If you’re just getting into 3D printing or you’re looking for something a little different, kit cards are a great option. If you’ve built things like conventional model airplanes, chances are you’ve used these before. Simply pop the pieces out of the card, snap or glue them together, and you’re ready to go!
The great part about a kit card is that it’s easy to print because it’s an essentially 2D model with no supports needed. So break out that filament, as you’re probably going to want to print all 10 of these kit card models today!
If you see a kit and you don’t have the means or desire to print it yourself, check out Craftcloud by All3DP. With a range of materials and finishes, you can get the model you want delivered right to your door, ready for assembly or gifting.
Without further ado, let’s see those kits!
Da Vinci Catapult
This Da Vinci catapult is a unique print that’s a blast to make but even more fun to play with! It’s also a great model for kids because it snaps together easily with just a bit of wire.
The creator says they managed to print this kit card in about three hours in PLA at a 0.2-mm layer height and 25% infill. (You’ll get bonus points if you use wood PLA for a more realistic look!)
- Who designed it? bribro12
- How printable/popular is it? 79 makes, combined from both sites, show this design’s popularity!
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse
Dog
Dogs are cute! If you want one but don’t have the space, time, or possibility to give one a home yet, one (or a few) of these might just help you get by. Or it could be a great hint of what’s to come if you’re planning on bringing one home and want to let the kiddos or partner know!
While the creator didn’t share any printing tips, PLA should do the trick just fine, with some makers sharing that they opted for a 0.2-mm layer height.
- Who designed it? fixumdude
- How printable/popular is it? 42 cute makes have been shared so far.
- Where to find it? Printables
TIE Fighter
While this TIE Fighter might not be as fast as the Millennium Falcon or some X-Wings you printed, it’ll still look great in your collection.
As with the others on this list, you may need to make adjustments or use glue to assemble it. This model was printed with 0.2-mm layer height, but the creator says it may fit together better if you reduce that value. It’s also recommended to adjust the print speed to 30 mm/s.
- Who designed it? fixumdude
- How printable/popular is it? A whopping 156 makes have been shared on all sites combined.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse, Printables
Motocross Dirtbike
This motocross bike is safe to play with and won’t get your clothes dirty!
The model should snap together, but you might need to be patient in assembly, depending on your printer’s accuracy. Calibration beforehand is always a good idea.
- Who designed it? Ryoma1492
- How printable/popular is it? There are 3 posted makes of this bike, while the file has been downloaded over 1,000 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
NCC-1701 Enterprise
Trekkies rejoice! Now you can carry the Enterprise in your wallet! This NCC-1701 model should snap together easily. If you’re a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation, you might also consider printing off the NCC-1701-D in card format as well!
The creator printed their Enterprise at a 0.2-mm layer height in PLA and says the parts fit perfectly together.
- Who designed it? Nakozen
- How printable/popular is it? Around 70 users have made this model, though you may need a bit of glue to assemble it, depending on your results.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Touring Bike
If you’re thinking of making something for a cyclist you know, but can’t decide what to print, consider this neat little piece. This model doesn’t roll like a real bike, but it sure looks cool. It even has a plate you can add your name to or the name of your business!
This model was made to be printed in ABS or PLA (you’ll want to use a pre-heated bed if using ABS). You could use gold filament as the designer did or a metal filament. It’s also recommended to use glue to hold the pieces together.
- Who designed it? CyberCyclist
- How printable/popular is it? An incredible 218 makes and 9 remixes have been shared of this bike.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Gingerbread House
This is a card that’s too cute – and useful! – to leave behind. Whether you’re looking to add small decorative details to the Christmas table or you don’t have space for a larger design but still want to have some holiday cheer, this gingerbread house will add a festive touch to any setup.
As can be seen from the image, a color change is expected. Originally designed for a pause-at-height take, the creator has also included a version without the icing (should you want to add a creative touch yourself), or the model can always be printed in the same color with the highlights painted over. There are also options without the message and without the frame, so you really can find the one that’ll work best for your setup!
- Who designed it? Nakozen
- How printable/popular is it? Around 350 festive makes have been shared, with a fun variety of color combinations.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
MiG-29 Fulcrum
This Russian MiG-29 is a plane that isn’t plain at all! Its sleek look is accurately captured in this kit card. With an optional hanging loop, you can display this fighter jet stationary or hanging.
The creator printed this kit at a 0.2-mm layer height in PLA. There’s an extra 0.2-mm tolerance in each slit, so if it’s loose, glue should do the trick. If it’s too tight, the designer says to look for elephant’s foot on the bottom of the print and cut it out with a knife.
- Who designed it? Nakozen
- How printable/popular is it? There are 76 makes of this cool fighter combined from both sites.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Christmas Reindeer
If the gingerbread house from before isn’t enough and you’re looking for stocking stuffers that people will love but don’t want to break the bank, consider this reindeer model. Because it also functions as a Christmas card, you can send these out to family and friends, who will surely enjoy a 3D holiday gift hiding in their mail. You’ll have to print the sleigh and bells separately though!
The creator of this model suggests 100% infill and warns that you’ll want to print the base layer slower, to avoid it lifting off the print bed. In addition, files are available to make this with a laser cutter.
- Who designed it? tone001
- How printable/popular is it? 121 Thingiverse users have printed and shared their takes of this model.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Wind-Up Car
This model is totally 3D printed, which isn’t so unusual for a kit card, but it is quite unusual for a wind-up toy car!
Though this car is really cool right off the print bed, you could experiment with materials and designs and race them. This wind-up car is a neat print that’ll provide plenty of fun for all ages.
- Who designed it? Bribro12
- How printable/popular is it? An incredible 307 Thingiverse users have made this model, though you might need to make adjustments and try a few prints to get the parts to fit properly.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
License: The text of "3D Printed Kit Card: 10 Quick Models to Print & Assemble" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.