You can print quirky ideas inspired by your favorite hobby, or anything that strikes you as interesting or useful. Here is a list of fun fantasy-themed ideas you could bring to life with a 3D printer.
1. Baby Yoda Xmas Bauble
The Mandalorian TV series broke new ground in the Star Wars universe. It was popular for several reasons, including but not limited to the fresh, original characters and the rich storytelling. But, it was the diminutive Baby Yoda, or Grogu, who stole the hearts of most viewers.
With a 3D printer, you can make your very own Baby Yoda Xmas Bauble. This 3D model can be found on Thingiverse, along with thousands of other free 3D models. Have fun printing this model and may the Force be with you.
Note that this print requires 3D printing supports during assembly, so be sure to keep that in mind. You can print the bauble in one or as several parts separately—this allows you to make them in different colors.
Not sure which filament to use for printing? Check out our comparison of PLA and ABS filaments to make your choice easier.
2. Drogon From Game of Thrones
Fans of the original Game of Thrones series will know Drogon, the largest and strongest of Daenerys Targaryen’s three dragons. A 3D-printed Drogon model would make a great gift for any fan of the show, and you could also use it as decoration in your home. This piece is available as a printable whole-body model (a low-poly version and the original, larger version) and as separately printable pieces.
Available from Thingiverse, this 3D model uses supports and may present some challenges if you’re completely new to 3D printing. As well as Thingiverse, there are a number of websites where you can find 3D models available for download.
3. Gollum Bust
J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings was brought to the big screen by Peter Jackson in a trilogy of movies released from 2001 to 2003. The movie series revitalized the fantasy genre and helped long-time Tolkien readers picture their favorite characters from Middle-earth, such as Aragorn, Gandalf, Samwise Gamgee, and Gollum.
If you’re looking for a prop for a quick prank or if you need a Halloween decoration that will knock the socks off your guests, this Thingiverse print will do in a pinch. The model is a 100mm tall bust of Gollum and can be downloaded in low-res and high-res versions.
4. Lord of the Rings Headphone Stand
This headphone stand is an amazing 3D printable design that can be found on the Thangs platform. It features a conical stand that supports a “Lord of the Rings” plaque and a prominent dragon that you can place your headphones around.
This impressive design can be downloaded from Thingiverse. It can be a suitable project for beginners as it requires no printed supports. If you know a die-hard Tolkien fan whose birthday is coming up soon, this could be a thoughtful gift for them. The designer recommends a resolution of 0.28, an infill of 15, and using PLA filament.
5. Stag Crown: Game of Thrones (House Baratheon)
The stag crown should be familiar to fans of the Game of Thrones series. It is the sigil of House Baratheon, one of the Great Houses in Westeros. It was also the crown of Robert Baratheon, the erstwhile King of the Seven Kingdoms.
This 3D representation of the crown was designed by Carlos Plazas and can be found on Thingiverse. Since this crown will be made out of plastic, rather than gold, you can use a paint job to add some of the original’s regalness.
Carlos provides detailed instructions for makers interested in making their own stag crown on the project page. He recommends using supports, an infill of 20%, a resolution of 0.1mm layer height, and acrylic water-based paint for decorating the printed model.
This model is going to take a lot of time to print. If you would like to create a time-lapse video to capture the process, be sure to check out our guide on how to create 3D printing time-lapse videos with Octolapse.
6. Hodor Door Stop
This one is pretty self-explanatory and also quite sardonic. It is also inspired by a Game of Thrones character and could be a bit of a spoiler if you haven’t finished watching the series. This is a simple doorstep model doorstop model that is very popular on Thingiverse and could be a simple first print to test your 3D printer.
If you’re not a fan of the show, Hodor is just a giant man who only says “Hodor.” He has a tragic origin where his mind is scrambled and the last command he receives is all he recounts over and over again.
7. Conan the Barbarian
You might have seen Conan the Barbarian in countless movies, comic books, and novels. If you are looking for a character that single-handedly embodies the low fantasy genre, you needn’t look further than Conan and the chronicles that describe his epic adventures.
There was a successful Conan the Barbarian movie in the 1980s starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. But if you’re interested in bringing this warrior to life, there’s no need for cinematic magic—all it takes is a 3D printer.
This 3D print was created by Geoff W on Thingiverse and is a bust of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his appearance as the Barbarian. The designer recommends using minimal supports to print this model.
8. Assassin’s Creed Hidden Blade (Dual Action)
This 3D printable model is based on the hidden blade from Assassin’s Creed. You won’t be taking any Templars down with this blade, but the design completely replicates the retraction and protraction of the assassin’s weapon.
This project is a bit technical, and you need to be prepared to put in quite some time and effort. The instructions on the Thingiverse project page aren’t very detailed, so your technical resourcefulness should serve you well here. You can see the hidden blade in action in the YouTube video above.
9. Star Wars Clone Trooper Helmet Phase 2
Clone troopers are the genetically engineered soldiers of the Galactic Republic in the Star Wars universe. They can be distinguished from stormtroopers by their distinctive helmet design.
This Thingiverse print allows you to create a Phase 2 Clone Trooper Helmet either for display or cosplay. You might need to make some modifications to the original model, but it makes for a pretty effective Clone Trooper helmet all in all.
10. Harry Potter’s Wand
This is another great item you can use to complete a cosplay. This 3D-printed wand on Thingiverse is lifelike and ornately detailed. It is recommended that you print at 1300% for the actual size. After making this wand, you could also try your hand at another wand (Thingiverse) featured in the Harry Potter series.
3D Print Fantasy Items Into Reality
3D printing is a great way to bring your ideas to life. You can print things that are too expensive to buy or too difficult to make by hand. You can also create models from your favorite movies, TV shows, and video games, as well as your own imagination.
Whether it’s a simple 3D model or something more intricate, these projects are sure to please anyone who loves fantasy-themed items.
