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What Can You Make With a 3D Printer?

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Updated February 3, 2023

Table of Contents_

What Can You Create With a 3D Printer?
Cases and Holders
Home Goods
Tools
Toys
Other Stuff

If you are new to the world of physical printing, you may wonder what you can make with a 3D printer. Some of the best printers, after all, are 3D printers, and you can create a wide variety of objects — from pencil holders to planters. So what can you print with the best 3D printers? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Modern 3D printers excel at creating all kinds of useful objects and pieces of art to suit consumers.
These printers are great for rapid prototyping home goods, like cutlery, and tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches.
3D printing technology with computer-aided design helps to create some truly out-of-the-box objects like guitars, coffee makers, medical models, and more.

What Can You Create With a 3D Printer?

So now you know the basic mechanism by which these printers operate, but what can they print? Here are some common types of objects you can make with modern printers.

Insider Tip

For complex objects, like guitars, you will still need to purchase certain components that the printer cannot make, like strings.

Before learning why you should buy a 3D printer, it is helpful to understand how they work. These printers use heated nozzles to disperse resin or filament if you are wondering how to unclog a 3D printer nozzle. These materials build objects layer by layer if you are learning how to use a resin 3D printer. Over time, a full object is created, though you may wonder what you need to complete 3D printing tasks.

Cases and Holders

These printers excel at making various cases and holders for your many possessions. These include smartphone cases, vases, key holders, pencil holders, cable holders, and just about any other holder that fits the parameters of your printer.

Home Goods

If you are sick of making trips to the local home goods store, your printer has you covered. These devices are absolute whizzes at making crucial items like cutlery, including forks, knives, and spoons. They also handle bowls, planters, plates, bookholders, bottle openers, and so much more. Just find your perfect blueprint and get going.

Tools

As long as your tool is one or two pieces and fits the size parameters of your printer, you should be able to make it. This includes screwdrivers, attachment clips, hammers, wrenches, and, well, you get the gist.

Toys

Looking to please the kid in your life or the adult in your life with too much time on their hands? Modern printers are perfect for making toys of all kinds, such as action figures, fidget spinners, little whistles, and just about anything else you can think of.

STAT: The average household in the U.S. pays around $2,000 for furnishings in equipment. A low-budget 3d printer costs $200-$500 and can last years. (source)

Other Stuff

Modern printers can do so much, so have at it. Use your printer to make guitars, coffee makers, pinhole cameras, and whatever else you find on your preferred blueprint aggregate website.

Printer Uses FAQs

Can these printers print metal?

You can print metal of a sort, as many filaments include metallic dust as a mix-in. Some heavy-duty industrial printers, such as those found in medical industries, can handle metal.

Why should you get a 3D printer?

If you are interested in 3D design and 3D printing projects, you should get one of these printers. They can use a variety of materials and often feature 3D scanners for added versatility.

How much money can you save?

This depends on what you are making with 3D printing technology via digital files and additive manufacturing. You can save money over traditional manufacturing methods by making physical objects, but you will have to spring for the raw materials.

References:

Lawrence Bonk

Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.