Jeremy's Print Lab: FAQ

 Thanks for showing interest in my products! If you have any questions, they might be answered here.

General 3D Printing Information

What is 3D printing? How does it work?

3D Printing works by melting down plastic into a specific pattern. The plastic starts as a big, long string rolled into a spool. The spool is fed into the printer, where it is melted. Once the printer is hot enough it moved 

Are 3D prints hollow?

Sort of! 3D prints are not solid plastic all the way through! This would make something relatively small take days longer to print and use exponentially more plastic. Instead, prints usually have about 3 solid walls of plastic on the edges, and the middle has a specific "infill" pattern for additional strength. 

This image from All3DP shows the different possible infill patterns.

What are 3D prints made out of?

Technically, 3D prints can be made out of just about anything that can be melted down, or have a thick liquid form. Plastic, glass, metal, chocolate, and concrete are all materials that have been 3D printed. Most prints are done in plastic, the most popular type of plastic being Polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is a bioplastic, made from renewable biomass. According to BioPak.com, this can include fermented plant starch like corn, cassava, sugarcane, or sugar beet pulp. 

Jeremy's Print Lab Information

Best practices for long-lasting prints.

The absolute best conditions for a 3D print to live its longest life are no sunlight, cool temperatures, and no force applied. If you've purchased a planter, you will probably need to put that in direct sunlight so the plant doesn't die. I've been using one of my Ico Planters since the Summer of 2023 and the pot has not faded, nor has it shown any signs of damage. I rotate the pot every few weeks so the sun attacks it evenly (and, that's good for the plant!) Overall, I wouldn't stress too much about it. I have a few prints on windowsills and I live in Florida so it can get quite hot and they're all completely fine. 

Can my 3D print be left outside?

No! I've tested this! Best case scenario it fades, worst case scenario it melts!

See this video to see how it can melt:

Why does my 3D print have white stuff on the bottom?

Gross! Don't panic, I used to use hairspray, but now I use glue sticks, to keep the 3D print stuck to the print bed while it is printing. Both can be washed off easily and if it's hairspray, you get the added bonus of it smelling like citrus. I try to wash this off each print, but if I missed one I apologize. 

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