File Requirements
What passes our manufacturability check
Every file goes through a pre-production review before printing. Here's what we check for, what gets flagged, and how to fix common issues before you submit.
Accepted file formats
We accept these formats. STEP is preferred for production orders because it preserves design intent.
Standard tessellation language. Most common format for 3D printing. Binary STL preferred over ASCII for smaller file size.
Preferred for production orders. Preserves design intent, allows dimensional verification, and enables better orientation optimization.
Wavefront format. Supported for basic geometry. May lose color/texture data depending on export settings.
3D Manufacturing Format. Modern format that supports color, materials, and build orientation in a single file.
What we check for
Every file is reviewed before production. Issues are categorized by severity:
What it means
The mesh has edges shared by more than two faces, or faces with inconsistent normals. The model is not "watertight" — it has holes, gaps, or impossible geometry that cannot exist as a physical object.
How to fix it
Run a mesh repair tool (Meshmixer, Netfabb, or your CAD software's STL export repair). Ensure all faces form a closed, solid volume with no internal faces or floating geometry.
Common causes
Exported from Blender or Rhino without checking for manifold errors. Boolean operations that left artifacts.
Quick checklist before submitting
Not sure if your file is ready? Upload it anyway — our engineers review every file and will contact you if anything needs attention.
Ready to upload?
Submit your files for instant pricing. Our team reviews every file before production.