17 Cool 3D Printed Figurines (& Where To Download Them!)
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Figurines and minifigures dominate many a household’s décor. They can represent hobbies, passions, and religious beliefs, or just be a nice addition make a house feel like home. Because they can be so personal, 3D printed figurines have become popular with people who want to personalize their living spaces.
- We also recommend checking out our ranking of the best 3D printers for miniatures.
An important part of decoration is injecting your own personality into your living space. It provides a cozier, more welcome feeling and lets you know you’re home.
Because these figures come in many shapes and sizes, custom 3D printed figurines aren’t always so simple, and the plethora of options available can make it difficult to decide what to include.
Here we’ll look at some of the coolest 3D printed figurines and mini figures, as well as some of the best sites to find them.
My Favorite 3D Printed Figurines
Steamboat Willie
- Download: Cults3D
- Designer: KAYSEA
- Price: $1.10
Steamboat Willie wasn’t just one of the first ever cartoons with sound, it was also the humble beginnings of Mickey Mouse, the world-famous mascot of the multimedia giant, Disney.
This adorable 3D printed figurine of the rascally mouse is a very cute throwback to early cartoons made with 3D printing technology that would have been considered impossible during its debut in 1928. It just goes to show how many possibilities the future holds
Fans of Disney films, or even those who just have a good appreciation for old cinema, will find this a charming 3D printed figurine to add to a collection or display as a nice decoration.
3D Printed Superhero Figurines
Superheroes and villains have dominated popular culture, especially recently. With millions of fans, the various adventures of superpowered (and/or super rich) heroes and villains are common as collectibles, action figures, and figurines.
3D printed figurines of these empowered vigilantes are all over the internet with varying degrees of detailing and usability.
3D Printed Wolverine Figurine
- Download: CGTrader
- Designer: ikixmy3d
- Price: $10.00
While Tim Burton’s Batman and the 1998 Blade adaptation came first, the X-Men films have been called the catalyst for the superhero craze that’s been unavoidable for most of the 21st century.
X-Men’s Wolverine is a fan favorite, noted by his constant appearances and cameos across all X-Men films, and even three spin-offs of his own. This 3D printed Wolverine figurine calls back to the yellow spandex-clad depiction known from the world-famous comics, and made more popular by the early 2000’s cartoon adaptation, X-Men Evolution.
3D Printed Batman Figurines
- Download: CGTrader
- Designer: emanuelsko
- Price: $17.99
Bruce Wayne goes by many names: The Dark Knight, The Caped Crusader, and Defender of Gotham. But no matter what name you know him by, Batman is one of the most famous fictional vigilantes there is.
There are more 3D printed figurines of the world’s greatest detective than there have been adaptations of the knight himself.
Styles range from this 3D printed figure of the more modern Christopher Nolan films, to this incredibly detailed depiction of the lesser-known gun-toting Thomas Wayne iteration from the universe where Bruce himself was the unlucky victim that night in Crime Alley.
If the aforementioned Tim Burton design is more your speed, harken back to the glory days late ‘80s action films with this 3D printed figurine of Michael Keaton’s take on the Dark Knight.
3D Printed Spider-Man Figurine
- Download: Cults3D
- Designer: KAYSEA
- Price: $5.51
One of the most light-hearted superheroes there are, the quick-winging and even quicker witted Spider-Man has been a household name for decades.
No matter your movie preference, Spider-Man’s suit is easily recognizable, and this 3D printed figurine features him in a signature pose that screams cool as loudly as Peter Parker yells his trademark quips. You can even change the color of the paint to make whichever rendition of Peter Parker from across the Spiderverse is your favorite.
3D Printed Action Figures
Not all 3D printed figurines and custom miniatures are stationary decorations, some are articulated and posable to make them more special. With some careful construction, 3D printed custom figurines can be made to pose however you want to use as cool decorations or for action tableaus, or even just things to play with, and here are just a few from which you can choose.
Dexter
- Download: Thingiverse
- Designer: jasonwelsh
- Price: Free
One of the most impressive 3D printed figurines available, this marvelous mannequin, codenamed ‘Dexter’, is an open-source project that has an incredible 70 points of articulation.
The model is largely blank and files are highly modifiable, making this model a great choice for anyone who wants to make a truly custom 3D printed figurine. The designer has even included detailed instructions and tips to make sure Dexter prints exactly as you want.
Dexter stands at an impressive 18’’, and comes with interchangeable parts so creative people can 3D print their own custom 3D printed additions or replacements.
Articulated Action Figures
- Download: Thingiverse
- Designer: thewhingingwizard
- Price: Free
This designer wanted to take a crack at making 3D printed articulated action figures. This simple, unnamed design has 14 points of articulation and can be set to martial arts poses.
Arguably the coolest detail of this 3D printed figurine is its hands, which have been made to a hold a standard sized chopstick. This means they can wield makeshift weapons for a fun action scene!
These 3D printed figurines can be assembled without glue or fasteners, though tools are still required to ensure the models stay together while moving. To use as more traditional 3D printed figurines, though, simply use glue to fasten them into your selected pose.
Cuddling Owls
- Download: Thingiverse
- Designer: mooses
- Price: Free
A break from the more traditional humanoid figurines, these cuddling owls are a cute 3D printed figurine that will look nice and cozy anywhere in your home, from mantlepiece to bookshelf, or as a bedside table ornament.
These owls have been modified since their inception to be watertight and improve slicing.
3D Printed Buddha and Budai Figurines
Due to its values of universal peace and acceptance, Buddhist symbols can be found in many households, and plenty of shops have them available for purchase, regardless of faith. They are known to invite calm and welcome peace of mind, and so are popular as ornaments.
3D printed figurines of the Buddha and Budai are popular for people who want to add a little more zen to their homes, and they come in many varieties, from traditional to humorous.
Traditional Budai Statuette
- Download: Threeding
- Designer: Unknown
- Price: $3.99
Often mislabeled as ‘Buddha’, this highly recognizable 3D printed figurine of the laughing figure is a nice, easy-to-print figurine that has its place in any part of any home.
Buddha Figurine
- Download: MyMiniFactory
- Designer: Scan The World
- Price: Free
The less popular but no less recognizable Siddhartha has been a symbol of Asian culture for centuries, and available here as a 3D printed figurine.
Star Wars and Dalek Buddha Figurines
- Download: Thingiverse
- Designer: tamraz
- Price: Free
These comic spins on the popular image of the ‘Laughing Buddha’ are a humorous way to showcase your fandom in a unique way.
These prints are available as 3D printed figurines depicting Yoda, Darth Vader, and a Storm Trooper in the iconic pose, as well as the cast of Futurama. The villainous Dalek of Doctor Who Fame is also available this zen ornament.
Sonia Verdu
Sonia Verdu is a talented artist who uses 3D printing to create figurines and dolls, and her page is well worth a visit.
Her work in 3D printing covers a variety of styles, from figurines to doll models, and our two favorites are her 3D printed articulated robot characters.
These two designs range from a simple, and adorable, robot miniature to Robotica, the detailed, ball jointed 3D printed figurine with excellent details is something that any sci-fi fan should see. These articulated android figures, amongst some of Verdu’s other work, are available for free.
Verdu’s 3D printed figurines range from dolls to pixie figures, and even fully 3D printed Terminator heads. She even has this adorable tyke named ‘Wip’, as well as these dragon cup decorations.
- You can read our full interview we did with Sonia Verdu here.
Where to Find the Coolest 3D Printed Figurines
3D printed projects are available for free or for sale all over the internet. While many of the simpler models have been released free of charge, many of the more complicated and detailed 3D printed figurine files are for sale.
Here are some of the best places to find your next custom 3D printed figurine project.
Thingiverse
Much like MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse is a place for professional and amateur creators to share their creations and files for others to enjoy.
Thingiverse is a go-to for many designers and builders due to its community-focused structure, which invites all 3D printing aficionados to upload and share their favorite creations.
Thingiverse files for 3D printed figurines are free, and many are highly customizable, making it the ideal site for those who want simple designs without breaking the bank.
Gambody
It’s hard to find a selection of 3D printed figurines files more detailed or varied than on Gambody.com. Its impressive array of models from real life people, videogame characters, movies, and TV makes it a go-to shop for anyone who wants a 3D printed figurine that really turns heads.
Models are available to buy for all kinds of 3D printers and materials. While the STL files can be pricey, offers and exclusive deals are very common, and many of the figurines available are well worth their price.
Just be warned that the more detailed models will be limited by what material types are best suited for them. High-resolution prints won’t be as easily achieved with FDM printing, so you may need to opt for resin to get the kind of detail many of these models boast.
MyMiniFactory
While not as specialized as Gambody, MyMiniFactory hosts custom 3D printed figurines and other builds that cost a little less than the higher-end models.
A simple search is all it takes to find exactly what you want from the thousands of figurines available, and most don’t cost more then $5-$15. Most creators are open to reviews and comments, and many welcome sharing of their prints.
Etsy
Etsy may be better known as one of the more popular online shops for homemade items and unique objects, but a lot of creators have taken to uploading their designs for sale on the platform. You will need to search specifically for STL files, as they’re not easily found amongst other products if you just look generally, but you can still find a lot of cool home-designed figurines to print yourself.
What to Do When You’re Done Printing
Unfortunately, the work doesn’t usually end at printing. For the best results, you’re going to need to post-process your print.
Now that you’ve got a good idea of what kinds of figurines you can make, or maybe even have your files ready to go, you’re going to want to know how clean and polish the print to get your figurine looking smooth and ready for a coat of paint.
Sanding
It’s important to sand your print, especially if you’ve used FDM printing, to get rid of all extra parts that will cling to your printed figurine. After waiting for the model to cool, start with low-grit sandpaper and gradually work your way up to around 600 grit to get your model looking smooth and line-free.
Cure (Resin)
If you’ve used resin, you’ll need to cure it. This process will depend on what kind of resin you’ve used. If you’ve been printing with a water-washable resin, then all you’ll need to do is run it under a tap or submerge it in water to cure it and see those details shine.
For most resins, however, you will need to use either a curing machine, or if you live in a sunny part of the world, simply leave it in direct sunlight for a few hours. Other methods will require alcohol solutions, the best of which will be recommended by your resin’s manufacturer.
Vapor-Smoothing (FDM)
If you’re using FDM printing, there are a few ways to smoothen your figurine out depending on the filaments you’ve used.
For ABS, the most common technique is using acetone vapor to melt the thin lines between the layers and make the model surface smooth.
Other materials will have different methods. If you’ve used PLA, for example, you’ll find all the information you’ll need for polishing your prints in our detailed guide here.
How much does 3D printing a figurine cost?
3D printing a figurine shouldn’t take more than $3-$10 without taking into account the cost of the files should you choose to buy them. Though the expense will vary widely depending on the size of the miniature, how detailed it is, and your chosen materials.
What type of 3D printer is best for figurines?
The best printer to create your figurines will largely depend on how detailed you want them to be. In general, resin printers are ideal for high-resolution miniatures and figurines compared to FDM printers using materials like PLA, though with the right post-processing and paint work, any minifigure can look fantastic.
For more information, you can check out our guide for the best 3D printers for miniatures, as well as our article discussing FDM vs. Resin printing for quality minifigures. If you only have access to an FDM printer, then you might benefit from our guide to the best FDM settings for miniatures too.
Can I sell 3D printed figurines?
If you have downloaded or otherwise sourced the print files from someone else, you are not legally allowed to offer them for sale unless the designer has given expressed permission. If the files are listed as non-commercial, then you cannot sell designs created by someone else to any customers.
If you’re unsure, you can always shoot the creator an email to double-check.
However, original designs are legal to sell provided they don’t already infringe on copyright. While some creators have gotten around this by not directly referencing the IP that inspired the characters, you must be sure that you have the valid licensing rights to your creation before you can attempt to make money from it.
For more information, you can check out our comprehensive guide on the legality of selling 3D printed minifigures.
How long does it take to 3D print a figurine?
Printing time will differ depending on the size and complexity of your figurine. On average, you can expect around 4 hours for a good quality print. Larger figurines or those with particularly complicated details will take more time, though rarely more than a day.
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