Are 3D-printed vases waterproof?

October 14, 2026

Cielo 3D-printed vase in ice blue holding fresh flowers

Short answer: some are and some aren't. Whether a 3D-printed vase holds water depends on the material, the thickness of its walls and how carefully it was printed. Every AnyVases vase is designed to hold water, so fresh flowers are welcome.

Why some 3D-printed vases leak

A 3D printer builds a vase one thin layer at a time. If those layers don't fuse completely, water can find its way through tiny gaps between them. That usually happens when:

the walls are a single, very thin line of plastic;
the vase was printed too fast or too cool for the material;
the piece was only ever meant as a decorative object for dried stems.

What makes a 3D-printed vase hold water

The material. We print in PETG, which absorbs very little water and bonds well from one layer to the next. Read more in What is PETG?
A solid base. The bottom is printed solid, not as an open grid.
Careful print settings. Temperature and speed are set so each layer melts into the one below.
Checking by hand. Every vase is looked over before it is packed.

How to check that a vase holds water

Fill it with room-temperature water, in the sink or on a folded towel.
Leave it for an hour.
Lift it and look for damp spots on the towel or beads of water on the outside.

If an AnyVases vase arrives and doesn't hold water, email marketing@gvmcglobal.com within 7 days with a photo and we will replace or refund it.

Looking after a vase you use with water

Refresh the water every few days and rinse the vase with lukewarm water.
Empty it between arrangements and let it dry upside down.
Keep it below 60°C: no dishwasher, no hot water, and no radiators or hot window ledges.

Our care guide has the full list.