Custom 3D printing, answered straight
Everything below describes the live service. When in doubt, the instant quote you get after uploading a file is always the authoritative answer on price.
The service
What is The Printed Bay?
The Printed Bay is a custom 3D printing service in Des Plaines, IL, run by a single engineer. You upload a 3D model, see a live preview and an instant price, and receive professionally printed FDM or SLA resin parts — shipped anywhere in the US or picked up locally for free. A real person reviews every file before it prints.
Do I need an account to order?
No. You can upload a file, get a price, and check out without creating an account. Quotes get a shareable link you can bookmark, and orders are trackable with the order ID (format TPB-...) emailed after checkout.
Who actually prints my part?
One person — an electrical engineer by education and software engineer by trade — preps, prints, inspects, and ships every order. If something about your model looks wrong (thin walls, odd scale, doomed overhangs), you hear about it before it wastes a print, and emails get a reply the same day.
Is my design kept confidential?
Yes. Uploaded files are stored privately, never shared or published, and are used only to produce your order. IP-sensitive and pre-launch projects are welcome.
Files & quoting
What file formats do you accept?
STL, OBJ, PLY, 3MF, GLTF, and GLB files get an instant online quote with a live 3D preview. STEP and STP CAD files are quoted manually by email, usually within one business day. Maximum upload size is 200 MB.
How is the price calculated?
The price is computed on the server from the actual geometry of your uploaded model — its true volume and dimensions — combined with the material, quality tier, and quantity you pick. The number you see on the site is the real price, not an estimate that gets revised later.
How much does a 3D print cost?
Most small custom parts start around $12, and the exact price appears the moment you upload your file. There is no minimum order quantity — a single small part is a normal order. The instant quote on theprintedbay.com is always the authoritative price.
I don’t have a 3D model. Can you design the part?
Yes. Send photos, a sketch, or the broken original part and you get a quote for design plus printing. Reverse-engineered replacement parts and custom designs typically take 5–10 business days including design time.
Materials & quality
What FDM filament materials are available?
PLA for most decorative and general-purpose parts, PETG for outdoor and load-bearing use, and ABS-like filament for heat resistance and functional parts.
What SLA resin materials are available?
Standard resin for fine detail and miniatures, high-resolution 8K resin for the finest features like jewelry and dental work, plus water-washable, plant-based, flexible, tough (ABS-like), high-temperature, castable, and clear transparent resins.
What colors can I choose?
About ten standard colors at no upcharge — white, black, gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and clear — plus premium metallic and glitter options for a small upcharge. Dual-color FDM prints are possible on request.
What quality levels do you offer?
Three tiers: Draft (fastest and cheapest, visible layer lines), Standard (the recommended balance), and High Detail (smoothest finish, higher price). The instant quote updates as you switch tiers.
How big can a printed part be?
FDM parts print up to 256 × 256 × 256 mm in one piece. Larger models are handled by a built-in model splitter that detects oversized parts, splits them into printable sections with alignment pins, and prices the whole job before checkout. Resin parts have a smaller envelope, roughly 230 × 130 × 160 mm.
Turnaround, shipping & payment
How fast will I get my print?
Typical turnaround is 3–5 business days for FDM filament and 5–7 business days for SLA resin, from payment to handoff. Custom design work adds time — usually 5–10 business days total. A rush option (+$15 flat) is available when the schedule allows.
Where do you ship, and what does it cost?
Orders ship anywhere in the United States from Des Plaines, IL. Shipping is size-tiered, roughly $5.50–$12.50, and free on orders over $75. Local pickup in Des Plaines is always free and removes shipping time entirely.
What payment methods do you take?
Checkout runs through Stripe and accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as ACH bank transfer. Card payments start production immediately; ACH starts once funds clear, which takes a few business days.
What if something is wrong with my order?
Email orders@theprintedbay.com with your order ID and a brief description — replies typically come the same day. Approved refunds are processed through Stripe per the refund policy at theprintedbay.com/refund.