Compare online 3D printing bureaus for hobby parts and production runs. Instant quotes, nylon and metal options, and clear notes on China shipping and duties.
You can get a single resin part printed online from about $0.30 at some China factories, before shipping and duties. Or you can send the same file to an EU or US network and pay more for faster local delivery and certified processes. This page covers online 3D printing services only. We split the picks for hobbyists and for engineering teams, then walk through FDM, resin, nylon powder, and metal so you know which quote to chase.
Customer type
Consumer / hobbyist
For Makers and Hobbyists
- – Want a cheap one-off, a resin miniature, or a full-colour figurine without buying a printer.
- – Happy to compare partner shops, or to wait on a China shipment if the part cost stays low.
- – Prefer services with no minimum order and an instant upload quote.
Business / engineer
For Engineers and Hardware Teams
- – Need nylon end-use parts, metal brackets, DFM feedback, or a path from prototype to moulding.
- – Care about lead time, ISO or ITAR options, purchase orders, and EU or US production when duties matter.
- – Want one vendor contract that can scale past a handful of parts.
Which printing technology do you need?
Most online services quote four process families. Start with the one that matches your part, then jump to the services that offer it.
FDM (filament)
$Pick FDM when you need a cheap, large, or low-detail part and visible layer lines are fine. It is the usual first quote for brackets, jigs, cosplay props, and early form checks.
Example parts: Tooling fixtures, drone frames, lamp housings, costume armour, large enclosures.
Price cue: Often a few dollars for a small part on marketplaces, plus shipping.
Resin (SLA / DLP)
$–$$Pick resin when you need fine detail and a smooth surface. It suits miniatures, visual prototypes, dental-style models, and jewelry masters. Thin walls and crisp text print better here than on FDM.
Example parts: Tabletop minis, product mock-ups, dental models, castable masters, detailed figurines.
Price cue: JLC3DP lists SLA from ~$0.30 for tiny parts; Western bureaus run higher.
SLS / MJF (nylon)
$$Pick nylon powder when you need strong, functional parts, living hinges, or snap-fits. It scales well from one housing to batches of tens or hundreds. Surfaces look matte and slightly grainy without extra finishing.
Example parts: End-use housings, drone parts, clips, ducting, low-volume production nylon.
Price cue: JLC3DP MJF from ~$1.00; EU and US networks cost more.
Metal (SLM / DMLS / binder jet)
$$$–$$$$Pick metal when you need strength, heat resistance, or geometry that is hard to machine. Quotes jump fast with volume and support structure, so start with a small test part.
Example parts: Aerospace brackets, tooling inserts, heat sinks, custom fixtures, medical-adjacent hardware (certification dependent).
Price cue: Often tens to hundreds of USD per part, before shipping and duties†.
Specialty needs
- Full colour: JLC3DP’s WJP full-colour starts from ~$5.00, and PAC-HP full-colour nylon from ~$17.00. See JLC3DP
- Jewelry and precious metals: Materialise OnSite prints brass, bronze, copper, gold, and silver. See Materialise OnSite
Jump to section
Best online 3D printing services in 2026
Four quick picks for each audience. Every pick links to its full card below, with lead times and the main catch.
For hobbyists
Lowest published entry prices for resin and nylon, plus full-colour WJP.
Caveat: Ships from China; shipping and duties can exceed the part cost.
One upload, many partner quotes, shipping shown in the price.
Caveat: Quality varies by supplier; All3DP owns both Craftcloud and a competing publisher brand.
Local-vendor marketplace with cheap FDM and resin minis, plus pickup options.
Caveat: Quality and activity vary by vendor; not for certified work.
Handy if you already order boards there and want an enclosure in the same cart.
Caveat: China duties apply; 3D pricing is less transparent than JLC3DP.
For businesses
Broad processes, ITAR and ISO options, net terms, and a single contract across a vetted network.
Caveat: Pricey for tiny one-offs; you do not pick the shop.
Fast in-house Protolabs capacity plus a 250+ partner network (formerly Hubs).
Caveat: Expensive for hobby use; hubs.com and protolabs.com still keep separate quotes/orders (SSO login exists; accounts are not merged).
EU production with strong file-check tooling, now under the French 3D Prod group.
Caveat: Higher than China pricing; materials list remains broad after the 2026 ownership change (watch for catalogue updates).
Belgian industrial AM with a 48-hour Fast Lane and precious metals after i.materialise closed.
Caveat: More B2B than the old consumer shop; no marketplace to sell designs.
All 11 online 3D printing services
Ordered as a shortlist, not a ranking. Filter by technology to hide services that do not offer it. Price bands run from $ (budget) to $$$$ (industrial).
Craftcloud
Hobby & business$–$$$One upload, many partner print quotes
Craftcloud is All3DP’s quote aggregator. You upload once and compare partner shops for FDM, resin, nylon, full-colour, and metal. Shipping is usually built into the shown price, and the terms say there is no minimum order. Quality depends on which supplier wins the job. Customs and import taxes sit with you. Worth knowing that All3DP also runs a major 3D printing publisher, so treat the ranking as a commercial product, not an editorial list.
- Price
- $–$$$
- Lead time
- Supplier-dependent; terms default to delivery within 30 days of payment if unspecified
- Best for
- Comparing price and speed across many shops for one-offs
- Watch out
- Quality varies by partner; duties are yours; All3DP conflict to note
JLC3DP
Hobby & business$Low-cost China factory quotes for resin and nylon
JLC3DP is the 3D printing arm of the JLCPCB group, running its own factories in China. Published starting prices include SLA from about $0.30, MJF PA12 from about $1.00, and WJP full-colour from about $5.00. There is no minimum, and you can combine prints with PCB or CNC orders. Build times are short; international shipping and possible EU, UK, or US duties are the real cost risk. Full-colour options live here rather than on a separate specialty card.
- Price
- $ · SLA from ~$0.30 · MJF from ~$1.00 · WJP from ~$5.00
- Lead time
- ~2–4 days to build, plus international shipping
- Best for
- Budget resin, nylon, and full-colour prototypes
- Watch out
- China duties, VAT, and tariffs; shipping can dwarf tiny parts
PCBWay
Hobby & business$Boards, enclosures, and CNC from one China supplier
PCBWay is best known for circuit boards, and its rapid-prototyping stack adds FDM, resin, nylon, and metal printing across a distributed China network (50+ machines on its 3D page). Instant quotes cover most 3D materials; CNC still goes through engineering review. No formal minimum quantity, but the prototyping FAQ sets a $25 minimum order value (excluding shipping). The service suits makers who want a board and a housing in one order. Pricing is competitive but less transparent than JLC3DP’s published “from” list—there is no standing public entry price on the main 3D page (sale pages have shown promotional floors near ~$5). China-origin duties and tariffs apply for many destinations.
- Price
- $ · no standing public “from” price; $25 soft value floor
- Lead time
- From ~2 days typical; SLA as fast as ~1 day per FAQ, plus shipping
- Best for
- Electronics makers who want PCB and enclosure together
- Watch out
- Import duties; quoting less clear than JLC3DP; different time zone support
Shapeways
Business$$Eindhoven nylon production for hardware companies
Shapeways Inc. went through Chapter 7 bankruptcy in July 2024. The Eindhoven operation was bought by co-founders and local management and now runs again as Shapeways. It positions as a low-volume manufacturing partner for hardware companies. Materials today include SLS/MJF/SAF nylons, SLA, FDM, binder-jet metals, and lost-wax casting for jewelry metals (gold, silver, platinum, brass, copper). Instant Quote upload is live; the site advertises no MOQs. Fixed lead-time days are not published publicly. The old consumer marketplace and designer shops were not restarted (Shopify/Etsy integrations are being rebuilt). Treat it as an EU industrial shop with finishing options, not as a place to open a vintage-style storefront.
- Price
- $$ · no published “from” price
- Lead time
- Not published (quote-dependent; “fast turnaround” only)
- Best for
- B2B low-volume nylon manufacturing in the EU
- Watch out
- Consumer marketplace/shops not restored after 2024 bankruptcy; e-commerce integrations in progress
Sculpteo
Business$$EU online bureau now inside the 3D Prod group
Sculpteo is a French online 3D printing service with automatic file checks and instant quotes. BASF sold it, and in May 2026 it joined the French 3D Prod group. The brand continues, now paired with injection moulding capacity for teams that outgrow printing. EU production at Villejuif avoids intra-EU customs. Metal (aluminium, 316L, titanium, binder jet) is offered in-house with ~15–25 day lead times, and SLA has a 24-hour express option. Expect higher prices than Shenzhen factories. The public materials list remains broad (30+ materials / 75+ material–finish combinations on the homepage as of this check); watch for catalogue updates under 3D Prod ownership.
- Price
- $$
- Lead time
- Plastics ~2–15 days; metal ~15–25; SLA 24h express
- Best for
- EU businesses that want local production and strong DFM checks
- Watch out
- Pricier than China; materials catalogue still broad post–3D Prod (watch for updates)
Xometry
Business$$–$$$Vetted manufacturing network with B2B procurement terms
Xometry routes jobs across a vetted partner network under one contract. Instant quotes cover plastics and metals, plus CNC and moulding when you are ready to scale. ITAR and ISO-certified options matter for regulated work. Single prototypes are accepted, but the product is built for engineering procurement, not bargain figurines. You trade supplier choice for a uniform commercial interface.
- Price
- $$–$$$
- Lead time
- Shown per quote; standard and expedited tiers
- Best for
- Certified or production parts with PO and net-term support
- Watch out
- Not priced for hobby one-offs; you do not choose the specific supplier
xometry.com ↗ · xometry.eu ↗EU visitors
Protolabs Network
Business$$$Formerly Hubs; fast factories plus a partner network
Protolabs Network is the partner marketplace formerly called Hubs (rebranded January 2024; hubs.com still resolves). Use it alongside Protolabs’ own digital factories when you need either same-day-class turnaround or volume pricing across the vetted partner network. Instant quoting covers common additive processes and a clear step up into moulding. You can sign in to hubs.com with a Protolabs login, but parts, quotes, and orders stay on their respective sites—accounts are not merged. No public order-value floor was found on either brand’s primary pages; Protolabs states no minimum order quantities. It is one card on this page, covering both the network and the related in-house brand.
- Price
- $$$ in-house Protolabs · $$ on the Network
- Lead time
- In-house as fast as ~1 day; Network quoted per job
- Best for
- Teams moving from prototype toward production or moulding
- Watch out
- Costly for hobbyists; hubs.com and protolabs.com still keep separate quotes/orders (SSO available; not a merged account)
hubs.com ↗ · protolabs.com ↗in-house factories
Treatstock
Hobby$Vendor marketplace for local FDM and resin makers
Treatstock is a marketplace, not an aggregator with a single blended quote. You compare individual vendors by price, distance, and reviews, and you can often arrange local pickup. That makes it different from Craftcloud’s partner-comparison model. It shines for low-cost FDM and resin figurines. It is a poor fit for certified industrial work—open a vendor’s recent reviews before you order, because activity still varies shop to shop. The site is live with upload/order flows and advertises “No minimal order” and instant quotes.
- Price
- $ for FDM · $$–$$$$ for resin, nylon, and metal
- Lead time
- ~4 days FDM · ~8 DUP · ~10 SLA/MJ/SLS · ~15 metal (averages incl. shipping)
- Best for
- Cheap local FDM, resin minis, and vendor pickup
- Watch out
- Quality varies by vendor (check recent reviews before ordering); marketplace live with instant quotes; not for certified B2B
Materialise OnSite
Business$$–$$$Belgian industrial AM, including precious metals
Materialise OnSite is the live ordering path after i.materialise closed on 31 October 2025. Accounts went read-only until 31 March 2026 and were removed from 1 April 2026. The ordering URL https://onsite.materialise.com still resolves; Materialise also documents the service with instant quotes and Fast Lane shipping “in as little as 48 hours” for selected materials. There is no minimum order quantity, but the OnSite help centre states a €50 minimum order value. OnSite keeps Materialise’s industrial process list and added precious metals from October 2025. There is no shop feature for selling designs, so designers who relied on the old marketplace need another channel.
- Price
- $$–$$$
- Lead time
- Fast Lane ships selected parts within ~48 hours
- Best for
- Engineering materials, jewelry metals, and ex-i.materialise users
- Watch out
- No consumer marketplace; material names differ from i.materialise
RapidDirect
Business$–$$China prototypes with a path to CNC and moulding
RapidDirect runs China-based additive capacity (own Shenzhen facilities plus a vetted partner network) with instant quoting and DFM feedback. It advertises no minimum order quantity. Typical builds land in roughly four to six business days before shipping, with some jobs advertised from one day. The same account can move into CNC, moulding, and sheet metal when a design graduates past printing. Prices sit in the budget-to-mid band. Import duties still apply for many Western buyers.
- Price
- $–$$
- Lead time
- From ~1 day; often ~4–6 business days plus shipping
- Best for
- Start-ups needing cheap prototypes and later CNC or tooling
- Watch out
- China duties and tariffs; not aimed at hobby décor
Unionfab
Business$$$Metal-focused instant quotes without a login wall
Unionfab is the metal niche pick on this page (Unionfab AM Technology, Shanghai). Instant SLM/DMLS and binder-jet quotes are available without logging in, which is still uncommon for metal bureaus. Published metals include 316L, 17-4PH, AlSi10Mg, and Ti6Al4V among others. Homepage certifications list ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and IATF 16949. Published build windows are about four to five days for laser powder bed and seven to fifteen for binder jetting. Use JLC3DP’s metal offering if you only need a cheap first test coupon, and Materialise OnSite if you must stay inside the EU for duties or traceability.
- Price
- $$$
- Lead time
- SLM/DMLS ~4–5 days; binder jetting ~7–15 days
- Best for
- Engineers shopping metal quotes without a sales call first
- Watch out
- China duties; published certs include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949—confirm they cover your end use
Online 3D printing services compared
All 11 services in one view. Price bands are relative; lead times exclude international shipping unless noted.
Scroll sideways to see every column →
| Service | Model | Best for | Tech | Region | Price | Lead time | Min order | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craftcloudcraftcloud3d.com ↗ | Aggregator | Quote shopping across partners | FDM, resin, SLS/MJF, full-colour, metal | DE HQ; partners worldwide | $–$$$ | Per supplier; default ≤30 days if unspecified | None | Quality varies; duties on buyer |
| JLC3DPjlc3dp.com ↗ | Own factory | Budget resin, nylon, full-colour | SLA, MJF, SLS, FDM, SLM, WJP | China | $ | ~2–4 days build + ship | None | SLA ~$0.30; MJF ~$1; WJP ~$5 |
| PCBWaypcbway.com ↗ | Own + distributed network | PCB + enclosure combo | FDM, SLA, MJF, SLS, metal | China (Hangzhou/Shenzhen) | $ | From ~2 days (+ ship); SLA ~1 day possible | None qty; $25 soft value floor | No standing public “from” price (sale promos ~$5) |
| Shapewaysshapeways.com ↗ | Own factory | B2B nylon in the EU | SLS, MJF, SAF, SLA, FDM, casting, binder jet | Eindhoven, NL | $$ | Not published (quote-dependent) | No MOQs (advertised) | Instant Quote live; marketplace not restored |
| Sculpteosculpteo.com ↗ | Own factory | EU quality-controlled jobs | SLS, MJF, SLA, FDM, DMLS/SLM, binder jet | France (Villejuif; 3D Prod group) | $$ | Plastics ~2–15 days; metal ~15–25 days; SLA 24h express | None (instant quote) | Metal in-house, not partners-only |
| Xometryxometry.com ↗ | Network | Certified / production parts | Broad plastics + metals | US + EU | $$–$$$ | Per quote | None (most services) | ITAR/ISO options; B2B UI |
| Protolabs Networkhubs.com ↗ | Network | Fast proto → production | SLA, SLS, MJF, FDM, DMLS… | US factories + NL network | $$–$$$ | ~1 day in-house; network varies | None published (no MOQ stated) | Formerly Hubs; SSO ≠ merged quotes |
| Treatstocktreatstock.com ↗ | Marketplace | Local cheap FDM / resin | FDM, resin, SLS, metal | US-registered; vendors global | $–$$$$ | ~4–15 days avg | Vendor-dependent | Pick vendor yourself |
| Materialise OnSiteonsite.materialise.com ↗ | Own factory | Industrial + precious metals | SLS, MJF, SLA, metal | Belgium | $$–$$$ | Fast Lane ~48 h | None qty; €50 soft value floor | Instant quote; replaces i.materialise |
| RapidDirectrapiddirect.com ↗ | Own factory + partner network | Proto + CNC/moulding path | SLA, SLS, MJF, FDM, SLM | China (Shenzhen) | $–$$ | Often ~4–6 biz days + ship | None (no MOQ advertised) | DFM feedback; ISO suite published |
| Unionfabunionfab.com ↗ | Own factory | Metal instant quotes | SLM/DMLS, binder jet | China (Shanghai HQ) | $$$ | ~4–5 / ~7–15 days | Instant quote (no login) | 316L, 17-4PH, AlSi10Mg, Ti6Al4V; ISO/IATF |
Note: “Not published” means no public figure was found on the vendor’s primary pages as of the 5 Nov 2026 check.
What online 3D printing costs
Approximate USD part prices only. Use as orientation, not as a quote.
Scroll sideways to see every column →
| Process | Small simple part | Medium part | Complex / larger |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDM | ~$3–15 | ~$15–60 | ~$60–200+ |
| Resin (SLA/DLP) | ~$0.30–20 JLC3DP SLA starts ~$0.30 | ~$20–80 | ~$80–250+ |
| SLS / MJF | ~$1–40 JLC3DP MJF starts ~$1.00 | ~$40–150 | ~$150–500+ |
| Metal | ~$50–200† | ~$200–600† | ~$600–2,000+† |
Specialty anchors (published): JLC3DP WJP full-colour from ~$5.00; JLC3DP MJF PAC-HP full-colour nylon from ~$17.00.
Shipping, VAT, and import duties are extra. China-origin orders may face tariffs that change by destination and year. These cells are not a live quote. Western network prices often sit above the low end of each band. Metal cells† are rough estimates only; confirm on the vendor quote page.
How online 3D printing works
The same five steps apply whether you order one miniature or a batch of nylon housings.
Export a clean 3D file
Save STL for simple prints or STEP for engineering parts. Fix holes and paper-thin walls first.
Upload and pick a process
Instant quote engines map your mesh to FDM, resin, nylon, or metal and show materials that fit.
Compare landed cost, not just part price
Add shipping, VAT, duties, and lead time. A cheaper China line can lose after customs.
Check DFM warnings
Accept or edit when the site flags overhangs, gaps, or walls below minimum thickness.
Order and track the shipment
Pay, wait for the build, then follow the parcel. Keep the quote ID if you need a reorder later.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get something 3D printed online?
Part price tracks process, volume, and where the machine sits. A tiny resin coupon can start near $0.30 at JLC3DP before shipping. A medium nylon housing often lands in the tens of dollars at a China factory and higher at an EU or US network. Metal parts commonly jump into the hundreds. Always upload the real STL or STEP file. Instant quotes beat any table on this page. Add shipping, VAT, and possible import duties before you compare two vendors.
Which is cheaper once shipping and duties are included?
China factories usually win on the printed part itself. They can lose on a small order once freight, VAT, and tariffs land. EU or US production often costs more per part but skips some customs steps for local buyers and can arrive sooner. For one small hobby part, a nearby Treatstock vendor or a Craftcloud partner in your region can beat a Shenzhen shipment. For a tray of nylon housings, run both a China quote and an EU quote with landed cost filled in.
FDM, resin, or nylon — which should I choose?
Choose FDM for cheap, large, or rough prototypes where layer lines are fine. Choose resin when detail and surface finish matter more than toughness. Choose SLS or MJF nylon when you need functional strength, snap-fits, or a short production batch. Full-colour PolyJet or WJP is for appearance models, not load-bearing parts. Metal is for heat, strength, or unmachinable geometry. If you are unsure, get one FDM and one nylon quote on the same file and compare.
Can I order a single part?
Yes at most of the services on this page. Craftcloud, JLC3DP, Xometry, Protolabs Network, Sculpteo, RapidDirect, Treatstock (platform-level), and others advertise no formal minimum quantity for common 3D printing jobs. Soft order-value floors still appear at checkout on some shops even when quantity is one: PCBWay publishes a $25 minimum order value (excluding shipping), and Materialise OnSite publishes a €50 minimum order value (no minimum quantity). Other vendors on this page did not publish a soft floor on their primary public pages as of this check—confirm in the live quote. Single metal parts are allowed but rarely cheap.
Which file formats do services accept?
STL remains the default for almost every bureau. STEP (or STP) is better for engineering parts because it keeps precise B-rep geometry. OBJ and 3MF show up for colour and multi-material jobs; JLC3DP, for example, wants 3MF for some colour workflows. Repair non-manifold meshes before upload. Most sites run an automatic wall-thickness and manifold check and will flag problems in the quote UI.
How long does delivery take?
Build time and shipping are separate. JLC3DP often quotes about two to four days to build. Treatstock publishes process averages from roughly four days for FDM to about fifteen for metal, including shipping. Protolabs can ship some in-house parts in about a day. Materialise OnSite advertises a Fast Lane near 48 hours for selected parts. International parcel transit and customs clearance can add a week or more. Expedite options exist on most business networks if you pay for them.
Is my design safe when I upload it?
Reputable services state that your files stay confidential and are used only to fulfil the order. Read the current terms anyway, especially on open marketplaces where many shops can see the model while bidding. For sensitive IP, prefer a single-contract network or an own-factory bureau with a signed NDA path, and avoid public design galleries. Never upload ITAR-controlled files to a non-ITAR vendor. When in doubt, ask sales for the data-handling policy before you upload.
What happened to Shapeways, i.materialise, and 3D Hubs?
Shapeways’ US entity entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy in July 2024. The Eindhoven factory returned under local management and now focuses on B2B manufacturing; the old marketplace did not come back. i.materialise stopped taking orders on 31 October 2025 and folded into Materialise OnSite. 3D Hubs was rebranded Protolabs Network in January 2024 and still operates from hubs.com. Older bookmarks may redirect, but the consumer shop features people remember from the 2010s are mostly gone.
Where to go next
Thinking about printing it yourself instead, or need the software side? Start here.