Services and pricing
Five ways to turn a digital model into a physical part, with the materials, tolerances and indicative prices spelled out before you ask for a quote.
FDM printing
Melted filament is laid down layer by layer. It is the workhorse process for strong, affordable parts, from brackets and enclosures to large display pieces.
| Build volume | 300 x 300 x 300 mm |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 0.12 to 0.28 mm |
| Typical tolerance | Plus or minus 0.2 mm, or 0.5% of the length if larger |
| Materials | PLA+, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU 95A |
| Indicative price | From R2.20 per gram |
- Strongest and cheapest route for functional parts
- Supports removed and edges cleaned as standard
- Heat-set inserts and vapour smoothing available
Resin printing
Liquid resin is cured by light, one thin layer at a time. Surfaces come out smooth and small features stay sharp, which is why jewellers, product designers and model makers choose it.
| Build volume | 200 x 125 x 210 mm |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 0.05 to 0.1 mm |
| Typical tolerance | Plus or minus 0.1 mm |
| Materials | Standard, tough and clear resin |
| Indicative price | From R4.80 per gram |
- Best surface finish and fine detail we offer
- Washed and cured as standard so parts are safe to handle
- Clear resin can be hand polished on request
Prototyping
Hold the idea before you commit to tooling. We print form studies, fit checks and working test rigs, then reprint quickly when the design changes.
| First prototype | 2 to 5 working days |
|---|---|
| Design revisions | 1 to 2 working days |
| Design review | Included with every quote |
| CAD help | R450 per hour, quoted first |
- Several variants can share one print to compare options
- We flag thin walls, unsupported spans and tolerance traps
- Move to a short run later with the same settings
Custom components
Parts that do a job: brackets, housings, clips, guides and jigs. Tell us the load, the temperature and where the part lives, and we will pick the material and orientation to suit.
| Typical parts | Enclosures, mounts, gears, fixtures, spares |
|---|---|
| Inserts and hardware | Heat-set brass inserts from R6 each |
| Post-processing | Sanding, priming, painting, vapour smoothing |
| Obsolete spares | Scan or measure supplied parts on request |
- Print orientation chosen for strength along the load path
- Wall count and infill set per part, not left at defaults
- Drawings or sample parts welcome in place of a model
Small production runs
When ten parts become a few hundred, settings are locked, batches are inspected and every part is counted. A practical middle step between prototype and injection moulding.
| Run size | 10 to 500 identical parts |
|---|---|
| Volume discount | 10% from 10 parts, 20% from 50 parts |
| Inspection | Sample measured from each batch, report on request |
| Repeat orders | Reorder in one click from the portal |
- Dual-head printing doubles output for mirrored or identical parts
- Batch numbers recorded so parts can be traced
- Staged deliveries available for longer runs
What layer height changes
Thinner layers follow curves more closely and leave smoother surfaces, but every extra layer adds print time. Slide through the options on a simple dome.
FDM standard
The dashed line is the shape in your model. The blue outline is what the printer can actually build.
- Layers in an 18 mm part
- 90
- Print time vs 0.20 mm
- 1.0x
- Surface
- Fine lines
Materials at a glance
Prices are per gram of finished part, excluding VAT. Resin parts are priced on the resin they use, including supports.
| Material | Process | Best for | Heat resistance | Layer height | Per gram |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA+ | FDM | Concept models, display pieces, jigs | Low, to about 55 C | 0.12 to 0.28 mm | R2.20 |
| PETG | FDM | Brackets, enclosures, parts that get wet | Medium, to about 70 C | 0.12 to 0.28 mm | R2.60 |
| ABS | FDM | Heat, impact, sanded finishes | High, to about 95 C | 0.16 to 0.28 mm | R3.00 |
| ASA | FDM | Outdoor housings, UV exposure | High, to about 95 C | 0.16 to 0.28 mm | R3.40 |
| TPU 95A | FDM | Gaskets, grips, bumpers | Medium, to about 80 C | 0.16 to 0.28 mm | R4.50 |
| Standard resin | Resin | Masters, miniatures, detailed models | Medium, to about 55 C | 0.05 to 0.1 mm | R4.80 |
| Tough resin | Resin | Snap fits, small mechanisms | Medium, to about 60 C | 0.05 to 0.1 mm | R6.50 |
| Clear resin | Resin | Light pipes, lenses, flow models | Medium, to about 55 C | 0.05 to 0.1 mm | R6.00 |
Temperatures are rough guidance for a demonstration and not engineering data. A real supplier would publish datasheets.
How pricing works
Material by weight, plus any finishing, with a minimum order. The figures below show what typical jobs cost so you can judge budget before asking for a quote.
What makes up a price
- Minimum order value of R180 per job
- Material charged by weight, including supports, at the rates above
- 10% off from 10 identical parts and 20% off from 50
- Express turnaround adds 30% and cuts the wait roughly in half
- Collection from the studio is free, courier is quoted per order
- All prices exclude 15% VAT
Finishing, per part
| As printed | Supports removed, edges cleaned | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Sanded smooth | Layer lines removed by hand | R60 |
| Sanded and primed | Ready for you to paint | R140 |
| Painted | One colour, matte or satin | R250 |
Typical jobs
| Part | Qty | Material | Each | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone stand | 1 | PLA+ | 85 g | R187 |
| Gimbal bracket | 4 | PETG | 38 g | R395 |
| Sensor enclosure | 1 | ASA | 140 g | R476 |
| Jewellery master | 10 | Standard resin | 12 g | R518 |
| Gasket | 20 | TPU 95A | 22 g | R1 782 |
Prices are examples in rand, excluding VAT. The last two include the volume discount. A fixed quote is issued once we have measured your model.
Design rules of thumb
Follow these and most models print first time. Break them and we will tell you before printing.
| Feature | FDM | Resin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wall thickness | 1.2 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Smallest hole | 2 mm diameter | 0.8 mm diameter |
| Clearance between moving parts | 0.4 mm | 0.2 mm |
| Overhangs without supports | Up to 45 degrees | Supports added automatically |
| Accepted files | STL and OBJ, up to 25 MB in this demo. Other formats on request. | |
Common questions
How fast can I get my parts?
Most FDM jobs are ready in two to five working days. Resin jobs are usually two to four. Express turnaround is available for an extra 30%.
What if I only have a sketch or a broken part?
Send photos, drawings or the part itself. We can measure it and model a printable version. CAD time is quoted first at R450 per hour.
Is the quote the final price?
Yes. Once we have measured your model and agreed finishing and quantity, the price on the quote is the price you pay. It stays valid for seven days.
Do you deliver?
You can collect from the studio or choose a tracked courier anywhere in South Africa. Courier cost is added to the quote.
Is LayerLab 3D a real business?
No. It is a fictional company created to demonstrate a website and customer portal. The prices, materials and promises on these pages are examples, and nothing here can be ordered.
Ready to see your model quoted?
Open the demo portal, add an STL file and the quote form will measure it and estimate the cost.