Geek gifts and desk decor to 3D print, with your design
You are looking for a gift for a gamer, a developer or a tabletop fan, or a bit of decor for your own desk. You are in the right place: here is how to make a one-of-a-kind piece from your own pixel art, logo or doodle.
Ideas that work well
- A bookend with your own silhouette. The "Bookend" template is a two-piece interlocking bookend. You draw the shape that holds the books, and it is welded to its support.
- A desk silhouette on a stand. Use "Silhouette on support" for a small figure standing on a rounded base, or its rectangular version.
- A directional sign. Stack arrow signs on a mast to point toward the kitchen, the lab or the game room.
How to make a bookend, step by step
- Open the Bookend template and set its size so it fits your shelf.
- Load your artwork. A simple graphic with solid colors is ideal: pixel art, a monogram, a badge you drew yourself. SVG, PNG and JPEG are accepted.
- Cut the outline. You trace the silhouette yourself; any zone you make transparent is dropped from the print. Keep the shape chunky so it stands up to a heavy book.
- Color it. Pick one color per zone. Four colors is the default limit, which suits most multi-filament setups.
- Look at the 3D preview and turn it around. Check the thin parts before you download.
- Download the 3MF and print the two pieces. They interlock.
Watch the 1-minute video · Open the bookend →
A tip for pixel art
Pixel art has sharp, flat colors, so it converts cleanly. Export it at a decent size, at least a few hundred pixels per side, so each square block stays crisp after vectorizing. If you want to clean it up first, the image to SVG guide shows how to get a vector file.
Gifts, not products
A model from makerito comes with a personal, non-commercial licence. You can print it for yourself or to give away; you cannot sell the printed objects or share the file. Only use artwork you made or have the right to use.
For a design inspired by a style you love, make your own drawing in that spirit. The fan art guide explains how.
Questions
Does the bookend need supports to print? The second piece is placed on its own plate in the 3MF. Check your slicer's preview to decide on supports.
Can I add a name or a date? Yes. Add a text, choose a font and a color, and move it where you want.
What size is best for a desk? That is up to you: most templates let you enter the dimensions in millimeters.