An Introduction to 3D Printing: From the Perspective of a New Maker (2026 Updated)

Join me as I share what I know about 3D printing and answer the burning question “What the heck is 3D printing?”

Welcome to TCoops Create! As a new maker diving into the world of 3D printing, I’ve been on an exciting journey of discovery, creativity, and learning. If you’re curious about 3D printing but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you. I’ll share my personal experiences, the resources I’ve found most helpful, and insights I’ve picked up along the way to help you get started.

What is 3D Printing?

At its core, 3D printing is the process of creating three-dimensional objects layer by layer from digital models. Whether you’re printing something practical, artistic, or experimental, 3D printing opens up a world of possibilities for anyone to become a Maker—the community-driven term for 3D printing enthusiasts and creators.

Common 3D Printing Types

FDM Printing (Fused Deposition Modeling) – Printing by melting filament (plastic) and extruding it layer by layer. This is the focus of this guide.
Resin Printing – Uses liquid resin cured by UV light. Great for high detail but messier; not covered in this post.

How Does a 3D FDM Printer Work?

A 3D printer is depicted with a hotend nozzle extruding molten filament onto a build plate, forming a cube structure. The illustration highlights the components of the printing process, including walls and infill, with arrows indicating the movement and flow of materials. — A diagram illustrating the process of 3D printing, featuring a printer hotend nozzle extruding molten filament onto a build plate. Key components labeled include "walls," "infill," and directional arrows indicating movement during the printing process.

Here’s a simplified explanation of how FDM printers like mine operate:

Filament is fed into the printer’s extruder.
The filament enters a hot end and is melted (often ~260°C+).
Melted plastic is extruded through a nozzle onto a heated print bed for adhesion.
The object is built layer by layer.
Support structures may be needed for overhangs.

Materials You Can Print With

One of the first things you’ll learn about 3D printing is materials — they vary in properties and purposes.

A colorful infographic detailing different types of 3D printer filaments, including PLA, PETG, ASA, and TPU. Each filament type is accompanied by its ease of use rating and key benefits, presented in a visually engaging format with neon colors against a dark background. — A colorful infographic detailing various 3D printer filament types, including PLA, PETG, ASA, and TPU, along with their ease of use ratings and benefits. Each filament type is represented by a spool graphic and accompanied by descriptions highlighting characteristics such as biodegradability, durability, and resistance to environmental factors.

PLA – Beginner-friendly, easy to use.
PETG – More durable and temperature resistant than PLA.
ASA – Strong, durable and ideal for specific properties like UV resistance.
TPU - Flexible and semi-soft, great for lots of different projects.

Click the diagram image here to see it larger!

How Difficult is 3D Printing to Learn?

There is a learning curve, but with curiosity and the right tools, it’s rewarding. Some printers — especially from Bambu Labs — include features that make the learning process easier for beginners. Understanding your slicer software (like Bambu Studio) is a huge part of getting consistent results from your prints.

There’s also a huge community of makers sharing tutorials, videos, and resources online that can help you improve quickly.

Printer Price Ranges and Common Brands

3D printers come in a wide range of brand and prices — from budget machines like the Bambu Lab A1 Mini for around $250, to more advanced printers like the Bambu Lab H2C series coming in at +$3,500 with a 7 nozzle swapping system! As a new maker, I started with the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, which ~~I highly recommend for its balance of reliability and features~~ is unfortunately no longer available and the new modern equivalent is the Bambu Lab P1S series.

Bambu Lab
Prusa
Creality
Snapmaker
Elegoo

A colorful graphic displays five leading 3D printer brands: Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, Snapmaker, and Elegoo, each represented by a stylized outline of the printer on a glowing base. The background features a gradient of dark purple to blue, enhancing the modern aesthetic.

Where Do You Get 3D Models?

If you’re not ready to design your own models yet, (which let's be honest is not everyone's cup of tea) there are excellent online communities and libraries filled with free and paid models:

MakerWorld:
Printables:
Thangs:

Most designs come in .stl or .3mf formats, and you’ll load these into your slicer to prepare them for printing.

What Can You Print?

The sky’s the limit! From functional tools to decorative art, nearly anything can be 3D printed — though more complex designs may require supports and thought around orientation and settings.

A colorful, Lego-style Christmas tree stands in a cozy indoor setting, adorned with red and white ornaments, candles, and a star on top. In the foreground, a small Lego elf figure with a green hat and red scarf is positioned next to a wine rack filled with bottles.

A detailed 3d printed filament art featuring an owl perched on a branch, showcasing its distinctive features such as large eyes and tufted ears. The artwork is displayed on a stand against a backdrop of green plants and soft lighting.

A colorful diorama featuring Pikachu standing in a green landscape with trees and mountains in the background, framed within a retro Game Boy console. The scene is displayed on a shelf lined with various books.

Can You Sell Your Prints?

You can potentially sell your prints, but be cautious of copyright and licensing from the website you downloaded the files. Designs you didn’t create yourself may have license restrictions — always check before selling them.

Examples of Commercial License Types for 3D Printing:

CC BY (Creative Commons - Attribution): Allows selling, modifying, and distributing the design, provided the creator is credited.
CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike): Allows commercial use, but any modifications must be shared under the same license.

CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivatives): Allows commercial use of the original print, but you cannot modify the file. CC0 (Public Domain): No restrictions. You can sell, modify, and distribute with no conditions.
CULTS CU (Cults Commercial Use): A specific license on the Cults 3D platform allowing unlimited, worldwide commercial use of 3D prints.

Most platforms, including MakerWorld are excellent at being transparent with license types. If the platform you are thinking about using does not, consider doing a little extra research on them.

It's Important To Check

Always check the licensing of designs before selling prints. It's not just the law, it's the right thing to do to keep supporting the community.

Final Thoughts

3D printing blends technology with creativity. It has a learning curve, but it’s incredibly fulfilling to go from idea to physical object. I hope this guide gives you confidence to start your own journey — and stay tuned for more posts diving deeper into specific topics!

Happy Printing! — TCoops

The text "TCoops" is displayed in a vibrant, stylized font featuring a gradient of teal and pink colors, with a playful, modern design. The letters have a dynamic, flowing appearance, suggesting a creative or artistic theme.

Metadata

Published On: January 20th, 2025
Updated On: Feb 16th, 2026
Categories: 3D Printing, Maker Community, WHATCHA MAKIN’
Tags: 3D Printing, 3D Printing for Beginners, Introduction to 3D Printing, Beginner