Dads are notoriously hard to buy gifts for even in the best of times. In truth, however, they’ll appreciate anything that shows that you care, all the more so if you’ve taken the time to make it yourself.
A 3D printed gift is ideal for Father’s Day. It doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Plus, it comes with the added bonus that fathers love to show off what their daughters and sons have created for them!
We’ve compiled a list of 3D printed gift ideas that are fun, useful, or just plain from the heart. They’ll all show Dad how much he means to you.
If you see something you like but can’t at the moment do any of the 3D printing yourself, try a service like Craftcloud. Not only will you have a wide range of materials and finishes to choose from, but it will take the pressure off getting the perfect print for your Pop.
From the Heart
A gift doesn’t have to have a purpose other than the message behind the giving: It’s the thought that counts! The smallest, most heartfelt gifts often hold the greatest sentimental value. Hence, they’re truly appreciated, especially if you’ve made (or printed) them yourself.
Below, we’ve pulled together a few ideas that we think capture that spirit.
Gift Card Holder
This is a really great idea to add a little 3D printed magic to a gift card and make your gift more personal. It’s a simple and effective way to show that you’ve taken the time to make something, giving that extra effort that’s so appreciated.
You can find the STL files for this quick and easy print on Instructables. As an added bonus, you’ll also find designs for keychains, a tie clip, and cufflinks, too.
- Who designed it? CJA3D
- How printable/popular is it? This is a featured design on Instructables and has been printed by at least one other maker.
- Where to find it? Instructables
Trophy Sculpture
This is something different and special. One comment from a maker sums it all up: “I gave this as a present for Father’s Day, it brought tears to his eyes!”
This beautiful sculpture is well-suited to “exotic” filament types, such as marble effect filaments. Alternatively, you might like to try post-processing techniques to add a polished, painted, or metallic finish, like in the picture above.
The design prints with no supports, but do make sure to follow the print instructions for strength, including 25%+ infill and good walls.
- Who designed it? Khaled Alkayedd
- How printable/popular is it? Very popular on several sites, this design has been printed at least 60 times. You can also find a stunning matching sculpture for Mother’s Day by the same designer.
- Where to find it? Behance, Thingiverse, Cults
Love Dad to Puzzle Pieces
This is a fun and different way to send a special message to Dad. The interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces can be printed in a single color, although they look even better printed in more than one. To do so, you could change the filament after reaching the height of the letters. See our article that explains how to easily change filament mid-print. The process, however, may vary slightly depending on your printer.
- Who designed it? Lipscombcm
- How printable/popular is it? The print is easy and the design includes “Dad”, “Pop”, and blank (for customization) STL files. So far, there’s one posted Make.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
The Man, The Myth, The Legend Coaster
If you’re inspired by multicolor prints and want to try something a bit more ambitious, you can attempt the four colors of this ego-boosting coaster! The designer mentions that they used the M600 G-code to pause the print at set heights to switch colors, but since it’s not a very long print you could also just do it manually. Even just two colors would create a great effect!
Alternatively, to occupy a place of pride on a shelf or workbench, this simple, sweeping desk sign is a brilliant way of reminding Dad what you think of him every time he sees it. You can opt to print this exact version or, if you feel a little more ambitious, you can download the customizable design and change the message to whatever you want.
- Who designed it? tgsparky77
- How printable/popular is it? Your dad will surely be impressed by this multicolor make, which nearly 500 people have viewed so far on Cults.
- Where to find it? Cults
Fun Stuff
Dads like to have fun. So, in this category, we’ve selected 3D prints to play with, to puzzle over, or simply those that might bring a smile to his face. They all have the added benefit of being great “talking points”, giving Dad an ideal opportunity to brag and show off what his kid has made!
Minigolf Set
Spending a lot of time in the same place can be taxing, whether you are stuck at home or stuck at work. Minigolf is a fun way to have an active pause, play a new competitive game with your kids, or maybe even just clear your head.
And for some reason, dads always seem to have some knowledge of golf. So why not gift your father a 3D printed mini-golf set, complete with holes and flags (cat not included)?
- Who designed it? occupied_brain
- How printable/popular is it? 29 people have downloaded it. In addition to the printed parts, you’ll need a foam ball and a broomstick for the club.
- Where to find it? Printables
Fidget Cube
For those who have fathers who like mechanical things and don’t mind a challenging print, this fidget cube – also known as “the Infernal Machine” – is a very cool gift to make.
The endlessly moving and whirring mechanism of interlocking gears is mesmerizing, and it looks way more complex than it really is. If you’d like to see in advance what’s involved in making it, check out the build video on YouTube.
- Who designed it? Nop21
- How printable/popular is it? You can find over 20 posted Makes of this design on Thingiverse and elsewhere. There are a few parts to print and these are best done at higher quality resolutions.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Gear Box
Dads love to brag about their driving skills, even if we all know they aren’t actually that good. This project is a gearbox like those found in a car and it even includes the stick so you can see how the gears change inside your car and affect the speed and torque.
Be careful about layer resolution and materials, though, as gears can have a lot of wear and need precision when being assembled to ensure a smooth movement. To assemble, you can follow the creator’s video instructions.
- Who designed it? mijael08
- How printable/popular is it? All your dad’s engine-explaining dreams will come true with this popular model that has over 3o Makes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Customizable Cryptex Box
This stunning cryptex is part gift box and part puzzle. You can customize the secret code that unlocks it, and inside, there’s enough space to hold another gift or message. It’s also high in the league table of designs that are worthy of showing off to buddies and friends!
There are multiple parts to assemble, and a little filing and sanding may be required.
- Who designed it? Hiob
- How printable/popular is it? The many shared examples of this design prove how makeable it is. There are also multiple Remixes and customized versions with different numbers of letters, and display stands, among other details. They all can be printed at various scales and look especially great with metallic finishes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Motorized Mini Escalator
This is a great option for a kinetic desk toy that you just look at and feel entranced. With this toy, your dad can watch the perpetual movement of escalators going up. And with a sophisticated design, it will look store-bought.
Fathers love toys; even better if they have mechanical components! If you want to attempt this more challenging gift, you’ll only need your usual 3D printing skills and very basic electronic abilities to connect the wires, battery, and motor.
- Who designed it? _AlexY
- How printable/popular is it? Even though it was recently posted, this design already has three makes. You’ll need some additional components such as bolts, batteries, and a small electric motor.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Star Wars AT-AT
If Dad is a Star Wars fan, show the force of your love with this brilliantly detailed and articulated model. The All-Terrain Armored Transport, or AT-AT for short, may have been entirely impractical as an attack weapon, but it’s become one of the most iconic vehicles used by Imperial ground forces. It makes an impressive and imposing gift.
- Who designed it? GOODesign
- How printable/popular is it? Fab365 has a reputation for well-designed and tested models. The design is supported by great instructions, and based on the reviews, it has been printed many times.
- Where to find it? Fab365
Sabre Glider
It’s fast, it flies, and it’s great fun: This model is a brilliant “let’s get out and bond” gift, bringing fathers and their kids together for an aerial activity.
This is an updated design of an earlier, very popular 3D printed glider. It performs fantastically well, as you can see from this video of it in action.
The model is easy to print but does require assembly. You should follow the print instructions about infill as well as avoid filaments that are known to be brittle.
You’ll also find designs for (optional) jigs to help glue the tail sections as well as handles to hold the rubber bands required for launch.
- Who designed it? exosequitur
- How printable/popular is it? Nearly 80 Makes can be found on Thingiverse alone.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Diver's Watch Clock
This is a desk clock like no other: a diver’s watch upscaled to dinner plate proportions. It’s an epic talking point, print, and project; an epic gesture to make on Father’s Day. It also made us smile that, despite being the largest item on our list, it can be found at MyMiniFactory!
As you might imagine, this project isn’t for the faint of heart. The instructions are very good but with 131 parts, and many need to be printed at smaller than 0.16-mm resolution, you’ll use half a spool of filament and a fair bit of time for assembly.
You’ll also need a battery clock mechanism, a sheet of clear plastic, and super glue. If you’re still reading, you’re among the few who know this is worth the effort and will look absolutely awesome when complete!
- Who designed it? francfalco
- How printable/popular is it? This impressive design has been downloaded hundreds of times. There are encouraging comments but, so far, no one has posted pictures of their own print. Perhaps you could be the first?
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Illuminated Moon
This amazing light-up model of the moon has a big wow factor. If your dad’s interested in space, or you think it’s just plain cool, this is the 3D printed gift for you.
The design comes complete with a display stand and alternative fittings for hanging it from the ceiling. Remember to use the specified infill settings as well as transparent, white, or light-colored filaments for this easy, but long, print.
- Who designed it? Frank Deschner
- How printable/popular is it? There are 235 prints of this design shared on Printables, with some truly impressive results.
- Where to find it? Printables
Useful Stuff
A practical gift is always a hit. It can be used time and time again or will simply look good in an office, on a desk, or adorning a wall. Here, we present 3D prints that can act as reminders throughout the year of what Dad means to you.
Smart Wallet
This popular design perhaps points to the future for wallets. It’s practical, looks great, and is sure to be appreciated. Here’s a video of it in action.
The designer has also shared the CAD files so that those familiar with Fusion 360 can customize the wallet and make their gift a bit more special. Alternatively, many have already posted Remixes of the basic design to suit various preferences.
Note, however, that this isn’t really intended as a “back-pocket” wallet; there’s a limit to how many times PLA can be sat upon!
- Who designed it? b03tz
- How printable/popular is it? You’ll find almost 80 Makes and Remixes of this design on Thingiverse alone. Printing is straightforward although a little filing may be needed for the fastener.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Impossible Dovetail Box
Dads can never have enough containers for their stuff. This one doubles not just as a handy box but also as a great talking point given its “impossible” design, which cleverly twists to open.
It looks great in wood filament and can be scaled up too. It also comes with an option to embed small magnets for holding the lid more firmly in place. If you opt for the version with magnets, make sure they’re pulling towards each other and not pushing away from each other before you fit them!
- Who designed it? AidanRose
- How printable/popular is it? There have been a few Makes posted on Thingiverse, and they all look very neatly printed.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Expecto Patronum!
Fans of Harry Potter will know about the symbolism of a deer to represent the special relationship between father and son! This brilliant 2D sculpture is a great way of recognizing that and looks incredible, too.
The simple and striking design can hang on a wall or be framed. It also works well with various forms of post-processing. You could try a metallic, wooden, or another finishing effect.
It’s straightforward to print and can be produced quickly using larger layer heights. Printers with large bed areas are better suited for this print. If you’d like something larger, consider splitting the model into parts first.
Finally, if you aren’t quite convinced about a deer, the designer has many other 2D designs, from cityscapes to Albert Einstein.
- Who designed it? UnpredictableLab
- How printable/popular is it? This design has been printed more than 35 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Swiss Army Keyholder
For some secret reason, fathers tend to have a lot of keys. Enter: the perfect gift. Your father’s keys won’t become a jumbled mess, impossible to find the right one, and cause havoc in his pocket. This Swiss Army-style keyholder essentially acts like a cardholder, but for keys.
It is printed in two separate parts that don’t need support and it can be assembled with some nuts and bolts. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try metallic or multicolored filament.
- Who designed it? ProteanMan
- How printable/popular is it? This model is very popular with 120 makes! You’ll need some additional materials such as 3-mm nuts and bolts.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Mechanical Phone Holder
This design is practical, looks great, and uses a fascinating and simple quick-grab mechanism. As such, it ticks all the boxes for a gift that’s sure to impress. What’s not to love?
It’s not hard to print or put together, but it needs a small spring to complete. You can print it all in a single color or get more creative like in the example shown above.
- Who designed it? arron_mollet22
- How printable/popular is it? This design has thousands of downloads and six posted prints.
- Where to find it? Cults
Poker Set
A very useful print for your dad to host a night with friends, and it comes with a case so the pieces won’t get lost and can be sorted by type. The design also makes it very portable, so your dad can take it for game nights in the office.
It is overall a very easy print because you will only need to print the same parts over and over again, and the result will be a great gift for dad.
- Who designed it? dusdlgh
- How printable/popular is it? No one has shared the Makes of this model yet, but it is receiving some love with 109 likes. You could be the first to share your creation!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Crankbait Lures
Any fishing dad will tell you that they can never have too many lures. In fact, some collect lures for no other reason than they like the look of them!
This is an improved version of a previously popular lure, designed by a fishing enthusiast with a great reputation. They’re easy to print, but the real fun lies in painting and finishing them.
Choose a 25% infill for a floating lure and at least 80% for one that sinks slowly. They’ll need hooks, paint, and clear lacquer to complete. Whether intended for real use or as part of a great-looking display, these are sure to be appreciated.
License: The text of "Father’s Day 3D Print: Top 20 3D Printed Gifts for Dad" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.