FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is 3D Printing, what machine do you use and what layer thickness do you offer?
3D Printing is the action or process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material in succession. We produce all of our single colour models on the Formlabs Form 2 Resin 3D Printer. Depending on the size of the model we print in a range of 25-100 microns, the smaller the model the lower micron setting we use
Q: What postal method do you use?
A: All of our items are posted using Royal Mail Tracked & Signed. A signature is required so if you will not be at the address you provide, please make sure you go to your local depot and collect the item. If you don't collect it or if you are not in then they will return the item to us. We can refund the purchase price in this instance but not the postage as that is not refunded by Royal Mail.
Do you offer Combined Postage?
A: Yes. £5 postage to the UK plus £1 for every item. £10 for the rest of the world plus £1 per item. If the combined postage isn't auto calculated at checkout, we manually refund the difference at the time of postage.
Q: What is your Dispatch time?
A: We run a print on demand service here and 3D Print an object only when we receive an order. To give us adequate time to 3D Print, Clean and Dry each model we usually take 1-2 weeks from order to dispatch.
Q: What are your returns policy?
A: We provide a 100% money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with your model. Simply post it back to us here at PrintedPlanes [Address on your delivery] and we can refund you.
Q: Why do you offer your models with and without supports?
A: Almost all 3D Printed objects require supports in order to print. Think of these as the scaffolding required to ensure a model prints successfully. To remove the supports, all you need are some snips. Depending on the models, removing the supports can take as little as 10 seconds or for the more complex multi part models (such as the missiles) it can take 3-4 minutes in total. We offer our customers the choice so they can save money by doing the support removal themselves. Don't have snips? Don't worry we sell snips and gloves under the 'Accessories' tab.
Q: Are 3D Printed models ready for painting?
A: 3D Printing requires some supports. These are tiny little scaffolding that ensure the models print correctly. When they are removed they leave behind tiny blemishes [0.5mm diameter] on the surface of the model. These are usually hidden away in areas you'd never seen like the underside of a car however sometimes they are needed where they are visable. Normally
Q: Why is my model a little sticky in parts?
A: The majority of our models are hollow. During transit, some trapped resin might have become disloged. Simply wash with warm soapy water and rub with a toothbrush or similar or soak in IPA and that will remove the stickiness.
Q: Why do you show computer renders for your items?
A: We show computer generated renders because we print in a matte white material which is notoriously difficult to photograph and show off the detail. Follow us on Instagram where we upload images of our printed models all the time #printedplanes
Q: What size are your models?
A: All of our models are either to a fixed dimension or scale. To calculate the scale size please check google for its real world dimensions and then divide that by the scale number we offer.
Q: I have my own printer, can I print your model on my machine?
A: Very occasionally we might release an older model for personal use, get in touch and we can discuss.
Q: Can you make your models in other sizes or scales?
A: Absolutely, simply get in touch and let us know which model and size you want and we will take it from there.
Q: Do you take requests for other models?
A: Definitely, we are always looking to expand our catalogue. Get in touch.
Q: What is the best paint to use on your models?
A: The material we print in is an acrylic based resin so acrylic based paints generally tend to work best.
Q: I have my 3d model, do you offer a printing service?
A: Yes. Check out the 3D Printing Service link for more info