How quotes work
Who gets your request
We match your file against makers who have the right printer type, stock the material you picked, and have a build volume big enough. If nobody matches, we tell you rather than sending it into a void.
You can send it to up to five matched makers at once, or pick one shop by name. Sending to several gets you a range to compare.
What a maker sees
Your first name. The file, and a 3D view of it. The material, layer height, infill and quantity. Your delivery province, and your postal code if you asked for shipping to be included. Your notes. A reference price calculated from their own rates.
They don't see your email, your phone number, your full address, or any payment details.
What comes back
Each quote has four numbers and a date:
- Part price: for the whole quantity, before shipping and tax.
- Shipping: what they charge to pack and ship it, or nothing for pickup.
- Taxes: calculated for your delivery province.
- All-in total: what your card gets charged.
- Valid until: after this, you can't accept it.
Plus a lead time and, often, a note. Read the note. "I'd print this in PETG instead, here's why" is worth more than five dollars off.
How long it takes
It depends on the maker. Each profile shows the median time that maker has taken to reply so far, calculated from their actual replies. Some answer in an hour. Some take two days.
We don't set a platform-wide deadline and we won't invent one. If a maker hasn't replied and you need to move, accept one of the quotes you do have.
Comparing them
The compare view puts quotes side by side and flags the lowest total, the fastest, and the highest rated. Look at all three plus the note. The cheapest quote from someone with no reviews and a 14-day lead time is often not the one you want.
Declining
Turn one down and the maker is told, with an optional reason. Other quotes on the same request stay open. Declining costs nothing and doesn't affect anything.
Expiry
Quotes expire because a maker's costs and capacity change. If one expires and you still want it, message the maker and ask them to send a fresh one.
Nothing has been charged
Asking for quotes is free. Receiving them is free. No card is involved until you press Accept and go through checkout.