I want to start 3D printing — Where do I begin?
If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you already know why you want a 3D printer. But if you’re still exploring, consider joining the 3D PrintArmy volunteer project—a fantastic way to dive into 3D printing with real purpose and community support.
To help you get started quickly and affordably, I’ve outlined exactly what to buy and where to buy it. These recommendations are designed to help you ease into the world of 3D printing without putting unnecessary strain on your family budget.
Let’s begin with 4 simple and sequential steps to launch your 3D printing journey.
Step 1. Purchase a Bambu Lab printer and accessories
To get started, I recommend buying a 3D printer from Bambu Lab. Their printers are incredibly reliable and require no engineering background to operate or set up. You want to enjoy printing—not spend hours troubleshooting, right?
1.1 Choose Your Printer (Required).
Visit the official Bambu Lab website and add the Bambu Lab A1 printer to your cart.
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Recommended: Select the combo option with AMS Lite, which enables continuous printing by automatically switching to a new filament spool and supports multi-color printing for personal purposes.
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Alternatively, you may choose the Bambu Lab A1 Mini—a smaller version with the same performance but a more limited print area, making it less practical for general use
1.2. Get a Hardened Steel Nozzle (Highly recommended)
Add a 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle to your cart. It’s more durable and handles abrasive filaments better than standard steel nozzles.
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A spare nozzle ensures your printing won’t be interrupted.
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You may also explore other nozzle sizes, but 0.4 mm is the most versatile and optimal for general use.
1.3 Buy PLA Filament (Required)
Add at least 1 kg of PLA filament to your cart.
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My personal favorite is matte ivory white PLA—perfect for evaluating the print quality.
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It’s important to start with a reliable, well-calibrated filament to ensure great results from the beginning. Once you’re comfortable, you can try filaments from other brands and types like PETG, after calibrating them.
1.4 Consider a Spare Build Plate (Optional)
Having a spare build plate helps keep printing continuous—especially while your models are cooling on the first plate.
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A dual-sided PEI plate (textured on one side, smooth on the other for a specific personal needs) is ideal due to its excellent adhesion.
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While the original Bambu Lab plates are top-quality, AliExpress alternatives are much cheaper and work fine based on my experience.
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In Step 2, I’ll share recommended links, including the excellent FrostBite plate, which offers great adhesion even without heating the bed.
1.5 Place Your Order (Required)
Your shopping cart should now include the printer, filament, and essential accessories. Go ahead and place your order. Your 3D printer should arrive within a few days!
Step 2. Buy essential accessories and filament (AliExpress & Amazon)
AliExpress is the go-to source for most 3D printing accessories due to its competitive pricing. Items like filament are significantly cheaper there than on Amazon or the official Bambu Lab store—saving you around €5–10 per kilogram. And thanks to local warehouses in Europe, delivery often takes just a few days.
2.1. Buy JAYO Filament (Required)
Purchase JAYO filament from reliable sellers (Link1, Link2).
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JAYO is a sub-brand of SUNLU, with identical quality and profiles. Each spool contains 1.1 kg instead of the standard 1 kg.
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Buy 10 spools at once if possible—it’s cheaper in bulk and won’t last long with frequent printing.
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Start with PLA, but PETG is strongly recommended for most tasks due to its superior strength, elasticity, heat, and UV resistance. The 3D PrintArmy project especially requires dark-colored PETG.
2.2. Flat Side Cutters & Needle-Nose Pliers (Required)
These are essential for removing supports and cleaning printed parts.
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Needle-nose pliers for precision work during support removal.
2.3 Spare PEI Build Plate (Required if not bought in Step 1.4) (Required)
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PEI plates offer excellent adhesion and come in textured/smooth combinations.
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Consider the FrostBite plate for cold-bed adhesion and energy savings—great for non-stop printing.
2.4 Sponge Sticks for Lubrication (Highly recommended)
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Use these sticks to apply liquid lubricant to printer rails cleanly and efficiently.
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They absorb the oil and prevent it from dripping onto components.
2.5 Lubricants: Teflon Oil & Grease (Required)
The included lubrication tubes run out fast.
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The best option is SuperLube (food-grade, long-lasting).
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You’ll need both oil for the linear rods and grease for the Z (vertical axis).
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As a budget-friendly alternative, use silicone grease from hardware stores (e.g., Bauhaus, OBI).
2.6 Scraper for Part Removal (Required)
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Don’t use the default scraper included with the printer—it may damage the build plate.
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Get a flexible, low-angle metal scraper to safely remove even thin parts (0.2 mm or less).
2.7 Vacuum Bags & Pump (Optional)
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Protect your filament from moisture, especially PETG and TPU.
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Even PLA benefits from dry storage if you live in a humid environment.
2.8 VTOPMART Containers for Dry Boxes (Optional)
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These muesli containers from Amazon are perfect for building single-spool dry boxes.
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Print a few simple parts to convert them into filament storage with a feed port.
2.9 PTFE Tube (OD 4mm, ID 2.5mm) (Optional)
Use this to guide filament from a dry box or reposition your AMS Lite (e.g., under or above the printer).
2.10 Silica gel (Optional)
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Use high-quality silica gel to keep dry boxes moisture-free from trusted brand from Amazon.de.
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No tested recommendation for AliExpress silica gel yet.
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The silica gel is reusable. As it absorbs moisture (measured with a Xiaomi hygrometer located inside the dry box), I replace it with new silica gel and then dry it in a filament dryer.
2.11 PC4-M10 / PC4-M6 fittings (Optional)
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Useful for building dry boxes and guiding filament through enclosures.
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M10 thread are easier to 3D print than M6.
2.12 Hex Screwdriver Set (Optional)
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Way more convenient than Allen keys from the printer kit.
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While not premium quality, they’re highly practical for regular maintenance.
2.13 SUNLU S2 Filament Dryer(Amazon) (Optional)
Not essential at first, but necessary if:
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You’re printing with moisture-sensitive filaments like PLA Wood, PETG Transparent, TPU, or Nylon.
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A spool of PETG has been left open for a week or more.
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Also handy for drying silica gel.
2.14 Xiaomi Mi Temperature and Humidity Monitor 2 (Optional) (Amazon.de) (AliExpress).
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For 3D printing purposes, it is used inside drive boxes to control humidity levels (25-30% humidity in drybox is the sign to change silica gel)
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Useful for automation purposes, since they can be connected to Xiaomi's smart home system, for example, to turn on a heater or fan when the temperature in a 3D printer enclosure exceeds the optimal range.
Step 3. Join the 3D PrintArmy
3D PrintArmy is an international volunteer community of 3D printer owners united by one goal: helping the Ukrainian military defend their country from Russian invasion. Volunteers support the cause by printing educational tools, medical devices, and—if desired—military-related items.
By participating in 3D PrintArmy projects, you're making a direct impact. Everything you print is requested by the military without intermediaries, ensuring your work goes exactly where it’s needed—on the front lines. Every volunteer’s contribution is incredibly valuable, and your help truly matters.
If you’d like to join, click here to get started.
Worried about logistics? Don’t be. 3D PrintArmy has hubs in multiple countries around the world.
If you're ready to print but unsure how to deliver your results to Ukraine, your local hub will assist you with packaging and shipping.
You can find contact details for your regional hub in your personal account after joining.
If you're located in the Czech Republic, be sure to check out the dedicated beginner’s guide. It explains:
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How to choose a model from the catalog
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How to get started with printing
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How to send your completed prints directly to the requestor
Step 4. Learn more about 3D printing
Now that you're up and running, it's time to expand your knowledge and make the most of your 3D printing experience. Here are a few key areas to explore:
1. Search for 3D models.
In addition to printing for the 3D PrintArmy, you'll likely want to print items for personal use. Here are my favorite resources for finding reliable and high-quality models:
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MakerWorld.com – My go-to site for practical, tested prints.
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Printables.com – A great library of community-curated designs.
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Yeggi – A search engine that aggregates models from various 3D printing sites.
2. Take the Bambu Lab academy course.
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If you’re using a Bambu Lab printer, don’t skip the free Bambu Lab Academy training course.
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It covers everything from basic setup to using Bambu Studio (the slicer software).
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It’s free and full of practical, hands-on knowledge—highly recommended.
3. Soundproof Your Bambu Lab A1
Want a quieter printing experience?
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You can assemble a soundproof enclosure using IKEA furniture.
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It’s a simple project that significantly reduces printer noise and improves usability at home.
4. Dive Deeper into 3D Printing
As your skills grow, you may want to:
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Print upgrades for your printer or workspace
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Learn CAD modeling to create your own designs
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Tackle print quality issues and improve results
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You’ll find a growing collection of tips and tutorials on this page. New information is added regularly, so check back often.
Congratulations!
You’ve just stepped into a hobby (and potentially a future profession) that can truly transform your life.
Enjoy the process, keep learning, and above all—have fun!