Hollywood 3D Printing Blog

Practical guides from our Los Angeles fabrication studio: how custom props, trophies, trade show displays, scale models, chrome and gold plating, silicone molds, 3D scanning, and large-format 3D printing actually get made and how long they take.

Group of ten matching blue-painted character head sculptures with sculpted hair arranged in rows on a white surface

Planning & Process

How Long Does Custom Fabrication Take? Lead Times by Project

Lead times for custom props, trophies, scale models and trade show displays in Los Angeles: typical 2 to 6 weeks, plating adds 2 weeks, and how to plan or rush.

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Custom chess set on a wooden board with chrome-silver figure pieces on one side and gold-plated figure pieces on the other

Planning & Process

How to Choose a Custom Fabrication Studio in LA: 12 Questions

Twelve questions to ask before hiring a custom fabrication studio in Los Angeles: finishing, NDAs, deadlines, samples, shipping, project fit, and who owns designs.

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Mirror chrome plated deer skull with tall branching antlers photographed at an angle on a light grey background

Plating & Finishing

Chrome and Gold Plating 3D Printed Parts: Process and Timeline

Can you chrome or gold plate a 3D print? Yes, on SLA resin. Chrome or gold adds about 2 weeks; metallic paint is the faster option. Los Angeles fabrication studio.

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Ornate torch replica with a green verdigris patina and worn edges, photographed on a white background

Plating & Finishing

Painting 3D Prints: Sanding, Finishing and Pantone Matching

How to make 3D prints look professionally painted: sanding away layer lines, priming, spraying, hand painting and Pantone matching. Los Angeles studio.

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Three matching satin gold carrot-shaped trophies with sculpted leafy tops on stepped round bases against a plain white background

Trophies & Awards

How to Plan a Custom Trophy Program: Design to Delivery

How to order custom trophies for an awards show or corporate program: finish, first article, personalization, quantity and timeline. Los Angeles maker.

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Three ornate gold-finished sword hilts with lion-head pommels and heraldic shields, blades lying on a light surface

Props & Productions

Custom Props for Film, TV, and Commercials: How Hero Props Are Made

How hero props for film, TV and commercials are made in Los Angeles: 3D printing, plating and finishing, timelines of 2 to 5 weeks, and what to send us.

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Tall matte red squeeze-tube replica with cream lettering standing beside a tiny actual-size tube on a white surface

Brand Activations & Events

Oversized Product Replicas for Brand Activations: A Guide for Agencies

Giant product replicas for events, built in Los Angeles at 2 to 15x scale: how they are fabricated, finished to match brand color, shipped, and timed for your event.

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Detailed bone-toned creature skull with sharp teeth and long jaw spikes mounted on a round dark wood plaque on a light wall

Brand Activations & Events

Trade Show Booth Centerpieces: A Custom Fabrication Planning Guide

Plan a custom trade show booth centerpiece in Los Angeles: oversized replicas, dimensional logos, setup engineering, crating, and why to start 6 to 8 weeks out.

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Three cream-colored milled foam sculptures on a shop bench: two busts flanking a round character head with star eyes.

Materials & Methods

3D Printing vs. CNC Foam Milling vs. Hand Sculpting

Compare 3D printing, CNC foam milling (EPS vs. HDU) and hand-sculpted foam for giant props and sculptures, from a Los Angeles custom fabrication studio.

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Two halves of a cream silicone mold with a gnome cavity, standing between two white cast gnome figures.

Materials & Methods

Silicone Mold Casting vs. 3D Printing: How to Make Multiples

Print every copy or make a silicone mold? How many casts a mold gives, mold types, design tips and when injection molding fits, from a Los Angeles studio.

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Two black engine housings with cooling fins on a white background, one held in a hand, showing an original and its duplicate.

Materials & Methods

3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering in Los Angeles

Our 3D scanner captures to 60 microns with 1-3 day turnaround. Learn STL vs STEP files, scanning vs reverse engineering, and what to send for a quote.

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White airport terminal scale model with concourses and small aircraft on a gray and green painted site base

Scale Models

Custom Scale Models: Architectural, Real Estate & Product

Architectural, sales-center and product scale models built in Los Angeles from Revit, Rhino or drawings. Model types, files needed, timelines and how they're made.

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Pink painted Eiffel Tower model on a paint-stained workshop bench with white shelving behind it

Planning & Process

What to Include in a Custom Fabrication Quote Request

A checklist for briefing a Los Angeles fabrication studio: use, deadline, size, references, finish, shipping and NDA needs, plus what happens after you submit.

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Close view of a large marble-look painted sculpture with embossed star emblems, with a hand resting on top for scale

Brand Activations & Events

How Oversized Fabricated Pieces Ship and Assemble

How we engineer large props and displays in Los Angeles to ship and assemble: sectioning, armatures, test-fits, crates, install support and a checklist.

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Large scale 3D printed display model in production at Hollywood 3D Printing.

Large-Format Fabrication

Large Scale 3D Printing: The Complete Guide to Oversized Prototypes, Displays, and Custom Fabrication

Learn how Hollywood 3D Printing's large format 3D printing capabilities are utilized for rapid prototyping, public art, and brand marketing applications.

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Custom 3D printed trophy designed and finished by Hollywood 3D Printing.

Custom Trophies

Custom Trophies and Awards: Elevating Corporate Marketing and Brand Impact

Explore how custom trophies and awards strengthen brand identity, capture attention at live events, and leave lasting impressions with recipients.

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Custom 3D-printed branded display model showcasing large-scale product replicas for retail and marketing activations.

Brand Activations

Branded Display Models: How Companies Use Large-Scale 3D Printing for Marketing & Retail

Discover how brands use large-scale 3D printing to create eye-catching display models for marketing and retail. See how custom fabrication brings brands to life.

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What type of 3D model STL or OBJ CAD design file is needed for 3D printing

3D Printing Basics

Want to 3D Print Something? Here's Why You Need a 3D Model File (and How to Make One)

In order to 3D Print an object, you'll first need a 3D Model file. Learn what a 3D Model file is, why you need one, and how to make one.

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A clay sculpture is 3D scanned to produce 3D printed copies and a 2-part silicone mold for resin casting

3D Scanning & Molds

How to Copy and Reproduce Sculptures in 3 Steps

Learn how 3D Scanning lets you digitize sculptures and other physical objects so you can 3D Print them and create silicone molds for making multiple copies.

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A simple 2D sketch outline of an anchor alongside its 3D Printed counterpart.

3D Printing Basics

How to Turn a 2D Sketch into a 3D Printed Part in 3 Easy Steps

Do you have a concept sketch that you want to turn into a 3D Printed part? Learn how to turn a simple 2D sketch, drawing, or image file into a 3D Printed part.

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Comparison of two parts 3D Printed using SLA Resin and ABS Plastic

3D Printing Basics

3D Printing in Resin vs. ABS Plastic: Surface Detail Explained

Want 3D Printed parts with crisp, high-resolution detail? Learn the difference between resin (SLA) and ABS plastic 3D printing, and why not all 3D Printed parts are created equal.

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