Custom manufacturing tools in hours, not weeks. We print jigs and fixtures tailored to your parts and your process, so your production runs smoother from day one.

What are jigs and fixtures?

Jigs and fixtures are custom tools used in manufacturing and assembly processes to hold, support, position or guide parts and equipment. They are among the most common manufacturing aids on any shop floor, and almost every production process relies on them in some form.

The difference between a jig and a fixture

A jig holds a workpiece and guides a cutting or drilling tool to the correct position, ensuring accuracy and repeatability across multiple operations. A fixture holds the workpiece securely in place during a secondary process such as welding, assembly or inspection, without guiding the tool itself. In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably, and many tools combine both functions.

Where they are used in production

Jigs and fixtures are used wherever a part needs to be held, aligned or guided consistently. Common applications include drilling and machining operations, welding and bonding, assembly and quality inspection. They are also used to create standardised testing setups, to position components during painting or coating, and to guide robots or other automated equipment during pick and place operations.

Why 3D print jigs and fixtures?

Traditional jigs and fixtures are machined from metal or milled from plastic, typically by an external supplier. The result is a tool that works well but takes weeks to arrive and costs significantly more than it needs to. As soon as a part changes, the fixture is obsolete and the process starts again. 3D printing changes this entirely.

  • From weeks to hours

    3D printed jigs and fixtures can go from a digital file to a finished, usable tool in hours. Where outsourced machined tooling typically has a lead time of two weeks or more, a printed fixture can be in production the same day it is designed. This means less downtime, faster responses to production changes and no waiting on external suppliers.

  • A fraction of the cost

    Machined jigs and fixtures require expensive equipment, skilled labour and often external vendors. 3D printing eliminates all of these. There is no tooling investment, no minimum order quantity and no setup cost per job. A fixture that would cost hundreds of euros to machine can be printed for a fraction of that amount, making customisation practical even for low-volume or one-off applications.

  • Lightweight and ergonomic

    Metal jigs and fixtures are heavy. Over the course of a shift, handling heavy tooling causes fatigue and increases the risk of errors and injury. 3D printed alternatives can be designed to be significantly lighter while maintaining the rigidity needed for the task. The design can also be optimised for ergonomics, with handles, grips and contours that make the tool easier and safer to use.

  • Design freedom traditional machining cannot match

    3D printing allows for geometries that are difficult or impossible to machine. Complex internal features, integrated channels, organic shapes and built-in datum features can all be incorporated into a single printed part at no extra cost. This means jigs and fixtures can be designed to perfectly match the geometry of your parts, rather than being adapted from a standardised template.

Materials we print them in

The right material depends on the forces your jig or fixture will experience, the environment it will operate in and how long it needs to last. We print in a range of professional resin materials and advise on the best choice for your application.

Tough & rigid resin

Tough resin balances strength and compliance, making it suitable for jigs and fixtures that will undergo repeated mechanical stress. Rigid resin is reinforced with glass for very high stiffness and excellent resistance to deformation over time, making it well suited to precision fixtures where dimensional stability is critical.

Flexible & durable resin

For fixtures that need to grip or cushion parts without damaging finished surfaces, flexible and durable resin materials provide a softer contact without sacrificing structural integrity. Durable resin has high impact strength and resistance to deformation, making it a good choice for fixtures that need to absorb force or accommodate slight variations in part geometry.

Not sure what you need? We advise.

Tell us what your jig or fixture needs to do and we will recommend the right material. This is especially useful if you are replacing an existing machined tool and are unsure whether a printed alternative will hold up to the same demands.

Button label

How we work

step 1

Share your part or process

Send us a description of the process your jig or fixture needs to support, along with any relevant files, drawings or measurements. If you have an existing tool you want to replace or improve, that is a good starting point. We work with STL, OBJ and STEP files.

step 2

We review, advise and quote

We review your requirements and come back with a clear quote and material recommendation. If we see a way to improve the design for printability, durability or ease of use, we will tell you before anything is printed.

step 3

Print & post-process

Once approved, we print your parts and carry out the full post-processing workflow: washing, curing and support removal. The result is a finished, ready-to-use tool.

step 4

Deliver or collect

We ship your parts or you can collect from our facility. Because lead times are short, you can order replacements or iterations quickly without disrupting your production schedule.

FAQ

Are 3D printed jigs and fixtures strong enough for real production use?

Yes, for the majority of manufacturing applications. Resin materials like tough, rigid and durable resin are designed for functional use and can withstand repeated mechanical stress, handling and the forces typical of assembly, inspection and machining support tasks. For applications involving extreme heat, very heavy loads or thousands of high-force repetitions, machined metal may still be the better choice. We will tell you honestly which applies to your situation.

What if my part changes and I need a new fixture?

This is one of the biggest advantages of printed tooling. A design change is simply a file update and a new print. There is no expensive retooling, no external vendor to brief and no weeks of waiting. You can iterate your fixtures as quickly as your parts change.

Do you have a minimum order?

No. We print single fixtures and small batches alike. If you need one tool to solve a specific problem on your line, we can help. There is no minimum order quantity.

What is the lead time?

Most jigs and fixtures are ready within one to two working days. Simpler tools can often be turned around faster. We give you a specific lead time when we quote.

When should I still use machined metal?

Metal is the right choice when your fixture will be exposed to intense heat, very heavy loads or extreme wear over thousands of cycles. For most other applications, printed resin performs well and is significantly faster and cheaper to produce. If you are unsure, describe your application and we will give you an honest recommendation.

Request a quote

Tell us about your part and your process. We will come back with a clear quote, material advice and a realistic lead time.

Request a quote