The First Layer book cover
📖 Now available on Amazon

The First Layer

The Complete Beginner's Guide to 3D Printing

By Daniel Cantrill — Founder of 83DCreate

Paperback
Kindle eBook
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Available in paperback and Kindle  ·  Ships across the UK  ·  Instant Kindle download

About the book

Whether you've just unboxed your first 3D printer or you're looking to sharpen your skills, The First Layer cuts through the noise and gets you printing with confidence.

Written by Daniel Cantrill — founder of 83DCreate, a custom 3D printing service that started with a single printer in a spare room and grew into a full production operation — this book covers everything from choosing your first machine and understanding filaments, to dialling in slicer settings, troubleshooting failed prints, and finishing your models like a pro.

No jargon. No fluff. Just practical, honest advice from someone who has learned every lesson the hard way.

What's inside

01
How FDM 3D printing actually works
The fundamentals explained simply, without the jargon
02
Choosing your printer and filament
What to buy, what to avoid, and why
03
Bed levelling and first layer calibration
Getting prints to stick every single time
04
Slicer settings explained
Layer height, infill, supports, speed and more
05
Troubleshooting failed prints
Common failures and exactly how to fix them
06
Post-processing and finishing
Sanding, painting, and getting professional results
07
Scaling up your operation
Tips for running multiple printers like a pro

Ready to start printing with confidence?

Get The First Layer on Amazon — in paperback to keep on your desk, or Kindle for instant access on any device.

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