Sometimes, going back to school is a little daunting, especially after a good and well-spent vacation. Usually, this is around the time when you start looking for new supplies. However, that doesn’t mean you have to follow the same old routine and buy everything.
In this article, we present 30 great DIY designs that will help you get ready for the upcoming school year. Whether you’re looking for unique pencil cases, things to organize your papers, accessories for your desk, or fun learning aids, we’ve got something for everyone!
If you like any of the designs but can’t print anything at the moment, try Craftcloud! With a great selection of materials and finishes from a wide variety of professional printing services, you’ll be able to order prints that fit both your budget and preferences.
And now, let’s check out those designs!
For Pens & Pencils
Writing is essential! Let’s check out some options to keep your pens and pencils organized.
Hyperboloid Pen Holder
Sometimes, you need more than a simple “pot” to hold your pencils and pens. If you do any artistic work or design, you know that having the colors organized helps a lot with the task, not to mention that it’s very satisfying to have everything in its place.
The standard size holds 16 pencils with a diameter of 8 mm, but it’s possible to adjust the size when scaling the model. When changing the size, just be careful not to create angles that cross the pens. You can make this model with 20% infill according to the instructions.
- Who designed it? stuffperson
- How printable/popular is it? This fun stand has 27 makes and an impressive 89 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Skull Pencil Holder
Having a tidy desk is the best way to prevent things from getting lost in a mess. But that doesn’t necessarily require you to buy traditional boxes and cases. This beautiful model, in addition to organizing your environment, also decorates it with a modern and elegant design.
This is a beautiful remix that, at first, may seem difficult to make, but there are some important tips in the instructions to help you print it. Best of all, neither infill nor supports are needed. The design was tested on a Creality Ender 3 Pro and takes an average of 90 minutes to make.
- Who designed it? philnelson
- How printable/popular is it? With 937 makes and 17 remixes, this stylish pencil holder is a very popular option.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Pencil Extender
Nothing wears out expensive crayons like art lessons. Eventually, they get to the point where there’s still enough to draw on, but you can’t hold it in your hand anymore. And throwing them away is a waste.
So, stop wasting money throwing tips away! Here’s a tool that will help you get the most out of your pencils and crayons. In the comments, there’s a response from the designer that indicates that the cleat can be placed by tightening the ends in the grooved part.
- Who designed it? by spooner2011
- How printable/popular is it? At least, 10 makers are getting the most out of their pencils. Additionally, there are a couple of remixes that take a different approach.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Solo Finger Pen
Regular pens are so last year. Take interesting (and eye-catching) notes with the Solo Finger Pen! Assemble the pieces, add the inside of a ballpoint pen, and you too can write in style. In addition to being fun, this model can help someone who has reduced mobility to write.
To assemble this design, you’ll also need a basic flexible “BIC” pen load and four 10-mm M3 screws with washers. In terms of printing, 25% infill and 3 shells are recommended. Support is mandatory to guarantee quality.
- Who designed it? WorksBySolo
- How printable/popular is it? This novel writing tool has 27 makes as well as a remix.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Pencil Cases Collection
We’ve already got you covered with pencil holders that you can place on your desk. But you’ll probably need a pencil case to carry from class to class. Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered, too. These cases are really cool and easy ways to store your pens, pencils, and even brushes.
You don’t need supports to print these designs, and it makes a great gift option for a friend. In an update, the designer included a version for printers with a height limit of 150 mm. Check it out, and choose your favorite design!
- Who designed it? 3DPrintBunny
- How printable/popular is it? Across the six different designs, there are 10 makes.
- Where to find it? Printables
For Papers & Books
These designs are for those of you who are not in the radically anti-paper camp and can appreciate the touch and smell of an actual book in the hand.
Paper Cutter
Cutting papers and other materials with school scissors can sometimes cause accidents, and we don’t want our little ones hurt, do we? With this simple and practical accessory, you’ll also be able to easily cut papers without any danger to your fingers.
The designer’s first model was a bit thicker and chewed up paper, but adjustments have been made, and now, you can also enjoy different blades. There’s a video demonstrating the first model and the most current one.
- Who designed it? mishkin2
- How printable/popular is it? With 15 makes, there are at least 150 fingers that are singing the praises of this model.
- Where to find it? Printables
Page Holder
So simple, yet so useful. Whether it’s a textbook or a novel, reading just got a whole lot easier. Imagine all the things you can do with your newly freed hand. Taking notes, drinking coffee – the possibilities are endless!
Making this model is really simple, fast, and easy. If you orient the hole up, you won’t even need supports, but depending on your printer’s build surface, you may want to consider using a brim for better bed adhesion. In the comments, there are valuable tips on how to resize the model to better fit your thumb.
- Who designed it? Cruele
- How printable/popular is it? With 119 makes and 3 remixes, rest assured that it’ll be easy to make your own.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Owl Bookmark
Usually, you don’t have enough time to finish the whole book at once, so you need to mark your place. Instead of folding down the page corners, why not use this owl bookmark? This will not only help you remember where you were, but it will also look really nice!
As the model consumes only about 10 g of material, you can even print this owl with that little bit of filament left at the end of the spool. With a novelty filament, you can give your new helper an even more stunning look.
- Who designed it? faberdasher
- How printable/popular is it? Simple and easy, 35 makers have already printed this design.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Portal Bookend
Page holders and bookmarks are great when you’re reading something, but what about when you’re not? Keep your collection organized with these beautiful bookends! If you’re a fan of the game, it’s also an excellent piece to decorate your bookshelf.
You don’t need a 3D printer that does multi-material or multicolor printing to make this model because it can be printed in parts and then assembled.
- Who designed it? humberto (original design from imaterialise)
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 51 makes and 7 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Paper Clips
Everyone needs paper clips to hold loose sheets of paper, but ordinary paper clips are so boring. Why not spice things up a bit? This minimalist design is very easy to print, and you can have fun with different colors, which could also make them useful for sorting purposes.
As you’ll spend almost nothing on material, you can try to make one of these with any piece of filament you have or even do a small test when putting a new filament in the printer.
- Who designed it? 3DP_Park
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 12 shared makes. The 38 remixes are a testament to how easy it is to customize these clips however you wish.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Binder Helper
Even if you’re interested in controlling chaos, sometimes you just can’t help but fall into it. You throw pages into folders without thinking about it, only to have them fall out or get lost. To make sure you don’t misplace anything, use this DIY back-to-school design to keep everything in place.
These binder helpers can be used to secure your sheets tightly or as a flap-out label if you attach them upside down – which would be very helpful if the original labels get lost or damaged. Just stick a Post-It note or another sticky label on the binder helper’s tab, and that’s it, you’ll have a sturdy label.
- Who designed it? ChargedNeuron
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 134 downloads, and at least one paper lover has made it.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Sets
Sometimes, you’ll need a few good prints to create a useful set for learning.
Magnetic Braille Cells
Reading and writing is not the same for everyone. One of the coolest things 3D printing can do is give someone who is visually impaired the freedom to make their own words. These magnetic Braille cells do just that!
To assemble this set, you’ll need 3-mm spherical magnets which are placed into designated side pockets. Although the designer includes printable pins, they recommend using 5-mm shelf pins instead. The designer argues that they provide better tactile feedback.
Several different sizes of the Braille cells are available, but the designer is available to make other sizes if requested.
Magnetic Periodic Table
Chemistry is a subject that’s challenging for many, so anything that can help with learning is very welcome. This design creates a tactile version of the periodic table as a series of magnetic tiles. You can make a game out of it, and assign points or rewards for learning the elements.
Each tile has a slot for inserting a 9 x 2 mm circular magnet. Even without a multi-material or multicolor printer, you can print the colored parts like the one pictured above, thanks to slicers “Pause at height” settings.
- Who designed it? jfedor
- How printable/popular is it? This set has 114 downloads and just one make so far.
- Where to find it? Printables
French Curves
Here’s another set that’s cheaper to print than to buy in a store. With a few layers, you’ll have a set of ellipse, hyperbola, and parabola curves perfect to help you to draw graphs for math class or creative designs in your art period. The designer didn’t recommend a material, but you could give this a try in a transparent filament.
- Who designed it? xprees
- How printable/popular is it? This set has been download over 160 times, and one make has been shared.
- Where to find it? Printables
Drafting Set
Geometry and drawing classes often require some tools that, in the past, were only possible to find in a store. Now, you can do it at home without spending much of anything – saving both cash, gasoline, and your nerves when going to stores. This set contains all the basics you’ll need: a compass, protractor, ruler, and other nifty tools. In the case of the ruler, you’ll find up to four different scales that help a lot with technical drawing.
Even though the makes favor classic white and black, you could print these models in a colored material, adding to the joy of math class!
- Who designed it? asbeg
- How printable/popular is it? This drafting set has six shared makes as well as a couple of remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Desk Essentials
Your desk is where everything happens, and being well-equipped and organized makes all the difference. Check out the following prints to make that happen.
Laboratory Bench Organizer
This organizer is a good choice to keep your lab space in order. In addition to being expensive, test tubes, vials, and other delicate equipment can be dangerous if left unattended. This laboratory bench organizer has a spot for everything, keeping supplies well within sight.
The design is modular, meaning you can make adjustments or improvements as needed. To make sure the blocks fit smoothly together, the designer recommends a well calibrated printer and printing a small block to test the fit. Some modifications to flow rate may be necessary, depending on how it fits.
- Who designed it? vsaggiomo
- How printable/popular is it? At least nine makers are enjoying a tidy lab space.
- Where to find it? Printables
Articulating LED Lamp
Some of us are night owls. Whether due to procrastination or because we’re at our best under the moonlight, many people do their homework at night. Which means, there’s a need for light!
This lamp design won the Instructables Plastics contest and has gone through many improvements and variations since it was originally released. The designer provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to build the lamp on Instructables, and the 3D models are available from a variety of repositories.
If you up the wattage on the light, you might want to print this design with a heat-resistant filament to prevent the plastic from deforming or melting.
- Who designed it? igorF2
- How printable/popular is it? With 83 makes and 88 remixes, this very cool design is definitely printable.
- Where to find it? Instructables, Thingiverse
Caffeine Molecule Coaster
You might think this design is simply a coaster, but think again. First, it reminds you to get your coffee. Then, it supports your study fuel. And finally, it helps prepare you for your next chemistry test. These three useful features make this model more than just an adornment.
The model also has a pedagogical element. It would make for a nice high school exam question, such as what is the weight of this molecule or where is the hydrogen?
- Who designed it? ejo60
- How printable/popular is it? At least 59 makers have shown that they can’t get enough of caffeine, regardless of the form it takes! Six remixes reimagine the initial model.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Stackable Hex Drawers
So, you’ve 3D printed all of your school supplies and now need a place to put them! It’s easier done than said with these stackable hex drawers. The beauty of these containers is that you can print as many as you need and stack them according to the available space!
You can experiment with making them colored or in a specific pattern. Either way, it will be simple to fit them together and increase the quantity if necessary. Among the printing tips, the designer indicated that supports are not necessary and the model can be done with 5% infill.
- Who designed it? O3D
- How printable/popular is it? This popular design has 185 makes and 68 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Articulated Desk Lamp
Lighting is a very important part of studying, not just for comfort but also for the health of your eyes. If your table is not very big, it may be difficult to find a lamp that doesn’t overwhelm the space you have. Some lamps can be quite expensive as well. It would be better to simply print your own!
This lamp model is made from simple hinged parts, so you can build it to any size you like. To complete the lamp, you’ll only need an LED tap light, wires, and a button. This is a great opportunity to test your maker skills.
- Who designed it? Luca.parmegiani
- How printable/popular is it? The design has been downloaded over 10,300 times, and there’s one posted community print.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Sticky Note Hanger
A pad full of sticky notes is always nice to have around, but what if you’re short on desk space? Thanks to this easy-to-print hanger, you don’t need any! Simply slide the pad through the hanger, then you’re good to go.
The only thing you’ll need besides your Post-it notes and the hanger is a pin to secure it to the wall. Given all of the colorful Post-it notes available, you can print the hanger in different colors and materials to achieve a fun color combination.
- Who designed it? Tosh
- How printable/popular is it? This cute design has nine makes as well as a remix.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Shell Tape Holder
What happens if you accidentally tear a sheet of paper. You need tape, right? As tape is something you’ll always have at your fingertips, why not make your tape unforgettable!
We’ve found a surprisingly cute clamshell-shaped tape dispenser – one of the coolest back-to-school DIY projects we could find. The template is separated into two halves, and in the comments, there’s a tip on sharpening the cutting part.
- Who designed it? MyMiniFactory
- How printable/popular is it? This stylish tape dispenser has been downloaded nearly 7,000 times, and three community prints have been shared.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Earbud holder
Students are generally not allowed to use their phones at school. When devices are bouncing alongside headphones in backpacks, they just make a mess. To keep your headphone cords from getting all tangled up, this model is a great way to store them. Knots be gone!
Printing-wise, you don’t need supports when printing the core, but they are recommended for the casing that protects the headphones. For another approach to headphone protection, check out this earbud case.
- Who designed it? sneakypoo
- How printable/popular is it? 526 makers are enjoying a knot-free life. There are also 26 remixes, including one that recommends printing it with flexible filament.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Laptop Stand
Many use a laptop for school, to write papers, or prepare presentations. If you’re working for extended periods of time, raising your laptop could help prevent neck and back strain. This compact print-in-place laptop stand is easy to print and doesn’t require supports, but a well-calibrated printer is a must due to tight tolerances. The designer indicated that it took approximately 10 hours to print with a 0.2-mm layer height and 15% infill.
- Who designed it? Jerry
- How printable/popular is it? This practical design has been downloaded 262 times, and a couple of makes have been shared.
- Where to find it? Printables
3D Prints for Teachers & the Classroom
Teaching is not an easy task and definitely not for everyone, but having the right tools can make things a bit easier. Check out these models, all of which are great for the classroom.
Parallel Line Drawing Tool
Every teacher knows that drawing parallel lines is often quite challenging and may even elicit some giggles throughout the classroom. To save time and create well-made lines and tables, this tool is a great option. You can set it up for chalk, pencils, dry erase markers, and even crayons. When it comes to printing, the designer recommends 10% infill and 0.4-mm layer height.
- Who designed it? CodeCreations
- How printable/popular is it? This design has 7 makes and 25 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Foldable Book Stand
Reading a book can take a long time, so a support to save you from neck strain could be a big help. This foldable book stand is pretty simple. It’s print in place, and several sizes are available.
The designer advises that all tolerances are 0.4 mm and recommends using a screwdriver to carefully loosen the moving parts if necessary. Supports are needed in a few areas, which the designer illustrates in an image uploaded to the model page.
- Who designed it? Piddey
- How printable/popular is it? This book stand has over 70 downloads as well as a make.
- Where to find it? Printables
Dry Erase Marker Holder
The blackboard is undoubtedly the most important part of the classroom and therefore deserves special attention. Having everything very well organized not only makes it easier to teach the class but also helps students more easily follow the lesson. This model keeps your dry erase markers all in one place.
The designer provides a link to automatically parameterize the model, allowing you to add space for up to nine markers.
- Who designed it? matt_hova
- How printable/popular is it? 14 makes have been shared, but the 151 remixes show that makers are very particular about the organization of their dry erase markers.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Multicolor Cell Model
Earlier, we presented some helpful tools for math and chemistry. Now, it’s time to focus on biology: Presenting this 3D model of a cell! It will not only help you to remember the various microscopic parts, but it also makes for an excellent desk ornament.
This model is made for either multi-material printers or those that can use a Palette as an accessory. However, it can also be printed in separate colored parts.
- Who designed it? MosaicManufacturing
- How printable/popular is it? This cell model has 15 makes and 3 remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Human Anatomy Model
Books are important, but sometimes they don’t hold student’s attention as much as a colorful 3D model. So, supplement this term’s health-related textbooks with a 3D printed human anatomy model! It could even make for a cool class project.
The designer created the model so that it requires as little support as possible. The assembled model is almost 1 meter high, and the designer recommends printing each organ with a different color filament.
- Who designed it? paullaster
- How printable/popular is it? At least 8 makers are using this 3D print to learn the ins and outs of human anatomy.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Frog Dissection Kit
Ah, frog dissection, an iconic part of biology class! Maybe we can skip the “ew”s this year with this 3D printed frog dissection kit from MakerBot. The files allow you to print a life-sized frog with six organs, and it even comes with a lesson plan! It simulates the dissection process without the unpleasant smell and, more importantly, animal cruelty.
As with the human anatomy model, it’s recommended to print the organs in different colors.
- Who designed it? MakerBot
- How printable/popular is it? With over 20,000 downloads, 54 makes, and 7 remixes, this design is great news for frogs.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
(Stella Locker contributed to this article.)
License: The text of "The 30 Must-Have 3D Printed School Supplies" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.