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At some point in human history, if you needed something, you either bought it, made it by hand, or accepted that you simply could not have it. Then the 3D printer arrived and dismantled all three of those options. Now, if you need a specific bracket for a shelf that has not been manufactured since 2009, you simply make it at home, before lunch.

The 3D printing community has taken this freedom and run with it in every possible direction. Some of what they have produced is just plain brilliant, solving real problems with a little bit of lateral thinking. Some of it is completely unnecessary and deeply impressive for exactly that reason. All of it is proof that giving humans access to a machine that turns ideas into objects is one of the better decisions the technology industry has ever made.

#1

Printed An Insect Water Station For Some Thirsty Boys In Europe, Had My First Visitor After A Few Minutes

A yellow honeycomb bee feeder 3D printer creation with a bee drinking from it.

Bluehelix Report

LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
Premium
16 hours ago

Thirsty GIRLS, that is! ;)

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    #2

    This Eagle Shot In The Face And Got 3D Printed Beak Which Made Him More Bada**

    Before and after images of a bald eagle receiving a yellow prosthetic beak made using a 3D printer.

    thunde-r Report

    random_froggg (she/they 86/47)
    Community Member
    23 hours ago (edited)

    The complete hypocrisy and idiocy in censoring your own titles. B-A-D-A-S-S

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    #3

    Blep! Meet Dymka, The Bionic Cat With Four 3D-Printed Titanium Limbs

    A gray Scottish Fold cat standing on four custom prosthetic legs made using a 3D printer.

    grrrfld Report

    KatWitch57
    Community Member
    13 hours ago

    Oh that poor kitty. I don't think we want to know what happened.

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    #4

    Chloe The Paralyzed Kitten Is So Happy In Her 3D Printed Wheelchair

    A small orange kitten in a pink and blue 3D printer wheelchair, displaying human ingenuity.

    MTPokitz Report

    Don Adams
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    Chloe, soon to be known as Rolling Thunder!

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    #5

    Doctors Lovingly Made A 3D Print Of An Ultrasound For A Blind Expecting Mama. The World Is So Good

    A blind mother smiling as she holds a 3D printer ultrasound model of her unborn baby

    naughtykteacher Report

    Jayjay
    Community Member
    12 hours ago

    That is beyond.. That is so kind! Look at her emotions able to "see" her child! Hope they keep this doing for here with photo's of her child.

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    #6

    A Loggerhead Turtle Got Into A Boating Accident, Scientists Gave It A New 3D Printed Titanium Beak

    A sea turtle fitted with a custom 3D printer titanium jaw replacement by veterinarians.

    anon Report

    Jayjay
    Community Member
    12 hours ago

    So beautiful! Love it

    #7

    My 13-Year-Old Son Built A Beehive For His Bedroom

    An indoor beehive with a custom yellow 3D printer frame mounted on a wall

    I thought it was a crazy idea at first but am amazed how well it is working. He looked online and saw that hives were around $1,000 so he decided to design and build one from scratch designing it in cad software and printing parts using a PRUSIA 3d printer.

    bryanmarktaylor Report

    Jayjay
    Community Member
    12 hours ago

    Clever boy!

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    #8

    Waddles The Disabled Duck Walks For The First Time On His 3D-Printed Prosthetic Leg

    A mallard duck walking on a wooden floor using an orange 3D printer prosthetic leg, showing human ingenuity.

    MylegzRweelz Report

    Rusty’scate
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 day ago

    He’s so happy!

    #9

    Toucan With A Reconstructed Beak Done Throughout 3D Printing

    A man holding a toucan with a 3D printer prosthetic beak replacement

    anon Report

    Jayjay
    Community Member
    12 hours ago

    Acts like this, however small and big at the same time, are saving the planet.

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    #10

    My Moms 3D Printed Cast. She Can Take A Shower With It!

    A person wears a breathable and water-resistant blue 3D printer leg cast with geometric cutouts

    anon Report

    Jayjay
    Community Member
    12 hours ago

    Should be standard in healthcare :)

    #11

    A Friend Nailed Halloween And 3D Printed His Own Face

    Man wearing a custom face mask made with a 3D printer at a pub

    CaptainMumble Report

    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    14 hours ago

    clever

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    #12

    See-Through Prosthetics 3D-Printed From Titanium

    A futuristic 3D printer prosthetic leg with a geometric wireframe design

    William Root Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    21 hours ago

    I love this one

    #13

    3D-Printed Classical Paintings That Let The Blind “See” Famous Art For The First Time

    A 3D printer tactile Mona Lisa painting replica created for the blind being touched by hands

    The Unseen Art project Report

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    #14

    I Came Back To My Apartment To Find That My Roommate 3D Printed A T-Rex Shower Head

    A pink T-Rex skull shower head attachment made using a 3D printer

    austintbarnett Report

    eloop
    Community Member
    11 hours ago

    OHHHH I want to do this one

    #15

    3D-Printed Plastic Cast That Uses Ultrasound To Heal Broken Bones Faster

    A black 3D printer arm cast with stylish open-mesh pattern worn on a forearm

    Deniz Karasahin Report

    Roni Stone
    Community Member
    Premium
    23 hours ago

    Or, you could just lay a cat on it.

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    #16

    Proof That Perseverance Pays Off... My Full Iron Man Suit, Printed In Many, Many Pieces On My Tiny Up Mini Over 6 Months

    Side-by-side images of a 3D printer workstation and a detailed Iron Man cosplay suit.

    JayLuvLL Report

    Saj
    Community Member
    Premium
    23 hours ago

    Awesome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

    #17

    A Prosthetic Arm I Made For A Friend

    A black 3D printer prosthetic arm held by another person

    anon Report

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    #18

    3D Printed Shell For An Injured Tortoise

    Tortoise shown with custom 3D printer shell prototype and final painted replacement shell in a backyard

    The Animal Avengers Report

    #19

    Our 3D Print Failed Half Way Through. This Is How We’ve Been Using It

    A purple Thanos bust pen holder printed using a 3D printer

    KingVeemo Report

    Jan Rosier
    Community Member
    21 hours ago

    not a fail at all !

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    #20

    I 3D Printed A 🗿 Toilet Roll Holder, He Is Holding His Breath

    A fun Moai statue toilet paper holder on a bathroom wall made by a 3D printer

    Kahlico Report

    #21

    Passive Amplifier For Smartphone @zeno3d2 On Makerworld

    An acoustic phone amplifier speaker stand printed on a 3D printer

    Andrea Zeno Di Cienzo Report

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    #22

    This 3D-Printed "Digital" Sundial Accurately Projects The Time Onto The Ground In A Recognisable Digital Clock Style!

    A lime green sundial made by a 3D printer casting a digital time shadow of 11:29 on the concrete

    Brizzo7 Report

    Niels AirMax
    Community Member
    13 hours ago

    People nowadays are too stupid to read analog clocks/watches. I kid you not... 🤦🏼‍♂️

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    #23

    3D-Printed Vases That Give Plastic Bottles A Second Life

    Hands fitting a 3D printer decorative black cage over a plastic bottle to reuse it as a vase.

    DesignLibero Report

    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    14 hours ago

    Smart!!!!!!!

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    #24

    3D Printed And Painted My Cat

    A calico cat sitting in a cardboard box next to a miniature 3D printer model of itself.

    JeffersonHi Report

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    #26

    Cubone Corgi

    A fluffy corgi wearing a white Cubone skull mask made with a 3D printer

    kamuicosplay Report

    #27

    3D Printed Violin

    Hands holding a transparent violin created with a 3D printer

    3dvarius Report

    Panda McPandaface
    Community Member
    13 hours ago (edited)

    I'm guessing it's playable.

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    #28

    3D Printed ‘Game Of Thrones’ Lamp

    A glowing, creative dragon lamp designed and fabricated with a 3D printer.

    Kvant 3D Printing Report

    Piper Liniger
    Community Member
    8 hours ago

    I love it

    #29

    There Is A Baby Shower Coming Up For One Of The Supervisors At A Chemistry Lab O Work At. Printed These For The Occasion

    A 3D printer creates colorful, smiling science-themed beakers and test tubes.

    59Bassman Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    16 hours ago

    I don't know why, but I find 3D-printed crochet/"amigurumi" is the height of weird, tacky idiocy.

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    #30

    3D Printed Doorstop

    A grey 3D printer plastic door stopper spelling the word Hodor sitting on a desk

    captaincurrylaughingmaniacally Report

    Tweetysvoice
    Community Member
    9 hours ago

    The only time I cried in the whole series... 😥 But this IS brilliant!

    #31

    As A 16 Year Old Guy With Nosy Parents, This Has By Far Been My Most Useful Print

    A sturdy, functional sliding door latch replacement made on a 3D printer.

    tpr_2 Report

    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    13 hours ago

    nice

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    #32

    3D Printed Rims

    Close-up of an intricate, futuristic car wheel rim created using a 3D printer.

    Proteon Report

    #33

    Tape Dispenser - Snail

    Cute snail-shaped tape dispensers made with a 3D printer sitting on a table.

    dingohot Report

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    #34

    3D Printed A Pot For My New Bonsai Tree

    An artistic pot shaped like a walking creature, created with a 3D printer.

    AdministrativeFuel48 Report

    #35

    Faded Girl Statue

    A 3D printed gray plastic figurine of a floating spirit next to a lit campfire light.

    anhduy2508 Report

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    #36

    Turn An Economic IKEA Vase Into A Three-Level Living Ecosystem!

    Two 3D printed terrarium systems with living plants on a wooden table.

    af_inventions Report

    #37

    Being Told My Tea Steeper Is Unprofessional

    A creative 3D printer coaster shaped like a little person fishing a tea bag out of a mug.

    Electronic-Sell-6402 Report

    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    13 hours ago

    And in response to being told it's unprofessional, I ate people and that is subjective

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    #38

    Not Inherited, But 3D Printed

    A custom chess set with spiraling pieces and a jigsaw board created by a 3D printer.

    dirtyjava Report

    #39

    Darth Vader Pen Holder

    A black Darth Vader desk organizer holding a pen, showcasing 3D printer creativity.

    willcalderone0630 Report

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    #40

    This House Was 3D-Printed In Just 24 Hours For Less Than $11k

    A small round house constructed using a large scale construction 3D printer

    Apis Cor Report

    Fungus John
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    yeah those things are horrible and fall apart very quickly

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    #41

    Just Finished Printing And Painting This Celtic Wolf Head. Super Happy With How The Copper Details Came Out!

    A detailed 3D printed wolf head sculpture with intricate orange Celtic patterns.

    Infinite-Response-75 Report

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    #42

    Mosquito Coil Holder Made Using A 3D Printing Pen

    A purple Weezing-shaped incense burner emitting smoke, created with a 3D printer.

    TRIPYXEN Report

    #43

    I 3D Printed This Tiny Snowman Mold

    A small snowman next to a two-part 3D printer mold on a concrete sidewalk, showcasing human ingenuity.

    Zombiechic80 Report

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    #44

    Friend Made A Luggage Tag With Her 3D Printer

    Hands holding a green luggage tag with a humorous message made using a 3D printer.

    anon Report

    Flat_Alien
    Community Member
    18 hours ago

    ?

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    #45

    My Friend Made This Costume For Dragoncon....with A 3D Printer

    An impressive, fully customized War Machine armor cosplay made using a 3D printer.

    captain8ball Report

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    #46

    My Newest Little World: Lava Lagoon!

    A vibrant 3D printer volcano island playset featuring lava pools and little fire creatures.

    My 3D Mini World Report

    #47

    Printed This Little Dracula Dachshund Today And I’m Obsessed, Such A Cute Design, And My Kid Absolutely Loves It!

    A small 3D printer dog figure in a vampire cape next to a spooky dog house.

    Anna Pavlenko Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    21 hours ago

    Dachula

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    #48

    Kindle Case With Optional Handle

    A hand holding a Kindle with yellow 3D printer accessories in the background.

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    #49

    Customizable Key Holder

    Two red and black pocket-sized key organizers made with a 3D printer.

    unknown Report

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    #50

    New Moon

    A detailed 3D printer moon night light illuminates a dark room with a warm glow.

    LunaticPoint Report

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    16 hours ago

    That is the literal opposite of a new moon, though XD

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    #51

    I Got A 3D Doodler Pen This Weekend. I Instantly Knew What I Had To Do

    A cute ferret on a rug wearing white angel wings created using a 3D printer

    lumpytuna Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    21 hours ago

    I love it, in a mildly disapproving way

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    #52

    Oktoberfest Is Coming And I 3D Printed A Bavarian Hat For My Doggo

    A fluffy corgi wearing a tiny green Tyrolean hat, showcasing clever human ingenuity and a 3D printer.

    theguyonketo Report

    #53

    I Made An Earring Stack Display Stand With Actual Ears, So That I Can See What They Look Like On An Ear

    Artistic earring holder stands shaped like ears created using a 3D printer

    Magali De Blander Report

    nottheactualphoto
    Community Member
    1 day ago

    Actual ears? Where does one get them?

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    #54

    Been Printing Cones For Our Toy Story Themed Halloween Decorations This Year, And They Look Great!

    Two orange cones illuminated with Toy Story shadows made via 3D printer

    thatrussellholly Report

    #55

    Okay This Was So Fun!!

    Detailed 3D printer figures of the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, Max, and a signpost.

    Jessica Wiley Report

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    #56

    Holders

    A rotating green and blue 3D printer carousel holding tea flavor packets.

    Allen Baum Report

    #57

    Playing Cards Dispenser

    A black 3D printer card holder keeping Uno cards organized on a table.

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    #58

    Sofa Hub

    A black 3D printed sofa hub couch organizer holding remote controls on a couch cushion.

    af_inventions Report

    #59

    Ooops, I… Did It Again

    Colorful winter-themed plastic bottles and cups made with a 3D printer

    Georgiana Salcianu Report

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    #60

    I Love This Horse

    A detailed white horse head lamp printed on a 3D printer glowing with a warm orange light

    Tarik EL Hamdi Report

    #61

    Catan Boxe

    A green 3D printer board game organizer case for Catan with neat custom slots.

    Rik van Riswijk Report

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    #62

    My Kid 3D Printed A Tiny Top Hat For Her Pet Rat

    A small dark pet rat wearing a tiny gold top hat made with a 3D printer

    evanFFTF Report

    Bec
    Community Member
    2 hours ago

    Oh look at the little fellow. I can tell he feels pretty.

    #63

    Santa Cam

    A creative elf cam camera ornament made with a 3D printer

    Nikki Cuthbertson Report

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    #64

    Honest Thoughts? Under 1 Year Of 3D Print. These Are My Designs

    A detailed 3D printer creation of praying hands and a wooden-textured cross on a white surface.

    Andrew Hunt Report

    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    13 hours ago

    Not a fan of religious materials but these are well done and appropriate

    #65

    This Set Has Been A Labor Of Love, With Lots Of Test Prints And Tweaking Along The Way, But Seeing It All Come Together Was Completely Worth It!

    An array of 3D printed religious toys on a red tray, showing the potential of a 3D printer.

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    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    Premium
    16 hours ago

    Nothing says "faith" like generic 3D-printed plastic tat.

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    #66

    After Countless Days Of Creating, Editing, Test Printing And Crying Myself To Sleep

    Miniature Chick-fil-A menu items made using a 3D printer, held in a person's hands.

    Frances Jackie Rubenacker Report

    Multa Nocte (she/her 8647)
    Community Member
    Premium
    18 hours ago

    I too would cry if I had to eat at a Chick-Fil-A.

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