Frequently asked questions

What file formats does PDFtoSTL output?

PDFtoSTL produces two formats: binary STL (single-color relief) and 3MF (multi-color, with per-part extruder assignments). The format is chosen automatically based on your output settings — multi-color or inset modes produce 3MF, while standard single-color conversions produce STL.

Can I convert a photo or scanned PDF to STL?

PDFtoSTL works best with vector content — text, line art, and logos. Scanned or photo-heavy PDFs don't contain vector data, so results may be poor.

You can enable the Include Images option to trace raster images as heightmaps (relief, lithophane, or colormap mode), but vector PDFs produce much better results.

What is the difference between STL and 3MF?

STL is the older, simpler format: one solid mesh with no color information. 3MF is a modern format that supports multiple materials and colors in a single file.

PDFtoSTL's 3MF output assigns each detected color to a separate extruder, so multi-material printers (Bambu AMS, Prusa MMU) can print text and graphics in full color automatically.

Does it work with Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, or Cura?

Yes. The exported 3MF includes Bambu-compatible configuration files (model_settings.config and project_settings.config), so Bambu Studio's color-matching dialog opens automatically when you load the file.

PrusaSlicer and Cura read the standard 3MF basematerials block. Single-color STL files work in any slicer.

How much does a download cost?

You can download a free watermarked sample of every conversion to check quality before buying. Full-quality files are €1.00 each, or you can buy credit packs for up to 50% off:

• 5 downloads — €4.50 (10% off)
• 10 downloads — €8.00 (20% off)
• 25 downloads — €17.50 (30% off)
• 50 downloads — €25.00 (50% off)

Keys are valid for 365 days and can be used across multiple sessions.

What PDF content produces the best results?

Documents with crisp vector text and clean line drawings convert best — think technical drawings, logos, business cards, and typeset pages.

PDFs with heavy gradients, transparency effects, or full-page photographs are not ideal since the converter extrudes flat geometry. Use the Eraser tool to remove unwanted elements before converting.

How does it optimize the model for my specific 3D printer?

PDFtoSTL doesn't just convert geometry — it tailors the output to your exact printer setup. This is what sets it apart from generic mesh converters.

You enter your layer height and nozzle diameter, and the converter uses these to make smart decisions throughout the pipeline:

• Layer-snapped heights — base thickness and extrusion height are rounded to exact multiples of your layer height, so every layer is a full pass with no partial layers that cause quality issues.
• Nozzle-aware feature filtering — details thinner than your nozzle diameter are automatically dropped or boosted. A 0.4 mm nozzle can't print a 0.1 mm line, so the converter either removes it (clean result) or thickens it (readable result) depending on your Thin line boost setting.
• Thin line boost — fine strokes from the PDF are uniformly dilated so they reliably survive printing. Choose light, medium, or heavy depending on how fine the source artwork is.
• Min detail size — strips out tiny specks and artefacts below a threshold you set, keeping the model clean without manual erasing.

The result is a model that prints correctly the first time on your specific machine, rather than a raw geometry dump that needs manual cleanup in a slicer.

Can I make a rubber stamp from a PDF?

Yes. Select Emboss and enable Mirror X to flip the design horizontally (stamps print in reverse). Print with TPU or other flexible filament.

What is the difference between embossing and debossing?

Embossing produces a raised pattern — just like the default extrusion mode. When you press the plate into paper or leather, the material bulges up on the other side. This is the same as making a stamp: text is raised on a flat base. Enable Mirror X so the pressed result reads correctly.

Debossing produces a recessed pattern. Enable the Deboss toggle and the text is subtracted from the plate, leaving channels carved into the top surface. The extrusion height controls how deep the channels are (capped by the base thickness). The total plate height stays at the base thickness — set it thick enough to leave solid material under the channels.

Both modes output a single STL — no multi-material printer required.

How does the Cutout tool work?

After converting your PDF, switch to the 3D preview and activate the Cutout tool. It punches clean through-holes straight through the base plate and any relief on top.

The tool is smart: it scans the source PDF for circles and rectangles (screw holes, mounting slots, frame borders) and offers them as snap targets. Hover near a detected shape and it highlights with its exact dimensions — click to place a cutout that matches perfectly. You can also click anywhere on the plate to place a free-form hole at any diameter you choose.

Typical use cases:

• Drill templates — convert a technical drawing and the mounting holes become cutouts at their exact PDF positions, giving you a physical drilling guide.
• Overlays and stencils — punch out detected shapes to create an overlay that sits on top of a workpiece with holes in precisely the right places.
• Wall-mounted signs — add screw holes or key-chain loops after conversion without going back to your design tool.
• Alignment jigs — place cutouts matching the bolt pattern from an engineering PDF to create a part-holding fixture.

You can filter detected shapes by size, adjust hole dimensions with ±0.1 mm precision, and use Place all same size to stamp every detected feature at once. Cutouts are non-destructive — clear and re-apply as many times as you want before downloading.

What size can the output model be?

The model dimensions come from the PDF page size by default (e.g. A4 = 210 × 297 mm). You can scale between 0.1× and 3.0×, choose a preset output size (A4, A5, A6), or enter custom dimensions in millimetres.

Your printer's build volume is the practical limit.

Is my PDF stored on your servers?

No permanent storage. Your PDF is uploaded to the server only for the duration of the conversion. The generated 3D mesh is kept in memory for up to 30 minutes so you can iterate on cutouts and download. After that, it is automatically discarded.

Do I need to install any software?

No. PDFtoSTL runs entirely in your browser. Upload a PDF, adjust settings, and download the STL or 3MF file — no plugins, no desktop app, no registration required.