Rapid Prototyping in Bali: Plan for 2–3 Rounds
Updated: Oct 5
Rapid prototyping means making a physical version of your product quickly — so you can hold it, try it where it will actually be used, and fix the file before you pay for production. With 3D printing there is no mold to remake every time the design changes; only the file changes. That is why the right unit for planning a prototype is not "one print" but a round: print, test, change, print again. In our experience at 3D Lab Bali's prototyping service, most projects take two to three rounds before the part is truly right.
This article is for business owners, product designers, and anyone developing something new. We cover why the first prototype rarely works as-is, one real example from our workshop, the right material for each stage, and how long a round takes.
Why the First Prototype Rarely Fits Right
A 3D file can't tell you how an object feels in your hand. On screen, every dimension looks right. Once it's printed, you see what the screen couldn't show:
Fit with other objects. A lid that has to go into a container, a clip that has to grip a pipe, a mount that has to fit a tool you already own. One millimeter is enough to make it loose or keep it from going in at all.
Stiffness and flexibility. A part that should flex turns out too stiff, or the other way around.
Ergonomics. A handle that's too thin, an awkward angle, a button that's hard to reach.
The fastest way to find these out is to hold the real thing. That's why we don't treat a second round as a failure — it's what prototypes are for.
A Real Example: A Mask in Two Materials
One of our prototyping projects in August 2026 was a mask. The client needed two parts with different properties:
The mask body in TPU 95A, a flexible material, so it could follow the shape and feel soft.
The gasket cover in PETG, a rigid material, so it would hold its shape.
Both were printed in black on FDM. After the first round, the fit wasn't right yet. In the second round, about three weeks later, we re-modeled the mask and gasket so they fit — roughly one hour of modeling — and reprinted both parts — the TPU with the same print settings as the first round.
Two lessons from this project. First, one prototype can use two materials at once: flexible and rigid parts don't have to be made from the same thing. Second, the second round is usually lighter than the first: the base design already exists, so the work is adjustment — in this project, about one hour of modeling.
The Right Material for Each Rapid Prototyping Stage
Not every round needs the best material. The order we usually recommend:
Check shape and size → PLA. Usually the most economical and the fastest to print. Enough to answer "is the size right?" and "does it feel good in the hand?". Note: PLA starts to soften at around 60 °C, so don't use it for tests in hot places.
Test function and fit → PETG, TPU, ABS, or ASA. Choose by the load it has to take: PETG for parts that need to be tougher, TPU or TPE for flexible parts, ABS for parts exposed to heat, and ASA for outdoor use in direct sun.
Check appearance and fine detail → resin (SLA). For presenting to investors or buyers, or for small details that don't come out clean on FDM.
Need dozens of identical units → silicone molding. Once the design is final, one master can become a mold for a small production run. We cover it in full in silicone molding in Bali.
Each material is explained in our 3D printing materials guide, and the difference between the two technologies in FDM vs SLA.
How Long and How Much Is One Round
The time for one round is made up of several parts:
Quote: usually 1–4 working hours after we receive your file or sketch.
Modeling (if needed): IDR 150,000 per hour, minimum 1 hour, then billed in 0.5-hour steps. A second round is often just an adjustment, as in the mask example above.
FDM machine time: a small part takes about 1–2 hours, a larger part about 4–6 hours.
Resin (SLA): about 2–3 days, including washing and curing.
Maximum size in one print: 40 × 40 × 40 cm for PLA and PETG, 25 × 25 × 25 cm for ABS, ASA, TPU and fiber-filled materials, and 21 × 14 × 25 cm for resin. Larger objects can be printed in sections and joined. Minimum order is IDR 100,000 per order.
The timing is broken down in how long does 3D printing take, and how we price a job in 3D printing cost in Bali.
How to Shorten Every Round
Send the dimensions of the mating part. If the prototype has to fit something — a container, a pipe, a tool — send its measurements, or a photo with a ruler. That prevents a round wasted on a size mismatch.
Decide what this round has to prove. "Check the size" and "check the strength" need different materials. With a clear goal, we can pick the most economical material and print settings.
Change one thing per round. Change everything at once and you won't know which change worked.
Print two variants at once when unsure. Two sizes or two shapes in one order is often faster than two separate rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't have a 3D file yet. Can I still make a prototype?
Yes. Send a sketch, a photo, or measurements, and our team builds the model. Modeling is IDR 150,000 per hour; we give you the estimate before we start.
How many rounds does it usually take?
Two to three rounds for most projects. The first round settles shape and size; the next ones fix fit and detail.
Can a prototype be used as a product to sell?
For small quantities, yes — as long as the material and strength suit how it will be used. For dozens of identical units, it's usually cheaper to make a silicone mold from the final master.
Can the prototype be made in the final material?
Often, yes, if the final material is one we print: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, TPE, nylon-carbon, or resin. For the first round, though, PLA is usually the more economical choice.
Start Your Prototype
Send your file, sketch, or product photo, along with what the part needs to do, through our WhatsApp. We'll help you choose the material and a sensible number of rounds, then send you a quote. Minimum order IDR 100,000.
