3D printing guides
Short, practical answers with real numbers — each linked to a free tool.
How much filament is on a spool?
How many metres of filament are on a 1 kg spool of PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU or Nylon, in 1.75 and 2.85 mm, plus how to work out what is left on a partly used spool.
How to price 3D prints
A practical formula for pricing 3D prints: material, electricity, machine time, failures, labour and markup, with a worked example and common mistakes.
Filament density table: PLA vs PETG vs ABS
Density of PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, Nylon, PC and more in g/cm³, with grams per metre and what density means for print weight and cost.
How long does a 3D print take?
Typical 3D print times for common objects, the settings that change print time the most, and how to estimate time from your model before slicing.
Best infill percentage for 3D printing
What infill percentage to use for decorative, everyday and functional 3D prints, which patterns are strongest, and why walls often matter more than infill.
How to calibrate e-steps and flow rate
Step-by-step e-steps calibration for Marlin printers, the G-code commands to use, how to calibrate flow rate after, and the Klipper rotation_distance equivalent.
How to dry 3D printing filament
How to tell if 3D printing filament is wet, the right drying temperature and time for each material, and how dryers, ovens and dehydrators compare.