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
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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
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Best 3D Printer For Cosplay | 2022 Comparison Table
Top Quality | 5-Star Pick | Great Prices
| Image | Title | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creality CR-30 3D Printer 3DPrintMill Infinite Z Belt Printer Continuous Belt CoreXY Motion Upgraded 32-bit Silent Board Dual Gear Metal Extruder Cosplay Props Print Farm | SainSmart | Check Price | |
| Official Creality Ender 3 3D Printer Fully Open Source with Resume Printing Function DIY 3D Printers Printing Size 8.66x8.66x9.84 inch | Comgrow | Check Price | |
| LGT Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer Upgraded with Dual Blower Kit, Open Source with Large Print Size 300x300x400mm (11.8"x11.8"x15.7"), Removable Lattice Glass Platform, Diagonal Rod and Resume Printing | Longer | Check Price | |
| ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D Printer, Large Metal FDM 3D Printer with Patented Heatbed and PLA Filament, Build Size 11.81in(L) X 11.81in(W) X 12in(H) | ANYCUBIC | Check Price | |
| Official Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer with Removable Build Surface Plate and UL Certified Meanwell Power Supply, FDM 3D Printers for DIY Home and School Printing Size 8.66x8.66x9.84 inch | Comgrow | Check Price | |
| Official Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer Upgraded Integrated Structure Design with Silent Motherboard MeanWell Power Supply and Carborundum Glass Platform Printing Size 8.66x8.66x9.84 inch | Comgrow | Check Price | |
| Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer, FDM Large Size 3D Printer, 11.8x11.8x15.7 Inch Big Print Size, 90% Pre-Assembled, Dual Blower Kit, Silent Motherboard for DIY Home School Printing | Longer | Check Price | |
| ANYCUBIC Kobra 3D Printer Auto Leveling, FDM 3D Printers with Self-Developed ANYCUBIC LeviQ Leveling and Removable Magnetic Platform for DIY Home School Printing Size 8.7x8.7x9.84 inch | ANYCUBIC | Check Price | |
| Entina Mini 3D Printers Tina 2, Fully Assembled and Auto Leveling 3D Printer for Beginners, Removable Magnetic Platform, High Precision Printing with PLA/PLA Pro/TPU, Printing Size 3.9x4.7x3.9 inch | Entina | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best 3D Printer For Cosplay | 2022 Products Overview
1. Creality CR-30 3D Printer
- Infinite-Z-axis for Endless Printing: Equipped with the rolling conveyor belt, the CR-30 enables you to print “infinitely” on the Z axis for large prints or production lines producing smaller parts, making it a highly productive mini-factory right on your desk.
- Rolling Conveyor Belt: The wear-resistant conveyor belt on the CR-30 features excellent layer adhesion. In addition, prints will fall off automatically when they reach the belt ends, making it a smoother workflow for you to print continuously.
- Stable Core-XY Structure: The stable and sturdy Core-XY precision structure with isosceles right triangle support gives you an extraordinary printing experience.
- Dual-gear Metal Extruder: High-quality dual-gear metal extruder, provides better grip and filament pushing force, allows for large filament spools, combined with the 45 degrees slanting nozzle, the CR-30 is capable of 200 hours of continuous printing.
- Exclusive 3DPrintMill Slicer: Specially designed slicer CrealityBelt is available for download. It prioritizes ease of use and thus makes it easier for you to explore this brand new belt printer.
2. Comgrow Official Creality Ender 3 3D Printer
- Resume Printing Function: Ender 3 has the ability to resume printing even after a power outage or lapse occurs.
- Easy and Qucik Assembly: It comes with several assembled parts, you only need about 2 hours to assemble 20 nuts well.
- Advanced Extruder Technology: Upgraded extruder greatly reduces plugging risk and bad extrustion; V-shape with POM wheels make it move noiseless, smoothly and durable.
- Safety Protected Power Supply: Only needs 5 minutes for hot bed to reach 110 degree.
- Strict Test: Strict testing for key components before delivery and life-time technical supports available.
3. Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer
- Dual Blower Kit: The LGT LONGER Upgraded LK5 PRO 3D Printer use the newly upgraded cooling fans - dual blower kit which can promote quick cooling on the extruded filament, improves the quality of printing, have strong power on cooling nozzle to get a better and smooth surface of model .
- Large Print Size: The LGT LONGER Upgraded LK5 Pro 3D Printer comes with larger build spaces available, the MAX build volume reaches 11.8x11.8x15.7 inch, which able to print models that 90% of other 3d printers could not.
- Resume Printing Function: The LGT LONGER Upgraded LK5 Pro 3D Printers can resume printing from the last recorded extruder position after suffering unexpected power outages or any other unexpected stoppage. also the sensor pauses prints and sets off an alarm when run out of filament which saving your time and reducing waste.
- Lattice Glass Platform: The LGT LONGER Upgraded LK5 Pro 3D Printer use the newly upgraded print platform which rapid and stable heating, Strong adhesion, prints adhere better without the warping and can be used repeatedly without any loss of performance.
- Fast Service and Warranty: ALL LONGER 3D Printers provide the best 24 hours after-sale service for every purchase, for 12 months. if have any problem, can contact us through email and phone.
4. ANYCUBIC MEGA X 3D Printer
- Fast Assembly, Mega X 3D printer came in two modules and all it takes is to plug in 12 screws and 3 cables, easy to assemble and get printing right out of the box, Perfect choice for beginners and veteran
- High Print Precision, This 3D Printer’s print precision is greatly improved by equipping it with Y Axis Dual Sideway Design and Z-axis dual screw rod design, The pitting in the skin and texture in the clothing all can shows up
- Large Build Volume, This FDM printer comes with larger build spaces available, At 11.81in(L) x 11.81in(W) x 12in(H), able to print models that 90% of other 3d printers could not. More space for fulfilling your fantastic idea
- Patented Heat Bed, No hassle of sticker any more, Ultrabase bed surface coated with patented microporous coating, allowing the print holds strong when printing and then effortlessly falls off the bed when it cools to room temp at the end of the print, Kindly note, The bed will not go over 90 degree
- More Function, Resume Print: One click to resume from the last recorded position when suffered power outages, TFT Touch Screen: As responsive as operating on the phone, Meanwell Power Supply: Compliance with UL60950-1, enhance the safety performance, All ANYCUBIC 3D printers backed with lifetime technical support
5. Comgrow Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer
- REMOVABLE BUILD SURFACE PLATE: Provide all-round protection to your 3D printer build plate and ensure consistent temperature throughout the build surface. Easy to remove the printing models after cooling.
- SAFE POWER SUPPLY: Ender 3 Pro comes with a UL Certified power supply, protecting your printer from unexpected power surges, that can heat the hot bed to 110℃ in just 5 minutes.
- RESUME PRINT FUNCTION: Ender 3 Pro can resume printing from the last recorded extruder position after suffering unexpected power outages.
- SEMI-ASSEMBLED KIT: This easy-to-setup kit comes partially assembled, allowing you to learn about the basic construction of 3D printers as you finish putting it together. A fun STEM educational experience in mechanical engineering and electronics.
- WHAT YOU GET: Ceality Ender 3 Pro 3D pinrter, lifetime technical assistance and 24 hours professional customer service.
6. Comgrow Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer
- Self-developed Silent Motherboard: The Ender-3 V2 built-in self-developed silent motherboard, which has stronger anti-interference, faster and more stable motion performance, silent printing and low decibel operation.
- UL Certified MeanWell Power Supply: Equipped with MeanWell power supply, produced by the listed company with mature technology, meeting all the needs of fast heating and long-time printing. Moreover, the power supply is concealed in the machine, making it much safer.
- Effortless Filament Feed-in: Ender-3 V2 adds a rotary knob on the extruder, making loading and feeding filament process much easier; Brand new operation UI system and 4.3 smart color screen greatly improve user experience.
- Resume Printing Function: Can resume printing from the last recorded extruder position after suffering unexpected power outages, saving your time and reducing waste.
- Carborundum Glass Platform: Enable the hotbed heat up quicker and prints adhere better without the warping. Ultra smoothness even on the first layer.
7. Longer LK5 Pro 3D Printer
- 【Upgraded Dual Blower Kit】Equipped with the dual blower kit, the filament can be cooled quickly after extrusion so that the model is not prone to deformation or wire drawing, which will be better for printing.
- 【90% Pre-assembled with Stable Triangular Structure】The Upgraded Longer LK5 Pro 3d large printer is 90% Pre-assembled with build size of 300*300*400mm. Plus the reinforced design of diagonal rods form a stable triangular structure, which can effectively reduce vibration and achieve more stable printing.
- 【Silent and Open source Motherboard】Backed by TMC2208 ultra-silent driver, it demonstrates firm properties as well as reduces noise. With open-source firmware, you can try your fantastic ideas on LK5 Pro by changing the G code. BL touch installation is also provided (not included in the package).
- 【4.3inch Full Color Touch Screen】 The 3d printer with a 4.3inch full-color touch screen, you can say goodbye to the era of manual knobs and dot-matrix display. Optimized UI interface, easy operation, you can view real-time printing information on the screen. And also larger touch size than other printers of 2.8inch.
- 【More Functions Provided】The Upgraded LK5 Pro FDM 3D Printer uses lattice glass plate, which not only makes the model easier to disassemble but also makes the hotbed flatter, providing better printing affection. Recover Printing Function: Resume printing after power loss; filament detection sensor system, automatically suspends printing when the filament runs out to save time and filament.
8. ANYCUBIC Kobra 3D Printer
- Intelligent Auto Leveling 3d printer: Anycubic Kobra captured with the Self-developed Anycubic LeviQ Leveling Function equipped with 25-point precise leveling up, which can compensate the unevenness of the heated bed automatically, to achieve easy, fast and precise leveling, providing you with a more intelligent printing experience.
- Fast Printing & Large Printing Size: ANYCUBIC Kobra 3D Printer maximum printing speed is 180mm/s, Average speed is 80mm/s, 167% faster than industry standard, enable you save more time on waiting. Large build volume of 8.7x8.7x9.84in / 220x220x250mm, which has enough space and freedom to realize your fantastic creativity.
- Ultra Smooth Printing: Direct drive extruder provides greater conveying force and preciser filament control. Compatible with PLA/ABS/PETG/TPU flexible materials. It can reduce jitter in filament transmission and ensure printing precision.
- Removable Magnetic Platform: The models can be removed by bending the spring magnetic platform gently after printing. The platform can withstand high-intensity printing and is corrosion free, saving you a lot of maintenance cost.
- More Function: ①ANYCUBIC Kobra is an all-in-one frame 3D printer, can minimize the shaking to improve the print quality. The modular design allows the printer to be assembled only in 10 minutes;②ANYCUBIC Kobra is equipped with 4.3-inch LCD touch screen, which brings sensitive response and brighter display, offering better using experience
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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