This is a collector’s quick reference to the handful of 3D printing terms that actually change what you buy and how a piece looks on your shelf. It is deliberately short and decision-focused rather than exhaustive: the essentials are that FDM is the layer-by-layer process behind each piece, PLA is our everyday display-grade plastic, infill and layer height control how solid and how smooth a model is, and STL/3MF are the digital files a printed collectible starts from. Learn these eight or nine words and you can read a product page like a collector rather than a tourist.
At 3DCentral, an industrial print farm in Laval, Quebec, we produce decorative collectibles on demand using FDM technology. Our catalogue is a mix of original 3DCentral designs and curated community-artist models printed with permission, so it helps to know the language behind what you are collecting. If you want a deeper, term-by-term dictionary, this page is meant to sit alongside a full glossary; here we keep to the terms that influence a buying decision. You can browse the full range any time in the 3DCentral shop.
The Process Terms That Affect How a Piece Looks
FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling)
FDM is the additive process behind every piece we make. A spool of plastic filament is heated and extruded through a fine nozzle, drawing each layer of the object before moving up to the next. It is prized for durability, consistency at scale and a clean, tactile finish that suits desk pieces and display collectibles. When you see “FDM” on a product, it simply means the model was built up layer by layer rather than cast or moulded.
Layer Height
Layer height is the thickness of each printed layer, usually measured in fractions of a millimetre. Thinner layers produce smoother surfaces and finer detail but take longer to print; thicker layers are faster and emphasize a subtle horizontal texture some collectors actually enjoy. For most decorative pieces, layer height is the single biggest factor in how crisp the finished surface looks, so it is the first thing to weigh when detail matters to you.
Infill
Infill is the internal lattice that fills the inside of a model. A printed collectible is rarely solid plastic; instead, it has an internal pattern (honeycomb, grid or gyroid) at a chosen density. Higher infill means more weight and sturdiness, while lower infill keeps a piece lighter and uses less material. For display objects, a moderate infill balances a satisfying hand-feel with efficient, low-waste production.
Supports
Supports are temporary scaffolding the printer adds under overhangs and steep angles so molten plastic has something to rest on. After printing, supports are removed and the contact points cleaned up. Good design and careful finishing minimize support marks, which is one reason hand-finishing matters on detailed pieces. Our team accounts for support placement so the visible surfaces of a collectible stay clean.
The Material Terms Worth Comparing
Filament
Filament is the raw material an FDM printer consumes, wound onto a spool and fed into the hot end. The type of filament determines a model’s colour, finish, strength and temperature tolerance. We are also developing Quebec-made filament for our own farm as a Phase 2 initiative, with more details coming soon.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is our everyday workhorse for indoor decorative collectibles, available in 10 or more colours. It is a plant-derived plastic known for crisp detail, vivid colour and easy, reliable printing, which makes it ideal for figurines, desk pieces and display models kept indoors. PLA is best enjoyed away from heat sources and direct sun, where it holds detail beautifully for years.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
PETG is a tougher, more heat- and moisture-tolerant plastic suited to pieces that might live near a window or, eventually, outdoors. We are rolling out an outdoor-safe PETG option soon alongside PLA. As a general rule, choose PLA for fine indoor detail and PETG when durability and weather resistance matter more than ultra-fine surface texture.
| Material | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | Indoor figurines, desk and display pieces | 10+ colours; crisp detail; keep away from heat and direct sun |
| PETG | Durable and outdoor-leaning pieces | Outdoor-safe option coming soon; tougher and more heat-tolerant |
The File and Design Terms You Will See
STL
STL is the most common 3D model file format. It describes an object’s surface as a mesh of tiny triangles, which the printer’s software then slices into layers. When designers talk about “the STL,” they mean the digital sculpt that a physical collectible is printed from.
3MF
3MF is a newer, richer file format that can store colour, materials and print settings alongside the geometry. It is increasingly preferred for modern multi-feature prints because it travels with more information than a plain STL, reducing guesswork between design and production.
Articulated / Print-in-Place
Articulated, print-in-place models come off the printer already movable, with no assembly or glue required. Designers build the joints directly into the model, so a flexi dragon or jointed figure prints as a single connected piece that flexes the moment supports are cleared. These tactile, hands-on desk companions are some of the most popular collectibles we produce, and many of our curated community-artist designs use this clever technique.
Slicing / Slicer
Slicing is the step that turns a 3D file into printer instructions. Slicer software cuts the model into horizontal layers and decides toolpaths, infill, supports and speeds. It is where a designer’s intent becomes a precise set of moves the printer follows, and it is where experienced operators add real value to print quality.
Bed Adhesion and Warping
Bed adhesion is how well the first layer sticks to the print surface; warping is when corners lift as plastic cools and contracts. Both are production concerns we manage so they never reach you. We mention them here because they explain why a controlled, climate-stable farm environment produces more consistent collectibles than ad-hoc home printing.
How to Use This Quick Reference When You Shop
Once these terms click, choosing pieces gets easier. If you want fine indoor detail, look for PLA models and a lower layer height. If you want something playful and tactile, search for articulated, print-in-place designs. If you would like a one-of-a-kind keepsake, our custom photo-to-figurine service turns a photo into a sculpted figurine through AI-assisted sculpting plus human finishing, as a one-time per-order project rather than a subscription. And if you simply love the surprise of discovery, the monthly Mystery Box rotates a curated selection straight from our Laval farm.
Knowing the vocabulary helps you read a product page like a collector, not a tourist, so you can judge detail, durability and value at a glance.
Ready to apply what you have learned? Browse originals and curated artist pieces in the 3DCentral shop, with free shipping on Canadian orders over $149 CAD and no domestic customs within Canada. Questions about a specific material or design? Reach our team through the contact page.
FAQ
What does FDM mean in 3D printing?
FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modelling. It builds an object by heating plastic filament and extruding it layer by layer through a nozzle. It is the durable, scalable process 3DCentral uses for all of its decorative collectibles.
What’s the difference between PLA and PETG?
PLA is a plant-derived plastic that prints crisp indoor detail in many colours and is best kept away from heat and direct sun. PETG is tougher and more heat- and moisture-tolerant, making it better for durable or outdoor-leaning pieces. 3DCentral offers PLA today, with an outdoor-safe PETG option coming soon.
What does infill mean and why does it matter?
Infill is the internal lattice inside a printed model. Higher infill adds weight and sturdiness; lower infill keeps a piece lighter and uses less material. For display collectibles, a moderate infill balances a solid hand-feel with efficient, low-waste production.
What are articulated or print-in-place models?
These are models with joints built directly into the design, so they come off the printer already movable with no assembly or glue. A flexi figure flexes as soon as the supports are cleared, making it a popular tactile desk piece.
What is an STL file?
An STL file is a common 3D model format that describes an object’s surface as a mesh of triangles. Slicer software converts that file into the layer-by-layer instructions a printer follows to produce the physical piece.
