How Long Does It Take To 3D Print Something

A common question arises for newcomers and experienced makers alike: how long does it actually take to 3D print something? The answer isn’t always straightforward – print times can range from 30 minutes for a simple keychain to several days for complex models. This blog explores key factors that influence print duration and helps you better understand what to expect for your projects.

What Affects 3D Printing Time

Four crucial factors determine how long your 3D print will take. Here’s a breakdown of the factors at play: 

• Printer Technology: Different technologies (like SLA, FDM, SLS) have different speed capabilities due to their fundamental processes. FDM generally prints at 20-100mm/s, most common for hobbyists.
• Print Settings: Within each technology, settings like layer height, infill density, and support structures affect print time. Higher quality prints with finer layers generally take longer.
• Object Size and Complexity: Larger and more intricate objects naturally take longer to print. Complex shapes with overhangs require slower printing and supports. Hollow models print faster than solid ones.
• Material: Some materials require longer exposure or cooling times, affecting overall print time. Flexible filaments like TPU need to be printed slowly (20-40 mm/sec).

3D Print Time Examples

On average, a small, simple 3D print might take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. However, this is a very rough estimate. Let’s look at a comparison of printing a Benchy model with different 3D printer settings:

	Normal Print	Fast Print	Smooth Surface	High Precision/Solid Print
Photo	(See below)	(See below)	(See below)	(See below)
Layer Height	0.16mm	0.24mm	0.12mm	0.16mm
Speed	100mm/s	160mm/s	60mm/s	100mm/s
Acceleration	2000mm/s²	2000mm/s²	2000mm/s²	2000mm/s²
Infill Density /Structure	Medium	Sparse/Low	Medium	Solid/Dense
Support	No Support	No Support	No Support	No Support
Bed Adhesion	Skirt	Skirt	Skirt	Skirt
Print Time	1 hour 10 min	50 min	2 hour 6 min	1 hour 27 min
Weight	11.3g	11.9g	11.3g	14g
Dimensions	60*31*48mm

• Trade-offs: There’s a trade-off between print speed and quality. “Fast Print” takes the shortest time (50 minutes), but “Smooth Surface” produces the best surface finish but takes the longest (2 hours 6 minutes).
• Infill Density: Infill density affects both the weight and strength of the model. “High Precision/Solid Print” uses a higher infill density, resulting in a heavier (14g) and presumably stronger model.
• Consistency: The dimensions of the boat model remain consistent across all print settings.

3D Printing Optimization: Speed vs. Quality 

When it comes to FDM printing, there’s always a trade-off between speed and quality. Let’s look at the two options:

Aiming for Fast Production (Speed Prioritized):

To print quickly, you can adjust settings to favor speed. This typically means:

• Layer Height: 0.2-0.3mm
• Infill: 10-20%
• Print Speed: 60-100mm/sec
• Wall Thickness: 0.8-1.2mm

And trade-offs：

• Visible layer lines
• Lower structural integrity
• Potential stringing issues

Looking for Precision (Quality Prioritized):

If you need a more precise and detailed print, you can prioritize quality by:

• Layer Height: 0.1-0.15mm
• Infill: 20-40%
• Print Speed: 30-50mm/sec
• Wall Thickness: 1.2-1.6mm

And trade-offs：

• 2-3x longer print times
• Higher material usage
• Better surface finish

Can You Leave a 3D Printer On Overnight?

One common concern is whether it’s safe to leave your 3D printer running overnight. Technically, it’s possible, but there are some risks you should be aware of:

• Filament Jams: A jam can stop the print and potentially damage the printer.
• Print Failures: Issues like bed adhesion problems or power outages can ruin a long print.
• Fire Hazards: While rare, electrical malfunctions can pose a fire risk.

Safety Tips

While 3D printers can run overnight, proper safety measures are essential:

• Install smoke detectors near the printer
• Use thermal runaway protection
• Ensure proper ventilation
• Consider webcam monitoring
• Use quality power supplies

Pausing and Resuming

Most printers feature a pause option for troubleshooting. However, pausing a 3D print overnight is not advisable, as the standby heating elements can lead to safety hazards and affect print quality (for instance, layer adhesion issues). Ultimately, you should either print throughout the night or not at all. When pausing is necessary:

• Best to pause at layer changes
• Allow partial cooling before pause
• Resume at similar bed temperature
• Check first layer after resume

Cooling Guidelines

Different materials require specific cooling times to ensure proper solidification and prevent warping or dimensional issues.

• PLA: 15-30 minutes
• ABS: 30-60 minutes
• PETG: 20-45 minutes
• Large prints may need several hours

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, there’s no single answer to the question of how long 3D printing takes. The duration can vary considerably, but grasping these influencing factors can help establish realistic expectations. Aim to balance your project’s quality needs with time limitations. Keep in mind that maintaining your printer properly and adjusting quality settings can often save time by avoiding failures and reprinting.