One of the first questions before ordering is simple: how long does 3D printing take? The honest answer is "it depends" — from a few minutes for a small keychain to dozens of hours for a large or demanding part. This guide explains what actually determines print time, the realistic ranges for small versus large parts, and — most importantly for your order — why print time is not the same as delivery time. By the end you will be able to estimate both, and you can get the exact number for your own model in 30 seconds with an instant quote.
Print time is not delivery time
This is the most common misunderstanding, so let us clear it up first. "Print time" is the time the printer actually lays down material — minutes to dozens of hours. "Delivery time" is the whole journey from order to your door, and also includes preparation, any queue for the printer, quality control, packing and courier transport.
At 3DnaKlik it looks like this:
- Production: 1–3 business days. This covers printing, preparation and quality control. The shorter the print, the sooner the part moves on.
- GLS or Pošta Slovenije delivery: 1–2 business days.
- Total to your door: typically 2–5 business days.
If it suits you better, free local pickup in Gorica pri Slivnici is also available — that skips the courier leg and you get the part as soon as it is made.
All the times above are business days — weekends and public holidays do not count. An order placed on Friday evening therefore starts being processed on Monday. Because delivery also depends on the courier, we state it as a range, not an hour-precise guarantee.
What determines print time?
Print time is not random — it comes from a few factors you mostly control when preparing the model and choosing settings.
1. Model size and height
An FDM printer builds the part layer by layer from the bottom up. The taller the model, the more layers it must lay down — so height has the most direct effect on time. A large, bulky part will print far longer than a tiny keychain, even at the same settings.
2. Infill
The inside of printed parts is not solid — it is a honeycomb with adjustable density. A decorative object might be 10–15% filled, while a functional, load-bearing part might be 40% or more. Higher infill means more material and longer print time, but also more strength. So it is a trade-off between speed or price and load capacity.
3. Layer height (quality)
A thinner layer means a finer surface, but more layers for the same height — and therefore a longer print. A 0.08 mm layer (Fine quality) prints noticeably longer than 0.28 mm (Draft). So the quality preset directly moves both time and price; you can see the full breakdown on our pricing page.
4. Material
Different filaments print at different speeds and temperatures. PLA is fast and forgiving, PETG and ASA are somewhat slower, and flexible TPU has to be printed slowly and carefully. So the material affects not only the part's properties but also the time. see our full materials overview to pick the right one.
5. Supports
Overhanging parts that hang in the air need support structures that are removed after printing. These lengthen the print (extra material and moves) and add some manual post-processing. A model designed to need as few supports as possible will be faster and cheaper.
Realistic ranges: small versus large parts
Below are order-of-magnitude estimates, not promises — the actual time depends on the factors above and is always calculated by the slicer for your specific model:
- Tiny part (keychain, badge, small figure): often 15–45 minutes.
- Medium functional part (phone stand, bracket, enclosure, organizer): typically 1–4 hours.
- Larger or detailed part (big box, helmet piece, decorative model): often 8–20 hours or more.
- A full plate or several parts at once: can run overnight — several parts on one plate is often more efficient than each separately.
Important: a long print (e.g. 15 hours) does not mean 15 days of delivery. Even a part that prints overnight usually stays within the 1–3 business day production window.
A real-world example: how the factors add up
Take a typical phone stand. At Draft quality (0.28 mm layer) and a low 15% infill, such a part is often printed in roughly two to three hours — strong enough for a desk object. If you print the same model at Fine quality (0.12 mm layer) and 40% infill because you want a smooth surface and more load capacity, the time easily doubles. The model has not changed — only two settings have. That is exactly why there is no single "correct" number: the time is a result of your choices, which you balance depending on whether you need a fast, cheap part or a premium look and strength.
Does a faster print mean lower quality?
Not necessarily. Draft (a thicker layer) is faster and perfectly sufficient for many functional and decorative parts. Fine (a thinner layer) matters for fine details, lettering and visible curved surfaces. For many objects the difference is small in practice, while the difference in time and price is noticeable — so when choosing quality it pays to be realistic about what the part will actually do.
How the instant quote shows time
You do not have to guess. When you upload an STL or 3MF file on the quote page and choose a material and quality, our BambuStudio slicer actually "slices" it and calculates:
- an estimated print time for each part (e.g. 2h 15m), alongside the material weight and the final price;
- if you order early enough, a "We print today" badge with a countdown to the daily order cutoff.
Because the numbers come from the same G-code the printer receives, they are real — not ballpark guesses. And because we do not charge VAT, the displayed price is also the final price; nothing is added at checkout. You will find a detailed price breakdown on the pricing page.
In a hurry?
If you are in a hurry, two things are in your hands. First, order as early in the day as possible — if you catch the daily cutoff, the part goes into printing the same day, saving a whole business day. Second, choose local pickup in Gorica pri Slivnici instead of delivery and skip the courier leg. We guarantee against print defects and transit damage — we replace the item free or refund you — so speed does not come at the cost of your order's safety.
How to shorten the time (and the price)
- Lower the infill where strength is not critical — decorative parts do not need 40%.
- Choose a larger layer height if you do not need the finest surface.
- Reduce the need for supports with a smart model orientation.
- Combine parts into one order — it often pays off in both time and price.
The essence is clear: you mainly control print time through size, infill, layer height, material and supports — while delivery time stays predictable: production 1–3 days + delivery 1–2 days = 2–5 business days to your door.
Check the time for your model
The fastest way to an answer is to do it yourself: upload a file and in 30 seconds you will see the estimated print time and the final price — no registration and no waiting.
Also read: How much does 3D printing cost | All materials | Pricing