Everything you might
want to know.

Unlike traditional injection-moulded products, 3D printed items are created gradually, one very thin layer at a time.

This allows us to create interesting shapes, articulated designs and smaller production runs that would be difficult to manufacture using traditional methods.

Possibly. Fine layer lines are a completely normal characteristic of 3D printing and may be visible when an item is examined closely.

Small variations in surface texture or finish do not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the product — they are part of the way the item is manufactured.

Not necessarily. Each item is individually 3D printed, so very small differences in layer texture, colour position and surface finish can occur.

We think that is part of what makes 3D printed creations interesting: each one has a little character of its own.

The material used can vary depending on the product and the properties the design requires.

The appropriate material information will be shown with individual products where relevant, particularly where specific handling or care instructions apply.

Yes. We aim to produce our creations to a high standard and products are checked before dispatch for obvious printing or manufacturing issues.

3D printed products are manufactured differently from conventional injection-moulded products.

Although we aim for strong, high-quality prints, the layered construction of a 3D printed item means that some designs may be more susceptible to damage from hard impacts, excessive force, bending or being dropped than an equivalent injection-moulded product.

Not necessarily. Many 3D printed items are strong and perfectly suited to their intended use. However, they should be treated appropriately and should not be deliberately bent, crushed, thrown or subjected to excessive force unless the product is specifically designed for that purpose.

Stop using the item if it cracks, splits or develops damage that could produce a sharp edge or cause a small piece to become detached.

If you believe the damage is the result of a product fault rather than normal wear, accidental damage or misuse, please contact us.

Unless the product instructions state otherwise, use a soft damp cloth and mild soapy water where necessary.

Avoid very hot water, dishwashers, harsh chemicals or exposing the item to excessive heat, as some 3D printing materials can deform when heated.

We recommend avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures, strong direct heat or locations such as a very hot vehicle.

Different printing materials tolerate heat differently, so any product-specific care information should always be followed.

Where colour choices are available, they will be shown on the product page. Some products may also be released in special or limited colour combinations.

We do our best to photograph and display colours accurately, but screens and displays reproduce colours differently.

Filament batches can also have small shade differences, so a slight variation from photographs is possible.

We love interesting ideas. Customisation may be available for certain products, colours or designs.

Send us your idea and we can tell you whether it is something the Lab can make.

Goods made specifically to a customer's specifications or clearly personalised are generally treated differently from standard products under UK cancellation rules.

This does not remove your statutory rights if an item is faulty, misdescribed or otherwise does not conform to the contract.

3D printing isn't instant. Depending on the size and complexity of a design, an individual print can take many hours to manufacture.

Where an item is made to order, the expected production or dispatch time will be provided with the product or during the ordering process.

Available delivery services and estimated dispatch or delivery times will be shown during the ordering process where online ordering is available.

Please contact us as soon as reasonably possible and keep the item and its packaging. Photographs of the item and packaging may help us understand what has happened and resolve the problem quickly.

Contact us with your order details and we'll investigate it. If we've sent the wrong product, we'll work with you to put it right.

For most standard goods purchased online, UK consumers normally have a legal cancellation period. There are exceptions, including certain goods made to a customer's specifications or clearly personalised.

Please read our Delivery & Returns page for the full information that applies to purchases from The Little Toy Lab.

Please contact us. Your statutory rights are not affected by our policies or by the fact that a product has been 3D printed.

Where goods are faulty, not as described or otherwise fail to conform to the contract, the remedies required by UK consumer law will apply.

Fine layer lines and small surface variations are inherent characteristics of the 3D printing process and, by themselves, would not normally indicate that an item is faulty.

This is different from an actual manufacturing problem such as a significant defect, breakage or an item that does not match its description.

You can read our complete Delivery & Returns Policy here.