1-Day Turnaround on Most PrintsLocally Owned in AdelaideFree Quotes — Price Match GuaranteeFast Shipping Australia-Wide1-Day Turnaround on Most PrintsLocally Owned in AdelaideFree Quotes — Price Match GuaranteeFast Shipping Australia-Wide
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Beginner5 min read

Getting Started with 3D Printing

New to 3D printing? This guide covers the basics — materials, technologies, and what to expect when ordering your first print.

What Is 3D Printing?

3D printing (also called additive manufacturing) builds physical objects layer by layer from a digital model. Instead of cutting material away like traditional machining, a 3D printer adds material — usually melted plastic — one thin layer at a time until the object is complete.

FDM — The Most Common Method

FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) is the technology I use at JakeMakes. A spool of plastic filament is fed through a heated nozzle that moves in precise paths, depositing molten material that cools and bonds to the layer below.

Pros:

  • Affordable and widely available
  • Huge range of materials (PLA, PETG, ABS, Nylon, TPU)
  • Great for functional parts and prototypes

Cons:

  • Visible layer lines (can be sanded or smoothed)
  • Not ideal for extremely fine detail (SLA/resin is better for that)

What You Need to Get Started

If you're ordering a print from me, you don't need any equipment. Just:

  1. A 3D file — STL, OBJ, STEP, or 3MF format. If you don't have one, I can design it for you.
  2. Material preference — not sure? I'll recommend the best option.
  3. Dimensions and quantity — how big and how many.

What to Expect

  • Turnaround: Most prints are done in 24 hours
  • Finish: FDM prints have visible layer lines. I can sand or smooth if needed.
  • Strength: Depends on material and print settings — I'll optimise for your use case.

Ready to Go?

Get in touch with your project details and I'll send you a free quote.