How long does 3D printing take? From one-hour minis to overnight statues
How long it takes to 3D print a figure, what decides print time, how finishing and packing add to it, and what that means for when your order arrives.
On this page
People are often surprised that a figure small enough to hold takes hours to print. An FDM printer draws every layer as a thin line of plastic, and a figure has hundreds or thousands of layers.
Real print times from our shop
| Piece | Approx. print time |
|---|---|
| Articulated Robot | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Mini Flexi Armour Figure | 2 hours |
| Brooding Knight Ledge Sitter | 3 hours 40 minutes |
| Gamer Skull Ledge Sitter | 4 hours 10 minutes |
| Sad Jester Ledge Sitter | 5 hours 50 minutes |
These are at our standard settings. Finer print qualities take longer.
What decides print time
Layer height. The biggest factor. Halving the layer height roughly doubles the number of layers, and so the time. That is why our finer qualities cost a little more.
Size and volume. More plastic means more lines to draw. Height matters more than width, because every millimetre of height adds layers.
Supports. Overhangs like outstretched arms and capes need temporary scaffolding, which also has to be printed.
Detail. Fine features force the printer to slow down on small, intricate paths.
Printing is only part of it
After the printer finishes:
- 1.Cooling and removal from the build plate.
- 2.Support removal and clean-up by hand, trimming and sanding contact marks.
- 3.Assembly for multi-part and multi-colour figures.
- 4.Inspection under a bright light.
- 5.Packing in a box with inserts.
That is why a two-hour print still needs a day or two of lead time.
From order to your door
- Lead time: 2–4 working days, shown on each product page.
- Courier: 1–3 working days in Delhi NCR, 2–4 to metro cities, 4–7 across the rest of India.
Bigger orders take longer: ten pieces is ten sets of print, clean-up and packing. Our corporate gifting guide gives rough lead times for bulk orders, and how we pack and ship covers delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to 3D print a small figure?
Between one and six hours for most of our figures at standard quality. Minis take one to two hours; detailed ledge sitters with capes and coats take three to six.
Why does 3D printing take so long?
The printer draws every layer as a thin line of melted plastic, and a figure can have over a thousand layers. Finer layers look better but take longer.
How soon will my order arrive?
Add the lead time on the product page (2–4 working days) to the courier time for your PIN code. Enter your PIN on any product page for an estimate.
