Infill Experiments: What Honeycomb, Gyroid & Co. Can Really Do

Infill isn’t just about saving filament. Different patterns affect the strength, flexibility, and overall behavior of your print. In this article, we explain how various infill types perform under stress—and when each one shines.

When preparing a model for 3D printing, you’ve probably chosen an infill percentage and called it a day. But the infill pattern itself plays a key role—sometimes even more than density. The right structure can save material, shorten print time, and still provide exactly the properties your part needs, whether that's strength, flexibility, or visual flair.

Common Infill Types: From Straight Lines to Organic Curves

Most slicers (like OrcaSlicer or PrusaSlicer) offer a wide range of infill patterns. Here are some of the most popular:

Grid: Fast and reliable. A solid choice for technical components.
Honeycomb: Eye-catching and strong in multiple directions. Great for covers or decorative items.
Gyroid: A flowing, 3D-connected pattern that distributes stress evenly. Offers a good balance of strength and flexibility—ideal for impact resistance.
Rectilinear / Lines: Quick to print, suitable for fast prototyping and internal-only parts.
Cubic / 3D Infill: Provides even strength across large volumes, excellent for bulky or load-bearing models.

Choosing the Right Infill for Your Use Case

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each infill type has its strengths depending on what you're making:

For visual appeal: Go with honeycomb or gyroid—both look great, especially in translucent filaments.
For maximum strength: Gyroid distributes stress evenly and resists cracking.
For material savings: Rectilinear uses the least filament but offers limited strength.
For functional parts: Grid or cubic are fast, efficient, and consistent under load.

Real-Life Test: Wall-Mounted Bracket in 3 Variants

We printed the same wall bracket using three infill types: grid, honeycomb, and gyroid (all at 20% density). The results were clear:

Grid: strong overall but cracked under lateral pressure.
Honeycomb: visually pleasing, but showed slight deformation under load.
Gyroid: remained intact under both vertical and side stress—flexible yet strong.

Want to Experiment with Infill Too?

If you’re planning a project and unsure which infill is right for your needs, get in touch with us. We’ll recommend the best option—whether you're designing a decorative piece or a functional tool.

Want to try multiple infills side-by-side? Use our online calculator to get a quote, and we’ll print comparison samples so you can test them in real life.