Best Places to Find 3D Models for 3D Printing

Originally published on the old Print Bang site in July 2024, when we were a 3D printing shop. Lightly updated.

So you’ve got an idea for something awesome: a custom game accessory, a unique piece of décor or a handy gadget. Before you print anything, you need a good 3D model. Here are the places we’ve used most, whether you want free designs or premium ones.

Printables: a hub for makers, by Prusa

One of our top recommendations is Printables, the platform run by Prusa. It’s home to a huge library of free 3D models, which makes it a perfect starting point for functional, artistic or just-for-fun projects.

• Why we like it: a clean, easy interface with categories like art, household and gaming. The community is very active, so you’ll often find designs that other makers have printed, tested and improved.
• Free and fun: most designs are free, and there’s no shortage of useful or silly projects to browse.

Thingiverse: a massive library of designs

Thingiverse is one of the oldest and largest 3D model repositories online. It has free designs for just about anything, from practical household items to game accessories and cosplay props.

• Why we like it: it has been around for well over a decade, so the library is enormous. User ratings, comments and “makes” help you pick designs that print well.
• Creative and practical: many models are customisable, so you can tweak sizes or text before printing.

Cults3D: free and premium designs

Looking for something specific, or want to support independent designers? Cults3D offers both free and paid models across art, gadgets, figurines, jewellery and more. Many of the premium designs are incredibly detailed.

• Why we like it: a modern interface, curated collections and regular contests make it easy to discover popular and unusual designs.
• Support designers: paid models put money straight into designers’ pockets. If a model is worth your filament, it’s worth a few euros.

Tips for picking a model that actually prints

1. Look for “makes”: photos from people who printed it are the best proof it works.
2. Check the licence: many models are for personal use only, so don’t sell prints unless the licence allows it.
3. Read the print settings: supports, layer height and orientation notes save hours (and spaghetti).
4. Start small: print a test piece or a scaled-down version before committing to a 20-hour print.

Where Print Bang is now

We started as a 3D printing shop, and a few handmade pieces are still available from the workshop. These days we mostly make digital things for gamers and hobbyists, like character sheets that do the maths for you. Same weirdness, new medium.