Answers to the most common questions about our 3D printing, scanning, and nomenclature printing services. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us.
We offer three core 3D printing technologies: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) for functional thermoplastics, SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) for durable nylon parts without supports, and SLA (Stereolithography) for high-resolution smooth-surface parts. All available at both our Minneapolis and Denver facilities.
FDM: PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon (PA6/PA12), TPU, Carbon Fiber Nylon, ASA, PC-ABS. SLS: Nylon 12, Glass-Filled Nylon, Alumide. SLA: Standard resin, tough resin, flexible resin, castable resin, dental resin. If you need a specific material, just ask — we can source most engineering-grade thermoplastics.
Standard lead time is 2–5 business days depending on technology, material, and order volume. Same-day and next-day service is often available for urgent prototypes — just mention your deadline when requesting a quote. We prioritize agricultural and medical jobs during their respective peak seasons.
Build volumes vary by technology: FDM up to approximately 36" × 24" × 36", SLS up to approximately 13" × 13" × 20", and SLA up to approximately 14" × 14" × 17". For parts larger than our build volume, we can design and print in sections and assemble, or discuss alternative manufacturing methods.
We use food-safe and biocompatible materials for appropriate applications. For medical devices, surgical guides, and food-contact parts, we work with FDA-cleared and ISO-certified materials. Let us know your regulatory requirements and we'll match you with the right material and process.
Yes. Our full post-processing capabilities include support removal, sanding and smoothing, bead blasting, tumbling, dyeing (nylon), painting and priming, epoxy coating, threaded inserts, and assembly. We also offer nomenclature printing and laser marking for branding and identification on your parts.
We offer three scanning technologies: Structured Light Scanning for fast, high-detail capture of small-to-medium parts; Laser Line Scanning for precision on curved, reflective, and complex geometries; and Photogrammetry for large objects. We select the right method based on your part's size, material, and required accuracy.
Our scanners handle parts from roughly 1mm up to several feet. For very large objects (full engine blocks, vehicle bodies, architectural features), our photogrammetry setup can capture them in sections and merge the data. Tiny parts require specialized high-resolution scanning — just confirm the size with us when booking.
Yes — with the right approach. Black parts may require a scanning spray coating for better light reflection. Shiny and reflective surfaces are handled with our laser scanner and/or matte spray. Transparent parts can be scanned using special techniques or filled with a non-destructive scanning medium. We assess each part and apply the right method.
Standard deliverables include a clean watertight STL mesh ready for 3D printing, and/or a STEP/IGES CAD model for use in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Inventor, and other CAD platforms. We also offer point cloud data (XYZ, PLY, FBX) upon request. Need a specific format? Just ask.
Yes. We can take your scanned part and create a fully parametric CAD model — rebuild surfaces, add design intent, dimension annotations, and tolerance callouts. This is ideal for reproducing discontinued parts, improving legacy designs, or creating manufacturing documentation. Reverse engineering is priced based on part complexity.
Our industrial scanners achieve accuracy up to ±0.01mm depending on the technology and part geometry. For critical inspection applications, we provide full dimensional comparison reports with deviation heat maps against nominal or reference CAD. We certify accuracy on every scan.
Nomenclature printing is the process of marking parts with identification information — part numbers, lot codes, serial numbers, model numbers, logos, barcodes, and safety labels. We do this directly on the part surface (not on a separate label) using pad transfer printing, UV digital printing, and laser marking — all in-house, 100% manufactured in the U.S.A.
Our printing technologies handle flat, curved, convex, and concave surfaces. Pad transfer printing excels on curved and irregular surfaces like bottles, caps, and medical device housings. UV digital printing handles flat and slightly curved surfaces in full color. Laser marking works on virtually any surface including tubular and cylindrical parts. We select the best method for your specific part geometry.
Yes. Variable data is natively supported across all our printing technologies. We can print sequential serial numbers, date codes, lot numbers, QR codes, barcodes, and any other variable information — directly on your parts or labels. For high-volume runs, we offer automated variable data printing with no setup cost per variant.
Durability depends on the technology and application. Laser marking is permanent — it's physically altered into the material surface and lasts the lifetime of the part. Pad transfer and UV digital printing produce durable markings that resist abrasion, chemicals, and UV exposure when the correct inks and coatings are applied. We specify the right ink system for your environment — indoor, outdoor, chemical exposure, or medical.
Absolutely. We print on third-party parts all the time. Bring in or ship us your parts and we'll apply the markings. We work with parts made of metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, composites, rubber, and more. Just confirm the material with us so we can select the right printing technology and ink system.
We accept orders as low as 1 part. There's no minimum for pad transfer, UV digital, or laser marking. For prototype runs and short production batches, we're an ideal partner. For high-volume production (thousands+), our automated equipment makes us highly cost-competitive.
The fastest way is to use our online quote form — upload your STL/STEP files (or a photo if you don't have CAD files yet), tell us about your project, and we'll respond with a quote within 1 business day. You can also email [email protected] or call us directly.
Most quotes are delivered within a few hours during normal business hours. For complex projects or high-volume production quotes, we may take up to 1 business day. If you have a hard deadline, mention it in your request and we'll prioritize your quote. We don't play games with quote response times.
No. You can request a quote with just a description, a photo, or a sketch. We use that information to give you a ballpark estimate. Once you're ready to move forward, we review the actual files to confirm dimensions, material compatibility, and produce a firm quote. Your design information is kept strictly confidential — we routinely sign NDAs.
Yes — pricing scales with volume. Larger quantities benefit from lower per-part costs through reduced setup amortization and more efficient machine utilization. For production volumes (hundreds or thousands of parts), we provide custom pricing. Tell us your target quantity and we'll quote accordingly.
No. File reviews, design recommendations, and pre-production consultations are always free. We want to make sure your parts are manufacturable and optimized before you pay anything. If we spot issues in your STL or CAD files, we'll flag them and suggest fixes at no charge.
We accept major credit cards, ACH bank transfers, and company Purchase Orders for established accounts. For first-time customers, we typically require payment before production. We offer Net-30 terms for qualified commercial and government accounts — ask us when you place your order.
We ship via UPS, FedEx, and USPS, with standard, express, and overnight options. For large or palletized shipments, we use freight carriers. We also offer same-day courier for local Minneapolis and Denver customers. Shipping costs are passed through at cost — we don't markup freight.
Yes — we ship internationally. The customer is responsible for all duties, taxes, and customs clearance in the destination country. We provide commercial invoices with accurate HS codes and declared values. For high-volume international orders, we work with freight forwarders to find the most cost-effective solution.
Absolutely. Both our Minneapolis, MN and Denver, CO facilities are open to the public during business hours. Drop off parts for scanning or pick up print jobs in person. No appointment needed for standard drop-offs — just show up during business hours. For large pickups or tours, feel free to schedule in advance.
Every shipment is packed with care. Fragile parts are individually wrapped, foam-lined, and double-boxed as needed. Large parts are crated or palletized. We use void fill, foam-in-place, and custom foam inserts for high-value shipments. For medical and aerospace parts, we follow industry-standard packaging protocols.
Yes. We can arrange same-day shipping (subject to carrier availability) and expedited freight for urgent jobs. Rush shipping costs are passed through at the carrier rate. If you have an emergency need, call us directly — we can often work miracles that online shipping systems can't handle.
We have two U.S. manufacturing facilities: Minneapolis, Minnesota (HQ) — serving the Upper Midwest, Great Plains, and East Coast — and Denver, Colorado — serving the Mountain West and West Coast. Both locations offer the same core technologies and quality standards. Visit our Our Facilities page for details.
Minneapolis: Monday–Friday,
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM CT
Denver:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM MT. We occasionally accommodate
off-hours pickup or delivery by appointment — just ask.
3D Creation Systems is an operation of Direct Digital Manufacturing Services LLC, established in 2008. We specialize in 3D printing, 3D scanning, and functional nomenclature printing for Fortune 100 companies, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individual engineers alike. We added precision 3D printing in 2013 and have been growing ever since. Learn more on our About Us page.
Yes — routinely. We regularly work with medical device companies, aerospace suppliers, and government contractors under strict confidentiality. We sign customer-provided NDAs and can provide our standard NDA upon request. All employees sign confidentiality agreements as part of onboarding. Your intellectual property is protected from the moment you contact us.
Our core capabilities are 3D printing (FDM, SLS, SLA), 3D scanning, and nomenclature printing. For projects requiring CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal, or other traditional manufacturing, we maintain a network of vetted manufacturing partners and can coordinate those services as part of a complete project. Ask us and we'll connect you.
Our engineers are happy to answer anything — from part design to material selection to project timelines. No such thing as a dumb question here.