Replacement parts, 3D printed from a photo of the broken one
Knobs, clips, covers and brackets, designed from your photo and measurements and printed in our Colchester studio.
Last updated 13 Oct 2026
The short answer
Send a photo of the broken part next to a ruler, plus two or three measurements. We design a replacement, print it in PLA, PETG or TPU in Colchester, then post it or you collect it. Simple fixes are £15–£35 incl. design. You get a fixed price within 24 hours (Mon–Sat), and nothing prints until you say yes.
What we can make
Most small plastic parts that have broken, gone missing or are no longer sold:
- Knobs and dials for washing machines, tumble dryers, radios, hi-fi, fans and furniture, including D-shaped and splined shafts.
- Clips and catches: battery covers, remote control backs, cupboard catches, cable and panel clips.
- Covers and caps: end caps for tubes and chair legs, blanking plates, feet and buffers.
- Brackets and holders for light loads: curtain and blind brackets, shelf supports for small shelves, wall holders.
- Caravan and motorhome parts: locker catches, blind and flyscreen end caps, trim clips, cupboard stays.
- Blind parts: roller blind brackets and end plugs, vertical blind hangers, Venetian blind tilt parts.
- Appliance parts: vacuum cleaner clips, fridge and freezer catches, soap drawer handles, hoover attachments.
If it's in a car, see car interior parts. If you already have a 3D file, see STL, 3MF and OBJ printing.
How to measure the part
- Photograph it flat, straight down, next to a ruler. No ruler? A £1 coin works for scale.
- Take a second photo from the side, so we can see how thick it is and how it's shaped underneath.
- Measure the key sizes in millimetres: overall length, width and thickness, plus anything it fits onto, such as a shaft diameter or the distance between two screw holes. Digital calipers are best. A steel ruler is fine for most parts.
- Broken into pieces? Photograph all the pieces together, and the place where the part fits.
- Tell us what it does and what it's from. The make and model helps. We copy how a part works, not a brand's look.
Prices
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Simple fix from a photo (knob, clip, spacer, bracket) | £15–£35 incl. design |
| Bigger parts and prototypes | quoted, design time shown |
| Postage | Royal Mail 2nd Class from £2.99, or collect free in Colchester by arrangement |
Every price is fixed before we print. A part that has to fit precisely may need a test print first; if so, the quote says so.
How long it takes
We reply with a price and a ready date within 24 hours, Monday to Saturday. Once you approve, most parts are ready in 3–5 working days. Parts that need a test fit can take a little longer. Then we post it (Royal Mail 2nd Class, £2.99) or you collect it free from our Colchester office, by arrangement.
Which material we'll use
- PETG is our usual choice for parts. It's tough, bends a little before it breaks and copes with warmth and damp, so it suits appliances, caravans and anything that gets handled.
- PLA suits indoor parts that stay cool: furniture, blinds and remote control covers.
- TPU is flexible and rubbery, for feet, bumpers, grips and seals that aren't safety-critical.
- ASA, on request, for parts that sit in strong sun all day.
The materials guide compares them side by side.
What we won't make
- Safety-critical parts, or anything load-bearing over people: overhead fixings, ladders, harnesses, child seats.
- Parts for gas appliances, and anything on a car that keeps people safe (brakes, steering, seat belts, airbags).
- Parts that hold or insulate mains electricity.
- Medical devices, or anything that touches food or drink.
- Copies of another company's logo or badge. We copy how a part works, not its branding.
Questions
Can you 3D print a replacement part from a photo?
Yes, for most small plastic parts. A clear photo next to a ruler or coin, a side view and two or three measurements are usually enough. If we need more, we'll ask before quoting.
How much does a 3D printed replacement part cost?
Simple fixes such as knobs, clips, spacers and brackets are £15–£35 incl. design. Bigger parts and prototypes are quoted individually, with the design time shown. Postage is £2.99, or collect free in Colchester.
What if I can't measure it accurately?
Send the clearest photos you can, with a ruler or coin in shot, and tell us what it fits. We'll say whether that's enough, or tell you exactly which measurement we still need.
Can you make a part that isn't sold any more?
Usually, yes. Discontinued parts are most of what we're asked for. As long as it's a plastic part that isn't safety-critical, and it fits on our printers (up to 34 × 32 cm in one piece), we can normally design and print a replacement.
Is a printed part as strong as the original?
For most clips, knobs and covers, a PETG part printed the right way round does the job well. Thin parts under a lot of stress can be weaker than the moulded original, and we'll tell you if we think yours will be.
I have a 3D file of the part. Can you print that?
Yes. Upload it to the instant estimate for a price straight away, or read about printing your STL file.
More 3D printing services
- Custom 3D printing serviceSend a photo, a sketch or a file. Free quote within 24 hours.
- Print your file – instant estimateUpload an STL, 3MF or OBJ and see a price range straight away.
- STL, 3MF and OBJ printingWe print your file in PLA, PETG or TPU, up to 34 × 32 cm.
- Car interior partsClips, trims, holders and cup holder adapters. Interior, non-safety parts only.
- Business & batchesPrototypes, parts and batches, with volume discounts and invoices.
- Materials guide: PLA, PETG or TPUWhich plastic suits your part: heat, sun, flex and strength.
- 3D printing in ColchesterOur studio, collection by arrangement, and printing for local businesses.
- 3D printing in EssexPosted to every Essex town, or collect in Colchester.