Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
Upload an STL file and you'll see a real price in seconds, calculated from your actual model — its size, the material you choose, and the print settings — instead of a rough per-gram estimate. Every order has a per-order minimum of $5.00, so very small parts price at that minimum. STEP files are quoted by hand rather than instantly.
How long will my order take?
Our guarantee: we'll ship your order within 14 days of payment, or we'll email you before that date and offer a full refund. Dispatch is when your order ships; delivery time on top of that depends on the carrier and where you are. Every shipped order includes tracking.
What files do you accept?
STL and STEP files. STL files are priced instantly; STEP files are quoted by hand — a real person reviews the file and gets back to you with a price. We don't accept other formats at this time.
What's the difference between uploading an STL and a STEP file?
An STL is priced automatically the moment you upload it — that's the instant quote. A STEP file has to be reviewed by hand, so a STEP quote is prepared manually and isn't instant. If you want a price in seconds, upload an STL.
What materials can I choose?
Three: PETG, ASA and PLA.
- PETG — Tough, heat- & UV-tolerant. Our go-to for functional parts and outdoor use — it handles sun and heat better than PLA, which makes it our default pick for the Arizona climate. Strong and durable for everyday parts.
- ASA — Sun-stable for outdoor parts. Handles UV and heat better than PETG, so it's the pick for parts that live outdoors year-round. The trade-off: ASA shrinks as it cools, so it's printed in an enclosed chamber and large flat parts can still warp or lift at the corners — designs with thick bases, rounded corners or a brim print best. Finish is matte, and it's not the pick for fine detail or for anything that's happier in PETG or PLA.
- PLA — Crisp detail, clean surfaces. Best for display pieces, prototypes, and indoor parts where fine detail matters. Note: PLA softens in high heat — not the pick for anything that'll sit in direct sun or a hot, enclosed space.
Which material should I choose?
For most functional parts, PETG. For anything exposed to sustained sun or high heat — outdoors, a hot garage or shed, a parked car's interior — ASA. For indoor parts and detailed display or prototype pieces that stay cool, PLA. If you're not sure, ask before you order; we'd rather steer you to the right material up front than see a part warp in service — a PLA part left in a hot car is the wrong material for the job, not a defect.
What tolerances can you hold?
Our parts hold to about ±0.5% (±0.5 mm minimum) and show visible layer lines, which is normal for FDM printing. That suits functional parts, brackets, fixtures, and enclosures well — but it isn't machined precision, so it's not the right process for parts that need tight fits measured in microns.
What if my part is too big?
Each part has to fit our printer's build volume of 325 × 320 × 325 mm (X × Y × Z). If your part is larger, it can sometimes be split into sections that are printed separately and assembled — send us the file and we'll tell you what's possible.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes. Every order has a per-order minimum of $5.00, and small parts price at that minimum.
Can you design or model a part for me?
Not at this time — we print from your file, so you'll need an STL or STEP model to order. If you have a part you want reproduced but no model, contact us and we'll tell you whether we can help or point you toward getting one made.
What if my part comes out wrong?
Our Terms set out the remedy. From Terms §10.1:
10.1 Our remedy for a defective part. If we made a mistake — a part is defective under §4.8 — tell us within ten (10) days of delivery, with photos, and don't send it back unless we ask you to. At our option, we will either reprint the part or refund what you paid for it. That is the whole remedy, and it is your exclusive one.
Get in touch at support@qfablabs.com and we'll make it right within those terms.
Can I cancel my order?
You can cancel for a full refund within 12 hours of ordering, or before we start printing — whichever comes first. Use the cancellation link on your receipt, or email support@qfablabs.com.
Do you ship to me?
We ship to all 50 states and D.C., with tracking on every order and shipping passed through at about carrier cost with no markup. We don't ship internationally.
Is my uploaded file kept confidential?
Your uploaded model is used to prepare your quote and produce your parts. We don't sell it, and we don't route it to third-party shops. From our Privacy Policy:
Your files and order records live in our Google Drive. Your model file is deleted after 180 days. Financial records are kept longer, because tax law requires it.
Do you print in multiple colors?
Parts are printed in a single material and the color of the chosen filament. Multi-color and multi-material printing isn't offered at this time.
Do you offer finishing, like sanding or painting?
Parts ship as-printed — the finish that comes directly off the printer, including visible layer lines. We don't offer sanding, painting, or other finishing at this time.
What don't you print?
Our Terms answer this directly. From Terms §5.1:
5.1 Prohibited uses — safety-critical applications
Our parts are for everyday, non-safety-critical use. You must not order a part from us, or use any part we make, as a safety-critical part — one whose failure, in the use you put it to, could reasonably be expected to injure a person or to damage property beyond the part itself. That is the line. The list below applies it; a use on the wrong side of that line is prohibited whether or not it is named.
Specifically prohibited:
- Holding or bearing a load where a failure could hurt someone or damage other property — anything working overhead or suspended above people; climbing, fall-arrest, rigging, lifting, hoisting, towing, or load-securing equipment; anything that bears a person's weight, or bears weight at height (steps, stools, ladders, rungs, jacks, stands); and any part sold or relied on to hold a stated load or weight rating.
- Structural, building, fire, egress, or other life-safety elements — anything a structure's integrity or a life-safety system depends on.
- Medical, dental, veterinary, surgical, or prosthetic use, and anything that contacts the body internally or is implanted.
- Any vehicle, vessel, or aircraft part that affects operation or safety. This includes anything affecting control, braking, steering, suspension, fuel, electrical, or restraint/airbag systems; any structural or load-path part; anything in an airbag deployment path or that could become a projectile in a crash; and anything that mounts or holds a device or object in the driver's field of view, within reach of the controls, or where a failure could send it toward the occupants or the pedals. (Cosmetic or convenience trim and accessories that do not affect operation or occupant safety are permitted — see below.)
- Aerospace, aviation, drone, or spaceflight components.
- Firearm components, firearm accessories, ammunition components, suppressors, magazines, receivers, or any component of a weapon — including "80%" or unfinished receivers, and including anything designed to convert or modify a firearm. We do not print these under any circumstances.
- Pressure vessels, gas or liquid containment under pressure, or anything carrying flammable or hazardous substances.
- Electrical components carrying mains voltage, and anything in sustained contact with heat or open flame.
- Toys for children under three (3) years old, or anything a small child could put in their mouth. FDM parts have small features that can break off.
- Food, drink, or cosmetic contact. FDM parts are porous, have layer crevices that harbor bacteria, and are printed with nozzles and filaments we make no food-safety representation about. Do not use our parts with food, drink, or anything applied to the body — this includes "sealed" or coated parts.
- Anything else where failure could reasonably result in death, injury, or significant property damage.
What is permitted (for the avoidance of doubt). Everyday parts whose failure would, at worst, cost you the part and what it was holding — for example a desk or monitor mount, a wall hook for a coat, a light-duty shelf bracket, a cable clip, a jig or fixture, an enclosure or housing, an organizer, or decorative and interior trim. These are exactly the kind of parts we make. Choosing a part that fits your use, and keeping it clear of the prohibited uses above, is your responsibility (see §3).
If you order or use a part for a prohibited use, you are in breach of these Terms, and you assume the entire risk of that use. We are not liable for any consequence of it, and your indemnity under §6.4 applies.