Overview

Calling out to all makers, designers and tinkerers, this is your chance to take part in our biggest 3D printing contest ever! Show us what this exciting new technology inspires you to create. Share your 3D models, projects with 3D printed parts, homemade 3D printers, and anything else your 3D printing-loving brain comes up with in the 3D Printing Contest.

In partnership with 3D Hubs, we are giving away 13 (!) of the best 3D printers chosen by their community of 13k 3D printer owners. Enter the contest to win a BEETHEFIRST, Kossel Mini, Lulzbot Taz 5, Lulzbot Mini, MakerGear M2, 3x Rostock Max, Sharebot Kiwi, Ultimaker 2, and UP Mini, UP Plus 2 and UP Box or $2,000 worth of 3D Hubs 3D print credit.  Additionally, all contest entrants will receive $10 off their order from 3D Hubs!

Entries will be judged based on clarity, ingenuity, creativity, quality of presentation, and execution of the Instructable. The 14 winners will be randomly assigned a prize. Start thinking (and creating) in three dimensions!

Don't have a 3D printer? With the contest, we are excited to announce the launch of the Instructables “3D Print” button for STL files. It connects you with a 3D Printer in your neighborhood, making it fast and affordable to take your project from digital to physical.

Want more contests? Check out Instructables' upcoming contests here!

The 3D Printing Contest is closed.

Grand Prize

39 Prizes

Grand Prize: Enthusiast 3D Printers (4)

Fourteen Grand Prize winners will receive one of 13 3D printers or a $2,000 3D Hubs Print Credit. The 14 winners will be randomly assigned a prize. All of these printers are top scorers based on 2,279 reviews!  Read more about them here!

Ultimaker 2: The Ultimaker 2 is a multifunctional and robust 3D printer, that comes equipped with a glass heated build plate and is among the most precise FDM printers with layer resolution going up to 20 microns. Well suited for hobbyists, tinkerers, students and educators alike.

Lulzbot Taz 5: The 5th generation LulzBot TAZ is a real enthusiasts' 3D printer. It is built with Free Software, Libre Innovation, and Open Source Hardware, and comes with a built-in heated bed, modular extruder carriage, and a versatile all-metal hot end that prints many different materials. The 298mm x 275mm x 250mm build volume is one of the largest of any desktop 3D printer.

Makergear M2: Manufactured in Ohio, the M2 is a top choice for anyone with minimal 3D printing experience, while it has great potential for experienced users as well. It comes with a heated glass platform and one can tweak it with on board controls and interchangeable nozzles.

Lulzbot Mini: The LulzBot Mini makes 3D printing easy and accessible for everyone. Built with Free Software, Libre Innovation, and Open Source Hardware, the LulzBot Mini is also packed with ease of use features like self-leveling and self-cleaning. And with a built-in heated bed and all-metal hot end, it's just as capable as ever.

Grand Prize: Kit 3D Printers (5)

3x Rostock Max Kit: The second release of the popular delta printer is without doubt one of the coolest looking machines out there with its insect like structure. The Max is fully open source and upgradeable, and has a large printing volume (270mm ø x 375mm). Takes some effort to assemble, just as any great Instructable!

Kossel Mini Kit: This fully open source 3D printer has an elegantly simple design, comes with heated bed and features auto-bed leveling to save you plenty of time when calibrating.  Did we mention the active community to support you with all upgrades and mods?

Sharebot Kiwi: What good things come from Italy? Pizza, cheese and the Kiwi! Great quality and reliability make the machine a solid choice for students, beginners and anyone new to 3D printing.

Grand Prize: Plug ‘n’ Play 3D Printers (4)

UP Box: The newest 3D printer from UP comes with fully automated bed leveling and a large 10 liter build volume. The closed enclosure cuts down on noise and provides safe build area, making it ideal for any environment.

BEETHEFIRST: This sleekly designed machine doesn’t just look pretty, it’s easy to set up and has great print quality too. Its compact size and the built-in handle makes it simple to carry around. Top choice for anyone who’s looking for a hassle-free machine, from professionals to the use in education.

UP Plus 2: Easy to use and reliable 3D printer, with auto platform leveling and height calibration for an easy setup. Great match for newcomers to 3D printing and users with intermediate experience.

UP Mini: This compact machine has sleek black design and closed enclosure for a safe printing environment. It comes with a heated build plate to provide both ABS and PLA compatibility.

Grand Prize: 3D Printing Credit (1)

$2,000 worth of 3D Hubs print credit: 3D Hubs is a community-based 3D printing service, connecting you to a 3D printer in your neighborhood. Click on the “3D Print with 3D Hubs!” button next to STL files or upload and 3D print you own design.

Runner Up (25)

Twenty five runner up prize winners will receive an Instructables prize pack including a robot t-shirt.
How It Works

Write an Instructable

Create a new Instructable that fits the guidelines outlined in the contest description above. To be eligible, Instructables must be published between Mar 30, 2015 and Jun 22, 2015 (11:59pm PT).

Enter

Upon publishing your Instructable you'll see checkboxes for open contests. Select 3D Printing Contest. If you have entries currently eligible for entry, it will also show up by clicking "Enter this Contest" on the right side of this page.

Accepting

Entries are accepted by Instructables staff within one business day Monday - Friday. What matters is the submission time, not acceptance time.

Judging

A panel of judges made up of Instructables staff and respected members of the community rate the finalists. The averages of the ratings determine the winners.

Winners

When the winners are decided they will be notified and announced here on the contest page.