30 Cool Things to 3D Print (Including Ones You Make Yourself)
So you've printed the calibration cube, the Benchy came out fine, and now you're wondering what to print next? I know that feeling, it happens to pretty much everyone a few weeks after getting a printer.
This list has two parts. First the classic downloads that I think every printer owner should try at least once, and then a bunch of prints you make yourself from a photo or a short description, so you end up with something that isn't on every other shelf.
- Classic downloads: Benchy, flexi dragon, articulated octopus, print in place fidget toys and a gear cube, all on Printables or MakerWorld.
- Prints you make yourself: a lithophane of your photo, a bobblehead of a friend, your house as a miniature, a dragon or a mimic chest.
- With a template the model takes a few minutes, then you download the STL.
What makes a 3D print cool?
For me it's usually one of these: it moves or does something, it's personal (your face, your pet, your house), or people pick it up and can't believe it came out of a printer. The classic downloads are really good at the moving part, and the personal prints are the ones that surprise people.
Classic cool prints to download
These are free on Printables, MakerWorld or Thingiverse, and they're all worth printing at least once:
| Why it's cool | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 3DBenchy | The calibration boat everybody prints | Easy |
| 2. Flexi dragon | Prints in one piece and all the joints move | Easy |
| 3. Articulated octopus | Wiggly and fun to play with | Easy |
| 4. Print in place fidget toys | Spinners, sliders and clickers straight off the bed | Easy |
| 5. Gear cube or gear heart | Turn one gear and they all move | Medium |
| 6. Infinity cube | Folds over and over | Medium |
| 7. Spiral vase | One continuous wall, printed in vase mode | Easy |
| 8. Moon lamp | A lithophane globe with an LED inside | Medium |
If you're looking for more, my post on the best free 3D model and STL sites lists where I look.
Cool things you make yourself
You won't find these as downloads, because they're made from your own photo or idea.
From a photo
9. A lithophane
It looks like a white plate, and when you hold it up to a light your photo appears. You can make one with the Lithophane Maker, and I wrote a step by step guide on how to make a lithophane.
10. A bobblehead of a friend
Big head, small body, from one photo with the Custom Bobblehead template.
11. Your house as a miniature
The House Miniature template builds the roof, windows, porch and colours from a photo of the front.
12. A marble bust of yourself
Classical statue vibes for your desk, made with Marble Statue of You.
13. Your car as a scale model
Made from a photo of your actual car with Car Scale Model.
14. Your pet as a figurine or ornament
The Pet Figurine template works from one photo, and there's also a Christmas ornament version with a hanging loop.
15. A relief plaque
A carved plaque of your dog or a place you love, with Relief Wall Art.
16. Yourself as an action figure
Done with the AI Action Figure template, accessories included.
From one sentence
17. A dragon
The classic print to show off with. Here's how to 3D print a dragon.
18. A mimic chest
A treasure chest with teeth and a tongue, made with the Mimic Chest template.
19. A dragon skull
Type what you want, print it and put it on the shelf.
20. An anime figure of your own character
Describe your character or upload a drawing in the Anime Figure template.
21. A cosplay prop
Ray guns, shields and spellbooks. The Cosplay Prop template makes them chunky enough to print at full size.
22. Tabletop terrain
A ruined tower, a crypt or a campfire for your game, with Tabletop Terrain.
23. A themed chess set
Pirates, robots, ancient Egypt or whatever you like. See how to make a custom chess set.
24. A character planter
A cat, an astronaut helmet or an octopus holding a plant. My planters and vases guide has more ideas.
25. A custom cookie cutter
Any shape you can draw. Here's how to make a custom cookie cutter.
For game night
26. Your D&D character as a miniature
Pick a race and class in the D&D Character Miniature template and describe your hero.
27. A dice tray
For example with a dragon coiled around the rim, made with the D&D Dice Tray template.
28. Monster minis
For the next boss fight, with the Monster Miniature template.
For the holidays
29. A pumpkin with your face on it
Made with the Pumpkin Portrait template.
30. Halloween decorations
In any shape you can think of, with the Halloween Decoration template.
How do you make a print that doesn't exist yet?
- Pick a template from the templates page that fits your idea, or start from a photo.
- Upload the photo or type one sentence, like "A dragon skull with cracked horns".
- After a few minutes you can look at the 3D model in your browser.
- Download the STL or 3MF, open it in your slicer and print.
The templates take care of the print related stuff for you, like a flat base, sensible proportions and no paper thin parts that snap off.
Which cool prints are fastest?
| Typical time (FDM) | |
|---|---|
| Keychain or ornament | 30 min to 2 hours |
| Lithophane (10 x 15 cm) | 3 to 6 hours |
| Bobblehead (10 cm) | 3 to 5 hours |
| Mimic chest (game size) | 2 to 4 hours |
| Dragon (15 cm) | 8 to 15 hours |
| Chess set (32 pieces) | a weekend |
Getting started
The downloads are a lot of fun, but the prints I like showing people most are the ones I made myself. Have a look through the templates and try one with your own photo or idea.
More guides
If you want prints you'll use every day, here's my list of useful things to 3D print. Printing for kids? Check out 3D printed toys. And if you need a present, here are 3D printed gift ideas for everyone on your list.
Happy printing!
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FAQ
What are cool things to 3D print?
Classics like the Benchy, a flexi dragon, an articulated octopus and print in place fidget toys are fun first prints. Personal prints are even cooler, like a lithophane of your own photo, a bobblehead of a friend, your house as a miniature, or a dragon or mimic chest you made from one sentence.
What should I 3D print first?
Start with a calibration print like the Benchy to check your settings, then something small like a flexi animal or a keychain. After that, try something with more detail, like a figurine of your pet.
Where can I find cool things to 3D print?
Printables, Thingiverse, MakerWorld and Cults3D have millions of free and paid files. For something that doesn't exist yet, describe it or upload a photo in an AI 3D generator like 3D AI Studio and download the STL.
Can I 3D print something from a picture?
Yes. Upload a photo to a template like Photo to Figurine, Pet Figurine, House Miniature or Lithophane Maker and you get a printable 3D model a few minutes later.
What is the most impressive thing to 3D print?
A lithophane, because people don't expect the photo to show up when they hold it to the light. A big painted dragon, a themed chess set or a miniature of someone's house also get a lot of attention.
What are cool things to 3D print for your room?
A lithophane night light of a favourite photo, a character planter, a dragon or dragon skull for the shelf, a relief plaque for the wall, a miniature of your own house, or a moon lamp. Decorative prints like these look best in matte or silk PLA.
What are fun things to 3D print for beginners?
A flexi dragon, an articulated octopus, a print in place fidget toy or a keychain. They're quick, they don't need supports and they're fun to hand around once they come off the bed.
What is the coolest thing you can 3D print in a few hours?
A lithophane (about 3 to 6 hours for 10 x 15 cm), a bobblehead or pet figurine (3 to 5 hours at 10 cm) or a game sized mimic chest (2 to 4 hours). All of them look a lot more impressive than the print time suggests.
Can I 3D print my own idea if I can't model?
Yes. Describe the idea in one sentence in a text to 3D tool or a template, like 'A dragon skull with long curved horns on a stand', and download the STL a few minutes later. No modelling software needed.
Is it free?
Many files on sites like Printables are free. With 3D AI Studio you can try the templates for free when you sign up and see each model in 3D. Downloading the STL or 3MF is part of the paid plans.