows red edges, that's the issue.
Thin walls
Walls thinner than the nozzle diameter (usually 0.4mm) won't print. If it needs to be thin, tell us and we'll advise.
Not sure about any of this? Send the file as it is — we'll check it and tell you what needs fixing before you spend anything.