Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you have a shop where I can go to talk to someone and buy printers, materials, or parts for my 3D printer in person?

A: Yes! We have a brick-and-mortar retail store and we would be happy to help you find a great printer, parts for your printer, or the materials to complete your project! Visit us here:

9850 Douglas Ave.
Suite 200
Urbandale, IA 50322

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Q: Won't biodegradable and compostable materials break down in normal use?

A: No, it takes very specific conditions to cause biodegradable, and even compostable materials to degrade. 
Think about it this way: wood is compostable, but we use it to create structures that exist for hundreds of years!

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Q: I have a big project I'm working on.  Do you offer filament in larger spool sizes?

A: Yes!  Many of our materials come in spool sizes up to 4kg!  We generally don't keep the larger sizes on the shelf, but are happy to special order it on request.

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Q: What is the right material for me? Nylon, PETG, PLA, or something else?

A: There are a lot of options. The "best" option for your needs will depend upon what your specific requirements are. We'd be happy to walk you through it. Send us a note through our Contact Us page and we'll get back to you shortly.

Q: What materials do you have to print my model?

A: We are self-proclaimed "materials junkies," which means that we love getting in and testing new materials all the time.  Currently we have over 40 different types of materials with different characteristics so we're happy to help make a recommendation to fit your needs! And, in case nothing we have will work, we can even special order in materials to meet your requirements.

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Q: How long will it take to print my model?

A: Printing time varies by material, resolution, and infill type, but the biggest factor is size. Larger items take exponentially longer time to print. If you send over a model we'd be happy to provide a time estimate!

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Q: What if I just want to talk to other people who love 3D printing like I do?

A: Join the meetup! Check it out on meetup.com here: https://meetup.com/Des-Moines-3D-Printing-Meetup/

Q: What types of inventions can you help design?

A: We focus on mechanical, functional prototypes.  Typically sculptures and organic shapes aren't our specialty, but we'd still be happy to take a look and provide feedback!

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Q: How much does it cost to prototype an invention idea?

A: At HartSmart Products, our pricing is pretty straightforward.  Consultations are free, design work is charged on an hourly rate, and 3D printing is charged by volume.  Each idea is different, but we will be transparent about any and all charges.