Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 31, 2023
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35435
Entity Registrant Name	Proto Labs, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MN
Entity Tax Identification Number	41-1939628
Entity Address, Address Line One	5540 Pioneer Creek Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Maple Plain
Entity Address, State or Province	MN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	55359
City Area Code	763
Local Phone Number	479-3680
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 Per Share
Trading Symbol	PRLB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,785,903
Entity Central Index Key	0001443669
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false