Sourcing and partners
Craftcloud alternative in the UK for 3D printing
The main Craftcloud alternative in the UK is to order direct from a UK manufacturer. Craftcloud compares offers from more than 150 partner services. HenleyPrint3D quotes, builds and inspects the part itself in Devon, and an engineer reviews the file first.
Reviewed by HenleyPrint3D engineers6 min readUpdated
Key takeaways
- Craftcloud is an online marketplace linked to All3DP: you upload a model and compare offers from partner manufacturers.
- Use it to compare prices for a simple print, or when you need metal printing or a wide choice of materials.
- Use HenleyPrint3D when you want one UK team to review, build and inspect the part, with an NDA if needed.
- Compare quotes only when they cover the same material, finish, tolerance and delivery.
Have a STEP file? Upload it to the order portal for an instant 3D printing quote, or email an engineer.
Suits
UK buyers who use or are considering Craftcloud, or are looking for sites like Craftcloud, and want to know when a manufacturer is the better route.
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
Craftcloud is useful if you want to see many prices for the same print. HenleyPrint3D is the alternative when you want a single UK manufacturer that reads your drawing, builds on its own machines and inspects the part.
Craftcloud, as described on its website
Its website (accessed 10 November 2026) describes an online service for ordering custom parts. You upload models (it says it supports over 35 file formats including STL, OBJ and STEP, with no registration to start), choose material, finish and colour, then pick an offer from a network of partner manufacturers, which it puts at more than 150 professional services worldwide. It names processes including FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS and SLM, plus CNC machining, casting and sheet metal. It says offers are tailored to your location, claims "ships in 24-48h", states transparent pricing with no minimum order, and describes itself as your contractual partner with independent partners producing the parts. Its footer links to All3DP, and its modern slavery statement is titled for Craftcloud All3DP GmbH. Its own figures for technologies and materials differ between sections of the page, so check the live uploader.
Craftcloud compared with HenleyPrint3D
| Question | Craftcloud (per its site) | HenleyPrint3D |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Marketplace comparing partner offers | Manufacturer that owns the build |
| Who makes the part | Independent partner manufacturers (150+ worldwide) | Our own machines in Devon |
| Process range | FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS, 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, configure, then compare offers on screen | Instant quote online, or email STEP and drawing; an engineer confirms |
| File review | Not described on its homepage | An engineer reviews every order before it is made |
| Quality checks | Set by the partner that makes the part | Build record for every order; features marked on your drawing are inspected; working towards ISO 9001 |
| Stated lead time | "Ships in 24-48h"; varies by offer and partner location | From 1 calendar day (SLS from 2), confirmed on the quote; UK delivery can be next-day |
| NDA | Not stated on its homepage; ask | Mutual NDA on request; uploads stored privately and used only to quote |
| Repeat orders | Depend on the partner chosen each time | Same team and machines |
| Main advantage | Seeing several offers quickly | Engineer review and one accountable team |
How ordering compares, step by step
| Step | Craftcloud (per its site) | HenleyPrint3D |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Upload | Upload files; no registration to start | Upload to our instant quote or email STEP and drawing |
| 2. Configure | Choose material, finish and colour | Choose, or ask us to recommend process, material and finish |
| 3. Compare | Compare offers from partners | One quote from us, after engineer review |
| 4. Order | Order through Craftcloud as contractual partner | Order with HenleyPrint3D directly |
| 5. Make and ship | Partner manufacturer produces and ships | We build, inspect and ship |
How to compare quotes fairly
An offer is only comparable if it matches the others. Check these before deciding:
- Same material grade and process, not just the same name (for example "nylon" can mean different powders and processes).
- Same finish and colour, including support removal and post-processing.
- Same tolerance and inspection level.
- Delivery, packaging and lead time included.
- Who is responsible if the part is out of tolerance, and who you contact.
When Craftcloud is the better choice
- You want to see several offers for a simple model quickly.
- You need metal printing or a material we do not run.
- The process is already chosen and the part is not fit-critical.
- You want printing, CNC and casting quoted through one platform.
When HenleyPrint3D is the better choice
- Fit-critical parts, changing designs, or parts that need records.
- You want to speak to the engineer who will build the part.
- You print in batches and need batch two to match batch one.
- UK aerospace, defence, automotive or robotics supply where UK handling matters.
Trade-offs of using a manufacturer
Choosing us over an aggregator gives up the on-screen spread of offers and the widest materials and metal options. It gains one accountable manufacturer: you know who builds the part, who inspects it and who to call if it is wrong. A simple approach is to use a comparison tool to understand the range of offers and bring us the parts where a mistake would cost more than any saving.
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.
For a filled-in example RFQ and a step-by-step trial order plan, see the worked example in our comparison of Protolabs, Hubs and Craftcloud alternatives.
Common mistakes
Our quote comparison checklist lists everything to include in an RFQ. See also the full platform comparison, online platforms vs a UK engineering partner and how to choose an additive manufacturing supplier. Related: Protolabs and Hubs. 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. Start with 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.
Sources: craftcloud3d.com, accessed 10 November 2026. Last reviewed 10 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Craftcloud alternative in the UK?
If you want a UK manufacturer rather than a marketplace, HenleyPrint3D quotes, builds and inspects parts itself in Devon. If you want another platform that routes work to partners, Protolabs Network (formerly Hubs) is the best-known example.
What sites are like Craftcloud?
Other online manufacturing platforms take a CAD upload and return an instant price, for example Protolabs Network (hubs.com). They differ in who makes the part, which processes they cover and how files are checked, so compare those as well as price.
Who runs Craftcloud?
Its website links to All3DP, and its documents name Craftcloud All3DP GmbH.
Is Craftcloud reliable?
Results depend on the partner that makes your part, which Craftcloud selects through the offer you choose. Read recent independent reviews, check which partner and country your offer names, and state critical tolerances in the order notes.
Is Craftcloud cheaper?
We make no price claim about any company. Compare like-for-like quotes using a checklist.
Does Craftcloud ship to the UK?
Yes. Its site says offers are tailored to your location. Check where the chosen partner is based: an offer from outside the UK can add transit time and import charges.
What file formats does Craftcloud accept?
Its site says it supports over 35 file formats including STL, OBJ and STEP, and that no registration is needed to start.
Who actually makes the parts ordered through Craftcloud?
Its site says independent partner manufacturers produce the parts, and describes Craftcloud as the contractual partner. Check which provider your offer names.
Does HenleyPrint3D compare prices from other providers?
No. We are a manufacturer, not a comparison service. Every part is made on our own machines in Devon.
Can I print metal at HenleyPrint3D?
No. We offer FDM, SLA, SLS and PolyJet. Craftcloud lists DMLS and SLM among its processes.
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.
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