3D Printing Services
RapidMade offers a wide range of 3D printing services to ensure that you always have the right solution for your project.
Whether your business needs parts, prototypes, or consumer products, 3D metal and plastic printing can add value throughout product development and production.
Click on any technology below to learn more about it, or, if you are new to 3D printing, we put together a 5-Minute Buyer’s Guide to provide an overview of all of our services.
Want to learn how to design your products to get the most out of 3D printing? Check out our Design for Additive Manufacturing Guide for an in-depth look at the unique capabilities of 3D printing. We even offer 3D Printing for Prototyping to help with product testing!
Choose the Right 3D Printing Service for Your Application
Not every 3D printing process is ideal for every part. Some technologies are best for strength and production readiness, while others are better for fine detail, cosmetic finish, large parts, or full-color models. RapidMade helps customers select the right process based on the needs of the application.
- For strong, functional plastic parts and production-ready prototypes, consider the MJF 3D printing service or SLS.
- For the best surface finish and fine detail, High Speed SLA is often the best choice.
- For durable, cost-effective large plastic parts, FDM is a practical solution.
- For end-use metal parts and complex geometries, our metal 3D printing service capabilities provide a strong alternative to machining or casting.
For oversized parts, molds, and tooling, our large format 3D printing services support parts up to one meter in length.
Featured 3D Printing Services
Want to learn how to design your products to get the most out of 3D printing? Check out our Design for Additive Manufacturing Guide for an in-depth look at the unique capabilities of 3D printing. We even offer 3D Printing for Prototyping to help with product testing!
HP Multi Jet Fusion
Our MJF 3D printing service is ideal for strong, accurate plastic parts with excellent detail and production-ready performance. It is a great choice for functional prototypes, housings, brackets, and end-use parts.
Materials: Nylon 12, 90A TPU
Best for: Functional parts, prototypes, short-run production
High Speed SLA (Stereolithography)
High Speed SLA delivers excellent surface finish and fine detail for plastic parts that need a polished appearance and tight features. It is commonly used for cosmetic prototypes, presentation models, and detailed components.
Materials: Digital ABS, polypropylene-like, acrylic-like
Best for: Cosmetic prototypes, fine-detail parts, visual models
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
FDM is a cost-effective option for durable plastic parts, especially medium and large components. It works well for tooling, jigs, fixtures, and functional prototypes where strength and size matter more than surface finish.
Best for: Tooling, fixtures, large parts, durable prototypes
Direct Metal Printing
Our 3D metal printing service supports complex, production-grade metal parts that are difficult or inefficient to machine. It is a strong option for industrial components, tooling, and end-use parts requiring strength and precision.
We also support steel 3D printing service applications, including stainless steel and other alloy-based parts.
Best for: Metal parts, tooling, complex geometries, stainless steel applications
Additional Plastic 3D Printing
Colorjet
ColorJet prints full-color plastic models, marketing displays, or cross-sections. With over 390,000 colors, ColorJet is also one of the fastest plastic printing technologies we offer.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
SLS printed plastics can be manufactured with a range of mechanical properties. They are strong, durable, and have high heat and chemical resistance.
Large Format 3D Printing
Able to print products up to one meter in length, large format printing offers the biggest industrial bed size for 3D printed plastics. Great for tooling, molds and direct investment casting.
Why Work With RapidMade
RapidMade is more than a service bureau. We help customers identify the right additive manufacturing process for the job and support projects from prototype through production. Our team works across plastic and metal applications, helping customers evaluate materials, geometry, finish requirements, and production goals before choosing a process.
Customers rely on RapidMade for:
- Plastic and metal 3D printing service expertise
- Engineering support and design guidance
- Process selection based on real application needs
- Functional prototyping and low-volume production
- Finishing, machining, and secondary operations
- Large-format and specialty additive manufacturing capabilities
Not Sure Which Process Is Right?
If you know what your part needs to do but are unsure which process fits best, RapidMade can help. Whether you need strength, cosmetic finish, flexibility, heat resistance, large-part capability, or metal performance, we can recommend the right 3D printing solution for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 3D printing process is best for functional parts?
For functional plastic parts, MJF and SLS are often strong choices because of their mechanical performance and durability. For functional metal components, our 3D metal printing service capabilities are often the best fit.
What factors have the biggest impact on 3D printing cost?
Material choice, part size, build volume, geometry complexity, quantity, and post-processing all affect price. Costs can often be reduced by optimizing wall thickness, consolidating assemblies, and selecting the right process for performance needs.
How do I know if 3D printing is better than machining or injection molding for my part?
3D printing is often the best fit for prototypes, low-volume production, complex geometries, and parts that would be expensive to tool. Machining or molding may be better for very tight tolerances, simple shapes, or high-volume production.
What file format should I send for a 3D printing quote?
Most 3D printing providers accept STL, STEP, and other common CAD file formats. A solid 3D model is usually the best starting point, since it helps evaluate geometry, manufacturability, material options, and the most suitable process.
Can you help improve my part design before printing?
Yes, design support can improve printability, strength, surface quality, and cost. Reviewing wall thickness, orientation, tolerances, and material choice early often leads to better-performing parts and fewer revisions during prototyping or production.