3D Printing Crash Course
Go from zero to designing and printing your own projects in 3 hands-on classes. Learn the machines, master the software, and complete a real project start to finish.
Class fees include materials, drink and snacks.
🎉 Pilot discount pricing: $135 $75 for all 3 classes ($25 each)
Pub
Earn your certificate in 3D printing from Maker Pub on completion of this course (3 classes).
Classes
Class 1
Intro to 3D Printing
Get comfortable with 3D printers and print your first object. No experience needed — we start from scratch. You'll watch a live print demo, learn how FDM printing works, and take home three demo projects.
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- $45 $25 (pilot discount)
- Prerequisites
- None
What you'll learn
- Live printer demo — watch a print from start to finish
- How FDM 3D printing works, common materials (PLA, PETG)
- Printer overview: Bambu Lab A1 and Prusa MK3.5
- What makes a design "printable" — overhangs, supports, print orientation
- Print techniques: articulated, mechanical assembly, multi-color
- Hands-on: examine and take home 3 demo projects (articulated keychain, MTG life counter, fidget tool)
- Safety and machine care basics
Class 2
Advanced: Print Quality, Materials & Design
Level up your understanding of design quality, materials, and print settings. You'll compare good vs. poor designs, dive deep into material properties, and learn to troubleshoot common failures.
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price
- $45 $25 (pilot discount)
- Prerequisites
- Intro to 3D Printing (recommended)
What you'll learn
- Case studies: well-designed vs. poorly-designed parts for 3D printing
- Materials deep dive — PLA vs. PETG: when to use each and trade-offs
- Print settings that matter: nozzle temp, layer height, infill, supports
- Hands-on: compare parts printed with different settings and materials
- Troubleshooting common failures: warping, stringing, layer separation
- Licensing overview — non-commercial use, where to get commercial licenses (Patreon, designer sites)
Class 3
Real-world project: From Brief to Finished Product
Apply everything you've learned to a real-world project. You'll work through an actual design brief, print a functional product, evaluate it against requirements, and plan your own next project.
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price
- $45 $25 (pilot discount)
- Prerequisites
- Advanced 3D Printing (recommended)
What you'll learn
- Real-world design brief walkthrough — constraints, materials, trade-offs
- Analyzing design choices: wall thickness, assembly method, material selection
- Print and evaluate a functional product against the brief
- Group critique: does the design solve the problem? What would you change?
- Plan your next project: constraints, design source, settings, success criteria
- Finding designs on Thingiverse, Printables, and Makerverse