You've just clicked "send". Your 3D file is on its way to our workshop and, on your side, there's nothing left to do but wait for the quote. But what exactly happens on ours? At PrintWonders, a 3D creation workshop based in Vatimont, in Moselle, France, every part follows the same journey, from the file we receive to the parcel handed to the carrier. Here's what happens to your project, step by step, with no hidden back rooms and no jargon.
Step 1: your file arrives at the workshop
It all starts with what you send through our workshop page: an STL, OBJ or 3MF file (the three standard formats that describe an object's shape in 3D), or simply a link to a model you spotted online. No need for a complete dossier or an engineer's vocabulary: the file is enough, along with a few words about what the part is for.
The first thing we do is open your model and look at it from every angle. Is the geometry printable as is? Which orientation will give the best result? Which material matches the use you describe? Reading the file carefully is the foundation of everything that follows: a part well prepared upstream is a print that goes well.
A word on confidentiality, because the question comes up often: your files are never shared or reused without your agreement. What you entrust to us stays between you and the workshop.
Step 2: the quote, within 24 hours
Once the file is analyzed, we price it. The quote is free and reaches you within 24 hours. It details the material, the machine time and any finishing, with no mystery line items. To understand how that pricing is built, our article on the cost of a 3D print breaks down every element.
The orders of magnitude are the same for every project: a small part starts around €15, a medium part around €40 to €50, a large technical part from €120. And since we work from a single unit, with no minimum order, a keyring has as much of a place here as a run of identical parts — which, incidentally, earns a discount.
Step 3: your go-ahead, and production starts within 12 hours
As soon as you accept the quote and confirm payment, your part enters the production queue within 12 hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm. In practice, we prepare the file for printing: final choice of orientation, settings tuned to the chosen material — PLA for decor and figurines, PETG when mechanical strength is needed, TPU for flexible parts, nylon for the most technical uses.
That's also when the part is assigned to one of the workshop's machines. Then printing begins: the FDM process (fused filament deposition, layer after layer, the most widespread 3D printing technology) builds your object line by line. For parts demanding very high definition, such as fine prototypes or micro-mechanisms, our resin printing service takes over.
Step 4: inspection, the artisan's hand
A finished print is not a finished part. Every object that comes off a machine passes through our hands: removing print supports where there are any (temporary props printed under overhanging sections, cleared away once the part is done), checking the surface, the details, the fits where the model has them. A part we're not happy with doesn't ship: it gets reprinted. That's the difference between a workshop and an anonymous production line, and it's what earns us 4.9/5 across more than 300 reviews.
If your quote includes finishing, this is where it happens: sanding, then primer (an undercoat that evens out the surface before color), hand painting, matte, satin or gloss varnish depending on the look you want. For models designed with fixings, we also handle simple assembly — magnets, screws or inserts, as provided for in the file. Count on 3 to 5 working days of production in total, depending on the complexity of the part and the workshop's workload.
Step 5: packing and dispatch
The last step, and not the least careful: packing. A part printed and finished by hand deserves to arrive intact, so every object is wedged and protected before it goes out for tracked delivery. Shipping options and costs depend on where the parcel is going, and your quote spells them out before you commit to anything.
And if you live nearby or happen to be passing through Moselle, collection at the Vatimont workshop is free. It's even a chance to see the machines running and talk about your next project: the coffee is on us.
FAQ
How long does it take between sending the file and receiving the parcel?
The quote reaches you within 24 hours. After you accept it, production starts within 12 hours on working days and takes 3 to 5 working days depending on complexity and workshop load, before the part goes out on tracked delivery.
Can I follow my part's progress?
You receive the quote within 24 hours, then delivery tracking as soon as your parcel ships. And for any question in between, the workshop stays reachable: you're talking to the people printing your part, not to an outsourced call center.
What happens to my file after printing?
It stays confidential: we never share or reuse your files without your agreement, whether it's a personal creation or a more sensitive project.
Your project deserves a workshop, not a factory
Now that you know what happens behind the door, all that's missing is your file. Send it through our on-demand 3D printing page and get your free quote within 24 hours. Want to size up your project first? Our workshop page walks you through it step by step. And to see who's behind the machines, take a look at our about page.