Did you ever make a cosplay prop from a mix of fibreglass and resin and cardstock? How about glueing together cosplay armor with wood glue?
I must as well. Although it is fun, it does require some DIY ingenuity due to the time-intensive nature of it. You can create a costume and prop more efficiently now. Introducing 3D printing!
The printing of cosplay costumes and accessories requires specific considerations to ensure your design becomes a reality.
In this article, we will learn about some of the top 6 the best 3D printer for cosplay, after more than 10 hours of tinkering and research.
The following are my top six picks. Be sure that the 3D printer is capable of what you expect from it before buying it.
1. Creality CR-10S
If you are considering DIY options, a printer is always an option. The same goes for cosplay. The Creality CR-10S comes mostly assembled for a 3D printer kit, despite the fact that it’s marketed as one.
Cosplay 3D printers can be expensive, but this printer offers a lot of power and features. First, let’s talk about what’s left. It could probably print an elephant on this 3D printer because its build volume is so large!
There’s only one problem: you’re selling resolution for build volume. Despite the print resolution not being the best, it is good enough if you are 3D printing large items that don’t matter how smooth the final product is. Your cosplay can always be sanded for a more rounded look.
Next, consider the speed of this 3D printer. Indeed, it is among the fastest available in its world. You should order the cosplay helmets in advance because they can take 1-2 days to print.
In addition, keep in mind that Creality printers are notorious for their stubbornness. It may be necessary to troubleshoot the printer’s bed leveling and bed adhesion issues. The printer may be an excellent introduction to 3D printing.
Our printer is a really affordable one, of course. It is clear that the price will make a big difference if they design and work out these issues.
Props like Iron Man helmets and swords can’t be printed at will. We choose this as the best value 3D printer for cosplay because it has the largest print volume.
Pros
- Affordability
- Strongly constructed
- A large number of builds
- The ability to print 3D objects quickly
Cons
- Heats up slowly in bed
- Inks have a hard time adhering to the bed
2. Prusa I3 MK3S
A 3D printer of this quality is undoubtedly the best of its kind.
There are dedicated forums for sharing ideas and resolving rare technical issues in the Prusa 3D printing community, one of the largest and most helpful. These issues are rare due to the printers’ quality.
In order to build a clean, reliable, and powerful machine, Prusa devotes its time and resources to it.
It’s true. Hundreds of companies develop their own 3D printers based on the i3.
A Who would want to emulate a printer that the world loves? Why should they?
Among the fastest printers on this list, it has excellent print detail. Cosplay enthusiasts will be thrilled by this printer. Due to the smaller volume, you will be building fewer units in comparison to the CR-10S. Therefore, we recommend taking measurements of your cosplay pieces.
Slic3r, a program which performs slicing, is also integrated with Prusa. Prusa drives a Porsche, if you are unfamiliar with this jargon. There is no better slicer program than Slic3r. Using the i3 MK3S makes printing a breeze. This machine is available as a kit that has to be assembled or as a preassembled version.
When it comes to 3D printing, if you’re serious about it, you will eventually have to build your own printer. Understanding the machine’s operation and troubleshooting it in depth helps you get the most out of it.
If you order a i3 MK3S, you’ll be getting a very robust system with few chances of anything going wrong. All components are carefully designed to work together. Another good thing is that it’s absolutely free to use. So, if something fails, you can 3D print a replacement!
Pros
- Leveling of the bed automatically
- A simple LCD screen makes it easy to read
- Good consistency in prints
- The assembly manual includes step-by-step instructions
- Slic3r compatible
Cons
- Assembled
- Startup problems: troubleshooting
3. Dremel Digilab 3D45
This 3D printer from Dremel Digilab is another solid pick for cosplay. You know the one. Dremel manufactures rotary tools and 3D printers in the 21st century. Because it has the smallest build volume among these options, you should keep that in mind if you plan to take on big projects.
A full enclosure is also present, as well as a futuristic design. Because it is enclosed, you will be able to maintain a better temperature and you can print ABS without having to worry about breathe-in fumes.
As the exhaust air is filtered through carbon, it is safe for use inside small, unventilated rooms.
Cosplay fans will find it easy to use. You can monitor your prints with the camera, have a big touch screen on it, and it even levels itself. Plug the printer in, play around for a little while, and then you’re ready to print.
A print can be made by simply hitting the “go” button and leaving the room. So simple!
Using one of Dremel’s filaments will allow the machine to automatically adjust all settings based on the material. In fact, the machine is intended to be used in classrooms, which indicates how easy and user-friendly it is.
You don’t have to worry about troubleshooting if you are willing to pay a little extra. The X-Max is best suited to large sized cosplay props.
Pros
- Screens with touchscreens
- Bed leveling using a semi-autonomous system
- A camera integrated into the system
- Exhaust air filters that contain carbon
- User-friendly
- Low troubleshooting requirements and reliable high-quality printouts
Cons
- A lot of money
- Volume built into the device is smaller
4. QIDI TECH X-Max
QIDI TECH, a company known for little-known 3D printers, has hit the jackpot with the X-Max. Research and development is important to them, and they like to push the industry and push new developments.
Its badass name is just the beginning, though. Not a number, not a long name, not a code. From their “X” series printers, this one pushes the limits.
In this list of 3D printers for cosplay, the build volume is the second largest. This printer also has a decent resolution. This is great news for cosplay enthusiasts as they will have less time to spend finishing and touching up prints.
The enclosed 3D printer you get for around $1,500 looks sleek, futuristic and is ideal for cosplay. It is quite easy to turn this printer into an open printer by “dropping the top” even if you aren’t a big fan of totally enclosed printers.
In addition to its other features, what other features does the X-Max possess?
Simple operation is made easier with a 5-inch touchscreen.
WiFi is also available on this 3D printer.
You can print from any location on the globe if you have access to WiFi. If you’re lazy like me, or constantly on the go, you’ll especially appreciate this feature.
In addition to its interchangeable extruders and dual-zone print bed that I know of, this 3D printer also offers interchangeable extruders.
The print bed and one extruder are optimized for flexible filaments at low temperatures. For filaments that will be hot and abrasive, the other is designed. Playing with filaments can be a lot of fun!
There is no doubt that this is a great 3D printer at an attractive price, which can compete with industrial-grade machines.
This 3D printer is a good option if you desire an affordable, easy-to-use, reliable, easy-to-operate, and high-quality machine.
Pros
- Volume is large
- Creates reliable prototypes
- Remote printing via WiFi
- Filter cleaning
- A lot quieter than usual
- The bed is great!
- Enclosed completely
- Exchangeable extruders
Cons
- The printer prints slowly
- There can be a lack of quality in the final product
- This is a large area Bulky
- Some people find it expensive
5. Monoprice Maker Select PLUS
As another great cosplay option, the Monoprice Maker Select PLUS has tons to offer. It is naturally reliable given that it uses the same drives and skeleton.
You can use this model simply by following the written instructions, since it has a touchscreen. Plus, it has a touchscreen, which is unusual for a budget printer. It also enables the printing of a wide variety of filaments thanks to the aluminum heated bed.
Yes, the build volume is small in comparison to the other cosplay 3D printers on this list. That said, it still offers a reasonable build volume.
They said that from the time the box was opened until they printed their first image, the process took less than an hour. They received an instruction manual, making the process simple.
It saves on your wallet, is easy to use, delivers great prints, and does not require a lot of troubleshooting for cosplayers.
Pros
- Printer at an affordable price
- Setup is simple
- User-friendly
- Heat-treated aluminium bed
- It is a pleasure to print
Cons
- Irritating
- Others are faster than you
- Other printers have a better community
- Parts of the book are becoming sparser and sparser
6. Lulzbot TAZ 6
The brand Luzbot creates a selection of workhorse printers. TAZ 6 is no different from any other workhorse. My first 3D printer was the Lulzbot, which left a lasting impression on me. It’s hardworking and reliable just like all of their other printers.
With the end-fed filament, there is less that can go wrong, since it’s fed directly into the hotend. A wide bed makes troubleshooting and fixing problems quick and easy. Linear rails and steppers that don’t fail make this machine a very strong machine.
Lulzbot has provided the exact opposite comment to what we said in our earlier section praising the Prusa i3 MK23 slicer software. It is one of the worst slicer software packages available. This will not affect your print quality or make using the machine more difficult. In the case of designing your own 3D-printed parts for cosplay, you will simply run into problems.
Prints look great on this bed, because it is like a fly trap. After I realized the benefits of a scraper, I was able to remove parts without breaking them. It will automatically clean the nozzle, so you can print great cosplay prints again and again. By automatically calibrating and adjusting the bed, any levels related errors will be eliminated.
There is a clean and easily readable screen on the device. The 2.85 mm (sometimes referred to as 3mm) filament diameter is another big plus.
The best thing about TAZ 6 is its sheer size (it is the 3rd largest print volume in this cosplay list). This printer is also incredibly fast and has great resolution. It passes all three tests.
As long as you can afford the price tag, this is an excellent option for anyone who wants the best 3D printer for cosplay.
Pros
- Nozzle that automatically cleans itself
- Strong and durable
- Exceptionally well-designed
- User-friendly
- An autocalibration system that is reliable
- The bed is great!
Cons
- A lot of money
- Using a slicer is not ideal
What are the advantages of 3D printing for cosplay?
How can you put together a cosplay without a machine shop or woodshop? With makeup, outfits, and foam, you can only do so much. 3D printing for cosplay has started to gain traction as a terrific tool for this industry.
But why?
Dressing up as your favorite character is part of cosplay. This involves feeling as if you are the character. Have you ever noticed that when you dress like a businesswoman, you feel like a businesswoman?
What do you wear to emulate Bucky, the Winter Soldier? It’s just a matter of taking off your arm and picking up an awesome cybernetic prosthesis, right?
I guess that’s one option. 3D printing is another option.
Cosplay is a fantastic use of 3D printing since you can print so many different items. Color, material, and shape can all be printed on items. Essentially, 3D printers can print anything you design as long as they are big enough and your printer is big enough.
Find out which features are important when you’re choosing the right 3D printer for cosplay and armor making.
Features To Consider For A 3D Printer For Cosplay
3D printers have about a hundred different features you can focus on. After experimenting with various features, I concluded which ones fit the project at hand. For cosplaying, there are two really important features:
- Build volume, and
- Resolution
There are also a dozen other features that are going to come in handy.
Build Volume
It measures the size of the part you can print on a 3D printer. In other words, what’s the biggest cuboid (3D rectangle) you can print? 3D printer companies are polite, though. They realize we aren’t all math whizzes, so they give us the build volume in 3 dimensions.
A printer’s spec sheet might read something like “Build volume: 10 inches x 8 inches x 6 inches”. If you’re following along at home, this means you can print a cuboid that’s 10 inches wide, 8 inches long, and 6 inches tall. That’s the biggest shape.
If you want to print a part that’s 11 x 10 x 10, then this printer will not work for you. Of course, there are ways to design around this constraint, but let’s not overcomplicate things, okay?
To recap; the best feature of your 3D printer for cosplay? Your printer’s build volume needs to be big enough to print the part you want. Your Winter Soldier cosplay might wind up looking like a T-Rex if your printer is undersized.
Resolution
The next most important 3D printer feature for cosplaying is resolution.
Now, this concept is more technical but let’s keep it simple. 3D printers have a specific resolution. Compare this to the resolution of a picture you might see online. We can all agree that a 480p picture looks a lot different than a 4K picture.
Just like the pixels in that picture, a 3D printer has limits to its resolution.
A 3D printer with high resolution can print a beautifully rounded sphere. A 3D printer with low resolution will print a sphere that looks like it came from Minecraft.
For more professional-looking cosplays, you’re going to want to lean towards the higher-resolution printers. They will create more rounded and realistic-looking shapes and curves. This matters a lot. I mean, unless you’re cosplaying as a Creeper, I guess.
The problem with high resolution?
High sticker price. Of course.
But the difference between high and low printer resolution is the difference between a Groot cosplay and a Plank cosplay. There’s a bit of a balancing act to find a 3D printer for cosplay with a quality resolution at a reasonable price. Don’t worry, we cover this in our product reviews.
Filament Types
For reference, “filament” is another word for the type of material you can print with.
Common filaments are PLA, ABS, and Nylon – but there are so many more! Did you know there’s a wood-grain PLA filament that actually looks like wood when the print is finished? Imagine how your Groot cosplay will look when you use that bad boy.
There’s also a glow-in-the-dark line of filaments that would be great for a Cheshire Cat cosplay. Or carbon-fiber-infused filaments for your Genji cosplay. You can start to imagine all the different options as you scroll a list of filament types.
The problem is that some 3D printers for cosplay can’t print certain filament types. Hot-end, or the extruder, is important because it determines how hot a device can get. A higher max temp for an extruder means you can print more types of filaments. If your printer limits the type of filaments you can use, it also limits the types of cosplay you can perform.
Ease Of Use
This is a little harder to quantify and the specs won’t tell you a good story of how easy it is to use the printer. You can learn more about how easy a printer is to use by talking to people who own the printer, reading reviews online, or using the printer on your own.
Ultimately, you want a 3D printer for cosplay that’s easy to use so you’re not spending unnecessary time troubleshooting and fixing the printer.
Conclusion
You’re a cosplayer and you want the best 3D printer for cosplay for your own props and costumes. Look at all the choices you have!
First, you have to consider what size items you’ll be printing. The build volume will limit how big you can go. Your Hulk cosplay won’t be so Incredible if all of the pieces have to be shrunk down to fit your printer.
The next important feature is the resolution. If you’re making a lot of rounded and curved features, you’ll want to go for a printer with a low number for its resolution value. Finally, you’ll want to take a look at how easy the printer is to use, and how many different types of filaments you can print using it. You don’t want to buy a 3D printer for cosplay and realize that it doesn’t print the type of material you want.
Lastly, you also have to make sure the printer fits in your budget. At the end of the day, anyone of these printers is great for 3D printing cosplay, and you’ll be happy with any of the options you pick.
