3D Printers

3D Printer FAQs

Here at Box, we have the product ranges and financing flexibility to satisfy all your tech needs, and the world of 3D printing is no exception. If you are looking to get started in 3D printing or you are looking to make an upgrade on your current 3D printer, then we have got what you are looking for. With 3D printers designed for both entry-level users and experienced professionals, it doesn’t matter how proficient you are at producing 3D models, as you can enjoy as little or as much support as you need from your printer itself. With the freedom to al choose from a variety of models developed by industry leaders like Creality, Flashforge, Snapmaker and more, finding the right 3D printer at the right price shouldn’t be a struggle.

If you are looking for more information when it comes to the different types of 3D printers, we have available for purchase then continue reading through our 3D Printer Buying Guide, which will go into detail on this very subject. We will also have an FAQ section which should answer any of your lingering questions and queries, so you can be sure that the 3D printer you decide to purchase is perfectly suited to all your needs.

How Does a 3D Printer Work?

Modern 3D printers are much more sophisticated than they once were, with improvements in the way the work made each day by those who have continued to develop their understanding and experience of the practice. At their core, 3D printers work by depositing a layer of material from a nozzle over and over again, starting from a surface and working its way up in most cases. Your models and prints will be composed of these multiple layers, with the material likely to be either a resin or filament substance depending on what you have available as well as what type of print you are producing.

What are the different types of 3D Printers?

While going over all the different variations of 3D printers would see you spend your whole day reading through this guide, it is worth noting the two distinct segments we categorise our 3D printers in, which will help you refine your search for the perfect 3D printer to ranges that are more suited to your skill levels.

Hobbyist 3D Printers

Our more entry-level 3D printers are categorised as Hobbyist 3D Printers, as they feature more straightforward designs to allow newer users to get to grips with the basics of 3D printing, while still managing to incorporate some more advanced features. As you would expect, these models are also more affordable on average, with many featuring price points of under £500. One of the defining characteristics of hobbyist 3D printers that many newer users should be keeping an eye out for is automatic bed levelling, which is found on many of our models including the Creality Ender 5 Plus, which allows your nozzle to adjust its distance from the print bed, saving time and labour which is often a big concern for beginners.

Professional 3D Printers

Our more advanced range of 3D printers is categorised as Professional 3D Printers. These 3D printer models are suited to users with a high level of understanding when it comes to the more advanced features and nuances of 3D printing. While these 3D printers may come at a more premium price point, the quality and precision of the models they are capable of producing is that much greater, which is why they are often found in professional environments including industries such as engineering and construction. Flashforge and Raise3D will be two names you encounter frequently in your search for a professional 3D printer, with models equipped with the latest features like touchscreen monitors and inbuilt cameras common sights.

Educational 3D Printers

In addition to personal and professional 3D printers, there has been significant growth in a more niche market for printers that are specially tailored for usage in education. Each year, the percentage of schools across the UK that have invested in 3D printing hardware increases, with models like the Snapmaker 3-in-1 being especially popular due to its numerous functions outside of just 3D printing. Machines like this which combine 3D printing operations with options for CNC carving and laser engraving are able to aid students in their creative development without having to force them into an investment at their own expense.

What Can You Make with a 3D Printer?

In the short time since their sudden rise in popularity, creative individuals have come up with hundreds of ways to make the most of 3D printing technology. In fact, they have transformed the way certain professional industries have begun to operate due to their cost-effective operations and proficiency in producing 3D models and prototypes in professional setups.

Engineering and Construction

One of the biggest benefits of 3D printing is that users are able to prototype designs at a relatively inexpensive cost, so workers in the engineering and construction sectors can trial and error their models much more efficiently.

Medical

The medical industry has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of advancements in 3D printing. 3D printers are able to produce prosthetics of limbs, organs and much more at a fraction of the cost and time that they once required, which means more and more people have now received the medical help they need thanks to 3D printing. The advent of 3D printers featuring larger build volumes has led to medical centres ranging from clinics to hospitals featuring this technology. Models like the BCN3D Epsilon W50 3D Printer, which offer large-scale printing solutions, are perfectly suited to operations in medicinal fields.

Art and Design

Many artists have become familiar with creating content using digital means such as laptops and tablets rather than the traditional canvas and 3D printing has become the next iteration of this progression. Designers are now able to bring to life their creative visions in a 3d medium, with the possibilities for what you can create truly endless. Users have even begun to capitalise on their creations, selling hand-made jewellery and sculpture prints on websites such as Etsy. Users looking to produce these sorts of art-inspired prints should look to our line of Resin 3D Printers, as they are able to manually sculpt more unique patterns with superior speed.

3D Printer FAQ

How Much Are 3D Printers?

The price of a 3D printer will vary depending on what you are looking for. On average prices will start from around £150 for an entry-level model, with prices rising as you explore ranges with more sophisticated features and designs. Here at Box, you can expect to find a wide variety of 3D printers with prices ranging from £150 all the way to upwards of £11,000.

How Much Does it Cost to Print in 3D?

Again, the answer to this question will vary. Depending on what you want to print, as well as what material you are using to print. The most common 3D printing material is PLA filament which can cost around £15 for a 1KG spool. As you explore prints using different materials you will quickly get to grips with what you should be using based on what you are trying to print, so you can budget more effectively when you are looking to utilise more premium substrates.

What is the Best 3D Printer?

While there is no real answer to this question in a general sense, you can look at 3D printers in more specific scenarios to find out what it is you need and what 3D printers are out there that can satisfy all your demands. For home use, the best 3D printer will be the one that most effectively utilises the space you have available and can fulfil the tasks you ask of it. For use in professional environments, the best 3D printer will be the one that produces the highest quality models at the most cost-effective price. There really is no one-size 3D printer that fits all purposes, so you will have to conduct extensive research into any potential models you have your eye on just to make sure they can do what you ask of them.

What is the Best 3D Printer for Beginners?

Getting started on your 3D printing journey can be quite daunting, so the best option is probably just to opt for a budget-friendly 3D printer because after all they do all do the same thing, just with varying degrees of quality. If after some time passes and you are still interested, then it’s worth really putting in some time to research the machines on the market and seeing what they do, Your first 3D printer will likely be used to simply help you get to grips with the basic, yet essential parts of printing which you would be lost without if you dive head first into the most advanced (and expensive) models.

What Do You Need to Run a 3D Printer?

If you want to get really technical, the list of what you will need to run a 3D printer will go on and on. However, for most people really all you will need is your 3D printer itself, some printing material, a host device that is able to run the slicing software and an electrical outlet. With these essentials, you can begin your 3D printing journey without a hitch. Experimenting with other printing software will likely require an internet connection also, which is something to keep in mind if you are looking to produce a wider range of models. Conducting some research online will let you see what you might want but not necessarily need, so you can assemble a printing setup that suits what you plan to do.

Are 3D Printers Loud?

Some 3D printers can cause quite a racket, which wouldn’t be so bad if the printing process didn’t take so long. Some models will require hours of time to be completed which means you may have to put up with some noise whether you like it or not. This is why 3D printers tend to require their own spaces such as an office or garage within your home, or a dedicated printing room altogether in professional workspaces. Some models however guarantee ‘Silent Printing’ but with all the moving parts required to get your prints looking perfect, some noise is to be expected.

How Much Electricity Does a 3D Printer Use?

Based on industry statistics, your 3D printer will use around 50W per hour, which means they can be quite cumbersome on your energy bills especially considering the recent Cost of Living Crisis. Even though most users will only use their 3D printers for a few hours each day, a couple of times per week this can still cause quite a significant rise in your energy consumption which is something to consider in your long-term investment.