3D Printing Service Instant Quote Guide from Upload to Payment
- Tamara Arkhangelskaya
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Choosing a 3D printing service is easier when you can see price, lead time, and material options in a single online view. If you have a 3D model, you may use our Instant quote to upload your files and see pricing right away even before you read the rest of this guide.Â
This guide walks through our 3D printing service instant quote flow step by step using a simple 3DBenchy file as the example part.
You will see how to
prepare your files
upload one or more models
choose technology, material, color, and quantity
read the price and lead time
confirm details and pay online
If you already know the basics and only need a quick reminder, you can skim the section headings and jump straight to the step you are interested in.
What to Prepare Before You Start an Online Quote
Before you open the instant quote page, gather three things:
1. Your 3D model files
The upload screen in the screenshot shows the formats that the system accepts
STL
STP / STEP
You can upload up to ten files for one quote and each file can be up to 50 MB.
Use one closed, watertight model per file when you can. Try to make sure that a file does not have missing faces or other obvious mesh errors.
2. An idea of material and process
You do not need to know every detail yet, but it helps to decide whether you are leaning toward
a practical prototype or functional part
a cosmetic piece where surface appearance matters most
a flexible part, etc.
You will fine tune these choices later in the quote.
3. Target quantity and timing
Think about how many parts you need for this round and when you would like to receive them. The instant quote will show an estimated lead time together with the price, so having a target in mind helps you interpret the result.
Step 1. Upload Your Files Using the 3D Printing Service Instant Quote
Open the instant quote page in your browser.
The first screen is labeled Quote with a quote number at the top and a progress bar that lists
1. Upload files
2. Price calculation
3. Confirmation
4. Payment
In the example screenshot, the file list shows 3DBenchy.stl.
You can either drag files into the upload area or click the link that lets you select them from your computer.
If you have several parts for the same project, upload them together. You will be able to set material and quantity for each part later in the process.
Once the correct files appear in the box, click ‘Continue’ to move to the next step.
If a file refuses to upload or the system reports an error, common causes include
format not supported
file size larger than the stated limit
corrupted or incomplete file
In those cases, reopen the file in your CAD or mesh tool, re-export as STL or STEP, and try again. Please contact our team, if you need additional support on this.
Step 2. Review the Automatic Price Calculation
After you click ‘Continue’, the system processes each model. You will see a short message that models are being processed and that this normally takes between several seconds and a few minutes.
Once processing finishes, the quote moves to step 2 ‘Price calculation’.
Select the Measurement Unit
At the top of the screen, you can choose between Millimeters and Inches.
Pick the unit that matches the design of your files. If a part looks strangely small or large in the preview, the usual cause is that the wrong unit is selected.
Read the Part Preview
Below the unit selector, each file appears in its own card.
For 3DBenchy, the preview shows:
file name ‘3DBenchy.stl’
dimensions - 60 x 31 x 48 mm
volume - 15.55 cubic centimeters
thickness range - from 1.5 mm to 42 mm
a grid of preview images that display the model from several angles with scale bars.
This information helps you verify that the model came through correctly. If the measurements do not match what you expect, go back to your design tool to confirm units and scaling.
Select Technology, Material, Infill, Color, and Quantity
Further down on the same card you will see a section labeled ‘Select the model color and quantity’. Here you choose:
Technology such as mSLA or FDM 3D printing
Material, with options that include common choices like PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, flexible TPU, and several composite materials
Infill percentage for FDM prints
Color
Quantity
In the 3DBenchy example, the screenshot shows:
Technology - FDM
Material - PLA
Infill - 25 percent
Color - Blue Ice Matte
Quantity - 1
Every time you change one of these fields, the system recalculates the price and the lead time.
Understand the Price and Lead Time Section
Below the configuration controls you will see:
Estimated lead time
Original total price
Total price after discounts
When discounts apply, both the original and the discounted total are shown so you can see the difference.
For design tips that cut material use and cost, read our guide ‘How to Optimize 3D Models and Save Money on 3D Printing’ as a companion to this walkthrough and learn how to make 3D models for printing efficiently.
For very small orders, you may also see a short note that the chosen technology has a minimum order value. If that message appears, the system will adjust the total to respect the minimum for that technology.
Repeat this process for each part card on the screen.
You can mix different technologies and materials within one quote if your project needs it.
When the details look correct and you are happy with the price and timing, click ‘Continue’.
Step 3. Confirm the Quote Details
Step 3 is the confirmation screen. Here the system summarizes everything you have chosen so far so you can perform one last check before entering payment details.
In the confirmation screenshot, the Details section lists:
1. 3DBenchy.stl
technology - FDM, material - PLA, color - Blue Ice Matte
quantity - 1
original price for the part
Below that, you see:
estimated lead time for the order
original total price
total price after discounts
any minimum order reminder for the selected technology
Use this step as a short checklist for:
File names match what you intended to upload
Technology and material match the performance you want
Quantities and color are correct
If something is wrong, use the navigation at the top of the page to move back to ‘Price calculation’, adjust the settings, then return to the confirmation step.
Step 4. Enter Client and Delivery Information
After you confirm the parts and pricing, the page shows a form for client and delivery information.
The Client info section asks for:
Company name
Full name
Email address
Phone number
This information is used for communication, invoicing, and shipping.
Make sure the email is one you check regularly because order confirmations and updates will go there.
Below that, the Delivery section lets you enable shipping.
When you tick the box, new fields appear for:
Country
State or region
Postal code
City
Street address and any second address line
Complete these fields carefully so the carrier can deliver without delays.
Once everything looks correct, click ‘Pay Now’ to proceed.
Step 5. Pay Securely Online
Clicking ‘Pay Now’ sends you to a QuickBooks payment page. There you can pay for the order using:
debit card
credit card
bank transfer
Apple Pay
The payment page is hosted by QuickBooks, which handles the secure processing of your details.
After payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation on screen and by email.
Keep that email because it includes your order reference and is the easiest way to look up your order later.
What Happens After You Place a 3D Printing Service Online Quote Order
Once you complete payment, the work on our side begins. For a typical order, the internal steps look like this:
A check that the models are printable with the selected settings
Scheduling the job on the appropriate printers for the chosen technology and material
Printing the parts
Post processing, which may include support removal and basic cleanup
Packing the parts securely for shipment
Handover to the carrier and final delivery
If anything unusual comes up during review, such as a model that is clearly non printable in the chosen material, the team will contact you using the email address supplied in the order.
You can use the order reference from your confirmation email whenever you need an update.
When an Online 3D Printing Quote is Not the Best Option
A 3D printing service online quote works well for most straightforward parts, but some projects still benefit from a manual review before pricing. Examples include:
very large parts
parts that have safety critical roles
unusual materials or processes that are not listed in the dropdown menus, etc.
For such cases, it is better to contact the team directly with your files and a short description of how the parts will be used. Explain loads, temperatures, outdoor exposure, or any regulatory requirements so the engineers can recommend suitable materials and settings.
Practical Implications
A 3D printing service instant quote is used so that you could upload your files, choose technology and material, check the price and lead time, confirm the details, and then pay securely online.
The screenshots in this guide used a single 3DBenchy model to walk you through the 3D printing service online quote from upload to payment preview, but the same flow applies whether you are ordering one prototype or several parts for a small production run.
If at any point your project feels more complex than this flow can capture, reach out with your files and questions. We support our 3D printing Boston clients, as well as clients across the US, and will be happy to assist you.