Guides & resources
The ForgeCore blog
Practical guides on materials, pricing and design for 3D printing, written by the people who actually print your parts.
small batches
Small-batch 3D printing: when an outsourced service makes sense
Outsourced 3D printing means handing production of custom parts to a service: you upload the file (or we design it for you), pick material and quantity, and receive the finished parts. It makes sense from 1 part to a few hundred, where buying a printer or tooling a mould doesn't. Here's how it works, what it costs and when it pays off.
Aug 18, 20267 minRead
materials
Which 3D printing material should you choose? Pick by real use
The right 3D printing material depends on how the part will be used, not on trends: temperature, sunlight, load, chemicals, flexibility. PLA for looks, ASA for outdoor use, nylon and carbon fibre for mechanical parts, TPU for flexible ones. Here is the use-to-material table across our 17 materials.
Aug 18, 2026·7 minRead
spare parts
How to remake a discontinued spare part with 3D printing
A discontinued spare part can be remade with 3D printing even without a drawing: the broken part, a few photos and some measurements are enough. Between CAD modelling and printing, a typical part costs 30 to 150 euros, with materials that withstand heat, petrol and sunlight. How it works, what it costs and when it makes sense.
Aug 18, 2026·8 minRead
files
How to prepare an STL file for 3D printing
Preparing an STL file takes five checks: a closed mesh, units in mm, export resolution, wall thickness and overhangs within 45 degrees. Here are the real numbers for FDM, SLA and SLS, fit tolerances, how to repair the mesh, and the checklist to run before you upload.
Aug 18, 2026·11 minRead
pricing
How much does 3D printing cost: real prices and what drives them
A single FDM part from a 3D printing service runs from 5-12 euros (small) to 45-90 euros and beyond (large). Material accounts for just 10-30%: the rest is machine time and labour. Here are the real price ranges, the cost per gram and how to pay less.
Aug 18, 2026·8 minRead