# Guides

> Practical guides to 3D printing: choosing a material, preparing files, recreating replacement parts and understanding prices.

Canonical: https://printimir.ch/en/guides

## Guides

Practical guidance from model to finished part: choose a material, prepare your file, recreate a replacement part and understand how pricing works.

[Upload model](https://printimir.ch/en/3d-printing/upload-model) · [No file? Request a project](https://printimir.ch/en/3d-modeling/request)

#### Recreating a replacement part without a 3D model

No 3D model of the broken part? Learn which photos, measurements and details we need to recreate it for 3D printing.

[Recreating a replacement part without a 3D model](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/recreate-replacement-part-without-model)

#### Which material for which use: PLA Basic, PLA Matt, PLA CF and PETG

PLA or PETG, matte or carbon-fibre reinforced? A clear comparison of Printimir's four printing materials and their uses.

[Which material for which use: PLA Basic, PLA Matt, PLA CF and PETG](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/which-3d-printing-material-for-which-use)

#### How to prepare an STL file for 3D printing

Closed geometry, correct units and suitable wall thickness: how to prepare a printable STL file and avoid common problems.

[How to prepare an STL file for 3D printing](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/prepare-stl-file-for-3d-printing)

#### What 3D printing costs and why

Why there is no fixed price per part, how material, print time and quantity determine the price, and how to reduce it.

[What 3D printing costs and why](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/what-3d-printing-costs)

#### When 3D printing is the right process, and when it is not

FDM 3D printing has clear strengths and limitations. An honest guide to whether it suits your part.

[When 3D printing is the right process, and when it is not](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/when-3d-printing-is-right)

#### Parts over 256 mm: scaling, splitting and bonding

The build volume ends at 256 mm per edge. Learn how larger models can be split, printed and joined effectively.

[Parts over 256 mm: scaling, splitting and bonding](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/split-and-join-parts-over-256-mm)

#### 3D printing for prototypes: test form, fit and function

Use printed prototypes to answer the right questions early and compare design variants clearly.

[3D printing for prototypes: test form, fit and function](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/3d-printing-for-prototypes)

#### 3D printing file formats compared: STL, OBJ, 3MF and STEP

Which 3D file format to upload and what STL, OBJ, 3MF and STEP mean for colour, scale and accuracy.

[3D printing file formats compared: STL, OBJ, 3MF and STEP](https://printimir.ch/en/guides/3d-printing-file-formats-compared)