Frequently asked
questions

Laven creates exclusive designer luminaires — handcrafted in our studio in the Netherlands using professional FDM 3D printing technology. Each piece is made to order, which means your lamp is printed specifically for you and does not sit in a warehouse as stock.

Our range includes pendant lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces. Every design is unique and can be customised in colour, size, and finish.

All Laven luminaires are printed using plant-based biopolymers — primarily PLA (Polylactic Acid) derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane. This material is rigid, lightweight, and produces beautiful, smooth surface finishes.

Unlike petroleum-based plastics, our filaments are bio-sourced and responsibly manufactured. Some special finishes use composites that include wood fibres, stone powder, or metal particles, which give a truly natural look and texture.

Our luminaires are supplied without a light bulb. This allows you to choose the warmth, brightness, and energy class that best suits your space.

We recommend using LED bulbs with a maximum of 8–10W and a colour temperature between 2200K–2700K (warm white) for the best visual effect. Avoid incandescent or halogen bulbs — they generate excessive heat which can, over time, deform plant-based materials near the socket.

Pendant luminaires include a textile cable (colour matching your order), a standard E27 fitting, and a ceiling canopy. All components comply with EU electrical safety standards (CE marked).

Table and floor lamps include a cord with an inline switch and EU plug. If you require a UK, US, or Swiss plug, please mention this at checkout — we can accommodate at no extra cost.

We use FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology — the most common and refined form of 3D printing. The printer heats plant-based filament to its melting point and deposits it layer by layer, building up the final shape from bottom to top.

Each luminaire is printed with layer heights between 0.1mm and 0.2mm, resulting in a highly detailed surface. After printing, each piece is manually inspected, cleaned, and assembled by our studio team before shipping.

The entire process — from design file to finished product — takes place exclusively in our studio in the Netherlands. No outsourcing, no mass production.

Yes — and it is intentional. Fine layer lines are the authentic texture of 3D printing. At Laven, we embrace this as part of the aesthetic, much like the grain of wood or the texture of ceramics. It is a feature, not a flaw.

Depending on the design and the angle of the light, these lines can create beautiful shadow patterns on your walls and ceilings — part of what makes each Laven piece unique.

If you prefer a smoother finish, please contact us before ordering. Some designs can be sanded or treated with a matte varnish upon request, at an additional cost.

Our luminaires are printed at high infill densities (typically 30–60% depending on design) and wall thicknesses optimised for each specific shape, making them rigid and resistant to everyday handling.

However, like all design objects, they should be treated with care. Avoid dropping, applying lateral force to thin features, or exposing them to heat sources above 55°C — at that temperature, PLA can begin to soften.

Because every luminaire is made to order, production time depends on the complexity and size of the piece. Standard items typically take 3–7 working days to print, inspect, and assemble. Larger or customised pieces may take up to 10–14 working days.

You will receive an email confirmation with an estimated ready date when your order is placed. If you need a piece by a specific date, please contact us before ordering.

Yes, minor variations are possible between different production batches, as filament dye lots can differ slightly — this is inherent to the craft nature of 3D printing, similar to ceramic glazes or natural dyes.

If you are ordering multiple pieces for the same room and colour consistency is critical, please contact us so we can print them from the same filament reel.

Yes — this is one of our key advantages. We stock a wide range of filament colours and can match most RAL or Pantone references upon request. If you have a specific colour in mind, send us the reference and we will check availability.

For size, many of our designs can be scaled up or down. There are practical limits determined by print bed dimensions and structural integrity, but we will always advise you transparently about what is achievable.

We occasionally take on bespoke commissions from clients who have an existing 3D design (STL, OBJ, or STEP file). We review each submission individually to assess printability, structural suitability, and safety for use as a luminaire.

Please contact us via email with your file and brief. We will respond within 3 working days with a feasibility assessment and quote.

Yes. We offer a selection of textile cord colours that can be matched to your luminaire or chosen as a contrast. Options include off-white, black, terracotta, forest green, and cognac. Leave a note at checkout or contact us before ordering if you have a preference.

We ship to all EU countries, the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, and a growing number of international destinations. Shipping rates and availability are shown at checkout based on your delivery address.

For countries not listed at checkout, please contact us — we can often arrange delivery via a courier quote.

Once your order is ready, shipping typically takes:

Netherlands & Belgium: 1–2 working days
Rest of EU: 3–5 working days
UK & Norway: 4–7 working days
International: 7–14 working days

You will receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel is dispatched.

Each luminaire is individually wrapped in recycled tissue paper and packed in a sturdy double-wall cardboard box with recycled paper padding. We do not use polystyrene or single-use plastic.

Despite this, items are well-protected. If your package arrives visibly damaged, please photograph the packaging and the item immediately and contact us within 48 hours.

Because every Laven luminaire is made to order, we are unable to accept returns for change of mind. However, if your item arrives damaged or does not match your order specifications, we will always make it right — either by reprinting or offering a full refund.

For defective items, please contact us within 14 days of receipt with photos. We will assess and respond within 2 working days.

Yes! New customers receive a 10% welcome discount using the code LAVEN10 at checkout. This applies to all regular-priced items and cannot be combined with other promotions.

Dust with a soft dry cloth or a low-power hand blower. For slightly more stubborn marks, a barely damp cloth with water is fine. Avoid abrasive cloths, solvents, alcohol, or any cleaning sprays — these can cloud the surface finish or weaken the material.

Always switch off and unplug the luminaire before cleaning. Allow it to cool completely before touching the shade.

UV exposure over time can cause some filament colours — particularly lighter ones — to yellow slightly. We recommend placing your luminaire away from direct sunlight for prolonged periods.

Regarding heat: PLA has a glass transition temperature of approximately 55–60°C. Keep the luminaire away from direct heat sources (radiators, hot kitchen environments) and always use low-wattage LED bulbs as recommended.

We recommend a maximum of 10W LED. Modern LED bulbs at 8–10W produce 600–800 lumens — more than sufficient for a beautiful ambient lamp — while generating very little heat (typically under 35°C near the socket).

Do not use incandescent, halogen, or high-wattage LED bulbs above 15W. These generate significant heat that can distort the shade over time, especially in enclosed or near-touching configurations.

Our primary printing material is PLA (Polylactic Acid), a biopolymer derived from renewable agricultural sources — typically fermented plant starch from corn, cassava, or sugarcane. Unlike conventional plastics made from petroleum, PLA comes from a replenishable biological source.

PLA is also industrially compostable, meaning under the right conditions (commercial composting facilities with controlled temperature and humidity) it breaks down significantly faster than petroleum-based plastics. While we do not claim zero environmental impact, we believe using bio-sourced materials is a meaningful step in the right direction.

PLA is industrially compostable (EN 13432 standard) but not suitable for home composting or regular plastic recycling streams. At the end of your luminaire's life, we recommend checking with your local industrial waste facility.

We are working on a take-back programme that will allow customers to return old Laven pieces to us for responsible material recovery. Details coming soon.

Traditional manufacturing produces large quantities upfront — a percentage of which will never sell and eventually goes to landfill. Our made-to-order model means we print only what is actually needed.

Any failed prints or support material offcuts are collected and sent to a local PLA recycling partner who granulates and reprocesses the material. Our goal is to send zero production waste to landfill.

Every Laven luminaire is designed, printed, assembled, and quality-checked in our studio in the Netherlands. We do not outsource any part of the production process.

Short supply chains mean less transport, more control over quality, and a direct connection between the people making your lamp and the product you receive.