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Anyone who owns a 3D printer ends up with a small pile of consumables and tiny tools, and most of them would happily take more. That makes this one of the easier groups to shop for, even on a modest budget. The picks below are the sort of things I think a printer owner will use within the first week, and none of them require knowing which printer the person owns.
How we chose
I looked for gifts that are useful to almost any FDM printer owner, easy to wrap, and affordable without feeling like filler. Filament is the obvious one, but I also wanted tools that make cleanup and measuring easier, since that’s where most people skimp on their own. Prices change often, so check today’s price on each one and decide what fits your budget.
Filament and samplers
Polymaker PolyTerra PLA Filament
If the person you’re shopping for already prints in PLA, a spool from a brand they trust is a safe gift. I wrote about my own experience with the brand in my Polymaker filament review, and I really like how consistent it is. PolyTerra has a matte finish that hides layer lines nicely, so prints look a little more finished straight off the bed.
It’s a great little gift for beginners and experienced printers alike, because it runs well on most machines without much fuss. I think it’s well worth it if you want to give a spool that won’t turn into a troubleshooting project. If the recipient likes painting their prints, my guide to the best filament to paint covers a few other options.
Polymaker PolyTerra PLA Filament — Best for: Anyone with a PLA printer who wants a dependable, good-looking filament
Pros
- Matte finish hides layer lines
- Easy to print on most FDM printers
- Comes in a wide range of colors
Cons
- A single spool means one color only
SUNLU PLA Filament Multicolor Bundle
A sampler is a good way to give a spread of colors without committing to a full kilogram of each. The small spools in this kind of bundle are a nice size for test prints, small figures, keychains, and anything where you want a few colors in one project. It also makes a good stocking stuffer because there’s something to open and look at.
I’d say it’s better suited for someone who likes experimenting rather than someone looking for a big spool to print a large part, though the variety is the whole point. For a budget-friendly gift that feels generous, I think it’s a good value.
SUNLU PLA Filament Multicolor Bundle — Best for: Stocking stuffers and people who like trying new colors
Pros
- Lets the recipient try several colors
- Small spools suit test prints and small projects
- Good stocking stuffer size
Cons
- Small spools run out quickly on big prints
Handy tools for cleanup and finishing
Hakko CHP-170 Micro Cutter
A good pair of flush cutters is one of the first tools a printer owner should have, and a lot of people make do with kitchen scissors or whatever they find in a drawer. This Hakko cutter trims supports, filament ends, and small sprues cleanly, and the spring-loaded handle keeps your hand from tiring on longer cleanup sessions.
It’s a small tool, but it works well for electronics projects too, so it’s useful beyond printing. If you’re also shopping for someone who solders, my best gifts for makers list has more ideas in that direction. I think the price is fair for a tool that gets used constantly.
Hakko CHP-170 Micro Cutter — Best for: Cleaning up supports and trimming small parts
Pros
- Clean flush cuts on supports and filament
- Comfortable spring-loaded grip
- Useful for electronics work too
Cons
- Not meant for thick wire or heavy-duty cutting
Neiko 01407A Digital Caliper
Once someone starts designing their own parts, a caliper becomes necessary pretty quickly. It’s useful for checking a hole before modeling a bracket, measuring a magnet or bearing, or confirming filament diameter when a roll seems off. This one switches between millimeters and inches with a button, which is handy for the usual mix of metric printer parts and imperial hardware.
It isn’t a premium instrument, so it’s better suited for hobby work rather than someone looking for lab-grade accuracy, though for fitting printed parts together it does the job well. For a practical gift it’s a great little choice.
Neiko 01407A Digital Caliper — Best for: Anyone designing their own parts or tuning dimensions
Pros
- Quick, easy measurements for designing parts
- Switches between inches and millimeters
- Handy for checking filament diameter
Cons
- Plastic body feels lighter than premium calipers
Noga BS1010 Deburring Tool
Most prints have a slightly flared first layer or a rough edge on holes, and a deburring tool takes care of both in a few seconds. It’s a simple handheld tool with a swiveling blade, and it’s quick to learn. It also works well on the inside of holes where a hobby knife can slip.
Someone who likes a clean finish will appreciate it, and it’s small enough to fit in a stocking. It takes a little practice to avoid taking off too much, though once you get the feel for it, it’s well worth having on the bench.
Noga BS1010 Deburring Tool — Best for: Finishing edges and cleaning up first-layer flare
Pros
- Quickly removes elephant foot and rough edges
- Works on hole edges and plastic burrs
- Small and easy to keep in a toolbox
Cons
- Takes a little practice to avoid taking off too much
Holiday buying tips
- Decide on a budget first, then pick from there rather than chasing a discount label.
- Check what filament type and diameter the person’s printer uses. Most hobby printers use 1.75mm, but it’s worth confirming.
- If you’re buying filament, a familiar brand and a neutral color are the safest choices.
- Buy early so shipping delays don’t leave you with an empty stocking. Black Friday is Nov 27, Cyber Monday is Nov 30, and Christmas is Dec 25.
- Keep the gift receipt in case the recipient already owns it. If you’re also weighing a bigger purchase, I put together a 3D printer Black Friday guide that may help.
FAQ
What’s a good gift for someone who just got a 3D printer?
A reliable spool of PLA and a pair of flush cutters are a good start. Those two things get used on almost every print, and they don’t depend on which printer model the person has.
Is filament a good gift if I don’t know much about 3D printing?
It can be, as long as you check the diameter and material. Most hobby printers use 1.75mm PLA, so that’s the safest choice. A multicolor sampler is also easy to get right because the variety covers different tastes.
Do I need to know which printer someone owns?
For the tools here, no. Cutters, a caliper, and a deburring tool work with any printer. For filament, it helps to know whether they print only PLA or also use materials that need an enclosure, so stick with PLA if you aren’t sure.
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