9+ Best 3D Printer For Cosplay | Unrivaled Guide 2022

In this article I will reveal to you some of the benefits you can have using a 3D printer for your Cosplay projects .

We’ll talk about how to save a lot of time and effort by finding printable files online and outsourcing them to an inexpensive print service.

Or everything you need if you want to participate as a protagonist in the creation of your costumes: like the best printers to start with and the best programs for 3D modeling

We are ready? Let’s go!

I have been playing video games since I was 6 and have been reading manga for as long as I can remember, the characterization of the characters and the relationship of friendship and admiration that is often created with one’s favorite characters are the aspect I prefer in reading or playing something.

This is what makes a story truly memorable.

I was stunned when I discovered the world of Cosplay: seeing all your favorite characters come to life or being able to play them is a truly fascinating aspect.

“A crazy cool” I thought, I immediately set to work and then collided with the sad reality:

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It was by no means easy to make a Cosplay costume

Best 3D Printer For Cosplay | 2022

We needed a great deal of manual skills, knowledge of the most suitable materials, painting skills and above all a HUGE amount of time and work! Not to mention the cost of materials.

Sure the satisfaction was huge, but would things have been different if I had a 3D printer?

I answer you with confidence: Absolutely Yes!

Now, once I have drawn or downloaded the model to print I let the printer WORK FOR ME , so I can use my time to do other research or projects, but above all in this way I always get a clean job, with very few smudges

Also Read: Best 3D Printers Under $300

Best 3D Printer For Cosplay | 2022 Comparison Table

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Best 3D Printer For Cosplay | 2022 Products Overview

Product Overview:

The Creality CR-30 3D Printer is a belt printer that utilizes the Infinite Z Belt Printer Continuous Belt CoreXY Motion to provide an upgraded 32-bit Silent Board experience. This feature allows for “infinite” printing on the Z axis, making it a highly productive mini-factory right on your desk. It is great for large prints or production lines producing smaller parts.

The CR-30 is equipped with a wear-resistant conveyor belt that features excellent layer adhesion. In addition, the conveyor belt is designed so that prints will fall off automatically when they reach the belt ends, making it a smoother workflow for you to print continuously.

Product Overview:

The Creality Ender 3 3D Printer is fully open source and comes equipped with a resume printing function, making it easy to continue your print job even after a power outage or other interruption. Assembly is quick and easy, taking only about 2 hours to assemble the 20 nuts included. The advanced extruder technology, featuring a V-shape design with POM wheels, ensures smooth, quiet, and durable operation while reducing the risk of clogging and poor extrusion.

The Ender 3 also features a safety-protected power supply, which heats up the hotbed to 110 degrees in just 5 minutes. The printer has been rigorously tested for key components before delivery and offers lifetime technical support. The Ender 3 comes with a branded power supply and high-watt hotbed, ensuring fast heating of the printing platform.

Product Overview:

The LGT Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer is an upgraded version of the LK5 printer that features a dual blower kit. This cooling system promotes quick cooling of the extruded filament, resulting in improved print quality and a smooth surface finish on the models. The dual blower kit also has strong power on cooling the nozzle.

The LK5 Pro has a large print size, with a maximum build volume of 11.8x11.8x15.7 inches. This allows for the printing of models that are not possible with most other 3D printers. Additionally, the LK5 Pro has a resume printing function, which allows it to resume printing from the last recorded extruder position in case of unexpected power outages or any other unexpected stoppage. It also has a sensor that pauses prints and sets off an alarm when filament runs out, saving time and reducing waste.

Product Overview:

The ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D Printer is a large metal FDM 3D printer with a patented heatbed and PLA filament. It is easy to assemble and can be ready to print right out of the box with just 12 screws and 3 cables. This makes it a perfect choice for both beginners and veterans. With its Y-Axis Dual Sideway Design and Z-axis dual screw rod design, the print precision of the MEGA X is greatly improved, allowing for fine details such as the texture of clothing to be captured.

The MEGA X also boasts a large build volume of 11.81in(L) x 11.81in(W) x 12in(H), which is able to print models that 90% of other 3D printers cannot. This means that you have more space to fulfill your fantastic ideas. The patented heatbed eliminates the need for stickers and is coated with a microporous coating that allows the print to hold strong during printing and then easily fall off the bed when it cools to room temperature at the end of the print. It is important to note that the bed will not go over 90 degrees.

In addition to its high print precision and large build volume, the MEGA X also features a number of other useful functions such as a "resume print" option that allows you to resume from the last recorded position in case of a power outage. It also has a TFT touch screen that is as responsive as operating on a phone, a Meanwell power supply that complies with UL60950-1 to enhance safety performance, and all ANYCUBIC 3D printers are backed with lifetime technical support.

Product Overview:

The Creality Ender 3 Pro is a high-quality 3D printer that is perfect for both DIY home and school printing. One of the key features of this printer is its removable build surface plate, which provides all-around protection to the build plate and ensures consistent temperature throughout the build surface. This makes it easy to remove the printed models after cooling.

Another great feature of the Ender 3 Pro is its safe power supply. The printer comes with a branded power supply that protects it from unexpected power surges. This allows the hotbed to heat to 110℃ in just 5 minutes, which is ideal for quick and efficient printing. Additionally, the printer has a resume print function that allows it to resume printing from the last recorded extruder position after suffering an unexpected power outage.

Product Overview:

The Creality Ender 3 V2 is an upgraded version of the popular Ender 3 3D printer, offering several new features to improve the user experience. One of the most notable upgrades is the inclusion of a self-developed silent motherboard. This new motherboard is designed to offer stronger anti-interference, faster and more stable motion performance, and quiet printing operations. Additionally, the printer comes with a UL-certified MeanWell power supply which is concealed in the machine for added safety.

One of the most convenient new features of the Ender 3 V2 is the effortless filament feed-in system. This system includes a rotary knob on the extruder, making it easy to load and feed filament. The Ender-3 V2 also has a brand new operation UI system and a 4.3" smart color screen to greatly improve user experience.

Another major advantage of the Ender 3 V2 is the resume printing function. This feature allows the printer to resume printing from the last recorded extruder position after an unexpected power outage, saving time and reducing waste.

Product Overview:

The Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer is a large-size FDM printer with a big print size of 11.8x11.8x15.7 inches. It comes with an upgraded dual blower kit which allows the filament to cool quickly after extrusion, preventing deformation or wire drawing for better printing results. The printer is 90% pre-assembled and features a stable triangular structure with reinforced diagonal rods that reduce vibration for more stable printing.

The LK5 Pro also comes with a silent and open-source motherboard powered by TMC2208 ultra-silent drivers. This feature makes the printer more efficient and reduces noise while also allowing users to try their fantastic ideas by changing the G code. The printer also features a 4.3-inch full-color touch screen, providing an optimized UI interface for easy operation and real-time printing information.

The LK5 Pro also includes several other useful features such as a lattice glass plate for easy model removal, a filament detection sensor system that automatically suspends printing when the filament runs out to save time and filament, and a recover printing function that allows you to resume printing after a power loss. Additionally, the printer has a high-temperature-resistant Teflon tube, making it easier to feed materials while reducing nozzle clogging, and an upgraded lattice glass that conducts heat evenly across the build surface for better printing results.

Product Overview:

The Anycubic Kobra 3D Printer is a high-performance FDM printer that is equipped with a self-developed ANYCUBIC LeviQ Leveling function. This feature allows for 25-point precise leveling up, which compensates for the unevenness of the heated bed automatically for easy, fast, and precise leveling. This provides a more intelligent printing experience for users.

One of the standout features of the Anycubic Kobra 3D Printer is its fast printing speed. With a maximum printing speed of 180mm/s and an average speed of 80mm/s, it is 167% faster than the industry standard. This enables users to save more time while waiting for their prints to finish. Additionally, the printer has a large build volume of 8.7x8.7x9.84 inches (220x220x250mm), providing ample space and freedom to create.

Product Overview:

The Entina TINA2S is a 3D printer designed for beginners and children. It comes fully assembled and ready to use out of the box, with no complicated settings to start printing. The printer comes with an SD card and an app that includes a variety of models to meet the printing needs of entry-level players. The printer also features a new self-developed app and a massive model library, allowing for one-click control of the printer and the ability to print in multiple ways via the app, USB, or Wi-Fi.

The TINA2S also boasts an upgraded wifi module with five times faster file transfer speed, making for a more stable and efficient printing experience. The printer also features a convenient networking design, allowing for easy connection to a local app and eliminating the need for tedious network settings. Additionally, the printer includes a built-in LED light to observe the printing process, a quick-change test nozzle to reduce clogging, and a dual Z-axis guide design for stable movement.

Best 3D Printer For Cosplay | 2022 Guide

How does 3D printing for Cosplay work?

3D printing can give you incredible help in the production of your costumes, there are two possible example approaches:

• Download templates online and have someone print them
• Design your templates and print them with your printer

If one of the two doesn't interest you, you can go directly to the next, but in the meantime let's see what the basics of the technology are

I will briefly tell you about the FDM printer, that is, plastic filament fusion

FDM printers are the cheapest and easiest to use ?

They essentially need two things:

• A template to print (the format used is .stl) that you will need to design or download from the internet
• reels of plastic material in the form of filaments that are melted and deposited by the printer layer by layer to create the final object.

They are great for making plastic items as cosplay accessories, because they can work completely autonomously , so you can spend time doing other things ?

Read this article if you want to know EVERYTHING about FDM printers.

Well, now that you know what it takes, let's move on to:

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Where to download 3D models to be printed

There are really well-stocked portals where you can get ideas and download 3D models for free.

Start from Thingiverse, take a look at the categories and do some research in the search bar (for example Naruto), you will immediately see how many incredible possibilities are available ready-made!

All you have to do is download the file and contact a print service to have it printed and shipped home!

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Design your own templates and print them

You will need:

• a good pc
• a modeling software
• a slicing program
• a 3D printer and filament

A performing PC is essential to be able to model with 3D software, files tend to become very large and if you don't have a good processor, drawing can become slow and truly a nightmare.

Once you get the pc you will have to choose a modeling program, there are several, I recommend these:

• Sculptris : is a free software from pixologic, it allows you to "sculpt" as if you were using clay, suitable for anatomical drawing with free forms.
• Fusion 360 : is an Autodesk home software downloadable with free license, excellent for drawing geometric details, but also useful for anatomical shapes.

Let's now pass to the slicing software: slicing is the process that allows the printer to "understand the design" you are feeding it. The software creates the commands and sends them to the printer which proceeds with the printing of each single layer of the object. Here you will find a guide on how to use it!

Among the best we have:

• Simplify 3D : it is the top, and it is paid at $ 149
• Slic3r : is a free software widely used in the 3D world
• Cura : another free software like Slic3r

Last but not least, you will need a 3D printer, if you are starting out I definitely recommend an FDM , they are simpler and cheaper.

You will need a generous print volume for your creations, as most of your designs will be wearable.

The printers can be in kits to be assembled or already assembled, the kits cost less but you will have to take into account the time to assemble and calibrate it, the assembled arrive at home assembled and calibrated and are ready for printing.

• Creality3d - CR10-s Kit: a Low-Cost FDM printer that comes in Kit, its strong point is the huge printing plate up to 500x500x500 mm. You can truly print anything with this volume!
• Prusa i3 Mk3: It is the famous Prusa printer, very smart and with a huge support community, you can buy it in kit or pre-assembled, the print volume is 250x210x200 mm.
• Anycubic i3: it is a replica of the Prusa model (MK2), it arrives home assembled (in 10 minutes) and it is VERY cheap, the value for money is truly remarkable! Print volume 210x210x205 mm

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And once it’s printed?

Most budget FDM printers can print one color at a time, although there are models that can print multiple colors at the same time.

When used well, printers produce aesthetically pleasing objects, but it is often necessary to print media to support the print on its way.

These supports will be removed later with a nice pair of pliers or cutters, and will inevitably leave some marks on the surface of the object.

Often it is also necessary to divide the objects and print them into several parts and then glue them later.

Therefore, for those who want a truly excellent product , such as a Cosplay accessory, they will need to work the object once removed from the printing plate, this is what we mean by Post-production.

You will therefore have to:

• Smooth the surface of the object with various shades of sandpaper
• Apply a Primer to create a perfectly smooth surface
• Paint with Airbrush or Acrylic can etc.

Also in this case you can decide to do everything by yourself or have the printing service work that will print the objects for you and send them home finished and ready to use!

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So what is best to do?

We have come to the conclusion of this article, if you liked it how about sharing it?

At this point you may be wondering: so what is best to do?

Let me try to clarify your ideas with a few questions and answers ?

• Do you want to save time? Download a file or have someone model it and have it printed by a service
• Do you want to save money? Download the available files and have them printed by a friend or a service.
• Do you want to be autonomous? Buy a printer and learn how to use it, in our blog you will find many guides that can help you in a practical way
• Do you want high quality items?  If you do not have great manual skills or time it is better to use a 3D printer or entrust the project to a service

Good! You will have understood that you have two options: rely on someone or make an investment in the printer and study to be able to fully use it.

The choice depends only on what you feel ?

Let's say if you've tried to make a costume and the result is this

I definitely recommend you to think about 3D printing ?

It is certain that 3D printing is becoming more and more available to everyone, but it remains a technical area where you have to study a lot to know how to use software and understand the problematic situations that can occur during printing.

Learning 3D printing is a process that goes through understanding the motivation of your mistakes (print fails) and it will take some time before you are fully aware of the procedures and settings to be used in each case.

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Are you willing to get involved?

If the answer is yes, then buy a printer now! I have recommended 3 that are right for you!

If, on the other hand, you prefer to spend your time in other ways, for example improving in painting to refine your costumes, I highly recommend that you rely on someone who knows how to use printers and all the necessary software! You'll save yourself a few headaches and have your Cosplay accessories shipped home!

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