Published 2026-07-16 · Layerzim
Layerzim prints from files clients already have. We don't model parts in-house, so the fastest way to get an accurate quote is to send a ready-to-print 3D file. If you don't have one yet, we work with a network of independent designers we can connect you with, so a missing file isn't a dead end. Either way, here's a plain-language rundown of what we accept and why it matters.
STL: the standard for 3D printing
STL (Standard Tessellation Language) is the most common format for 3D printing and the one most CAD tools export by default. It describes a model as a mesh of triangles, which is exactly what a slicer needs to plan the print. If you already have an STL, it's almost always safe to send it straight to us.
OBJ: similar to STL, sometimes with more detail
OBJ is another mesh-based format, commonly used in 3D modelling and scanning software. It can carry extra information like colour or texture, though for most functional prints it behaves the same way an STL does. We accept OBJ files the same way we accept STL.
STEP: best when precision matters
STEP (and the related IGES format) stores a model as exact geometry rather than an approximated mesh, which matters for engineering parts with tight tolerances or precise curves, such as brackets, housings, and mechanical fittings. If your part came out of an engineering CAD package like SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar, exporting to STEP preserves accuracy that an STL export can lose at low resolution.
3MF: a newer, more complete format
3MF is a newer format built specifically for 3D printing, and it can include material and colour information alongside the geometry. It's less universal than STL today, but we're happy to accept it if that's what your software exports.
What if I don't have a file at all?
That's a common situation, and it's easily solved. Layerzim is a print-for-hire service, meaning we print from a file you provide rather than modelling parts ourselves, but we maintain a network of independent CAD designers we can connect you with. Send us photos, measurements, and a description of what the part has to do, and we'll match you with a designer suited to the job; they quote you directly for the design work, and the finished file comes back to us for printing. Our guide on getting a part made when you have no 3D file walks through the whole process, including what to photograph and measure. Once you have a file in one of the formats above, send it our way and we'll get you a quote within 24 hours.
Getting a Quote
Whichever format you have, send it to us over WhatsApp and let us know your preferred material (see our material guide if you're not sure), and we'll come back with a detailed quote. See our pricing page for how costs are calculated.