How long does 3D printing take?
Most prints take between 30 minutes and 15 hours. A small keychain or charm prints in under an hour. A detailed articulated dragon takes several hours. A large lithophane lamp can take most of the day. Then add delivery: we ship with DHL Express in 1–3 days anywhere in Europe.
What determines print time?
Four things decide how long a print takes:
- Size — the biggest factor. A 5 cm print is quick; a 30 cm print runs for many hours.
- Detail (layer height) — fine layers look smooth but take longer. For most items a 0.2 mm layer is the perfect balance.
- Infill — the inside filling. Decorative parts can use 10–15% infill; functional parts need more, which adds time.
- Complexity — moving parts like articulated dragons, thin lithophane panels and detailed figures need slower speeds and more support material.
Realistic print times by size
- Keychain or charm (5 cm): 30–60 minutes
- Small figure or planter (10 cm): 2–5 hours
- Articulated dragon (15–20 cm): 5–10 hours
- Lithophane lamp: 6–12 hours
- Large object (25–30 cm): 12–20 hours
These are realistic numbers for quality prints — not the "top speed" numbers printers advertise, which sacrifice strength and detail.
How long will YOUR print take?
You do not need to guess. Upload your model on our custom print page and the instant quote shows the estimated print time alongside the price — before you pay anything. No waiting for an email reply.
Don’t forget shipping
Print time is only half the story. Once your print passes our quality check, it ships with DHL Express and usually arrives in 1–3 days. So a small item can reach you within about 48 hours of ordering, while a large detailed dragon is a 3–5 day project.
See our simple pricing or read our material guide while your print runs.