JLC3DP Blog

Cost & ROI

9 Reasons Why You Should NOT Buy a 3D Printer

(Freepik) So, you're thinking of buying a 3D printer. The internet’s hyped it up, your buddy won’t shut up about his Benchy prints, and you're wondering: “Is a 3D printer worth it?” Here’s the thing, ometimes, it’s not. Owning a 3D printer sounds futuristic until you’re knee-deep in filament spaghetti, failed layers, and firmware updates. If you’re hoping it’ll magically solve all your making needs, you’re in for a wake-up call. Before you spend a chunk of cash and desk space, here are 9 reasons you m......

Jun 20, 2025

Plastics

PETG Filament for 3D Printing: Properties & Settings Guide

In 3D printing, choosing the right printing material is crucial. PETG is a common 3D printing filament material that is ideal for 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals due to its superior strength, ease of use, and suitability for a wide range of applications. Compared with materials like PLA and ABS, PETG offers better toughness and durability. If you're deciding between materials, you can check our guide on PETG vs PLA for 3D printing. This article will explore the characteristics of PETG 3D pri......

Oct 28, 2024

Plastics

Why MJF Filament Doesn't Exist: Powder vs. Filament Explained

What Searchers Really Want to Know Users frequently ask questions like “Does HP MJF use filament?” or “Can MJF print nylon filament?” because they want the strength and quality of Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) on their FDM printers. This search for "MJF filament" reflects a desire to access premium MJF material properties easily. Need any MJF prototyping service? 3D printing service expert JLC3DP can help you turn your ideas into life. Get professional MJF printing starting from just $1, with fast lead times......

Nov 29, 2025

Plastics

Flexible 3D Printing Filament Types: TPU, TPE & Soft PLA Guide

You’re probably here because rigid PLA just won’t cut it. Maybe your print needs to flex, bounce back, stretch, or just not snap in half under pressure. Whether it’s a phone case, a gasket, a soft robot joint, or some weird wearable idea, you’re now in the world of flexible 3D printing filaments. But here’s the problem: Flexible filaments like TPU, TPE, or soft PLA aren’t all the same. Some are rubbery and forgiving, others are more like bendy plastic. Some will glide through your printer like a dream......

Aug 20, 2025

Safety & Maintenance

Why Metal 3D Printing Post-Processing Is the Real Bottleneck

The Complexity of Finished Parts In metal additive manufacturing, printing the part is actually the easy part. What comes off the machine usually isn’t ready to use yet. The surface can be rough, support structures are still attached, and the internal stresses from printing haven’t been relieved. Before that component can go anywhere near an assembly or a test bench, it needs several additional steps. This stage, metal 3D printing post processing, is where a lot of projects quietly slow down. Most eng......

Mar 21, 2026

Design Tips

How to 3D Print Large Objects Beyond Your Printer’s Size

Every maker hits this moment. You design something ambitious. A full-size prop. A car interior panel. A furniture joint. A mold that actually fits the real part. You hit “slice”… and then reality shows up. The model is bigger than your build plate. That’s the big challenge of going big. 3D printing large objects sounds simple until you try it. Your printer doesn’t suddenly grow just because your idea did. And scaling a model isn’t the same as successfully 3D printing at large scale. Once parts get big......

Mar 13, 2026