Bringing drawings to life was once the stuff of our wildest imagination. We’d teach ourselves how to master the art of shading using nothing but an HB pencil because attempting hyperrealistic drawing was as close as we’d come to producing actual three-dimensional artwork with relative ease.
Though the 3D printer had been invented as early as 1981 in the form of a rapid prototyping machine, the futuristic device wouldn’t become an accessible piece of technology until 2009 with the advent of MakerBot. Yet to this day, the likelihood of owning or accessing a 3D printer for the average creator remains a far-off fantasy.
The introduction of a handheld device which could produce similar prototypes and creations to the 3D printer, however, would transform fantasy into reality. First invented in 2012 by Peter Dilworth, Maxwell Bogue and Daniel Cowen of WobbleWorks, the 3Doodler pen is essentially a handheld relative of the 3D printer which has since become surprisingly far more widespread in the art world than one would imagine.
Whether used by architects to produce complex models of varying shapes and sizes or by artists as a means to let their imagination run wild, the possibilities afforded by a 3D pen are wide-ranging and fascinating. Animation artist and director Dina Velikovskaya, for instance, has produced complex illustrative animations with a 3D pen as her primary medium.
How do 3D pens work?
The vast majority of modern 3D pens, the original 3Doodler included, work by feeding plastic through the pen which is melted before it exits the nozzle in a manner extremely similar to a classic hot glue gun. Within a few seconds of exiting the nozzle, the soft and malleable plastic quickly hardens to form a solid structure.
What are the different materials which can be used with a 3D pen?
The most popular and accessible materials used in 3D pens are ABS and PLA plastic. However, 3Doodler has also pioneered the use of unlikely materials including wood, metal and nylon. There’s also a rubberized plastic material known as Flexy which stays flexible long after it dries.
Are 3D pens sustainable?
Sadly PLS, ABS and other popular 3D printing filaments are “Type 7” plastics, which are not commonly recycled. Some creators are experimenting with creating filaments out of recycled plastics, but it’s a long way off from becoming commercially available.
What else can 3D pens be used for?
From repairing broken household items to being utilised as a three-dimensional, creativity-boosting teaching tool for young children, 3D pens are available at a range of price points for people of all ages and professions.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best commercially available 3D pens for you to get started on your interdimensional creative journey. Keep scrolling for our top picks.
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3Doodler PRO+ 3D Printing Pen Set
The ultimate kit for professionals looking to create accurate models and prototypes, the 3Doodler Pro+ features the manufacturer’s most advanced technology yet for superior performance. Capable of accommodating up to seven different types of materials, the Pro+ also offers more customisation and control than ever before in the form of temperature regulation and modification of the speed at which the printing material is extruded from the pen.
The set also includes six different nozzle tips so that the user can further tailor their printing experience. The sleek, stylish and practical ergonomic design of this pen makes it a superior option for all levels, but particularly those looking to elevate their 3D design practice.
Buy now £199.99, 3Doodler
3Doodler Create
The 3Doodler Create is one level below the 3Doodler Pro+ but is nevertheless a fantastic option for beginners and experts alike. Though it offers less customisation, this set does indeed come with 15 different colours of 3Doodler Create plastic refills alongside a stencil book to get you up to speed with creating 3D structures for the first time. Designed to deliver a smooth and seamless 3D drawing experience, the Create provides a highly capable means through which you can craft handy household accessories and even repair commonplace items.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set
Designed to get young ones started on their 3D creative journey, the Start+ helps children aged 6-13 to bring their ideas to life. With the Start+, the plastic extrudes and hardens at a faster rate than the Create or Pro+ models to help kids produce fantastic models without any fuss. Powered by a child-friendly filament and manufactured without any external hot parts, the Start+ is also an ideal teaching tool, which can help kids visualise concepts and organisms that they study in STEM subjects at school.
Buy now £49.99, 3Doodler
SCRIB3D P1 3D Printing Pen with Display
A value-for-money option for those looking to experiment with 3D drawing without breaking the bank, the SCRIB3D is an incredibly popular product, with over 11,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone. Unlike the 3Doodlers, the SCRIB3D pen features a digital display with power indication, as well as handy temperature indicator lights. It is also equipped with a two-minute auto sleep function for extra-safe doodling and a step-less speed function for seamless control over how quickly the plastic leaves the ceramic nozzle.
However, despite being less expensive than other 3Doodler models, the SCRIB3D only comes with 3 colours (30ft) of PLA plastic, which is less than the competitor brand.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Polaroid 3D Pen PL-2005 Black
Though a slightly more obscure option than the cult-favourite options from 3Doodler and SCRIB3D, the Polaroid 3D Pen remains a humble competitor. The most inexpensive option on the market at just over £20, this 3D pen offers an accessible entry point into the world of 3D drawing.
This option just comes with three different plastic filament colours – red, blue and green. It is, however, capable of extruding at three different speeds and features LED indicator lights for further ease of use. The Polaroid 3D Pen is also compatible with all Polaroid PLA-based Universal Filaments, standard PLA, Deluxe Silk and even P-Wood.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
