How to Optimize Your 3D Designs to Save Time and Money on Printing

3D printing is an incredible technology that enables the creation of everything from prototypes to end-use products.
However, without an optimized design, you risk long print times, unnecessary material consumption, and potential failures during the printing process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to optimize your 3D designs to save both time and money.

1. Choose the right printing technology

Before starting your design, it’s essential to select the most suitable 3D printing technology. The most common types are:

• FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) – Great for strong and functional parts, but limited in detail

• SLA (Stereolithography) – Perfect for high precision and smooth surfaces, but can be brittle

• SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) – Ideal for complex geometries without needing support structures
  Choosing the right technology helps you design correctly from the beginning and avoid costly redesigns.

2. Reduce material usage with hollow structures

One of the most effective ways to save material is by hollowing out your design where possible. Most slicers allow you to adjust:

• Infill percentage – Lower infill reduces material usage and print time

• Wall thickness – Thinner walls reduce weight and cost

• Structural strength – Use honeycomb or grid infill patterns to maintain strength with less material

3. Avoid unnecessary support structures

Support material may be necessary, but it increases print time and material use. You can reduce support needs by:

• Optimizing model orientation – Position the model to minimize overhangs

• Adding angled surfaces – Angles under 45 degrees often don’t need support

• Using bridging techniques – Small bridges can often be printed without support if designed properly

4. Simplify geometry

Complex geometries can look impressive, but they often increase print time and risk of failure. Consider:

• Removing unnecessary details – If a feature doesn’t serve a function, remove it

• Using rounded edges – Sharp corners can create stress points and cause cracking

• Splitting large models into smaller parts – Easier to print and assemble, with less risk of failure

5. Optimize layer height and print settings

Layer height has a big impact on print time and quality. Consider:

• Low layer height (0.1 mm) for detailed prints

• High layer height (0.3 mm) for faster, rougher prints

• Speed optimization – Adjust slicer settings to find the best balance between speed and quality

6. Choose the right material

Material selection affects both cost and performance. Common options include:

• PLA – Affordable and easy to print, but not very strong

• PETG – A good balance of strength and flexibility

• ABS – Durable, but requires a heated chamber

• PA6 (Nylon) – Very strong and flexible, but needs high temperatures

7. Test with small prototypes

Instead of printing a large model right away, save time and material by:

• Printing a scaled-down version – To check shape and fit

• Testing critical sections – Only print the most complex areas to ensure they function properly

8. Use post-processing to enhance results

Sometimes, it’s more efficient to improve a print through finishing instead of redesigning. This can include:

• Sanding and polishing – Smooths the surface and reduces layer lines

• Chemical smoothing – Acetone vapor (for ABS) creates a glossy finish

• Painting and coating – Gives a professional look without requiring high-resolution printing

Conclusion

By optimizing your 3D designs, you can save both time and money while ensuring high print quality. Choosing the right technology, reducing material use, minimizing supports, simplifying geometry, and selecting the right materials will streamline your production process.

Need help optimizing your 3D designs? Contact Maker Factory today and let us help you get the most out of your 3D printing workflow!