<p>That depends very much on what your goal is with the box. If it needs to be hollow and you don't need any access to the inside (and also prefer it to be printed in one piece) than the answer provided by user77232 would probably be the best.</p>
<p>Alternatively, if you need access to the inside of the box you would probably be best off printing the box in two pieces. A box and a lid. This way you can print the box without support and also save on material that would otherwise be used as infill.</p>
<p>The amount of light coming into your box also depends on the translucency of your material and brightness of the light source. To find the required wall thickness would be a matter of testing with the desired material.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-04T06:19:01.803Z
2020-09-04T06:19:01.803Z
Rik
<ol>
<li>Print it as a whole object</li>
<li>Use 20% infill.</li>
<li>Profit!</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-04T07:36:46.127Z
How is a hollow box hollow if you use 20% infill?
FarO
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-04T08:20:04.117Z
@FarO Indeed, but sometimes people imply "not solid" with hollow, I've left a comment for the OP to explain what is exactly meant. But technically you are right, 20 % infill is not hollow!
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-04T05:50:29.683Z
2020-09-04T05:50:29.683Z
user77232
<p>If I need to 3D print a hollow box that can not have any light permeating into the box, what would be the best course of action? Should I 3D print the hollow box as a whole or print out the 6 sides individually and put them together at the end? And if I do the second option, what would be the best way to put the pieces together (design/connect grooves or use glue)?</p>
<p>I am very new to 3D printing so any feedback would be very much appreciated!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-04T07:38:16.890Z
If you print it hollow and as a single object, how do you plan to put things inside? which I assume you want to do, since you say no light inside is allowed. Print it as box and lid separately.
FarO
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-04T07:40:24.880Z
3D printing relies on printing solids, it is generally a bad idea to hollow objects yourself, slicers have difficulties when a solid contains internal cavities. You should explain why it needs to be hollow and if you need access to the cavity. Pleas update by [edit] and welcome to 3DPrinting.SE! :-)
0scar
<3d-models><3d-design>
When 3D printing a hollow box, what is the best course of action?
Julia
# When 3D printing a hollow box, what is the best course of action?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-09-04)

If I need to 3D print a hollow box that can not have any light permeating into the box, what would be the best course of action? Should I 3D print the hollow box as a whole or print out the 6 sides individually and put them together at the end? And if I do the second option, what would be the best way to put the pieces together (design/connect grooves or use glue)?

I am very new to 3D printing so any feedback would be very much appreciated!

**Tags:** 3d-models, 3d-design

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: If you print it hollow and as a single object, how do you plan to put things inside? which I assume you want to do, since you say no light inside is allowed. Print it as box and lid separately.  
> **username_2**: 3D printing relies on printing solids, it is generally a bad idea to hollow objects yourself, slicers have difficulties when a solid contains internal cavities. You should explain why it needs to be hollow and if you need access to the cavity. Pleas update by [edit] and welcome to 3DPrinting.SE! :-)  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-09-04. Score: 1

That depends very much on what your goal is with the box. If it needs to be hollow and you don't need any access to the inside (and also prefer it to be printed in one piece) than the answer provided by username_4 would probably be the best.

Alternatively, if you need access to the inside of the box you would probably be best off printing the box in two pieces. A box and a lid. This way you can print the box without support and also save on material that would otherwise be used as infill.

The amount of light coming into your box also depends on the translucency of your material and brightness of the light source. To find the required wall thickness would be a matter of testing with the desired material.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2020-09-04. Score: 0

1. Print it as a whole object
2. Use 20% infill.
3. Profit!

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: How is a hollow box hollow if you use 20% infill?  
> **username_2**: @username_1 Indeed, but sometimes people imply "not solid" with hollow, I've left a comment for the OP to explain what is exactly meant. But technically you are right, 20 % infill is not hollow!  

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