Printables – The Online 3D Printing Database from Prusa Research
In the world of desktop FDM 3D printing, one of the most important resources at your disposal is the means to search for printable 3D files such as STLs. Today, the industry has become home to a whole host of these STL file-sharing sites from the likes of the early Thingiverse, to the recently announced MakerWorld. What’s more, many of these sites have become more than just a repository of 3D printing STL files, many have become the cornerstones of maker communities; whether by virtue of the brand names they support or the quality and quantity of the content available on their sites. Printables, created by 3D printer manufacturer Prusa Research, is also an experienced contender in this market. With all the options available for the 3D printing aficionado, let us take a closer look at the Prusa site and see why Printables is worth a visit, and what makes it stand apart from the competition.
Printables.com was originally known as PrusaPrinters.org back when it launched in 2019. Serving as a community hub for the Prusa 3D printing community, the site was the perfect place for sharing and storing STL files and 3D models. However, the site was destined for more than asset storage as the community began to grow larger and the website began a series of additional projects based on community feedback which soon saw the implementation of new features. However, STL files can be used across a wide range of 3D printers and slicing programs and the communities built around them often contain a plurality of users with different brands of printers and models. This crucial point led the team behind PrusaPrinters to rebrand the site as Printables.com in 2022 to better reflect that although Prusa developed the site, the content was not mutually exclusive, and was there for the benefit of makers around the world, regardless of brands used.
The Printables community has several design contests a month with a wide range of topics.
So, what’s all the hoopla about Printables? Since the name change and new feature updates, the site truly is a one-stop shop for 3D models and so much more. From the very first glance at the Printables home page, you can find more accessibility, information, and opportunities to engage than any other leading 3D print site. Perhaps most importantly, the 3D models are front and center, with featured creators, popular files and a wide list of filters including sorting by G-code, types of filament used, and time needed to print. Printables prides itself on the quality of the files available for download on its site. The platform is painstakingly curated, meaning there is no chance of copies or slight variations on the same design. Instead, the variety pool available is much more unique both for the creators uploading their works, and for the printers who download their files.
In addition to the files uploaded by users at will, Printables features several community design competitions each month which allows users to flex their creative and design potential with a specific theme or topic in mind. In addition to the added content that this brings to the site, it also rewards active community members with digital and physical prizes ranging from profile badges and rewards to filament giveaways and even opportunities to win Prusa 3D printers. Part of the reason for such an active, driving force in the Printables community is the role of a dedicated support team within Prusa Research who can keep the community fresh with new challenges and prizes. The collection of 3D models and STL files, the community contests, and featured items may not be exclusive to Printables, but the active participation and involvement from the 3D printer manufacturer do make it enticing. However, the community does not end here – because one of the innovations that Printables brings to the table is a community that extends beyond the limits of the website. Social media plays a large role across the site. Not only can users log in with Google, Facebook, or Apple accounts, but the website also features an easily accessible database of 3D printing partners from 3D printing tools, electronics, games, and charities. Community groups also feature region and language-specific maker communities, 3D printer brand and model groups, down to the hobbies and pastimes that users make objects for.
All in all, while the volume of content may not be as large as that on Thingiverse or Cults, Printables features a satisfying variety of quality 3D models, community content, access to Prusa-backed partners, education opportunities, news blogs, and of course, 3D printing merchandise. While many competing sites feature aspects of the same things, none have put everything together in such a neat package. Regardless of your 3D printer of choice, Printables and the community built around it both externally and within Prusa are certainly continuing to shape the site into an important player in the greater 3D printing world. Learn more about the site by visiting it HERE.
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*Cover photo credits: Moon City 2.0 by Kijai on Printables.com
