Which making technology does your project need?

A making technology is a way of making a part, such as 3D printing, laser cutting or CNC machining, and a process is one of the ways a technology works. 3D printing has five processes we offer: filament (FDM), resin (SLA), nylon powder by SLS or MJF, and metal (SLM). Pick the technology first by what the part is and how many you need, then the process by what the part must do.

For one part, 3D printing is usually the cheapest, because there is no mould or tool to pay for. Two exceptions: a flat part is usually better laser cut from sheet, and a simple solid metal part is often better value machined than printed. Send the file and the quantity and we tell you which route costs less.

A silicone mould for vacuum casting starts to pay off at about 20 identical parts, and an injection moulding tool at about 1,000. Below 20, printing each part is usually cheaper. Between a few hundred and 1,000 the answer depends on the part's size and shape, so send the file with the quantity and we work it out.

Laser engrave a logo that must never wear off, and UV print one that needs its brand colours. Engraving marks the surface itself in one tone set by the material, so it suits drinkware, plaques and tags handled every day. UV printing lays full colour and white ink on a flat or gently curved face, but ink on a part rubbed daily wears sooner than an engraving.

Bend it from sheet when the part is a thin bracket, cover, tray or box; machine it when it is solid with exact faces; print it in metal when the shape is too complex to fold or cut. CNC machining holds ±0.05 mm on the dimensions you mark. Metal printing makes internal channels and lattices no tool can reach, in stainless steel, aluminium or titanium.

One job can use more than one technology, and many do. A sign can be laser-cut acrylic with a UV-printed logo, a trophy can pair a 3D printed centrepiece with an engraved base, and a product often goes from a printed prototype to a vacuum-cast pilot run, then to injection moulding. We handle them all, so one quote can cover every part of the job.

Each technology takes its own kind of file: a 3D model for anything with depth, a flat vector for anything cut or engraved from sheet, and artwork for printing on a surface. That means STL, STEP, OBJ or 3MF for 3D printing (STEP for CNC); DXF, AI, SVG or PDF for laser cutting and engraving; STEP, DXF or PDF with the sheet thickness for sheet metal; and PDF, SVG, or a PNG or JPG at 300 DPI for UV printing. A drawing or a sample works for vacuum forming and casting.

You do not need a 3D file to get started: a sketch, a drawing, a photo or a physical sample is enough. Our design team models the part from it, or reverse-engineers it from the sample, and the file goes on to whichever technology suits. If you already have a 3D file, the instant quote prices printed parts straight away.

Most jobs take about a week whichever technology makes them, for a normal-size part about 10 to 15 cm across. Filament and resin prints take 4 to 7 working days, CNC parts and UV printing 5 to 7, and engraving about 3 for one piece. Nylon and metal prints take 8 to 15, vacuum casting about 3 to 4 weeks in all, injection moulding longer as the tool comes first, and sheet metal, vacuum forming and laser cutting are timed in the quote. Bigger parts take longer, so tell us your deadline.

The biggest part we can make depends on the technology, and 3D printing goes largest: one piece up to 1000 x 1000 x 1200 mm, with anything bigger printed in sections that are joined. Laser engraving takes flat pieces up to 900 x 450 mm, and UV printing covers a little under A3 in one pass. CNC, sheet metal, casting and forming sizes are confirmed for each job, so tell us the size and we check it.