How to Make a Custom 3D Printed Chess Set (Any Theme You Want)
A custom chess set is one of my favourite things to print. People actually play with it, it makes a really nice gift, and you can theme it around pretty much anything, like pirates, robots or your favourite fantasy world.
The tricky part is the design, because you need six different pieces that match each other, are easy to tell apart on the board and don't snap when you print them. In this guide I'll go through piece sizes, weighting and printing, and show you the fastest way I know to design all six pieces in your own theme.
- A set needs six designs: king, queen, bishop, knight, rook and pawn. Print them in two colours (32 pieces total).
- Standard sizes: king about 9 to 9.5 cm, pawn about 5 cm, base about 40 to 50% of the height.
- Add a nut or coin in the base for weight.
- Design all six in one theme with the Themed Chess Pieces template: one piece per run, same style every time.
What makes a good chess set design?
First of all, you need to be able to recognise every piece at a glance. The king is the tallest, the queen comes second, the knight has the head, the rook is the tower, the bishop has its hat and the pawns are small and simple. Your theme can change everything else, but keep those silhouettes.
The pieces also have to match, with the same style, the same base and the same amount of detail. If the knight looks like it's from a different game, the whole set looks off. And they need to print well, so wide bases and no thin swords sticking out that break the first time a piece falls over.
Chess piece sizes
| Piece | Height (standard board) |
|---|---|
| King | 9 to 9.5 cm |
| Queen | about 8 cm |
| Bishop | about 7 cm |
| Knight | about 6 cm |
| Rook | about 5.5 cm |
| Pawn | about 5 cm |
Keep the base about 40 to 50% of the height so it stands firmly. The easiest way to keep proportions right: scale every piece with the same factor instead of resizing each one to a height.
How to make your own themed chess set
- Open the Themed Chess Pieces template.
- Type a short theme. "Pirates", "Robots", "Ancient Egypt", "Feudal Japan". Short themes work best. You can also upload a drawing of a piece.
- Pick the piece. Start with the King.
- About 2 to 3 minutes later you have a 3D model of that piece.
- Keep the exact same theme text and pick the next piece: Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn. Six runs and you have the full set.
The card is the theme that was typed, the king is what came out.
Here's the whole pirate set, all six pieces from the same theme:
And a few other themes to give you ideas:
Two sides
You can keep the theme colours, or make a light side and a dark side so the two armies look different even before you pick filament:
A fun trick: use two themes that face off, like "Pirates" for white and "Royal navy" for black.
How to print chess pieces
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | PLA in two contrasting colours, or grey to paint |
| Layer height | 0.12 to 0.16 mm for the details |
| Infill | 15 to 20% (more in the base if you're not adding weight) |
| Supports | tree supports only where needed (crowns, the knight's chin) |
| Orientation | upright, base on the bed |
| Bed adhesion | the bases are wide, usually no brim needed |
Make them heavier
Weighted pieces feel a lot more expensive in your hand. Add a pause at layer in your slicer just before the top of the base closes, drop in a steel nut, a coin or a few BBs, and resume the print. With felt pads glued under the bases, they slide across the board like a set from a shop.
How many pieces to print
For a full game: each side gets 1 king, 1 queen, 2 bishops, 2 knights, 2 rooks and 8 pawns. That's 16 per side and 32 total, from just six designs. Print the pawns in a batch of eight on one plate to save time.
Gift ideas
- A family chess set, with each family member as a piece (use the Photo to Figurine template for the faces).
- A set in a friend's favourite theme: their hometown, their job, their favourite era.
- A D&D themed set with heroes against monsters.
Getting started
Type your theme into the Themed Chess Pieces template and start with the King. After six runs you have the whole set, in a theme you picked yourself.
More guides
Want a centrepiece for the shelf next to your board? Here's how to 3D print a dragon, painting tips included. If your theme is fantasy, you'll also like making your own D&D miniatures, mimics and dice trays.
Making it as a present? Here are more 3D printed gift ideas for everyone on your list.
Happy printing!
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FAQ
How big should 3D printed chess pieces be?
For a standard board with 5 to 5.7 cm squares, print the king about 9 to 9.5 cm tall and the pawns about 5 cm. The base of each piece should be about 40 to 50% of its height so it stands firmly and fits inside a square.
How do I make a custom chess set?
Pick a theme, then make the six pieces (king, queen, bishop, knight, rook and pawn) in that same theme. In 3D AI Studio, the Themed Chess Pieces template makes one piece per run from a theme like 'Pirates' or 'Ancient Egypt' and keeps the style the same across all six, so the set matches. Then print each piece once or eight times and in two colours.
How many pieces do I need to print for a full chess set?
32: for each side one king, one queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks and eight pawns. That's six unique designs, printed in two colours.
How do I make 3D printed chess pieces heavier?
Pause the print just before the top of the base closes and drop in a steel nut, a coin or a few BBs, then resume. Or glue a felt pad over a weighted base after printing. Weighted pieces feel much more premium.
What filament should I use for a chess set?
PLA in two contrasting colours is the easiest. Silk PLA (gold and silver, or copper and black) looks great for themed sets. Or print everything in grey and paint the two sides.
Is it free?
You can try the chess template for free when you sign up and see each piece in 3D in the browser. Downloading the STL or 3MF is part of the paid plans.