How Our 3D-Printed Pieces Are Made and How to Care for Them

Every piece in the Villy Designs shop is 3D-printed. If you have never owned a 3D-printed ornament, you may wonder what that means for how it looks and how to look after it. Here is a plain-English guide to how our pieces are made and how to keep them looking their best.

How a piece is made

A 3D printer builds an object one thin layer at a time, melting a plastic filament and laying it down along a pre-planned path. Most of our pieces are printed in PLA, a common 3D-printing plastic. Pieces are printed to order in the UK, and many are then assembled and finished by hand. Some figures are printed in several colours or in separate coloured parts that are glued together, which keeps the colours crisp.

What you will notice up close

Because the object is built in layers, you may see fine lines across the surface if you look closely. That is a normal part of 3D printing, and it is why a printed piece does not look like smooth ceramic or glass. Colours and finishes can differ slightly from the photographs, and every piece is a little individual.

Looking after your piece

• Dust gently. A soft, dry cloth or brush works well on sculpted detail.
• Wipe if needed. Some items, such as the Matte Black Banana Hanger, wipe clean with a damp cloth. Check the care notes on each product page.
• Avoid heat. PLA can soften when it gets hot, so keep pieces away from radiators, fires, hot windowsills and cars on sunny days.
• Handle with care. Thin parts such as antlers, ears and hats can snap if pressed hard. Pick figures up by the base.
• Keep them indoors. Our pieces are made for indoor display and are not waterproof.

Lamps and lights

Some lamps, such as the Ghost Pumpkin Lamp, have a USB LED fitted and a cable included. A mains adaptor is not supplied, so you will need a suitable USB plug. Other pieces, such as the Gnome Candelabra, use flameless battery tealights. Please use flameless LED tealights only and never a real candle or wax tealight inside any of our pieces.

Bowls, dishes and sweets

Our sweet bowls and dishes are decorative. They are not intended for direct food contact, so keep any sweets individually wrapped. Pieces like the Ghost Duo Trinket Dish also work well for rings, keys and other small items once the festivities are over.

Not toys

Our figures and ornaments are decorative items for adult display, and many include small parts. Please keep small parts away from young children.

Why made to order?

Printing to order lets us offer a wide range of shapes, such as the Twerking Ghost in several sizes. The trade-off is that a piece is made after you order, so please check the dispatch information on each product page.

Ready to explore? Browse new arrivals, the lighting collection, or our bestsellers. Planning a present? See our Christmas gift ideas.