Cheap and Easy Cell Phone Teleprompter - 3D Print and Foamboard

I wanted a teleprompter for making videos with scripted segments with a point and shoot Canon camera and wanted to make one that uses an Android cell phone and readily available materials.

I could have downloaded one of the many fully 3D printed options available, but I felt that this basic shape doesn't require full 3D printing...just a little craftiness.

This is made to mount onto a standard tripod, the teleprompter just drops over the screw and you fasten your camera over top and tighten the screw onto your camera.

I use the Android app "Elegant Teleprompter" - not a plug, I just find it a useful and functional application.

Supplies

Using my own 3D model, which I have included

Dollar store 2' x 3' foam board sheet (black is preferable)

Dollar store 4" x 6" photo frame.

To cut the foam board, I used two 3D printed razor blade tools, one 90° and one 45° which will make the cuts easier but you can do it with any sharp hobby or utility knife.

Hot glue gun (preferable) or some sort of adhesive for final assembly.

Step 1: 3D Print Teleprompter Base

The design of this part was meant to keep the weight low and to allow heat from the phone to escape.

I 3D Printed the base platform with 4 walls and 30% infill. This will ensure the part is strong enough to support the weight of the phone.

camera teleprompter base.stl
Download View in 3D

Step 2: Cut Foamboard to Basic Shape

The dimensions of the base are 82mm x 155mm, cut the foam board to an overall length of 319mm. Make guide lines 82mm from either end.

The outside edge will be 115mm height and the inside edge is 100mm. Cut out the remaining trapezoid.

Remove a 5mm band from the bottom of the back. Then remove a 15mm x 35mm wide piece of foam to allow room for the mount. You can temporarily place the mount to get the fitment of the slot correct.

Step 3: Trim Foam Board

Using a razor blade or sharp knife, remove the top layer of paper and the foam from the sides of the teleprompter hood to allow for adhesion to the base later.

Step 4: Bevel Edges of Foam Board

Using the 45° cutter or by using a blade and judging angle by hand, bevel the top of the hood and the "hinged" sides of the hood. This will allow them to fit together on an angle and allow for adhesion.

Step 5: Cut Lens Hole & Top of Hood

Using a compass or a circle template ( or roughly drawn outline, it doesn't really matter ) cut out the lens hole.

The top of the hood is 80mm x 155mm. Bevel 3 edges using 45° cutting tool.

Hot glue or adhere the top of the hood into place.

Step 6: Install Glass

To install the glass into the hood, cut a single slot into the foam, using a knife or the 90° cutter, on a 45° angle from the top of the hood. Using your fingernail, press in both sides of the slot to make room for the glass.

Be sure not to cut to deeply into the foam so as to go all the way through both pieces of paper.

Glass is just slid into place and kept in place in the foam with no adhesive.

Step 7: Adhere Hood to 3D Printed Base

Using the hot glue gun, or your choice adhesive, apply glue to secure the back portion on top of the plastic base first and then lift the paper flaps and apply glue on both sides. For extra strength, I also glued the hood to the plastic mount.

Step 8: I Forgot Something

Once I had everything assembled and test fit the phone, I thought it would be useful to have a hole for charging the phone while in use in the teleprompter, so with a hobby knife, I roughly cut out a hole of appropriate size for the USB connector.

You may want to do this step earlier in the build process to make a cleaner cut hole.