Cosplayers around the world, have you ever thought of designing your own costumes by getting creative? If not, you should think of it because making your armor, suits, and helmets will give you the liberty of making anything according to your preferences.
However, you cannot make it using some paper, right? That’s when the 3D printers come to our rescue. With the help of a 3D printer, you can print anything, including a helmet, mask, and cosplay props, and that too with precise measurements. Moreover, they are cheap and versatile to use.
Now that you are convinced to get a 3D printer for cosplay, here is a list of the top 5 best 3D printers for cosplay of 2023 with their detailed reviews, which will definitely help you in making your own costume, masks, and other props. Also, do read the features you will require, so it will be easier for you to choose one.
Also read: Best ABS 3D printer
List Of The Best 3D Printer For Cosplay 2023
Review Of Best 3D Printer For Cosplay Armor
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Phrozen Sonic Mighty Resin 3D Printer – Best Enclosed 3D Printer For Cosplay Weapons
This resin 3D printer comes with a printing area of 9.3”, empowering bigger and larger quantities of prints within a single batch. Along with high quantities, there is high quality as well, as it prints in a high 4k resolution.
Monochrome LCD printing allows these prints to come at high speed, almost four times faster than traditional 3D printers.
The printer has 54 UV LED lights with uniform light emission, leading to superior print results and accurate sizing. The printer’s screws are set up so that small and larger model can be printed easily.
The multi-resin compatibility allows the ideal printing experience, especially when used with Phrozen Aqua-Gray 4k resin and water-washable resins. These resins can even make the beginner models look like pros. The cherry on top is that this printer comes with guaranteed 2000 working hours along with a 3-month warranty that is free of cost.
Furthermore, the company is known to provide a one-year warranty on all of the 3D printers (which excludes consumable parts like LCD screens and FEP film) along with lifetime technical support. Thus, saving customers from the hassle of researching and the headaches that come when something doesn’t work right.
Highlighted Features of Phrozen Sonic
- 9.3” printing area
- 22 cm Z-axis and dual-linear rails
- 4k large printing capability
- Patented ParaLED Design
- Multi-Resin Compatibility
2. R QIDI TECHNOLOGY X-Max – Best 3D Printer For Cosplay Masks
Looking for large-scale 3D printers? Don’t worry! We have brought this large industrial-grade 3D printer by QIDI TECHNOLOGY for you. With this printer, you will get a huge printing space of around 300mm.
Moreover, you can easily accommodate a cosplay helmet or a mask in it. Furthermore, it comes with many unique features, such as Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, precise printing, and much more.
Additionally, you can use filaments including ABS, PLA, PETG, and TPU. on top of that, it is compatible with carbon fiber. Hence, you can have the liberty to make anything of your choice. The two-way filament feeding and 2 sets of an advanced extruder are also notable features that let you use any type of filament. Also, this big 3D printer has a 5.0-inch touchscreen user interface which makes it easy and fun to operate.
Unlike other cheap enclosed 3D printers, this one comes with a removable plate, making it easy to remove the prepared model. Also, it can be used on both sides, depending on the material you are using.
Lastly, it is compatible with one of the best 3D printer software, the QIDI print slicer, which will improve your printer’s speed and quality to some extent.
Hence, if you want a big enclosed 3D printer, this best 3D printer for cosplay helmets should be your first choice as it has everything you will ever require while making 3D-printed cosplay armors and costumes.
Highlighted Features of R QIDI TECHNOLOGY X-Max
- Qidi print slicer
- Easy to remove the plate
- Touch screen interface
- Includes two sets of the extruder
- Compatible with all types of filaments
3.FlashForge Adventurer 3 Lite – Best 3D FDM Printer For Cosplay Props
This FlashForge Adventurer 3 Lite FDM 3D Printer is made of polycarbonate and comes in two colors, namely, white and black.
The build volume is 150 x 150 x 150 Mm, allowing a big model to be printed as well. It comes along with a layer resolution of 0.1 to 0/4 Mm providing good quality resolution and finishing to your 3D prints. The maximum print bed temperature of this 3D printer is 100 degrees Celcius.
Another good thing about the printer is that it has huge filament compatibility, which ranges from PLA, ABS, Pearl, PLA Color Change, Metal-Filled, Wood-Filled, and High-Speed PLA.
The printer comes with a detachable nozzle and removable heated build plate, which allows better and deeper cleaning of the printer. The nozzle has the characteristic of getting quickly heated up, as it can go high within a few seconds.
Moreover, the 45-decibel noise level minimizes the noise and keeps it limited, leading to uninterrupted surroundings. The printer can be connected to wi-fi and also has a 2.8-inch touchscreen which provides a good user interface, making it even easier to use and operate.
Though the printer does not have a filament detection sensor, HD cameras, extra nozzles, or extra flexible plate, the product comes with a 50 g complimentary filament.
Highlighted Features of FlashForge Adventurer 3:
- Build Volume – 150 x 150 x 150 Mm
- Layer Resolution – 0.1 to 0.4 Mm
- Maximum print bed temperature – 100 degrees Celcius
- Detachable Nozzle
- Removable heated build plate
4. Monoprice – 15365 – Best Mini 3D Printer For Cosplay
As the name itself insists, this MonoPrice 3D printer is a mini one and the cheapest 3D printer on the list that you can use to make small cosplay props or simply make a big model by connecting small portions.
It has a minimal printing space of dimensions 120 x 120 x 120 mm, which might be a problem for someone. However, the price range is also under $200, so it’s perfect for this price range.
Unlike the first enclosed printer, this 3D printer is compatible with all types of filaments so that you can use any material of your choice. Also, you don’t have to waste time assembling it as you will get it all set to print with good calibration, an SD card, and pre-installed models.
Additionally, you will also get a sample PLA filament, known as the best filament for cosplay, and a bed scraper with this 3D printer.
You can control this 3D printer using your Mac or PC easily by installing the required software. Also, it has Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, so you can easily connect it to the network and attach your pen drives for copying models.
Its specifications include an extruder of 0.4 mm, which is the most commonly used size. Further, the heated build plate ensures the 3D printed model can be removed easily using the bed scraper. Also, its filament feeder is made of a steel gear, making it easier for the printer to get the filament at the required speed.
Furthermore, the nozzle cooling fan that comes with this 3D printer is a better idea to stop stringing in the 3D printer, which can happen due to the high temperature of your filament or incorrect printer settings. However, the only problem with this mini 3D printer is its size. It has a small footprint which is good as it takes up small space. However, you cannot print your big cosplay props in a single piece.
Highlighted Features of Monoprice – 15365:
- Supports all types of filaments
- Small footprint
- Fully assembled
- Cheap price range
- Includes Micro SD card
5. Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D Printer – Best Beginner-friendly 3D printer
The 3D printer is one of the latest versions of the award-winning three printers, which are equipped with a US power supply and an 8 GB SD Card. An individual can easily assemble the DIY kit, and to provide more comfort, it comes with a fully built and tested 3D printer.
The printer has a fully automatic mesh bed leveling process and an IR filament sensor built in, which supports filament auto-loading and even pauses when the filament runs out entirely.
This 3D printer kit comes with a 1 kg filament spool of silver PLA, giving you the opportunity to test and try. Furthermore, Prusa Research offers lifetime technical assistance and 24 hours professional customer service to provide better assistance and continuous support.
The special features of this printer include a SuperPINDA probe, power loss recovery, removable print sheets, Misumi bearings, and even open-source hardware.
The printer works fine in a regular room when it works with filaments like PLA and PETG, but for filaments like ABS and ASA, one would require a better setup.
Since the products with electrical plugs are not designed in the US, compatibility is required to be checked to avoid any mishappenings, so as required, the compatible adapter or converter would be needed to be bought.
Highlighted Features of Original Prusa i3 MK3:
- SuperPINDA probe
- Power loss recovery
- Removable print sheets
- Misumi Bearings
- Open-source hardware
6. Creality CR-10S FDM – Best 3D Printers For Action Figures
Popular amongst the masses as the best creality printer, this CR-10S FDM stands at number 5 on our list. Having a good printing area of 300x300x400mm, this one is the best for making your favorite 3D print anime action figures and, obviously, cosplay masks.
Further, you can even resume your printing after keeping it away. This resume printing feature lets you save your filament and a few bucks.
Besides that, it comes with a filament detector, so you can easily change the printer settings depending on it. Moreover, it is compatible with many types of filaments, so you can choose the filament of your choice, including carbon fiber. Also, it is strong enough to last for more than 2 years. The linear bearing system and durable build make the print quality outstanding and precise.
Lastly, it is a very affordable option for experts as well as people who don’t even know how it works. Therefore, you can think of buying this compact yet big printing space 3D printer for making your favorite cosplay armors and many other props.
Highlighted Features of Creality CR-10S FDM
- Filament detector
- Accurate positioning
- Linear bearing system
- Resume printing feature
- Big printing size
7. Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D Printer
Want a 3D printer that can be used just after its arrival? If yes, this Dremel Digilab enclosed 3D printer will be the perfect choice for you because it requires no prior installation.
This is one of the best-selling 3D printers amongst cosplayers; this enclosed printer will let you print masks, helmets, and cosplay props for your next cosplay party. Also, this 3D printer will provide you with high-quality printing for a more extended period.
Furthermore, with this 3D printer, you will get a building depth of 9 inches, so you can easily print masks or any other cosplay prop. Moreover, to make its user interface easy, they have included a colored LCD touch screen which you can use to access your files and make changes to them.
What makes it even more remarkable is that this consumer-grade 3D printer provides a stable environment and temperature for creating the right printing.
The cosplay 3D printer is UL-certified, so you don’t have to worry about your 3D printer working overnight. The brand is also offering you a warranty of 1 year, so you can blindly trust this 3D printer to make you unique cosplay props of your choice.
Also, you can use the Dremel Digilab 3D slicer, an open software with this 3D printer. With this software, you can easily create designs of your choice or get them ready-made. You will get a 0.5 kg spool of PLA filament with this 3D printer.
However, the catch or only downfall we can say about this enclosed 3D printer is that you cannot use any filament other than PLA. Also, the printing space is limited. If this is overlooked, you would love to have this enclosed 3D printer for cosplay. Grab this best micro 3D printer now!
Highlighted Features of Dremel Digilab 3D20:
- Compatible with 3D printing software
- Colored LCD touchscreen
- Non-heated build plate
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Compatible with PLA filament only
8. ANYCUBIC Mega S Upgrade FDM 3D Printer
Enough of those mini 3D printers for cosplay; here comes the best big 3D printer by Anycubic, which will help you make those fancy cosplay armors with the coolest 3D prints. This Mega X 3D printer has a build space of 11.81in (L) x 11.81in (W) x 12in (H), which is quite significant compared to others and will help you let your creativity out.
This big 3D printer gives you exact and detailed prints due to its build quality and design. Additionally, the fantastic rod and sideway designs on the X and Y-axis provide stability and reduce printing errors. The 0.4mm nozzle size is fair enough to deliver the materials flawlessly. Even if there are any clogging problems associated, you can easily clean the 3D printer nozzle.
The Anycubic patented heat bed won’t stress you out as the models will get away from the bed quickly due to its microporous coating on the top.
Also, what makes it stand out on the list is its capacity to resume the print from the left. This feature makes sure that your filament and efforts don’t get wasted due to any circumstances. They are providing you with a 3.5 inches TFT touch screen, which will make it easier for people who have no prior knowledge of using a 3D printer.
As marketed by the brand, this 3D printer comes with an updated titan extruder, which makes sure the printer doesn’t get jammed and works smoothly. The overall build is strong as it’s made out of metal. However, unlike other 3D printers, this one requires assembling, but do not worry, as it won’t take much time.
You have to simply attach some cables and screws to their place. Hence, if you want to make 3D-printed armor or small props, this precise and big 3D printer by Anycubic is the one you should consider buying.
Highlighted Features of ANYCUBIC MEGA X
- Large build space
- Patented heat bed
- Filament sensor
- Easy three-step assembly
- TFT touch screen
How 3D Printers Can Help with Making Cosplays?
Cosplays and props are something that is appreciated a lot by costume lovers, especially their detailing. Now that 3D printers are in the market, it has become easier, quicker, and even more accurate to build cosplays that are near perfection.
To build almost perfect cosplays, all you need to do is download a 3D model of the armor (or even create from scratch if you want) and then split it into further models for printing; this way and those pieces would turn out to be more accurate when compared.
Now you need to generate the GCode, which would require the consideration of a few technicalities like infilling, wall thickness, support material, temperature, flow, speed, and layer height.
All left to do is, print it out, finish the armor, remove the supporting materials, assemble, and ta-da, you have it! You can also sand, prime, or paint if you want to give it the exact touch!
Features To Consider While Buying the Best 3D Printer For Cosplay
Below, we have listed some of the most important features you should consider while buying a 3D printer. Do read this, as it will help you buy the best 3D printer for cosplay according to your requirements.
Build Volume
Build volume is one of the very basic factors that are to be considered in a 3D printer for cosplay, since higher the build volume, you can print larger amounts, which saves not only time but also your effort to cut the model into smaller pieces and then to put them together and so on.
Resolution
The reason resolution is an important feature when considering the 3D printer for cosplays is that cosplays are all about how it looks and how accurate it is. So, setting up the proper resolution on the 3D printer will directly reflect upon the model and its appearance, especially when it comes to the printing of highly detailed parts or models as a whole.
Compatibility with filaments
Filaments, too, play a special role when it comes to deciding which 3d printer to pick. Since the filaments have a direct effect on weight. For cosplays, lighter filaments like ABS are preferred, and hence picking a 3D printer that is good at printing in ABS would be a good option. Also, pick a filament with a wide color range or just smoothen it out post-process to give it that natural glossy finish.
Ease of Use
Depending upon the complexity of the 3D printer, one can decide the type of printer they want to choose. So, if you do not have a lot of knowledge of the 3D printer, go for a little lesser complex one, but if you do have the knowledge, just select the one which suits the requirements more. There are three different levels of easiness of using 3D printers,
- Easy Level – It is slicing and printing, but it requires a little bit of fine-tuning.
- Moderate Level – It requires tuning and maintaining that tuning at the peak performance time.
- Complex Level – These require using non-standard software or constant tuning to print accurately.
Additional features
Suppose you want to make your cosplay props and action figures easily. In that case, you should get a 3D printer having many connectivity options, a touchscreen user interface, perfect temperature and speed settings, software compatibility, and a strong build.
Post-Process Of Cosplay 3D Prints
After the cosplay 3D prints are ready, it’s time to make it perfect, just the xerox you want! Here are the steps:
- Assembling the model to check upon the accuracy and finalizing it, and moving ahead with the further steps.
- Gluing the model if everything fits fine, or you would need to reprint the parts that have some faults in them.
- Reinforcing the model, depending upon the thickness of the parts and if they can handle the glue or not, and as per that, using polyester resin to improve the structural strength of the whole model.
- Sanding and applying putty to hide the gaps between parts. One can use P100-grit sandpaper for the rough sanding and finalizing of the cosplay. You can hide the larger possible gaps with the help of the putty, and then when that dries, apply a layer of putty on the entire thing for uniformity and then sand it to have a smooth texture.
- Filer Spraying is spraying the model with a filler to highlight the contours between the layers, making the defects and bulges visible. Then put smooth long strokes to avoid paint drops.
- Final sanding is done after the paint dries off to smooth the texture and remove the bumps.
- Base Colors are to be put before sanding and applying the last layer of paint, so after the base is colored, use P400-grit sandpaper.
- Coloring is the part that will decide and result in the final looks of the cosplay, so choose the colors you want and put all the effort into it.
Ta-Da, you have your 3D cosplay model.
Conclusion
So that was our list of the top 5 best 3D printers for cosplay, which will definitely help you if you are into making your cosplay costumes on your own. Moreover, we can assure you that you won’t regret your purchase as we have done our best while researching and reviewing these 3D printers for cosplay.
Therefore, we truly hope that now you know what exactly you need and will definitely get one of these best 3D printers for cosplay props.
FAQs
1. What size 3D printer do I need for helmets?
If you want to build a full-sized 3D print helmet in one go, you will require a 3D printer with a big printing size that will be enough to accommodate it. Furthermore, you will require a printing size of at least 300x300x400 mm for printing a helmet.
2. Is a 3D printer worth it for cosplay?
Yes, a 3D printer is worth it for cosplay. A recent trend has turned many professional cosplayers to print their own cosplay outfits based on their creativity. Also, they save a lot of money in the long run, as cosplay outfits are pretty expensive.
3. How to make a cosplay helmet or mask?
Before making any cosplay helmet of your choice, you will require the correct measurement of your face. You can use a face mold for it. Furthermore, you have to scan the mold, which will make sure the cosplay helmet will fit you well. Lastly, design and print the helmet or mask of your choice.
4. Can you make costumes with a 3D printer?
The answer is yes. 3D printing has become a crucial tool in the modern cosplayer armory. You can make any kind of costume with a 3D printer. From simple props to full-body costumes, you can design and make your costumes of the cosplayer’s dream come true.
5. Is resin or filament better for cosplay?
Here’s a straightforward answer to this question. If you are a cosplayer planning to make your 3D printed cosplays costumes or large models, or you want to finish your prints quickly, then opting for a filament printer is the best choice. On the other hand, if you are looking to print small cosplay body parts with a high level of detail, then an SLA/DLP printer is recommended.
6. How long does it take to 3D print a Mandalorian helmet?
It is reported that it took four days to 3D print a Mandalorian helmet which measured 0.3mm layer and 20% infill, and even after some adjustments were made, it took some time.
7. Is PLA good for Cosplay?
PLA is a good material, and it can be used to print various cosplay parts. But the problem is that PLA prints have a low resistance to high temperatures than other materials. Thus they are prone to warp when exposed to high heat. So PLA is good for cosplay unless it is exposed to high temperatures.
8. PLA VS ABS — Which filament to use for Cosplay?
Compared to PLA, ABS is the preferred filament to use for cosplays, and that is because,
- ABS is better when it comes to surviving in hot temperatures, hence, making it a better option for outdoor events.
- ABS can withstand higher force because of is softer and more flexible than PLA.
- Even the wear and tear is better when it comes to ABS when compared to PLA.
- ABS is easier to smoothen the surface.
- ABS provides a more accurate detailing of the prints.
Even though ABS is a better filament than PLA for cosplays, one should only use ABS when they have the correct knowledge. Otherwise, it can be easily messed up as well.
9. Where to find 3D files?
Designing models from scratch is pretty time-consuming and difficult, so you can find 3D files online to print them directly. Here are a few websites that are mostly used to download 3D files free of cost.
- Sketchfab
- GrabCAD
- Thingiverse
- 3DFindIT.com
- Pinshape
- Free 3D
- My Mini Factory
- NIH 3D Print Exchange
- NASA
- Sketchup’s 3D Warehouse
You can go to these websites and find and download the models you want to print for your cosplay.
