Marketiger requires that 3D models do not exceed 1 million polygons, and textures must be a maximum of 2048x2048 pixels.
Why These Limits?
While 3D printers can process high-resolution files, there is a point where increasing polygon count or texture resolution no longer improves the final print. The printer’s resolution prevents additional detail from being visible, making excessive detail unnecessary.
Recommended Polygon Counts by Model Size
To optimize your model for printing, follow these recommendations as a maximum:
- 5 cm models: 25,000 polygons
- 10 cm models: 100,000 polygons
- 15 cm models: 200,000 polygons
For example, the image above shows a parrot model ranging from 320,000 polygons down to 800 polygons. While the lowest-polygon version lacks quality, the 28,000-polygon model in the middle looks identical to the 320,000-polygon version on the left once printed. The true impact on visual quality comes from the texture, not excessive polygon detail.
To illustrate this further, the image above shows the same parrot model ranging from 320,000 polygons to 800 polygons, but this time with the texture applied. As you can see, even at lower polygon counts, the texture plays the most significant role in the final appearance, demonstrating that a well-textured model with fewer polygons can still produce excellent print results.
Texture Size & Printer Limitations
Just like with polygons, higher texture resolutions don’t always translate to better prints. Any texture above 2048x2048 pixels will be automatically downscaled during the slicing process before printing.
For smaller models, even 2048x2048 can be excessive. Here’s what we recommend:
- 5 cm models: 1024x1024 texture
- Larger models: 2048x2048 texture
At small scales, ultra-high-resolution textures won’t make a noticeable difference in print quality. Instead, using a texture size that aligns with the model’s physical size ensures that what you see digitally is closer to what will be printed.
The image above compares the same parrot model with 2048x2048 pixels and 1024x1024 pixels textures. As shown, the difference is barely noticeable, especially at smaller scales. For models under 10 cm, higher-resolution textures are often unnecessary, as the printer’s capabilities won’t capture the extra detail. Reducing texture resolution for smaller models ensures efficient processing without compromising print quality.
Questions?
If you have any questions about preparing your 3D model for printing, feel free to contact us!