Welcome to our FAQ

Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about Champion 3D’s services, sustainability practices, and more. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

About Champion 3D

Q1: What is Champion 3D?

A1: Champion 3D, established by Josef Dunne in 2016, is a leading 3D printing service provider based in London. Our team of Technicians, 3D Designers, and Artists is passionate about bringing your ideas to life. We operate a state-of-the-art studio in North Greenwich, equipped with 40 in-house customised 3D printers. Whether you’re an individual with a creative idea or a business seeking precision manufacturing, we’re here to help with a friendly, hands-on approach.

Services Offered

Q2: What services does Champion 3D offer?

A2: At Champion 3D, we offer a full range of services to support your creative and technical needs:

3D Design: We excel in both artistic organic sculpting and precise technical 3D modelling. Our portfolio includes everything from ancient artefacts and sculptures to functional prototypes. Whether you need 3D Sculpting, Organic Modelling, or Hard Surface Modelling, our team is here to bring your ideas to life.
3D Printing: We offer fast turnaround times with a Standard 2 working-day service and an Express 1 working-day service (with a 4 pm cut-off for ordering). Our printing services include a variety of colours, no minimum order requirements, and batch discounts.
3D Model Finishing: Our skilled artists provide a wide range of finishing options, including colour matching, smoothing, painting, and gilding, to make your models truly stand out.

Understanding 3D Printing

Q3: What is 3D printing, and how does it work?

A3: 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process where a digital model is turned into a physical object by laying down successive layers of material. At Champion 3D, we use advanced FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology, where each layer is precisely deposited to build your model. This method is ideal for creating complex designs, functional prototypes, and detailed models.

3D Design Services

Q5: What 3D design services do you offer?

A5: Champion 3D specialises in a wide array of 3D design services, supported by a skilled team of 3D artists and technicians. We offer:

3D Sculpting and Organic Modelling: Perfect for creating detailed models such as people, animals, characters, and artefacts.
3D CAD and Hard Surface Modelling: Ideal for technical and creative projects, from furniture to precise technical components.
Replication: We can replicate existing objects, whether it’s furniture, sculptures, or broken parts.
Prototypes: We turn sketches or technical drawings into 3D model prototypes, allowing you to rapidly test and iterate your ideas.
Modifications: Need to tweak or adjust an existing 3D model? We can help with mesh corrections and other modifications to perfect your design.

3D Printing Process

Q6: How do I place an order for 3D printing?

A6: Ordering with Champion 3D is simple:

Submit Your Model: We accept STL, OBJ, or STEP files. If needed, our 3D Design Services can help create or prepare your model. Proper file preparation ensures the best possible print quality, and we’re here to assist with any file issues.
Choose Your Preferences: After analysis, select your desired material, colour, quantity, and service type (Standard or Express). We’ll guide you to the best choices for your project.
Get a Quote: Our automated system provides an accurate quote based on your selections. We welcome both small and large orders, and for fully custom projects, we’ll provide a detailed quote after discussing your specific requirements.
Confirm and Pay: After confirming your order, provide billing and delivery details, and complete payment. You’ll receive a receipt via email, and a VAT invoice will be issued upon delivery of your order.

Q7: What is the turnaround time for 3D printing?

A7: We offer two turnaround options:

Standard Service: A 2 working-day turnaround.
Express Service: A 1 working-day turnaround with a 4 pm cut-off for orders.

If your project requires an even faster turnaround or involves large quantities, please contact us to discuss your needs. We’ll do our best to accommodate your timeline. All 3D printing is done in-house at our North Greenwich studio, ensuring top-quality results.

Q8: Will I receive a tracking link for my order?

A8: Yes! Once your order has been dispatched, we will send a tracking link to the email address used for the order. This allows you to follow your parcel and track the delivery status in real-time.

3D Printing Quality & Settings

Q9: How is print quality defined in 3D printing?

A9: Print quality is determined by the layer height—the thinner the layers, the higher the resolution. Layer height is measured in microns, with finer layers producing smoother, more detailed prints.

Q10: What resolutions can you print at?

A10: We offer print resolutions ranging from 20 to 300 microns. For general use, 200 and 300 microns are popular choices, while 20-50 microns are ideal for detailed projects.

Q11: Which resolution should I choose?

A11: Our experienced technicians will select the optimal settings for your unique model. You don’t need to worry about the technical details, but if you have specific requirements, simply leave a message when placing your order, and we’ll accommodate your needs.

Q12: What is your default infill density?

A12: Our standard infill density is 25%, providing a balance of strength and material efficiency. For smaller parts or increased strength, we can adjust the infill up to 100%.

Q13: What is your default shell thickness?

A13: We typically print with a shell thickness of 1.2mm, offering a solid exterior while keeping the model lightweight. We can customize the shell thickness to meet your specific requirements.

Q14: How do you ensure the quality of each print?

A14: Each print is carefully monitored by our technicians throughout the process. We use high-quality materials and advanced equipment to ensure every model meets our strict quality standards before it’s delivered to you.

Materials & Colours

Q15: What 3D printing materials do you offer?

A15: We use a variety of materials, with our core material being PLA, a sustainable bioplastic. We also offer flexible elastomers and other specialty materials to suit your project’s needs.

Q16: Do you print in flexible materials?

A16: Yes, we print with flexible materials such as NinjaTek NinjaFlex, Recreus FilaFlex, and FFFWorld FlexiSMART. These materials provide varying levels of flexibility, perfect for different applications.

Q17: What colours do you offer?

A17: We offer a wide range of ready-to-print colours. For specific needs, we can order custom colours based on the RAL system or match colours using a physical object. Check out our colour swatches page for more information.

Q18: Do you offer transparent or translucent materials?

A18: We offer translucent materials that allow light to pass through, creating a soft, diffused effect. These materials are ideal for projects where a semi-transparent look is desired.

3D Model Finishing

Q19: What finishing options do you offer for 3D printed models?

A19: We offer a variety of finishing options to make your models shine:

Assembly: We can split larger models into components and then assemble, smooth, and finish them seamlessly.
Smoothing: We smooth models to a fine finish, ideal for casting or display.
Painting: We match colours to swatches, physical objects, Pantone, or RAL codes, offering both gloss and matte finishes.
Gilding: We can apply gold or silver leaf to add a luxurious touch.

For more details and photographs of our finishing work, visit our Finishing Page.

Sustainability & Materials

Q20: How does Champion 3D incorporate sustainability into its practices?

A20: Sustainability is at the core of what we do at Champion 3D:

Materials: We primarily use PLA, a bioplastic made from renewable resources like corn starch. PLA is eco-friendly and biodegradable under the right conditions, making it a great choice for your projects.
Waste Recycling: We recycle all waste materials from our production process, helping to minimize our environmental impact.
Efficient Manufacturing: 3D printing is an inherently efficient process that uses only the material needed, reducing waste.
Packaging: All our packaging is paper and card-based, fully recyclable, and sourced responsibly.
Local Production: All 3D printing is completed in-house at our North Greenwich studio in London, UK. We do not outsource any part of the process, ensuring quality, sustainability, and faster turnaround times.

Shipping, Delivery & Pickup

Q21: What are your shipping options?

A21: We offer complimentary Royal Mail Tracked 24 delivery for all orders. For customers within London, we also offer a same-day Motorcycle Courier service for faster delivery. Alternatively, you can pick up your order from our studio by appointment.

Q22: Can I pick up my 3D print?

A22: Yes, you can collect your print from our studio at Champion 3D, 10 Monro Way, Unit 101, Building A4, Greenwich, SE10 0EJ. Once your order has completed production, you’ll receive an email with a link to book a pickup time that’s convenient for you.

Safeguarding Your Intellectual Property

Q23: How does Champion 3D safeguard my content and files?

A23: We take the protection of your intellectual property seriously. To streamline the process and ensure your ideas and 3D content are secure, we have a pre-signed disclaimer available for download. This document outlines our commitment to safeguarding your valuable content. If you have any questions, please reach out to us through our Contact Us page.

Costs & Discounts

Q24: How do you calculate 3D printing costs?

A24: The cost of 3D printing is based on the scale of your model and its overall material volume—the larger the model, the higher the cost. Other factors include the chosen turnaround time (Standard or Express). We also offer bulk discounts when you order more than one of the same 3D model, which is automatically calculated when you upload your model via our quote engine.

Completed Work & Case Studies

Q25: Can I see examples of your completed work?

A25: Absolutely! We invite you to explore our detailed case studies, which showcase our approach, process, and the final results we’ve achieved for our clients. Visit our Case Studies page to learn more about how we’ve helped clients bring their projects to life.