The Complete 3D Printing Guide 2026

Additive manufacturing process that builds parts layer by layer by extruding thermoplastic filament through a heated nozzle. Also known as FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication). The most common consumer 3D printing technology.

Resin-based 3D printing that uses a UV laser to selectively cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. Produces high-detail parts with smooth surfaces. Requires post-processing (wash and cure).

Resin printing variant that uses an LCD/LED screen to cure entire layers at once (instead of a laser tracing). Faster than SLA for full build plates. Most consumer resin printers are MSLA.

Powder-based technology that uses a laser to sinter (fuse) polymer powder. No support structures needed (unsintered powder supports the part). Produces strong, functional parts.

HP powder-based technology using thermal inkjet to selectively fuse nylon powder. Faster than SLS for batch production. Produces parts with consistent mechanical properties.

The thickness of each layer in the Z-axis. Thinner layers (0.05mm) produce smoother surfaces but take longer. Thicker layers (0.3mm) are faster but show more visible layer lines.

The internal structure pattern and density of a 3D printed part. 20% infill is common for prototypes; 80-100% for functional parts. Patterns: grid, gyroid, honeycomb, cubic.

Temporary material printed to support overhanging features during printing. Removed after printing. Tree supports use less material and are easier to remove than linear supports.

A thin, flat layer of material extending outward from the base of the print. Increases bed adhesion and prevents warping. Easily removed after printing.

A thick, removable base printed under the part. Provides strong bed adhesion and a flat surface. More material waste than brim but better adhesion for difficult materials.

Pulling filament back into the nozzle during travel moves to prevent oozing and stringing. Settings: retraction distance (1-6mm) and speed (25-60mm/s).

The opening size of the extrusion nozzle. Standard: 0.4mm. Smaller (0.2mm) for detail. Larger (0.6-0.8mm) for speed and strength. Affects minimum feature size and layer width.

The surface on which the part is printed. Types: glass, PEI spring steel, magnetic flex plate, BuildTak. Heated beds (50-110C) prevent warping for materials like ABS, PETG, Nylon.

The heated assembly that melts filament. Consists of heat sink, heat break, heater block, and nozzle. All-metal hotends handle higher temperatures than PTFE-lined versions.

Bowden: extruder motor is separate from hotend, connected by PTFE tube. Lighter printhead, faster. Direct drive: motor sits on the hotend. Better for flexible filaments, more accurate retraction.

A kinematic system where two motors work together to move the printhead in X and Y. The bed only moves in Z. Enables high-speed printing with less inertia.

Sensor-based system that automatically compensates for bed surface irregularities. Types: inductive probe, BLTouch, strain gauge, eddy current. Essential for reliable first layers.

Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene film at the bottom of resin printer vats. UV-transparent, non-stick surface. Wears with use and needs periodic replacement.

Software that converts 3D models (STL/3MF) into G-code instructions for the printer. Controls layer height, infill, supports, temperature, speed, and all other print parameters.

The programming language that controls 3D printer movements, temperatures, and speeds. Generated by slicers from 3D model files. Each line is a command.

The most common 3D model file format for 3D printing. Stores surface geometry as triangles. Does not contain color or material information. Being replaced by 3MF.

Modern 3D printing file format that includes geometry, color, materials, and print settings in a single file. Smaller files and more reliable than STL. Preferred format in 2026.

Steps after printing to improve the finished part: support removal, sanding, painting, vapor smoothing (ABS), UV curing (resin), annealing (heat treatment), assembly.

Heat-treating a printed part to improve crystallinity, strength, and heat resistance. PLA annealed at 80C for 1 hour. PETG at 90C. Parts may shrink 1-5%.

Exposing ABS prints to acetone vapor to chemically smooth layer lines. Creates a glossy, smooth surface. Requires ventilation and safety precautions.

The acceptable deviation from a designed dimension. FDM typically achieves +/- 0.2-0.5mm. SLA achieves +/- 0.05-0.15mm. Design parts with appropriate tolerances for assembly.

A section of a part that extends beyond the layer below it without support. FDM can handle up to 45-degree overhangs without supports. Beyond that, supports are needed.

Printing horizontally across a gap between two support points. FDM can bridge 10-20mm with good cooling. Longer bridges require supports or design modifications.

Deformation caused by uneven cooling and thermal contraction. Corners lift from the build plate. Common with ABS, Nylon. Prevented by heated bed, enclosure, and adhesion aids.

Thin threads of filament between non-connected parts of a print. Caused by oozing during travel moves. Fixed by adjusting retraction settings and temperature.

The visible line where each layer starts and ends. Can be randomized (scattered dots), aligned (single vertical line), or hidden behind a feature. Slicer setting.

Open-source firmware that offloads computation from the printer controller to a Linux host (Raspberry Pi). Enables faster printing, input shaping, pressure advance.

Firmware feature that compensates for printer vibrations at high speed. Uses accelerometer data to cancel resonance artifacts (ringing/ghosting). Enables printing at 300+ mm/s.

Firmware feature that pre-compresses filament before corners and decompresses after. Produces sharper corners at high speeds. Also called Linear Advance in Marlin.

Printing with multiple filaments in a single print. Achieved via: AMS (Bambu Lab), MMU (Prusa), tool changer, or dual extruder. Enables multi-color and multi-material parts.

Software for creating 3D models. Popular for 3D printing: Fusion 360 (parametric), Tinkercad (beginner), Blender (artistic), SolidWorks (professional), OpenSCAD (programmatic).

Bambu Lab system for automatic multi-filament printing. Holds 4 spools per unit (up to 16 with daisy-chaining). Enables multi-color prints without manual filament changes.

The maximum printable dimensions (X x Y x Z) of a 3D printer. Common sizes: 220x220x250mm (standard), 300x300x300mm (large format), 130x80x150mm (resin).

Multiple 3D printers running simultaneously for production volume. Managed via software like OctoPrint, OctoFarm, or Bambu Lab Handy. Common for small-batch manufacturing.

Uncured resin is a skin irritant and potential sensitizer. Always wear nitrile gloves, safety glasses, and work in a ventilated area. Clean spills with IPA. Dispose of cured resin properly.