Sourcing and partners
Alternatives to Protolabs, Hubs and Craftcloud for UK 3D printing
The alternatives to Protolabs, Hubs and Craftcloud for UK 3D printing are another instant-quote platform or a UK manufacturer that makes and inspects the part itself, such as HenleyPrint3D. Platforms suit simple, fully specified parts. A UK engineering partner suits parts where fit, records or design advice matter.
Reviewed by HenleyPrint3D engineers6 min readUpdated
Key takeaways
- Protolabs and Hubs are one group: Protolabs bought 3D Hubs in 2021 and the platform has been called Protolabs Network since January 2024. Craftcloud is a separate marketplace linked to All3DP.
- Protolabs makes parts in its own factories. Protolabs Network and Craftcloud route your order to partner manufacturers.
- HenleyPrint3D is a UK additive manufacturer in Devon: an engineer reviews every file, and one team builds and inspects the part.
- The platforms are the better choice for CNC, moulding, metal printing, AS9100 supply or very large resin and nylon parts. Using a platform and a UK partner side by side is common.
Have a STEP file? Upload it to the order portal for an instant 3D printing quote, or email an engineer.
Suits
UK engineers and buyers comparing HenleyPrint3D with Protolabs, Hubs (Protolabs Network) or Craftcloud for 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
Worth knowing
Competitor details come from each company's public website and are attributed as such (accessed 10 November 2026). They change; check each company's current terms before you decide.
Summary
If your part is simple, fully specified and price-led, an online platform is often the quickest route. If the part is fit-critical, still changing, or needs inspection records and an engineer who has read your drawing, a UK engineering partner such as HenleyPrint3D is usually the better fit. If you need CNC, moulding or metal printing, a platform or multi-process manufacturer is the better route. Many teams use both.
Protolabs, Hubs and Craftcloud compared with HenleyPrint3D
| Factor | Protolabs | Hubs (Protolabs Network) | Craftcloud | HenleyPrint3D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business model | Manufacturer with its own factories | Online marketplace owned by Protolabs | Online marketplace that compares partner offers | Manufacturer |
| Who makes the part | Its own facilities; its European 3D printing facility is at Putzbrunn, near Munich | Network partners (its UK page cites 90+ 3D printing shops) or Protolabs factories | Independent partner manufacturers (150+ worldwide); Craftcloud is the contractual partner | Our own machines in Devon |
| Process range | Seven 3D printing technologies including metal (DMLS), plus CNC, injection moulding and sheet metal | FDM, SLA, SLS and MJF, plus CNC, sheet metal and injection moulding | FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS and SLM, plus CNC, casting, moulding and sheet metal | FDM up to 1000 mm, SLA, SLS (PA12), PolyJet, finishing, CAD design. No metal printing or moulding; CNC by quotation |
| Quoting model | Upload CAD, real-time online price | Instant online quote priced by machine learning | Compare offers from several partners on screen | Instant quote online, or email STEP and drawing; an engineer confirms |
| File review | Applications engineers available for questions | "Free design analysis" with the instant quote | Not described on its homepage | An engineer reviews every order before it is made |
| Quality checks | ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 listed for 3D printing; inspection documentation offered as a service | Standard inspection report with every order; first article inspection for 100+ units; ISO 9001 and AS9100 stated for its quality system | Set by the partner that makes the part; check the offer | Build record for every order; features marked on your drawing are inspected; working towards ISO 9001 |
| Stated lead time | "As fast as one day" for quick-turn prototypes | 3D printing from 1 business day (FDM); SLA from 2, SLS and MJF from 3 | "Ships in 24-48h"; varies by offer | From 1 calendar day (SLS from 2), confirmed on the quote; UK delivery can be next-day |
| NDA and confidentiality | Not stated on its 3D printing page; ask | "All uploads are secure and confidential"; IP protection page | Not stated on its homepage; ask | Mutual NDA on request; uploads stored privately and used only to quote |
| UK presence | UK office in Telford, Shropshire | Ships to the UK with customs and import duties covered; quote at hubs.com or protolabs.com | No UK-specific information on its homepage; offers tailored to your location | Production in Devon; also Henley-on-Thames, London and Bristol |
Read the detail in our individual guides: Protolabs alternative, Hubs alternative and Craftcloud alternative.
How quoting and ordering work, side by side
| Step | The online platforms (general pattern) | HenleyPrint3D |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | CAD upload to an instant quote tool; accepted formats vary (STEP is listed by all three) | Upload to our instant quote or email STEP and drawing |
| Specify | You choose process, material, finish, quantity | We can recommend them |
| Review | Automated checks; human review for custom requests (varies) | An engineer reviews orientation, tolerance and material |
| Make | Platform factories or partner network, depending on the site | Our own machines in Devon |
| Check | Depends on supplier and order | Inspection and records agreed with you |
| Repeat | Depends on routing | Same team and machines |
When to use an online platform
- You need CNC, injection moulding, sheet metal or metal printing.
- Simple brackets, one-off models or price comparison where you know the process, material and tolerance.
- Your customer requires a certification we do not hold (AS9100, for example). Check each platform's certificate scope.
- You need a part larger than our SLA, SLS or PolyJet volumes. Some platforms list larger maxima.
When to use HenleyPrint3D
- You want an engineer to review the design before it is printed.
- You need a documented build and agreed inspection.
- You want a single point of contact for aerospace or defence prototype supply.
- You need FDM parts up to 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm, SLA at 10 micron or PolyJet at 16-30 micron.
Our processes: FDM up to 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm (±0.5%), SLA to 350 x 250 x 250 mm at 10 micron, SLS in PA12 to 165 x 165 x 300 mm (±0.3%), and PolyJet at 16-30 micron layers, from 1 calendar day (SLS from 2). See all services and finishing.
Worked example: one bracket, three platforms and us
| RFQ field | Bracket example (same text to every supplier) |
|---|---|
| Part | Sensor mounting bracket, 120 x 60 x 40 mm, drawing rev C, STEP file rev C |
| Process and material | SLS, PA12, natural grey (or "supplier to recommend, with reason") |
| Quantity | 25 now; 100 more likely within 6 months |
| Critical features | Two 8 mm bores, 80 mm centre-to-centre, ±0.3 mm; one flat mounting face, 0.3 mm flatness |
| General tolerance | Process standard; supplier to state it |
| Finish | Support and powder removal, bead blast, dyed black |
| Inspection | Measurement report for the critical features on a stated sample size |
| Delivery | Required by 20 November, to a UK address, tracked, packed per part |
| Confidentiality | NDA before files are shared |
Get a comparable quote on your own part
Send the same STEP file and drawing you sent elsewhere. We recommend the process, material and finish, and quote with the lead time up front.
How to run a fair trial order
- Choose one real part with a hole, a thin wall and a mating face.
- Freeze the revision and write the specification once.
- Send the identical package to two or three suppliers on the same day.
- Log questions asked, design feedback and response times.
- Order 3 to 5 parts to see repeatability.
- Measure the same critical features yourself on arrival.
- Score fit, finish, documents and communication, then price.
Common mistakes when comparing suppliers
Use the quote comparison checklist, the online platforms vs a UK engineering partner guide and how to choose an additive manufacturing supplier. Browse all services, then start an instant quote or contact an engineer.
HenleyPrint3D is working towards ISO 9001. We hold no AS9100 certification, security clearance or ITAR registration. NDAs are available on request. If your programme needs those approvals, tell us first. See our aerospace and defence pages.
Competitor details from protolabs.com/en-gb, hubs.com and craftcloud3d.com, accessed 10 November 2026. Last reviewed 10 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Protolabs, Hubs and Craftcloud in the UK?
It depends on the part. For simple, fully specified prints another instant-quote platform is usually quickest. For fit-critical, changing or documented parts, a UK manufacturer that reviews the file and makes the part itself, such as HenleyPrint3D, is usually the better fit.
Are Hubs and Protolabs the same company?
Yes. Protolabs acquired 3D Hubs in January 2021. The platform was renamed Hubs and, in January 2024, Protolabs Network. Protolabs says customers can quote on either hubs.com or protolabs.com.
Is Craftcloud part of Protolabs?
No. Craftcloud is a separate marketplace. Its website links to All3DP and its documents name Craftcloud All3DP GmbH.
Is there a UK alternative to Protolabs for 3D printing?
Yes. HenleyPrint3D prints FDM, SLA, SLS and PolyJet parts in Devon from 1 calendar day (SLS from 2), with an engineer review of every order and inspection records agreed with you.
Which is better for a prototype: a marketplace or a UK manufacturer?
For a simple, fully specified prototype a marketplace can be quickest. For a fit-critical or changing design, a manufacturer that reviews the file and talks to you is usually safer. Many teams use both.
Can HenleyPrint3D supply aerospace and defence parts?
We print prototype and low-volume aerospace and defence parts and sign a mutual NDA on request. We are working towards ISO 9001 and hold no AS9100, security clearance or ITAR registration.
Does HenleyPrint3D print metal or do CNC?
No metal printing. CNC is by quotation only. Our in-house processes are FDM, SLA, SLS and PolyJet.
How do I compare quotes from these platforms and a UK manufacturer?
Send the same STEP file, drawing and specification to each, then compare scope, tolerance, finish, inspection and delivery before price. Our quote comparison checklist covers it.
Get started
Compare us on your own part.
Send us your CAD. We recommend the process, material and finish, and quote with the lead time up front.
Uploads are secure and confidential