From the workshop.
Hard-won, practical notes on materials, processes, file prep and finishing, written by the people who run the machines.
Latest · 20 Oct 2026
Which CNC machining material should your part be made in?
CNC machining materials compared: aluminium, steels, stainless, brass, titanium, plastics and hardwoods we machine in Singapore, and which suits your part.
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- 01 How do I get something 3D printed in Singapore for the first time? How to get something 3D printed in Singapore, a beginner's walkthrough: get a file, upload it, pay, then collect your first print or have it delivered.
- 02 Which making technology does your project need? Which making technology does your project need? Nine we offer, from 3D printing and laser cutting to CNC and moulding: what each makes and how many.
- 03 FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF or metal: which 3D printing process suits your part? How to choose between FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF and metal 3D printing, and when 3D printing beats CNC or injection moulding altogether.
Learn how it works
How each process, material and finish works, and how to order.
Getting started
New to 3D printing? Begin here, from your first print to finding files.
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Pillar guide How do I get something 3D printed in Singapore for the first time? How to get something 3D printed in Singapore, a beginner's walkthrough: get a file, upload it, pay, then collect your first print or have it delivered. -
14 Mar 2023 Where can you get free 3D files to print? Where to download free 3D files (MakerWorld, Printables, Thingiverse and more), how to check a file will print, and what its licence lets you do. - 2 Getting started guides See all →
Technologies
3D printing, laser engraving, UV printing, CNC, sheet metal and moulding: what each makes and when to use it.
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Pillar guide Which making technology does your project need? Which making technology does your project need? Nine we offer, from 3D printing and laser cutting to CNC and moulding: what each makes and how many. -
18 Oct 2026 What is vacuum forming, and when should you use it? Vacuum forming pulls a heated plastic sheet over a mould to make trays, covers and shells. See what it suits, the design rules, and when to print instead. -
17 Oct 2026 What is sheet metal bending, and when should you use it? Sheet metal bending folds a flat cut sheet into brackets, panels and enclosures. How it works, the design rules, and when to machine or print instead. -
17 Oct 2026 What is vacuum casting, and when should you use it? Vacuum casting copies a 3D printed part in a silicone mould. How it works, why the vacuum stops bubbles, the finish to expect and when to print instead. -
16 Oct 2026 What is CNC machining, and when should you use it? CNC machining explained: the metals, plastics and woods we cut in Singapore, fits to ±0.05 mm, lead times and when 3D printing or sheet metal suits better. -
16 Oct 2026 What is UV printing, and what can it print on? UV printing cures full-colour ink onto acrylic and 3D prints. What it prints on, curved-surface limits, artwork to send and lead time. -
15 Oct 2026 What is laser engraving, and what can it mark? Laser engraving marks names, logos and text into tumblers, metal, acrylic, wood, leather and glass. How each looks, what to send and how long it takes. -
13 Oct 2026 One part, 50 or 5,000: 3D printing, silicone moulding or injection moulding? 3D printing, silicone moulding or injection moulding? Print one part to a handful, cast about 20 to a few hundred, and tool up past about 1,000. -
13 Oct 2026 What is additive manufacturing, and how is it used? Learn what additive manufacturing is, the seven ISO/ASTM types and the five you can order in Singapore, what each one suits and how long it takes. -
5 Aug 2026 Metal 3D printing or CNC machining: which does your part need? How to choose between metal 3D printing and CNC machining: geometry, tolerances, quantity, cost and lead time, from a Singapore workshop that runs both. - 10 Technologies guides See all →
Processes
FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF and SLM: how each kind of 3D printing works and which suits your part.
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Pillar guide FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF or metal: which 3D printing process suits your part? How to choose between FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF and metal 3D printing, and when 3D printing beats CNC or injection moulding altogether. -
19 Oct 2026 What is SLM metal 3D printing, and how does it work? SLM metal 3D printing melts fine metal powder with a laser, layer by layer. How it works, why it needs supports, its finishes, and when CNC suits better. -
18 Oct 2026 What is SLA 3D printing, and how does resin printing work? SLA 3D printing explained: how a laser hardens liquid resin layer by layer, what supports and curing do, where it shines, its weak points and lead times. -
14 Oct 2026 SLS or MJF: which nylon powder process suits your part? SLS vs MJF in Singapore: both print tough nylon with no supports. MJF is a little smoother, SLS has more grades and colours. See which suits your part. -
28 Aug 2026 What is 4D printing, and can you order it yet? 4D printing explained: 3D printed parts that change shape with heat, water or light, where the research stands, and what you can order in Singapore today. -
11 Oct 2024 What is FDM 3D printing, and when is it the right choice? Fused deposition modeling (FDM) explained: how filament printing works, strength, supports, size, detail, colours, lead time and other options. - 6 Processes guides See all →
Materials
Choosing the right material, properties and colour, for the job.
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Pillar guide Which 3D printing material should you choose? Choose a 3D printing material by what the part must do: filament, resin, nylon (SLS or MJF) or metal, with heat, strength and outdoor figures. -
20 Oct 2026 Which CNC machining material should your part be made in? CNC machining materials compared: aluminium, steels, stainless, brass, titanium, plastics and hardwoods we machine in Singapore, and which suits your part. -
20 Oct 2026 Which vacuum casting material should your parts be cast in? Vacuum casting materials compared: ABS-like, PP-like, clear, rubber-like and silicone. What each behaves like, what it suits and where it falls short. -
19 Oct 2026 Which nylon 3D printing material suits your part? Nylon 3D printing materials compared: PA12 for most parts, glass-filled PA12 when it must be stiffer, PA11-like for knocks. SLS or MJF, in Singapore. -
14 Oct 2026 Stainless steel, aluminium or titanium: which metal to 3D print? The best metal for 3D printing depends on the part: 316L or 17-4PH stainless, AlSi10Mg aluminium or Ti6Al4V titanium compared on weight, strength and rust. -
12 Oct 2026 Will a 3D printed part survive Singapore heat, sun and rain? PLA softens from about 55°C and a sunny dashboard can reach about 69°C: which filament, resin, nylon or metal survives Singapore heat, sun and rain. -
12 Oct 2026 Which filament is strong enough for a jig, fixture or end-use part? PETG-CF suits most jigs to about 68°C, PA6-CF and PAHT-CF take 164°C and 170°C, and PPA-CF is the strongest filament at 168 MPa. -
12 Oct 2026 PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA or TPU: which filament should your part be printed in? PLA softens from about 55°C, PETG 68°C, ABS 85°C and ASA 90°C, and TPU bends. Here is which filament suits your part, from the makers' data sheets. -
2 Sept 2026 Which SLA resin should you choose for your part? Standard, tough, fine-detail, high-temperature, clear, rubber-like and chemical-resistant SLA resin: colours, best uses and honest limits for each. -
13 Aug 2026 What can be laser cut, and which material suits your job? Laser cutting materials in Singapore: acrylic 3 to 25 mm, plywood, MDF, card, leather, felt, foam and fabric, plus metal plate and what we never cut. -
14 Mar 2023 How do you choose the right colour for a 3D print? The filament colours we 3D print in, how multi-colour printing works, and when to paint or UV print instead for a brand colour or a logo. - 11 Materials guides See all →
File prep
Get your model print-ready and sent to us the right way.
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Pillar guide How do you prepare a 3D model so it prints properly? One table of 3D printing design rules for walls, holes, text, overhangs, fits and size in filament, resin, nylon and metal, with a guide for each. -
8 Oct 2026 Why won't my 3D file slice, and how do I fix it? Why a 3D file won't slice: holes and non-manifold edges, flipped faces, walls with no thickness, extra shells, and how to repair each mesh error. -
7 Oct 2026 How much clearance do 3D printed parts need to fit together? See how much clearance 3D printed parts need to push, press or move together, the tolerance each process holds, and heat-set insert hole sizes. -
7 Oct 2026 Which metal 3D printing defects can you fix in the design? Five metal 3D printing defects start in the design: sagging holes, overhangs that need supports, warped plates, trapped powder and faces that miss. -
7 Oct 2026 Which resin (SLA) print defects can you fix in the design? Six resin print defects start in the design: hollow parts that crack, cupping, walls that warp, support marks, holes that close up and brittle clips. -
7 Oct 2026 Which nylon powder (SLS and MJF) print problems can you fix in the design? Five nylon SLS and MJF print problems start in the design: trapped powder, warped panels, fused moving parts, cracked hinges and lost detail. -
29 Jun 2026 What file format do laser cutters use for cutting and engraving? Laser cutters use vector files: SVG or DXF in millimetres. Which line colour cuts or engraves, why PNG fails, and instant quotes in Singapore. -
29 Jan 2024 How do I export and send a 3D file so it prints first time? A checklist for exporting and sending a 3D file for printing: the right format, millimetre units, one file per part, clear names and how to upload it. -
29 Jan 2024 What are the most common problems with 3D printed models? Common problems with 3D printed models in FDM filament, SLA resin, SLS and MJF nylon and SLM metal: what each looks like, why it happens, the fix. -
29 Jan 2024 Which filament (FDM) print defects can you fix in the design? Six FDM print defects start in the design, not the printer: thin walls, sagging bridges, overhangs, warped bases, tight holes and weak layers. -
14 Mar 2023 Understanding our 3D Design Process We understand that every product starts with an idea. Whether it's a new product you want to create or a modification to an existing design, our team… - 11 File prep guides See all →
Finishing
Painting, electroplating, branding and clear parts.
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Pillar guide 3D Print Finishing Options: Which Coat Should You Choose? Compare 3D print finishing options: filling and sanding, 1k vs 2k automotive paint, matte or gloss clear coat, metal plating, clear parts and logos. -
18 Aug 2026 How do you get a real metal finish on a 3D print? Metallic paint, chrome-effect spray, electroplating or printing in metal: how each looks up close, what it suits, and which one to pick for a trophy. -
6 Aug 2026 What does filling and sanding do to a 3D print? What filling and sanding does to a 3D print: the hand process step by step, honest before-and-after results, and when SLA resin is the smarter pick. -
16 Jun 2026 What is overspray, and which faces will it reach? Unpainted faces on a sprayed 3D print can catch overspray haze: which faces stay clean, how threads and holes are masked, and what we do if haze lands. -
19 Mar 2024 What spray paint colours can my 3D print come in? Spray paint colours for 3D prints in Singapore: stock solids, fluorescents and metallics, Pantone matching in 1k or 2k, and matte, satin or gloss clears. -
23 Feb 2024 How do you put metal threads or magnets in a 3D print? Put reusable metal threads in a 3D print with heat-set brass inserts, or seal magnets, nuts and bearings in mid-print: how each works and what to send. -
23 Feb 2024 How do you get a logo onto a 3D print? How to put a logo on a 3D print: embossed or debossed geometry, UV printing, painted colour, decals or laser engraving, and the files to send. -
22 Jan 2024 Electroplating colours and finishes Electroplating in Singapore turns a resin or filament 3D print into real metal: chrome, gold, copper, brass and coloured finishes, and how long it takes. -
1 Nov 2023 How do you paint and finish each kind of 3D print? How to paint and finish 3D prints, process by process: filament and resin are sanded and primed, nylon is dyed or sealed, and metal is blasted or polished. -
15 Mar 2023 How clear can a 3D printed part get? How clear a 3D printed part can really get, what makes it clearer, and four routes to a see-through part, from clear resin to acrylic and vacuum forming. - 10 Finishing guides See all →
Ordering
What it costs, how long it takes and how ordering works.
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7 Aug 2026 How much does 3D printing cost in Singapore? What sets the price of a 3D print in Singapore, how to bring it down, and how to get a 3D printing quote: instant online, or from a person within 24 hours. -
1 Nov 2024 How does the instant 3D printing quote work, and is the price final? Upload a 3D file, choose the material and colour, and see the price in seconds. Every screen of our instant quote, and what happens after you pay. -
3 Oct 2024 How long will my 3D printing order take? 3D printing lead times in Singapore: 4 to 7 working days for a plain FDM or SLA part, 1 to 3 on Super Rush, 12 to 18 for 1 to 3 painted or plated parts. -
3 Oct 2024 How to self collect your 3D print How self-collection works at Additive Inn: 994 Bendemeer Road, Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, what to bring, ready notifications, and courier vs pickup. - 4 Ordering guides See all →
What we make
What we design and build, with our own projects and studios to start yours.
Gifts
Personal and corporate gift ideas we design, engrave and print in Singapore.
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Pillar guide Unique corporate gift ideas worth keeping Unique corporate gift ideas in Singapore that get kept, not drawered, from bespoke awards and figurines to branded keepsakes and bulk event gifts. -
8 Oct 2026 What's a good Christmas gift in Singapore? Christmas gift ideas in Singapore for Secret Santa, colleagues, family and clients, with personal picks in every budget and the dates to order by. -
7 Oct 2026 What's a good birthday gift in Singapore? Birthday gift ideas in Singapore that are about the person, in three budgets, with gifts for her, him and milestone birthdays, and when to order. -
8 Sept 2026 Door gift ideas for Singapore events, by what people actually keep Door gift ideas for Singapore events: what guests keep, what survives the drawer, what a laser can mark cleanly, quantities, lead times and the S$50 teacher rule. -
1 Sept 2026 Customised Teachers' Day gifts, and the S$50 rule most parents miss What Singapore's S$50 gift rule actually means for Teachers' Day, why pooling the class money does not get around it, and which customised gifts suit whom. -
1 Sept 2026 What is a good farewell gift for a colleague leaving in Singapore? Farewell gift ideas for colleagues in Singapore by budget, from an engraved keychain at S$18 to a figurine of them, and how to beat their last day. -
1 Sept 2026 Wedding gift ideas in Singapore: the ang bao, and what to give besides How much to put in a Singapore wedding ang bao, when an actual gift makes sense on top of it, and what couples still have on a shelf five years later. -
20 Aug 2026 Personalised corporate gifts in Singapore: which technique fits your list? Personalised corporate gifts in Singapore: how laser engraving, UV printing, photo figurines and electroplating compare, plus minimums and lead times. -
29 Jun 2026 Bespoke corporate gifts, made in Singapore Bespoke corporate gifts in Singapore, designed from your logo and made in-house, from figurines and awards to branded desk pieces and bulk event runs. - 9 Gifts guides See all →
Trophies
Custom trophies, plaques, medals and long-service awards, and how they are made.
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Pillar guide Corporate awards vs trophies, and how to choose Corporate awards vs trophies in Singapore: how they differ, which materials and finishes suit each, lead times and how to choose the right piece. -
8 Oct 2026 How do you choose an award plaque? How to choose an award or appreciation plaque in Singapore: acrylic, engraved metal, crystal or a cast frame, what to write on it, and how long it takes. -
8 Oct 2026 How do long service awards work in Singapore? Long service awards in Singapore: the usual milestones, when CPF and tax apply, the IRAS S$200 limit, what to give at 5 to 25 years and what to engrave. -
10 Sept 2026 How is a bespoke trophy actually made? Inside the making of a bespoke trophy in Singapore: concept sketches, 3D sculpting, SLA printing, electroplating, engraving, bases and timelines. -
25 Aug 2026 Custom medals in Singapore: how they are made and what small runs cost Custom medals in Singapore for sports, events and corporate awards: 3D printed masters, electroplated finishes, engraving, small runs and lead times. - 5 Trophies guides See all →
Signage
Acrylic, backlit and 3D printed signs, and feature walls.
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Pillar guide How 3D-Printed Signage Letters Are Designed and Made How 3D-printed signage letters are made in Singapore: material choice, sculpting depth, finishing, and mounting to a backboard. -
8 Sept 2026 What kind of mural should your office wall get? Office wall mural ideas for Singapore workplaces: hand-painted feature walls, printed graphics and 3D relief, plus durability, timelines and process. -
11 Aug 2026 Buying an acrylic sign: the decisions to make before you order The decisions behind an acrylic sign order in Singapore: cast vs extruded sheet, cut letters vs printed panels vs 3D letters, mounting, lifespan and cost. - 3 Signage guides See all →
Scale models
Architectural and display models: scale, detail and how they are built.
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Pillar guide How is an architectural scale model actually made? How architectural and industrial scale models are made in Singapore: scale, CAD prep, 3D printing, laser cutting, painting, lighting and installation. -
2 Jul 2025 How do I design an architectural model for 3D printing? How to design an architectural model for 3D printing: 1 mm details and wall thickness at scale, picking a scale, splitting by floor and finishing. - 2 Scale models guides See all →
Figurines
Figurines from photos, cake toppers and props.
Installations
Large-format prints, themed installations and event activations.
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Pillar guide How big can a 3D print be, and what if mine is bigger? See the largest single 3D print each process can make, from filament to metal, and how bigger parts are split, joined and finished so seams disappear. -
13 Oct 2026 How do you choose fringe activities for a corporate event in Singapore? How to choose fringe activities for a D&D, family day, launch or conference in Singapore: guest flow, space, power, take-homes and what each kind needs. - 2 Installations guides See all →