You can order in three ways: through our online shop for standard products, by submitting a quote request via our website, or by contacting us directly via email at support@designaxis.co.za or WhatsApp on 076 939 1985. For custom parts, we recommend starting with a quote request so we can assess your file and requirements before confirming the order.

For the most accurate quote, provide: your design file (STL, STEP, OBJ, or DXF), your preferred material, the quantity required, any dimensional tolerances or functional requirements, and your intended use for the part. If you don't have a file yet, a sketch, photograph, or description of what you need is a good starting point — we can assist with CAD design.

Yes. If you don't have a CAD file, we offer CAD design and 3D scanning services. You can send us a sketch, a photo of a reference part, or simply describe what you need. We'll model it, send you a file for approval, and then proceed to print once you're happy.

Yes. We handle everything from single one-off parts to short production runs. Pricing scales favourably with quantity. Contact us to discuss your volume requirements and we'll work out the most cost-effective approach for your project.

Pricing is based on several factors: material cost per gram, print time, part complexity and support requirements, post-processing needs, and quantity. Our Materials page lists starting rates per gram, but final pricing will be confirmed on your quote. We're transparent — you'll always know what you're paying for before we start.

All quotes are valid for 14 days from the date of issue, unless otherwise stated. Material prices can fluctuate, so we're unable to honour quotes beyond this period without reconfirmation.

No — quotes are completely free. Submit your file or describe your requirement and we'll get back to you with a detailed quote within 24 hours on business days.

All prices quoted are in South African Rand (ZAR). VAT applicability will be clearly indicated on your invoice. Please check your quote for VAT details.

Standard turnaround for most prototype and small orders is 24–72 hours from confirmed payment, depending on complexity and current production load. We offer 24-hour turnaround on selected prototype jobs — mention this when requesting a quote and we'll confirm availability.

Key factors include: print time (determined by part size, layer height, and infill), material — some engineering filaments require slower speeds, post-processing requirements such as sanding or painting, current production queue, and whether CAD work is needed before printing can begin.

Our standard operating hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00. Weekend production may be available for urgent orders — contact us to discuss. Orders placed or paid on weekends will begin processing on the next business day.

We accept the following formats:

• STL — most common FDM-ready format
• STEP / STP — preferred for engineering parts (retains geometry)
• OBJ — common for artistic or sculpted models
• DXF / DWG — for 2D drawings we can model from
• 3MF — newer format with colour and material data

If you have a different format, contact us — we can often work with it or convert it.

We perform a basic pre-print file check on all orders and will flag any obvious issues (non-manifold geometry, thin walls, unprintable features). Minor repairs are included at no charge. For significant redesigns or file reconstruction, we'll quote for the additional CAD work separately.

Yes. All customer-submitted files are treated as confidential and will not be shared with any third party. If you require a formal NDA before sharing your design, we're happy to arrange one — contact us before submitting your file.

It depends on the application. As a general guide: PLA+ is ideal for prototypes and light-duty indoor parts; PETG for parts needing moisture or chemical resistance; ABS/ASA for heat-resistant or outdoor parts; TPU for flexible, grippy, or shock-absorbing applications; Nylon for high-stress mechanical components. Visit our Materials page for a detailed breakdown, or ask us and we'll recommend the best option for your specific use case.

FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) builds parts layer by layer by melting and depositing filament. Our standard tolerance is ±0.2mm, which is suitable for most functional and prototype applications. For tighter tolerances or extremely fine surface detail, resin printing may be more appropriate — ask us what's right for your part.

Yes. FDM parts can be sanded, primed, and painted. ABS parts can be acetone-smoothed for a near-injection-moulded finish. We offer basic post-processing on request — specify your finish requirements when placing your order and we'll include it in the quote.

We stock a range of colours across most filament types. Availability varies by material — some engineering-grade filaments are only available in black or natural. Mention your colour preference in your order and we'll confirm availability. For colour-critical applications, painting after printing gives the most consistent results.

We currently accept: PayFast (card, instant EFT, and SnapScan via our online checkout), EFT directly to our business bank account (banking details provided on invoice), and Cash on Delivery (COD) for collection orders. Additional payment methods will be added in future.

Payment is required before production begins. For EFT payments, funds must reflect within 48 hours of order placement — use your order number as the payment reference. Orders where payment has not reflected within this window may be cancelled.

Yes. All online payments are processed by PayFast, a PCI-DSS compliant South African payment gateway. DesignAxis never sees or stores your card details — they're handled entirely by PayFast on their secure platform.

We currently ship nationwide via Pudo (locker-to-locker and door-to-locker). Collection from our Johannesburg premises is available by appointment. We are in the process of integrating with 2Ship to offer a broader range of courier options in the near future.

We currently service South Africa only. International shipping is not available at this time, but may be considered for larger orders — contact us to discuss.

Shipping costs depend on the size and weight of your order and your chosen delivery method. Shipping is calculated and shown at checkout. Collection from Johannesburg is available at no delivery cost.

If your order arrives damaged, photograph the packaging and the part immediately and email us at support@designaxis.co.za within 48 hours of receipt. We'll assess whether the damage occurred in transit or during production and work to resolve it promptly. For courier-related damage, we may need to lodge a claim with the courier on your behalf.

Custom and made-to-order parts are non-refundable under the Consumer Protection Act (Section 20(6)), as they are manufactured to your specific specifications. If a part arrives defective or does not match the agreed specifications, contact us within 7 days of receipt with photos and we'll arrange a reprint, repair, or refund at our discretion.

Yes, if production has not yet started. Contact us as soon as possible via email or WhatsApp. If production has already begun, a partial charge for work completed may apply. Once an order is complete and dispatched, cancellation is not possible.

If the part doesn't match the agreed specifications or your approved design, we'll reprint it at no charge. If the issue stems from an error in your own design file, we're not liable for reprinting costs — but we'll do our best to advise on the fix and offer a discounted reprint. This is why we recommend approving a CAD file before printing for critical applications.

If you provided the design file, it remains your property. If DesignAxis created the CAD file for you, ownership transfers to you upon full payment. We retain the right to use anonymised images of completed work in our portfolio unless you request otherwise in writing.

No. We reserve the right to refuse any order that involves intellectual property infringement, prohibited items (such as weapons or illegal devices), or content that violates South African law. We will always notify you if we are unable to fulfil an order and explain why where possible.

We comply fully with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Your data is collected only for order processing and communication purposes, retained for 5 years as required by SARS, and never sold to third parties. See our Privacy Policy and POPIA Compliance pages for full details.