How Long Does 3D Printing Take?

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Updated January 13, 2023

If you are new to the world of physical printing, you may wonder how fast are 3D printers. Some of the best printers, after all, are 3D printers, and these models ship in a wide range of designs and motor speeds. So how fast are the best 3D printers, and what can you do to speed up the printing process? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • 3D printing is not the fastest process on the block, though the actual printing time depends on a number of factors.
  • These variables include the printer blueprint designs, layer height, 3D printing technology, infill levels, and so much more.
  • Speed up printing by hollowing out your designs and going for simplified blueprints.

How Long Does it Take for a 3D Printer to Print?

When learning how fast 3D printers are, you may get used to waiting. This is because this type of printer is known to be on the slower side, even if you have learned the lifespan of 3D printer filament. Of course, there is no actual printing speed chart, as it depends on a number of variables, even if you already know how many watts a 3D printer uses.

Insider Tip

Keep the printer properly cleaned and maintained to ensure you get some decent print speeds.

These variables include the printer itself, the complexity of the design, the materials used, the type of object being made, and so much more. In other words, printing length varies, even if you have already learned how to fix a stringing 3D printer.

Tips to Speed Up Your Printer

Though the print speed varies depending on a number of external factors, there are some ways to speed up your prints without losing too much quality.

Lower the Infill

Solid objects are great for a number of reasons. They are sturdy, durable, and highly detailed. They also take much longer to print, as a solid interior requires more mass than a thin exterior. The inside of any 3D print is called the infill, and, luckily, you can adjust the level of the infill to speed up the print. You don’t have to get rid of it entirely, as most printer software packages allow you to make fine adjustments.

Go For Simple Designs

Generally speaking, the simpler the design, the faster it will print. To really speed up the printing process, go with blueprints or schematics that err on the side of simplicity. Look for blueprints with just a few major components with a reduction in detail work. It is this detailed work that accounts for a majority of the print time.

STAT: On average, 3D printing an object can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 12 hours to print. Sometimes, it can even take several days, depending on how large and detailed your 3D model is. (source)

Get to Know Your Printer

Each printer is unique, so get to know your printer to find out ways to push it beyond its limits to speed up the printing process.

Printing Speed FAQs

Why does 3D printing take so long?

3D printing speed is slower than 2D printing because making physical objects, aka 3D prints, is a laborious process. You can speed this up by going for thinner layers via the print head.

How long does it take to 3D print a phone case?

There are many variables here when it comes to printing time, such as layer height, layer thickness, and more. However, phone cases take around three to eight hours to finish, with regard to 3D printing speed.

How do infill settings affect speed?

Infill settings and layer height both dramatically impact printing time, as both of these settings determine how many printing materials to use to make 3D models layer by layer.
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