3D Printing for Pottery

Have you been wondering if there's a way to 3D print pottery tools, accessories, and helpful studio gadgets? Here at Community Clay, we print all kinds of things for our studio!

Texture roller in progress inside the 3D printer

We have a Bambu P1S because: it's enclosed (helps keep dust out) and it's easy to setup and use. We were getting tired of constantly replacing things like wire tools that crimp and cheap wooden ribs that split after students leave them sitting in water. There are SO many models out there for free that you can just click and print, but if you choose to make some things yourself, there's a bit of a learning curve.

Here are some things we've made for the studio that we love:

• wire tool handles (just use fishing line!)

• texture rollers

• trimming tools

• wooden knife/potter's thumb

• bat scrapers

• dish formers (similar to GR pottery forms)

• ribs

• cookie cutters

• bevel tool for handbuilding

If you're considering getting a 3D printer, the way we started was by going to the IdeaLab at the Denver Public Library where you can print for FREE. Try it out and see if the time and energy you'd put into it is worth it for your studio and if the tools hold up.

If you're wondering what are the best sites to download 3D printable pottery tools, our favorites are: Makerworld, Printables, and Thingiverse.

If you're wondering if the tools you make will be strong enough, you can actually buy stronger filament! PLA is the basic one and PETG is extra strong. So try it with PLA and if it's not strong enough, swap over to PETG.

Drop us a line if you have questions! Happy printing!