The 3D printing world speaks its own language. For newcomers, whether you are a collector exploring your first purchases, a hobbyist considering your first printer, or a maker evaluating whether to start a print farm, the jargon can feel like an impenetrable wall. Terms like “infill percentage,” “glass transition temperature,” “print-in-place,” and “retraction distance” are thrown around casually in communities, product descriptions, and reviews with the assumption that everyone already knows what they mean.
This glossary breaks that barrier. Every term is explained in plain language with context for why it matters. Whether you are browsing the 3DCentral shop and want to understand material descriptions, reading a forum post about print quality, or considering a Commercial License to start selling prints yourself, this reference will ensure you understand the language of the industry.
Printing Process and Technology Terms
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
The most common consumer and professional 3D printing method. An FDM printer melts plastic filament and deposits it in thin layers, building an object from the bottom up. Every piece in the 3DCentral catalog is produced using FDM technology on production-grade printers at our Laval, Quebec facility. Also sometimes called FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication), which is functionally the same process under a different name.
Layer Height
The thickness of each individual horizontal layer deposited during printing, measured in millimeters. Common layer heights range from 0.1mm (fine detail, slower printing) to 0.3mm (less detail, faster printing). Lower layer heights produce smoother surfaces and finer details but take proportionally longer to print. Most collectible figurines are printed at 0.12mm to 0.2mm for a balance of detail and production efficiency.
Infill
The internal structure inside a 3D print. Rather than printing solid objects (which would use excessive material and time), printers create an internal pattern at a specified density. An infill percentage of 15% means the interior is 15% plastic and 85% air, arranged in a geometric pattern that maintains structural integrity. Higher infill creates stronger, heavier pieces. Most decorative figurines use 10-20% infill for adequate strength with efficient material use.
Build Plate / Print Bed
The flat surface where 3D prints are constructed. The build plate is typically heated to help the first layer adhere properly. Bed adhesion problems are one of the most common causes of print failures, particularly for large or tall objects.
Slicer / Slicing Software
The software that converts a 3D model file into printer instructions. The slicer “slices” the model into individual layers and generates the movement commands (G-code) that tell the printer exactly where to deposit material. Popular slicers include Cura, PrusaSlicer, and Bambu Studio. Slicer settings dramatically affect print quality, which is why production facilities like 3DCentral develop and maintain optimized slicer profiles for each design.
G-code
The machine-readable instruction set generated by slicing software. G-code contains every movement command, temperature setting, and speed instruction the printer follows during production. A single figurine might be represented by hundreds of thousands of individual G-code commands.
Print-in-Place
A design technique where moving parts (joints, hinges, articulated segments) are printed fully assembled in a single operation. No post-print assembly is required. Print-in-place designs from artists like Flexi Factory and Cinderwing3D represent some of the most impressive engineering in consumer 3D printing. The tolerance between parts must be precisely calibrated to allow movement while maintaining structural connection.
Nozzle
The small metal tip through which melted filament is extruded onto the build plate. Standard nozzle diameter is 0.4mm. Smaller nozzles (0.2mm, 0.3mm) produce finer details but print more slowly. Larger nozzles (0.6mm, 0.8mm) print faster but with less fine detail. Production print farms often use different nozzle sizes depending on whether a design prioritizes speed or detail.
Material Terms
Filament
The raw material used in FDM printing, supplied as a continuous wire on a spool. Standard filament diameter is 1.75mm. Filament is available in hundreds of colors and dozens of material formulations. The quality and consistency of filament directly affects print quality, which is why 3DCentral uses premium-grade filament across all production.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
The most widely used 3D printing material and the primary material for 3DCentral figurines. PLA is plant-derived (typically from corn starch), produces excellent detail, accepts color brilliantly, and is ideal for indoor display. Its limitations include a relatively low glass transition temperature (approximately 55-60 degrees Celsius) and brittleness under impact. For indoor collectibles, PLA is the gold standard.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
A stronger, more heat-resistant alternative to PLA. PETG handles outdoor conditions significantly better, with a glass transition temperature around 80 degrees Celsius and superior moisture resistance. It is slightly more challenging to print than PLA, which is why not all designs are available in PETG. PETG is the preferred material for outdoor garden figurines and functional decorative pieces.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
A flexible, rubber-like printing material. TPU produces soft, bendable prints that feel distinctly different from rigid PLA or PETG. It is used for items that benefit from flexibility, such as phone cases, flexible figurines, and impact-resistant components. Printing TPU requires specialized printer configurations.
Silk PLA
A PLA variant that produces a lustrous, metallic-looking surface finish. Silk PLA catches light beautifully and creates figurines with a premium appearance. The tradeoff is slightly reduced structural strength compared to standard PLA. Silk PLA pieces are particularly popular for display-focused collecting because they photograph well and create visual drama on shelves.
Glass Transition Temperature
The temperature at which a thermoplastic material begins to soften and lose its rigid form. For PLA, this is approximately 55-60 degrees Celsius. For PETG, approximately 80 degrees Celsius. Understanding glass transition temperature is essential for deciding which pieces can be displayed outdoors and which must remain indoors.
Design and File Terms
STL (Standard Tessellation Language)
The most common file format for 3D printable models. An STL file describes the surface geometry of a 3D object as a mesh of triangles. Nearly every 3D printing service and slicer software accepts STL files. When you purchase a design file or download from a platform, it is almost always in STL format.
OBJ
An alternative 3D model file format that supports color and texture information that STL does not. OBJ files are sometimes used for models that include painted surface textures, though for most FDM printing, color is determined by filament choice rather than file-embedded textures.
3MF
A newer, more feature-rich 3D printing file format that packages model geometry, color information, material assignments, and print settings into a single file. 3MF is gaining adoption as a more complete alternative to STL, particularly for multi-color and multi-material printing.
Articulated
Having joints or segments that allow movement and posing. Articulated figurines can be bent, twisted, coiled, and posed into different positions. The term applies to both print-in-place designs (printed already assembled) and multi-part designs that are assembled after printing.
Support Material
Temporary structures printed alongside the main object to support overhanging features during printing. Since FDM printing builds layer by layer from the bottom up, features that extend horizontally into empty space need support material beneath them during printing. Supports are removed (broken or cut away) after printing is complete. Well-designed models minimize the need for supports, and well-removed supports leave clean surfaces.
Manifold / Watertight
A 3D model is “manifold” or “watertight” when its surface mesh is completely closed with no holes, gaps, or self-intersecting faces. Non-manifold models can cause printing errors. Professional design platforms and slicing software include tools to check and repair manifold errors before printing.
Quality and Troubleshooting Terms
Layer Lines
The visible horizontal ridges on printed surfaces that result from the layer-by-layer building process. Layer lines are an inherent characteristic of FDM printing. Finer layer heights produce less visible layer lines. Many collectors appreciate layer lines as a signature of the manufacturing process, similar to how wood grain is valued in woodworking.
Stringing
Thin threads or hairs of plastic stretched between features on a printed object, caused by filament oozing from the nozzle as the print head travels between separated parts of the design. Stringing is minimized through proper retraction settings in the slicer. Minor stringing is easily removed with a heat gun or careful trimming.
Warping
Curling or lifting of print edges caused by uneven cooling and thermal contraction. Warping most commonly affects the first few layers of a print and can cause the piece to detach from the build plate. Heated build plates, enclosures, and proper ambient temperature control mitigate warping. PETG is more prone to warping than PLA.
Elephant’s Foot
A slight bulging or spreading of the first few layers of a print, caused by the weight of the object compressing the still-warm lower layers. Named for the visual resemblance to an elephant’s foot, this is a common cosmetic issue that affects the base of prints. It is corrected through slicer settings and typically does not affect the visual quality of the displayed piece.
Bridging
The ability of a printer to span a horizontal gap between two vertical supports without support material. Good bridging produces clean horizontal surfaces over open spaces. Poor bridging results in sagging filament that affects surface quality. Bridge performance depends on cooling, speed, and material properties.
Business and Industry Terms
Commercial License
Legal permission to produce and sell prints of designs created by other artists. Without a Commercial License, purchasing a design file grants personal-use-only rights. The 3DCentral Commercial License provides subscribers with the right to print and sell from the licensed design catalog, enabling print farm operators and Etsy sellers to legally monetize community artist designs.
Print Farm
A facility operating multiple 3D printers for production-scale manufacturing. 3DCentral operates a 200-plus printer farm in Laval, Quebec. Print farms achieve production volumes that individual printers cannot, enabling consistent quality, efficient material usage, and reliable order fulfillment. The term distinguishes professional production operations from hobbyist single-printer setups.
Print-on-Demand
A manufacturing model where items are produced only when orders are received, eliminating the need for pre-produced inventory. 3D printing is uniquely suited to print-on-demand because there is no tooling cost (no molds, no setup fees), making single-unit production economically viable. This model enables catalogs of thousands of designs without warehouse inventory risk.
Build Volume
The maximum physical dimensions (length, width, height) that a 3D printer can produce in a single print. Larger build volumes allow bigger prints or multiple smaller prints simultaneously. Production print farms use a mix of build volumes optimized for different product categories.
Bed Adhesion
The ability of the first printed layer to stick securely to the build plate. Good bed adhesion prevents prints from shifting, warping, or detaching during production. Methods to improve adhesion include heated beds, adhesive sprays, glue sticks, and textured build surfaces.
Post-Processing
Any work done to a print after it comes off the printer. Post-processing can include support removal, sanding, painting, clear coating, assembly of multi-part designs, and quality inspection. The level of post-processing varies dramatically by product type and quality standard. Production facilities like 3DCentral include post-processing as part of the manufacturing workflow.
Collecting and Community Terms
Mystery Box
A subscription or one-time purchase containing a curated, surprise selection of collectibles. The 3DCentral Mystery Box delivers monthly surprise selections that include subscriber-exclusive items not available through regular purchase. Mystery boxes appeal to collectors who enjoy discovery and are open to expanding their collection in unexpected directions.
Limited Edition
A production run restricted to a specific quantity. Once sold out, the design is retired and not reprinted. Limited editions carry collector value driven by genuine scarcity. Understanding whether a “limited edition” label reflects true production constraints or marketing language is an important skill for collectors evaluating long-term value.
Secondary Market
The market where previously purchased collectibles are resold between collectors. Sold-out limited editions frequently trade on secondary markets at premiums above original retail price. Secondary market prices reflect real-time supply and demand dynamics and serve as indicators of a piece’s collector value.
This glossary covers the foundational terminology of 3D printing as it applies to collectors, hobbyists, and aspiring print farm operators. As the industry evolves, new terms emerge regularly. The 3DCentral blog covers industry developments, new techniques, and emerging terminology as the field advances.
Browse the full catalog at the 3DCentral shop and explore ducks, gnomes, and figurines with the confidence that comes from understanding the language of the craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most important 3D printing term for collectors to understand? A: Material type (PLA vs. PETG vs. Silk PLA) is the most practically important term because it directly affects how you can display and care for your pieces. PLA is ideal for indoor display, PETG handles outdoor conditions, and Silk PLA provides premium visual finishes. Understanding material properties prevents display mistakes and helps you choose pieces suited to your intended use.
Q: What does “print-in-place” mean for articulated figurines? A: Print-in-place means the figurine’s moving joints are printed as part of a single manufacturing operation. The joints emerge from the printer already functional with no assembly required. This technique is used by artists like Flexi Factory and Cinderwing3D to create dragons, snakes, and other articulated creatures that can be posed and manipulated immediately.
Q: Do I need to understand 3D printing terminology to collect 3D printed figurines? A: No. You can enjoy collecting without any technical knowledge, just as you can enjoy wine without understanding viticulture. However, understanding basic terms like material types, layer height, and infill helps you make informed purchasing decisions, care for your pieces properly, and engage more deeply with the collector community.
