3D Printing for a Unique Back-to-School Season

Back to School Is Here Again

Fall is just around the corner, which means it's never too early to start thinking about the Back to School season. And if you own a 3D printer, you'll be pleased to know you can use it to help smooth the transition into the upcoming semester.

For parents, 3D printing offers numerous opportunities to create unique organizational items that will keep kids on track. Students can tap into their individuality with unique 3D-printed dorm-room decor and personalized prints. And for teachers, a 3D printer is a phenomenal teaching tool that engages learners in a way regular lessons can't.

If your plans include 3D printing this back-to-school season, let us help you get started. We've scoured the web to bring you a handful of prints that are sure to make this semester the best ever!

Which 3D Printer Should You Use?

Any 3D printer will work with these prints. But our pick is the AnkerMake M5C. It's a great choice for parents, students, and teachers alike. It's also crazy fast, and the print quality is well beyond what you'd expect for the price. Maybe that's why M5C received an Editor's Choice award from Tom's Hardware in 2023. That said, on to the good stuff!

Personalized Stationary Prints

An organized student is a good student, and there are countless stationary-themed 3D printable models available to help. Many of these models can be customized to fit a student's personal style. With a little slicer magic, you could even add names or personalized images to your favorite designs.

If you're looking for a minimalist pen, marker, and ruler holder, this stationary organizer by MaverickTse is a good place to start. Inspired by the quantum mechanics concept of atomic orbitals, this pen holder keeps all of your writing utensils together with a subtle scientific twist.

For an organizer that's a bit more substantial, this pen holder by Tecknishin has four jumbo compartments and three oversized pen slots to hold larger-diameter pens. It's perfect for a wide array of colored pencils and other drawing implements.

This hyperboloid pen holder by stuffperson will excite any math or geometry student. It's got space to support sixteen pens or pencils, and it looks pretty cool while doing it. The hyperboloid shape of its design has been used all over the world for building observation towers, nuclear reactors, and even the Canton Tower in China!

Double-Duty Dorm Room Decor

Students and teachers will love individualizing their spaces with these easy prints. Take this Flower Decor print by Milinje, for example. It's both understated and surprisingly detailed. If you're looking for a way to bring a little beauty into your space, this print has you covered.

Searching for a way to hang your sticky notes, and make a statement? Why not print this simple sticky note hanger by Tosh. It's super cute, and with a single thumbtack, you can hang your sticky notes just about anywhere. 

This anatomy-themed Spine pen holder by Pirate_The_Captain was made using actual CT scans of human cervical vertebra. Biology or medicine students will love its anatomical accuracy and its creepy coolness.

Finally, this Pencil Bench print by Ricki Li is an artistic way to store colored pencils. Simple to print and serene, this is a piece of desktop art that is sure to start conversations.

Learning Aids

And speaking of biology, if you'd like to teach your students about the human eye, this Eye Teaching Tool by soonoman offers an expanded view of the eye's individual components. Designed specifically for instructional use, this print is a hands-on way to further student's understanding.

Practical Prints

For the college student who can't live without coffee, a coffee sleeve like this one from sethmoser is both practical and inspiring. This sleeve is designed to replace those boring cardboard sleeves that seem to come with your morning latte. Each print is also reusable and there are a few customization options available to match your student's personal style.

This industrial-looking phone stand from user stoneck is a bit of a classic model, but will likely appeal to engineering students and those wanting a more minimalistic aesthetic for their desktop. It also keeps your phone off your desk in case of spills.

Just for Fun

If you feel like making something fun to prank your friends, then this UselessBox print by ericthepoolboy is both silly and a great way to learn about incorporating servos into your 3D prints. When you flip the switch, a door opens, and a plastic arm toggles the switch back to its original position.

Or, why not trick your classmates with these fake wallplate models by Rask. Print them out and with a little double-sided tape, you can stick them on any surface. When your friends go looking for an outlet and they find these instead, you're sure to get a giggle.

Finally, using 3D printing and a little electrical engineering, you can craft this Secret Beeper byIZlabs. It's a neat little toy that will absolutely annoy classmates and family members. More importantly, though, it will teach you what goes into designing and building your own small electronic projects.

Make Back to School the Best With 3D Printing

This back-to-school season, parents, teachers, and students can benefit from a plan that includes 3D printing. With fun 3D printed projects, 3D printed learning aids, and even a few 3D organizational items, this semester can not only be fun, but also it can also spark inspiration in an entirely new generation of makers.