Knowledge base — everything about 3D printing
Practical guides to 3D printing — materials, design, methods and how to order right. Written by the people who print every day.
The basics
What is 3D printing? A complete beginner's guide
How additive manufacturing works, which technologies exist and what you can actually make.
Do you need a slicer to 3D print?
What a slicer does, the settings that matter — and why you don't need one if you order from us.
FDM vs SLA vs SLS: which 3D printing technology suits you?
A clear comparison of the three most common 3D printing technologies and when to choose each.
Is 3D printing hard to learn?
An honest look at the 3D printing learning curve — and how a print service removes the hurdle.
Materials
PLA vs PETG: which material should you choose?
A straight comparison of the two most common FDM materials — and when to choose which.
What is the strongest 3D printing material?
The strongest material depends on which kind of strength you mean — and on how the part is designed.
Is 3D-printed PLA waterproof?
Why 3D-printed PLA is rarely truly waterproof — and how to make the part tighter.
Guide to 3D printing materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, nylon, TPU & resin
An overview of the most common 3D printing materials and when to choose which.
Designing for print
Support material in 3D printing: a guide to better results
What support material is, when it's needed and how to design to minimise it.
Threads in 3D prints: a guide to methods and best practice
Four ways to get durable threads in 3D-printed parts — and how to choose the right one.
Order 3D prints with the right tolerances for fits
How to choose the right clearance between parts so they fit together exactly as intended.
How to create and export STL files for 3D printing
A practical guide to exporting print-ready STL files from the most common CAD programs.
Ordering from us
Post-processing 3D prints: sanding, gluing, painting & more
A walkthrough of the most common post-processing methods and what they do for your 3D print.
What affects the price of a 3D print?
An overview of the factors that drive what a 3D print costs — and how you can influence them.
How to order a 3D print from Wital
A simple walkthrough of the whole ordering flow — from preparing the file to getting the part delivered.
Use cases
Spare parts with 3D printing: repair instead of replace
How 3D printing lets you recreate broken and discontinued spare parts — materials, methods and examples.
Prototyping with 3D printing: faster from idea to test
How 3D printing speeds up prototyping — iteration pace, material choices, and when to switch methods.