You have more options than you might think. Depending on what you need printed, how fast you need it, and how much you want to spend, you can get a 3D print done at a public library, a local makerspace, an online printing service, or a retail shipping store. Most people with a simple project (a replacement part, a gift, a prototype) can have something printed for under $20 and in hand within a week or two.
Public Libraries
Many public libraries across the U.S. now have 3D printers available to patrons, often for free or at very low cost. Some libraries, like the Monrovia Public Library in California, offer one free print per month. You typically submit your design file, and library staff handle the printing. Turnaround varies, but expect one to four weeks since staff usually batch prints together and may have a queue ahead of you.
To find out if your local library offers this, check its website or call and ask. Larger city and county library systems are more likely to have a printer. The quality is generally fine for small decorative items, educational models, or basic functional parts, though you won’t have much choice in materials or colors.
Makerspaces and University Labs
Makerspaces (sometimes called hackerspaces or fab labs) are community workshops where members share tools, including 3D printers. Most charge a monthly membership fee, typically $30 to $100, and then let you use the equipment yourself. This is a great option if you want to learn the process, need to iterate on a design quickly, or plan to print multiple things over time. You can find makerspaces near you through directories like the Maker Map or a simple search for “makerspace” plus your city.
If you live near a college or university, its engineering or design department may open its 3D printing lab to the public, or at least to students and alumni. Policies vary widely, so contact the department directly.
Online 3D Printing Services
Online services are the most popular option for people who want professional results without owning a printer. You upload a design file, choose your material and finish, and the company prints and ships the part to you. The biggest names in this space include Shapeways, Craftcloud, Xometry, and Sculpteo. Most accept orders of any size, from a single keychain to hundreds of production parts.
The process is straightforward: upload your file, get an instant quote, and place the order. Turnaround for a standard plastic print is typically three to ten business days, plus shipping. If you need something faster, most services offer rush options for an extra fee. Print times themselves range from 30 minutes for a tiny object to several days for large or complex pieces, so the service’s queue and shipping speed usually matter more than the actual printing.
Online services also give you access to a much wider range of materials and printing technologies than you’d find locally. If you need resin for a smooth, highly detailed miniature, or nylon for a durable mechanical part, these platforms can handle it.
Retail Stores
Some UPS Store locations have offered 3D printing in the past, though availability depends entirely on the individual franchise. Services, pricing, and hours vary by location, so call ahead before making a trip. Staples and other office supply stores have experimented with 3D printing services as well, but again, it’s not universal. Your best bet is to search for “3D printing service near me” and check which local businesses come up, including small print shops and sign-making companies that have added 3D printing to their offerings.
What File You’ll Need
Almost every printing service accepts STL files, which is the standard format for 3D printing. If you’re designing something yourself in software like Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or Blender, you can export directly to STL. OBJ files are also widely accepted. A newer format called 3MF is becoming standard in professional software because it stores more information about the print (like color and material data), but STL still works everywhere.
If you don’t have your own design, sites like Thingiverse, Printables, and MyMiniFactory host millions of free, downloadable models. Search for what you need, download the STL file, and upload it to whichever service you choose.
How Much It Costs
Pricing depends on a few key factors: the volume of material used, the type of material, and how much post-processing the part needs. A small plastic object (a phone stand, a figurine, a bracket) might cost $5 to $30. Larger or more complex prints run higher because they use more material and take longer on the machine.
You can reduce costs by making your design hollow or using internal lattice structures instead of solid infill. If a printing technology requires support structures (scaffolding that holds up overhanging sections during printing), those add material cost and require labor to remove afterward.
Basic plastic filaments like PLA and PETG are the cheapest options. Resin prints cost more but deliver much finer detail and smoother surfaces. Metal printing is significantly more expensive, typically starting at $100 or more per part, and is usually reserved for functional engineering components rather than casual projects.
Choosing the Right Material
The material you pick should match how the printed object will be used.
- PLA is the most common and cheapest option. It’s rigid, strong enough for display pieces and prototypes, biodegradable, and prints without any unpleasant smell. The tradeoff is that it doesn’t hold up well to heat or chemicals, so it’s not ideal for parts that will sit in a hot car or hold liquids long-term.
- ABS is tougher and more heat-resistant, making it better for functional parts that need to survive impact or higher temperatures. It’s the same plastic used in LEGO bricks. It does require ventilation during printing due to fumes, but that’s the printer operator’s concern, not yours if you’re using a service.
- PETG is a good middle ground. It resists moisture and chemicals, can be made food-safe, and works well for waterproof applications or parts that snap together. It also prints at lower temperatures, which can speed up production.
- Resin produces the highest detail and smoothest finish of any consumer-accessible option. Miniatures, jewelry prototypes, and dental models are common resin applications. The downside is that resin prints can degrade with prolonged sun exposure.
All standard filament-based prints (PLA, ABS, PETG) will show visible layer lines up close. If you need a perfectly smooth surface, resin is the better choice, or you can request post-processing like sanding and painting from some services.
Metal and Industrial Printing
If you need a functional metal part, companies like Protolabs offer industrial metal 3D printing with turnaround times of seven days or less. Available metals include stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, cobalt chrome, and nickel superalloys like Inconel. These services cater primarily to engineering and manufacturing needs: aerospace components, medical instruments, automotive prototypes, and parts that must withstand extreme temperatures or mechanical stress.
Metal printing is overkill for most consumer projects, but it’s worth knowing about if you need a replacement part for machinery, a custom bracket that has to bear real load, or a prototype in production-grade material. Parts can be built as large as roughly 31 by 16 by 20 inches in aluminum, depending on the service. Post-processing options include heat treatments, stress relief, and surface finishing to improve strength and appearance.
Quickest Path From Idea to Print
If you already have an STL file and want the simplest experience, upload it to an online service like Shapeways or Craftcloud, pick PLA or PETG, and you’ll have a quote in seconds. If you’d rather deal with someone in person, search for a local makerspace or check your library’s website. For anything that needs to be metal, food-safe, or produced in quantity, go with a professional service like Xometry or Protolabs that offers material certifications and quality guarantees.