How Long Does 3D Printing Take? - Printer Scanner Reviews

If you’ve ever watched a 3D printer in action, you know it’s not exactly a high-speed process. Whether you’re creating a tiny keychain or a full-sized prototype, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: how long is this going to take? The answer isn’t always simple—3D printing time can range from just a few minutes to several days, depending on a variety of factors. In this guide, we’ll break down the main factors that influence 3D printing time, provide real-world examples, and share practical tips to help you speed things up.

Key Factors That Affect 3D Printing Time

Size of the Object

One of the most obvious factors influencing print time is the size of the object. Larger models naturally take longer to print because the printer must cover more area and lay down more material. A simple cube that’s 2 cm tall might print in under an hour, while scaling that same cube to 20 cm could take more than a day.

It’s not just about height—width and depth matter too. The more volume your object has, the more layers the printer has to build up, which adds significant time to the process.

Print Resolution (Layer Height)

Layer height refers to the thickness of each layer that the printer lays down, usually measured in millimeters. A smaller layer height (e.g., 0.1 mm) produces finer details and a smoother finish, but it requires many more layers and takes much longer to complete.

On the other hand, a larger layer height (e.g., 0.2 or 0.3 mm) prints faster, though at the cost of surface quality and detail. Choosing the right layer height depends on whether your priority is speed or finish.

Infill Density and Pattern

Infill is the internal structure of a 3D print. While most printed objects don’t need to be solid, how dense the inside is will drastically change the printing time. A model with 20% infill prints much faster than one with 80% infill, simply because it uses less material and requires fewer internal paths.

Additionally, the type of infill pattern (such as grid, triangle, or gyroid) also plays a role. Some patterns are optimized for strength and speed, while others are more decorative or complex.

Print Speed Settings

Most slicing software allows you to adjust print speed, which determines how fast the printer’s nozzle moves while printing. Increasing print speed can significantly reduce the time needed, but doing so may affect quality, especially on fine details or overhangs.

For example, printing at 60 mm/s is common for everyday prints, but pushing it to 100 mm/s might cause visible vibration artifacts or poor layer adhesion unless your printer is very stable.

Printer Type and Technology

Not all 3D printers are created equal. Different technologies have varying speed profiles. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers are the most common and tend to be slower than resin-based SLA (Stereolithography) printers when it comes to small, detailed objects.

On the flip side, SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) and industrial-grade printers can process multiple parts simultaneously or work faster with higher precision. The type of printer you use has a major impact on the print duration.

Material Type

The kind of filament or resin you’re using can also influence print speed. Some materials, like PLA, print quickly and easily. Others, such as TPU (a flexible material) or ABS (which requires controlled environments), may require slower speeds to ensure good adhesion and prevent warping.

Resin types in SLA printing also vary—some cure quickly under UV light, while others take longer and may need additional post-processing.

Examples of Printing Times

Small Objects: 30 Minutes to 2 Hours

Small prints like keychains, calibration cubes, or simple figurines typically take the least amount of time. These objects usually have low volume, require minimal infill, and often don’t need support structures.

For instance, a basic 2 cm x 2 cm keychain printed at 0.2 mm layer height and 20% infill might finish in under 45 minutes. However, adding text, logos, or fine details could extend the print time to around 1.5 to 2 hours. These kinds of projects are ideal for quick tests or when you’re short on time.

Medium-Sized Prints: 3 to 6 Hours

When moving to medium-sized models like phone stands, small vases, or functional tools, you can expect significantly longer print times. These objects may be 10–15 cm tall and often require more internal support or a higher infill percentage to provide strength.

A phone stand printed with 0.2 mm layers and moderate infill might take around 4 hours to complete. If you reduce the layer height for smoother edges, the time could easily stretch beyond 6 hours. Medium prints are great for overnight projects or day-long builds.

Large Prints: 10+ Hours to Multiple Days

Large-scale models such as cosplay helmets, statues, or full-sized props can be extremely time-consuming. These prints may range from 20 cm to over 30 cm in height and take up the full build plate of a printer.

A detailed helmet with high resolution and strong internal structure might take 12 to 24 hours on a desktop FDM printer. Some multi-part or ultra-high-resolution prints can even take several days to finish. It’s not uncommon for makers to split large models into pieces and print each part separately to reduce risk and manage time more efficiently.

Comparative Timeline Example

Let’s say you’re printing a simple cube at different scales and settings:

5 cm cube, 0.3 mm layer height, 10% infill – 1.5 hours
10 cm cube, 0.2 mm layer height, 20% infill – 5 hours
20 cm cube, 0.1 mm layer height, 30% infill – 20+ hours

This illustrates how minor adjustments to resolution, size, or infill can multiply total print time significantly.

Batch Printing: Saving Time or Adding More?

Some users choose to print multiple objects at once. This can be efficient, especially if the printer handles the job reliably. However, printing three objects in one go doesn’t always take one-third the time—it may only save a bit due to reduced warm-up and transition times. In some cases, failure risk increases with longer jobs, which could mean wasted time instead.

Tips to Reduce 3D Printing Time

Increase Layer Height

One of the quickest ways to reduce print time is by increasing the layer height. Thicker layers mean fewer total layers are needed to complete the object, which directly shortens the duration of the print. For example, moving from 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm layer height can nearly halve the printing time, depending on the model.

Keep in mind, though, that this change affects surface quality. While it’s great for prototypes or functional prints where appearance doesn’t matter, detailed decorative models may suffer in visual appeal.

Lower the Infill Density

Infill controls how solid the inside of your print is. Reducing infill density from, say, 50% to 15% can shave hours off large prints without significantly compromising strength—especially if the object isn’t load-bearing.

Most slicing software gives you a visual preview of infill, allowing you to find a balance between structure and speed. You can also experiment with infill placement—some slicers let you reinforce only certain areas that require strength, while leaving others hollow.

Use Draft Mode or Coarser Quality Presets

Many slicers offer a “draft” or “low quality” mode specifically for faster prints. These presets increase layer height, boost print speeds, and reduce infill density automatically. Draft mode is perfect for prototyping when you just need to test fit or function before investing time in a high-quality version.

Using these presets as a starting point can save hours on large projects, especially during the early design phase.

Optimize Support Structures

Supports are necessary for overhangs, but they add extra print time and material. Minimizing or strategically placing supports can make a noticeable difference. For example, reorienting a model on the print bed might eliminate the need for supports entirely.

Additionally, some slicing programs offer custom or tree-like supports, which are faster to print and easier to remove than traditional grid-style structures.

Speed Up Print Settings (with Caution)

You can manually increase print speed settings in your slicer, such as travel speed, wall speed, and infill speed. While this can reduce print time, it may also lead to stringing, poor adhesion, or uneven surfaces if your printer isn’t well-tuned.

If your printer is stable and well-calibrated, small increases (e.g., from 60 mm/s to 80 mm/s) can save time without major quality loss. It’s a good idea to test changes on a small model before committing to a full-scale print.

Simplify the Model Design

Sometimes, reducing complexity in your 3D model can significantly cut down print time. Features like intricate textures, sharp corners, or tiny holes increase the number of paths the printer must trace.

If the detail isn’t essential, consider smoothing the geometry or removing unnecessary decorative elements. Even small simplifications can lead to faster, more reliable prints—especially when scaled across multiple objects.

Split Large Models into Parts

Instead of printing a large model in one long session, consider dividing it into smaller sections. This allows you to print each part faster and in parallel, if you have access to multiple printers. It also reduces the risk of losing a full-day print due to a single failure.

After printing, you can assemble the pieces using adhesives or connectors. Many designers intentionally create models in separate parts for this reason.

Preheat and Maintain Your Printer

Warming up the print bed and nozzle ahead of time can shave off a few extra minutes, especially for quick jobs. More importantly, maintaining your printer—cleaning nozzles, leveling the bed, and updating firmware—can prevent slowdowns due to mechanical errors or reprints from failed jobs.

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