Process
How mail-in 3D scanning works
From first photos to finished files, the process is designed so you always know what happens next — and nothing ships until your project is reviewed and approved.
Overview
The five steps
- 01
Send us part details
Submit a few photos, rough dimensions, and a short description of what you need the scan for. We'll review the part and confirm whether it is a good fit for mail-in scanning.
- 02
Get a quote
We'll provide a quote based on the part size, complexity, surface finish, and file requirements. You'll receive shipping and packaging guidance before sending anything in.
- 03
Ship your part
Carefully package your part and ship it to us. Do not ship your part until your project has been reviewed and approved.
- 04
We scan and process it
Your part is captured using structured-light 3D scanning, then processed into a clean, aligned, to-scale mesh. If your part needs scan prep to capture well, we only use it when required, at no extra charge, and only after you've certified prep is okay at the quote stage.
- 05
Get your files and your part back
Your completed scan files are delivered digitally as STL or OBJ. Your physical part is returned after the scan is complete.
This is the same process for every project — see mail-in 3D scanning for an overview, or STL and OBJ file formats for what you receive.
Step 1 in detail
What to include in your request
The more we can see up front, the faster and more accurate your quote will be.
- Clear photos of the part from multiple angles
- Approximate dimensions
- Material, if known
- Surface finish, if known
- What the scan will be used for
- Preferred file format, if known
- Any important surfaces, holes, edges, mounting points, or features
- Any fragile, valuable, or special handling notes
BEFORE SHIPPING
Review, quote, and approval come first
Once you submit your request, we review the photos and details, confirm the part is a good fit for mail-in scanning, and send you a quote along with shipping and packaging guidance. Please do not ship your part until your project has been reviewed and approved — the review exists so you never waste time or shipping cost on a part that isn’t a good fit.
PREP APPROVAL
You decide on surface prep at the quote stage
Some surfaces — glossy, transparent, very dark, or reflective — need light, paint-safe scan prep such as disappearing matte spray or stick-on tracking dots. We only use it when a part needs it, and never at extra charge. With your quote you certify that prep is okay if required (accepting that any marking or scuffing from prep isn’t on us) — or you can decline prep, though that may mean we can’t scan the part and have to pass on it.
At the bench
What happens during scanning
Your part is captured from multiple angles using structured-light 3D scanning at up to 0.2 mm resolution. Broken parts are scanned as-is, in the condition they arrive.
The raw scan data is processed into a single clean mesh: aligned, scaled, and tidied with basic mesh cleanup so the file is usable for its intended purpose.
Finished files are delivered digitally as STL and/or OBJ. Then your physical part is packed back up and returned to you.
Timing
Turnaround expectations
Typical turnaround depends on part size, complexity, surface finish, and current workload. Simple parts can usually be completed quickly after receipt; more complex parts may need additional scanning and processing time. You’ll get a realistic estimate with your quote.
Return
Your part comes back
After scanning is complete, your physical part is returned. Return shipping details are confirmed during the quote process, and any handling notes you provided — fragile surfaces, valuable parts, special packaging — carry through to the return journey.
FAQ
Process questions
The process is simple: submit part details, photos, and rough dimensions; receive a quote; ship the part after approval; we scan and process the part; you receive digital files; and your physical part is returned.
Do not ship your part before your project has been reviewed and approved.
No. Please submit a scan request first. We'll review the part, confirm whether it is suitable for mail-in scanning, provide a quote, and then send shipping guidance.
Please include clear photos of the part from multiple angles, approximate dimensions, material and surface finish if known, what the scan will be used for, a preferred file format if known, any important surfaces, holes, edges, mounting points, or features, and any fragile, valuable, or special handling notes.
Typical turnaround depends on the part size, complexity, surface finish, and current workload.
Simple parts can usually be completed quickly after receipt. More complex parts may require additional scanning and processing time.
Yes. Your physical part is returned after the scan is complete.
Ready to start?
Submit your part details and photos — we'll review everything and send back a quote before you ship a thing.
Quote first — nothing ships until your project is approved.