3D Design Guidelines
Optimize your 3D prints with our comprehensive design guidelines
Minimum wall thickness
FDM
Fused deposition modeling
Vertical>0.8 mm
Horizontal>2 mm
SLA
Stereolithography
Vertical>1 mm
Horizontal>1 mm
Minimum Feature Size
FDM
Fused deposition modeling
Size>2 mm
SLA
Stereolithography
Size>0.5 mm
Bridges
FDM
Fused deposition modeling
capacity to bridge small horizontal surfaces <5mm
SLA
Stereolithography
Not Applicable
Text Guidelines
FDM
Fused deposition modeling
Engraved Horizontaldepth < 3 mm, wide >1 mm
Engraved Verticaldepth <1 mm, wide >0.8 mm
Embossed Horizontalheight <3 mm, wide >1 mm
Embossed Verticaldepth <0.6 mm, wide > 1 mm
SLA
Stereolithography
Engraved Horizontaldepth <2 mm, wide >0.5 mm
Engraved Verticaldepth <0.8 mm, wide >0.5 mm
Embossed Horizontalheight < 3 mm, wide >0.5 mm
Embossed Verticaldepth <0.6 mm, wide >0.5 mm
Overhangs
FDM
Fused deposition modeling
Surfaces with angles< 45º will need supports
Surface finishPoorer with supports
SLA
Stereolithography
SupportsAlways required
Surface finishMay be affected by supports
Tolerance
FDM
Fused deposition modeling
Clearance (loose)>0.4 mm
Clearance (tight)<0.2 mm
NoteMaterial dependent
SLA
Stereolithography
Clearance (loose)>0.3 mm
Clearance (tight)<0.15 mm
Tolerance±0.15 mm