3D Printer Types & Features
Common Printer Types
| Printer Type |
Technology |
Print Materials |
Resolution |
Price Range |
Ideal Use |
| FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) |
Melts and extrudes filament |
PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU |
50–300 microns |
$200–$1,000 |
Prototyping, functional parts |
| SLA (Resin) |
Cures resin with UV light |
Standard, tough, flexible resin |
25–100 microns |
$250–$1,500 |
Miniatures, high-detail models |
| DLP / LCD Resin |
Projects UV light via screen |
Resin |
25–50 microns |
$200–$2,000 |
Jewelry, figurines, dental molds |
| SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) |
Laser-fuses powder |
Nylon, composites |
100 microns |
$3,000+ |
Industrial-grade, strong parts |
Brand Comparison Matrix
| Brand |
Popular Models |
Strengths |
Software |
Community Support |
Ease of Use |
| Creality |
Ender 3, K1, Halot One |
Affordable, mod-friendly |
Creality Slicer |
Large, global |
Beginner friendly |
| Prusa |
MK4, Mini+, SL1S |
Reliable, great support |
PrusaSlicer |
Excellent docs, forums |
Moderate |
| Elegoo |
Mars 4, Saturn 3 |
High-quality resin prints |
ChiTuBox, Voxeldance Tango |
Strong resin community |
Beginner |
| Anycubic |
Photon Mono, Kobra |
Versatile, budget-friendly |
Photon Workshop |
Good support |
Easy to moderate |
| Bambu Lab |
P1P, X1C |
Fast, auto-calibration |
Bambu Studio |
Premium tier users |
Plug-and-play |
Printer Selection Guide
Best Options by Use Case
| Use Case |
Recommended Printer |
Key Features |
Price |
Why It’s Ideal |
| Miniatures & Figurines |
Elegoo Mars 4 |
High resolution, fast resin |
~$300 |
Smooth, detailed prints |
| Functional Parts |
Prusa MK4 |
Heated bed, PEI sheet, reliability |
~$800 |
Tough materials, accuracy |
| Beginners on a Budget |
Ender 3 V3 SE |
Easy to mod, affordable |
~$220 |
Large community, reliable |
| Fast Prototyping |
Bambu P1P |
Speed, multi-colour, auto bed leveling |
~$600 |
Fast prints, low effort |
| Jewelry & Molds |
Anycubic Photon M5s |
12K resolution, resin support |
~$500 |
Crisp detail, small scale |
Filament & Resin Materials
Filament Types (FDM)
| Filament |
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
Best For |
Heated Bed Needed |
Cost/kg |
| PLA |
Easy to print, eco-friendly |
Brittle, not heat-resistant |
Prototypes, décor |
No (optional) |
$15–25 |
| PETG |
Strong, durable, food-safe |
Stringing, sensitive to moisture |
Tools, kitchen items |
Yes (60–80°C) |
$20–35 |
| ABS |
Heat-resistant, strong |
Warping, fumes |
Enclosures, mechanical parts |
Yes (100°C+) |
$20–30 |
| TPU |
Flexible, shock-absorbent |
Slow printing, hard to dial |
Phone cases, grips |
Optional |
$25–45 |
| Wood, Silk, Glow |
Specialty look/finish |
Can clog nozzles |
Decorative models |
No |
$25–50 |
Resin Types (SLA/DLP)
| Resin Type |
Properties |
Applications |
Cure Time |
Cost/litre |
| Standard Resin |
Smooth, brittle |
Miniatures, art |
2–6 mins |
$25–45 |
| Tough Resin |
Impact-resistant |
Functional parts |
6–10 mins |
$45–70 |
| Flexible Resin |
Rubber-like |
Gaskets, cosplay |
10+ mins |
$50–90 |
| Plant-Based Resin |
Low odor, eco |
Hobby prints |
2–6 mins |
$35–55 |
| Castable Resin |
Burns cleanly |
Jewelry, molds |
Variable |
$80–150 |
3D Print Project Ideas by Skill Level
Beginner Projects
| Project |
Materials |
Print Time |
Complexity |
Use |
| Keychains |
PLA, Resin |
30–60 min |
⭐ |
Gifts, branding |
| Phone Stand |
PLA, PETG |
1–2 hrs |
⭐ |
Desk accessory |
| Cookie Cutters |
PLA |
1–2 hrs |
⭐ |
Baking, kids’ crafts |
| Dice Trays |
Resin, PLA |
2–3 hrs |
⭐⭐ |
Game accessories |
| Project |
Design Skills Needed |
Material |
Time |
Potential Sale Price |
| Articulated Figures |
Hinges, joints |
Resin |
3–6 hrs |
$20–50 |
| Planters |
Hollow design |
PLA, PETG |
3–6 hrs |
$10–30 |
| Organizer Trays |
Slicing & layout |
PLA |
4–8 hrs |
$15–40 |
| Resin Jewelry |
Mold making |
Resin |
Multi-day |
$15–100 |
Advanced Projects
| Project |
Printer Type |
Material Mix |
Prep Time |
Marketability |
| RC Car Parts |
FDM |
PETG, TPU |
High |
Niche hobby |
| Mechanical Puzzles |
FDM or Resin |
PLA, Resin |
Medium |
Collectible |
| Mold Masters |
SLA |
Castable Resin |
High |
Jewelry, soap molds |
| Custom Terrain Sets |
FDM + Resin |
Multi-part |
Very High |
Tabletop gaming |
Design & Slicing Software
| Software |
Compatible Printers |
Difficulty |
Cost |
Features |
| Cura |
Most FDM |
Easy |
Free |
Great beginner features |
| PrusaSlicer |
FDM + Resin |
Moderate |
Free |
Multi-printer support |
| Bambu Studio |
Bambu Lab only |
Easy |
Free |
Speed optimized |
| Lychee Slicer |
SLA/DLP |
Easy–Intermediate |
Free/Paid |
Resin supports, auto layout |
| Fusion 360 |
All (CAD) |
Advanced |
Free (personal) |
Engineering-grade CAD |
| Tinkercad |
All (CAD) |
Very Easy |
Free |
Browser-based modeling |
Troubleshooting & Maintenance
| Problem |
Likely Cause |
Solution |
Prevention |
| Warping (FDM) |
Poor bed adhesion |
Use brim, heat bed, glue stick |
Level bed, dry filament |
| Stringing |
High temp or retraction off |
Lower temp, enable retraction |
Tune slicer settings |
| Layer Shifts |
Loose belts |
Tighten belts, check pulleys |
Regular mechanical check |
| Print Not Sticking |
Unleveled bed |
Recalibrate Z-offset |
Clean bed surface |
| Failed Resin Prints |
Bad supports or exposure |
Adjust supports/exposure |
Use slicer presets |
Safety & Workspace Setup
| Safety Concern |
Why It Matters |
Mitigation |
Notes |
| Resin Handling |
Toxic when uncured |
Gloves, mask, wash station |
Use in ventilated area |
| Fume Emission |
ABS, Resin emit fumes |
Enclosure, carbon filters |
Avoid enclosed unventilated spaces |
| Fire Risk |
Hot ends, power surge |
Use surge protector, supervise prints |
Never leave long prints unattended |
| Child Safety |
Small parts, fumes |
Dedicated workspace |
Educate, separate print area |
Business Ideas & Revenue Streams
| Business Model |
Initial Investment |
Avg Revenue |
Skill Level |
Profit Margin |
| Miniatures & Terrain |
$500–2,000 |
$10K–30K/year |
Intermediate |
High |
| Jewelry & Accessories |
$800–3,000 |
$15K–50K/year |
Intermediate+ |
Medium–High |
| Custom Parts & Tools |
$1,000+ |
$20K+/year |
Advanced CAD |
High |
| Mold Making for Resin Crafts |
$1,500 |
$5K–20K/year |
Advanced |
Medium |
| Product Prototyping |
$2,000+ |
B2B or freelance |
Advanced |
High |
Learning Resources
| Resource |
Type |
Best For |
Cost |
Highlights |
| YouTube Channels |
Video |
Tutorials, reviews |
Free |
Maker’s Muse, CHEP |
| Printables.com |
STL Library |
Ready-made models |
Free |
Community + tutorials |
| MyMiniFactory |
STL Storefront |
Monetize prints |
Free/Paid |
Sell your models |
| Cults3D |
Designer Marketplace |
Indie design sales |
% per sale |
Upload & share |
| Reddit /r/3Dprinting |
Community |
Support, troubleshooting |
Free |
Very active |
| Lynda / Skillshare |
Courses |
Software, modeling |
Paid |
CAD, Fusion 360 training |
Turn your digital dreams into physical creations – one layer at a time.