The Truth About 3D Printing and What to Expect from Your Shallow Cups

Every Shallow Cup is 3D printed. That’s not a gimmick, it’s the reason we can design, test, and build products that actually fit the needs of home golf simulator owners. 3D printing gives us freedom to create something that looks good, performs right, and doesn’t exist anywhere else.

But 3D printing also has its own personality. It’s not factory-perfect, and that’s what makes each cup a little different. If you’ve never owned a 3D printed product before, here’s what to expect.

What 3D Printing Actually Is

3D printing is a process where parts are built layer by layer using melted filament. It’s slow, detailed, and allows for complex shapes that traditional manufacturing can’t easily produce. Each cup starts as a digital model and gets printed in ultra-fine layers to exact dimensions so it sits flush in a simulator floor.

Unlike injection molding, which stamps out thousands of identical parts, 3D printing gives us total control over small batches. That’s how we can adjust designs, test new fits, and respond to feedback without waiting months for tooling or molds.

About Supports (and Why They’re Hidden)

During printing, some parts need temporary supports. Small structures that hold the cup in place while layers are building. We always position those supports on the bottom of the cup where they’re completely hidden once installed.

That means the top and visible sides look clean and smooth, but the underside might show some roughness or small marks from where the supports were removed. It doesn’t affect the fit or function, and you’ll never see it once the cup is in the floor. We keep the imperfections where they belong: out of sight.

Small Imperfections Are Normal

Every ShallowCup is unique. You might notice faint layer lines or minor texture variations, especially on surfaces that aren’t visible when installed. That’s just part of how 3D printing works.

We focus on hiding seams and any noticeable layer differences along the outer edge so that once your cup is installed, everything visible looks clean and uniform. The goal is always to make the product look like it was built into your simulator from day one.

Strength and Durability

We print using strong, high-quality polymers that hold up to years of putting and light chipping. These aren’t brittle or fragile hobby prints, they’re functional parts designed for real use.

Still, 3D printed components have limits. Treat them with care, avoid excessive force when installing, and don’t leave them in extreme heat. Wiping them clean with a damp cloth is more than enough to keep them looking good.

Why We Stick with 3D Printing

The best part about 3D printing is flexibility. When we want to improve a design, we just do it. There’s no factory delay or bulk order commitment, just iteration and progress.

That’s how Shallow Cups has evolved. Each improvement came from testing, feedback, and real-world use in golf simulators. 3D printing lets us keep evolving without cutting corners or losing what makes these products special.

In the End

3D printing isn’t perfect, but that’s exactly why it works. Every Shallow Cup carries small signs of the process, a bit of texture, a hidden support mark, a layer line tucked away out of sight. Each one reflects the same focus on function and precision.

We could chase a factory-perfect look, but that would mean losing what makes Shallow Cups personal. Every cup we ship was designed, printed, inspected, and finished by someone who actually uses one in their own simulator.

That’s the truth about 3D printing and it’s the reason Shallow Cups exist in the first place.