Question 1

Can I get an instant quote for a sliced 3MF file?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sliced .3mf files from Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer get the same instant firm price as STL files, the slicer's embedded grams and print time are what we use, including multi-colour and multi-plate. Most UK print services bounce sliced 3MF to a manual quote form; Hark Tech prices them on the spot. In Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer, slice your plates, then File → Export → Export plate sliced file (or Export all plate sliced files for multi-plate), and drop the result at harktech.co.uk/printing.html. Save Project As does not include slicer output, it has to be one of the Export-sliced options.

Question 2

Can you 3D print STEP files without converting them to STL?

Accepted Answer

Yes, drop the .step (or .stp) file straight into the uploader at harktech.co.uk/printing.html and it is priced on the spot, exactly like an STL. There is no need to export or convert STEP to STL in Fusion 360, FreeCAD, SolidWorks or Onshape first, we convert the CAD solid to a print-ready mesh in-house. STEP keeps your exact dimensions, so the printed part matches the CAD model. Most UK 3D printing services only accept mesh files; Hark Tech quotes STEP directly.

Question 3

How much does 3D printing at Hark Tech cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is £0.04 per gram of material plus £1.00 per hour of machine time, with a £4 minimum per print and a £6 minimum per order. Material premiums on the per-gram rate: PLA Matte +10%, PLA Silk +20%, PETG +20%, ABS +30%, ASA +40%, TPU +75%, PC (polycarbonate) +90%, Nylon (PA) +110%, PETG-CF carbon fibre +60%, PA-CF carbon-fibre nylon +140%. Everything except PLA Basic and PETG is ordered in per job, adding about 1 working day to dispatch. Multi-colour 3MF jobs add a £2 setup fee per additional colour (so 2-colour = £2, 4-colour = £6). Bulk discounts on labour: 5%/10%/15%/20%/30%/40% off at quantities of 5+/10+/20+/50+/100+/300+ of the same part. Lead-time tier: Express +70% (2-day dispatch), Standard baseline, Bulk -20% (10-14 days). Postage is £5.55 (Royal Mail Tracked 48), free on labour subtotals of £40 or more. The live calculator always shows the current rate, what you see is what you pay, no surprises.

Question 4

Is there a minimum order for 3D printing?

Accepted Answer

Our order minimum is just £6, with small prints from £4. Many established UK print services set a minimum order of £15 to £40, so small and one-off parts that other places turn away are welcome at Hark Tech. You get a firm instant price up front, with no quote form and no minimum-order surprise at checkout.

Question 5

Why do engineering materials (PC, ABS, ASA, TPU) cost more?

Accepted Answer

PLA Basic and PETG are kept in stock and are the cheapest options. Engineering materials, PC (polycarbonate), ABS, ASA, TPU, Nylon and carbon-fibre composites (PETG-CF and PA-CF), carry a higher per-gram rate. Engineering materials start at £40 for the print itself, which covers buying in the specialist filament, and add one working day to dispatch; PLA Basic and PETG keep our standard £6 minimum order. It is all shown in your price up front, and these materials come in a focused range of reliably-sourced colours.

Question 6

What materials can you print in?

Accepted Answer

PLA and PETG are in stock by default. TPU (flexible) and engineering materials, ABS, ASA, PC and carbon-fibre-reinforced filaments, are printed in-house on our enclosed machine, available on request. For each job we'll recommend the most suitable material based on strength, temperature and finish requirements.

Question 7

How accurate are your prints?

Accepted Answer

Typical dimensional accuracy is ±0.2 mm for standard FDM prints. For tighter tolerances (press-fits, threads, mating parts) we tune individual jobs and can usually hit ±0.1 mm. Tell us what the part mates to and we'll calibrate accordingly.

Question 8

Will my 3D print be perfectly smooth, or will I see layer lines?

Accepted Answer

FDM 3D printing builds parts up in fine layers, so a printed part has a subtle layered texture rather than the dead-smooth finish of an injection-moulded original, this is normal for the process, not a fault. For most functional and display parts it looks great straight off the printer. If you want a flawless, paint-ready or show finish, the part may need a little post-processing, light sanding, filler-primer and paint, which you can do yourself or we can quote as an add-on. Tell us what the part is for and we'll recommend the best material and orientation for the cleanest possible result.

Question 9

Do I need a 3D model, or can you make one?

Accepted Answer

Both. Send an STL, 3MF or STEP file for the fastest turnaround. If you don't have a model, send dimensions, photos or a sketch and we hand it to our design partner CEEQ Design, a Basingstoke CAD and mechanical design studio, who turn your idea or a broken part into a print-ready model, then we print it.

Question 10

How long does a print take?

Accepted Answer

Most orders dispatch within 5 to 7 working days of payment, sometimes longer when the queue is busy. Sliced multi-colour 3MF jobs (Bambu Studio / OrcaSlicer project export) get an instant quote on the spot, no manual review step.

Question 11

What does 'No preference' colour mean?

Accepted Answer

It means we choose the filament colour for you from whatever we have in stock. To make good use of spare filament we sometimes print different parts of an order in different colours. This keeps your cost down and often speeds up dispatch, and it never affects the fit or print quality. If colour matters to you, pick a specific colour before ordering, as no-preference orders cannot be refunded or reprinted on colour grounds alone.