What We Print With, and How We Print It

At Philament Forge, quality starts with material choice, calibration, and process control.

Every print is produced using carefully selected materials and professionally tuned equipment to ensure consistent, reliable results.

This page explains exactly what you can expect.

Materials We Use

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

PLA is our primary material and is ideal for the majority of decorative, functional, and display prints.

Why PLA?

• Excellent surface finish
• Good dimensional accuracy
• Strong enough for most everyday uses
• Environmentally friendlier than many alternatives
• Consistent and reliable for repeatable results

PLA is suitable for:

• Desk items and display pieces
• Fidgets and toys
• Prototypes
• Light-duty functional parts

At present, we focus exclusively on PLA to maintain quality, consistency, and reliability.

Print Quality Options

We offer multiple quality levels to suit different needs and budgets.

Draft Quality

• Faster print time
• More visible layer lines
• Best for test prints or prototypes

Standard Quality

• Balanced finish and strength
• Clean, consistent layer lines
• Recommended for most orders

Fine Quality

• Smoother surface finish
• Reduced layer visibility
• Longer print time

The selected quality level affects print time, material usage, and final cost.

Equipment & Process

All prints are produced using professionally calibrated FDM printers.

Our process includes:

• Regular nozzle and extrusion checks
• Bed levelling and first-layer calibration
• Controlled print profiles per quality level
• Visual inspection before dispatch

This ensures consistent results across prints, even for repeat orders.

Tolerances & Accuracy

While 3D printing is highly accurate, it is not identical to injection moulding.

Typical tolerances:

• ±0.2 mm (depending on geometry and orientation)

For parts requiring precise fits:

• Allow appropriate clearance in your design
• Contact us if tolerances are critical

We are happy to review files and advise where necessary.

Colour & Finish

• Colours are selected from high-quality PLA filaments
• Exact shade may vary slightly due to:
  Filament batch differences
  Lighting conditions
  Print orientation

Layer lines are a natural characteristic of FDM printing and may be visible, particularly on curved surfaces.

File Suitability (For Print as a Service)

For best results, files should:

• Be watertight (manifold)
• Have adequate wall thickness (1.2mm+ recommended)
• Avoid unsupported overhangs where possible

If a file requires attention, we will contact you before printing.

Limitations to Be Aware Of

PLA is not suitable for:

• High-temperature environments
• Outdoor use exposed to prolonged heat
• Heavy mechanical stress

If your use case may exceed PLA’s limits, contact us before ordering.

Our Commitment to Quality

Every order is:

• Printed to order
• Reviewed before production
• Inspected prior to dispatch

We aim to provide clear communication, realistic expectations, and reliable results.

Questions About Materials or Quality?

If you are unsure which quality level is right for your project, or whether PLA is suitable, feel free to get in touch before ordering.

We are happy to advise.