If you’ve ever bought a few 3D-printed inserts or upgraded tokens, you’ve probably had the thought:
“I should just get my own 3D printer… right?”
It sounds smart. It sounds efficient. It sounds like peak DIY energy.
But before you bring home a humming, plastic-eating robot, let’s look at the real picture – including some true stories that every new 3D-printing hobbyist learns the hard way.
1. What do board gamers actually print?
The usual suspects include:
- Box inserts & full storage systems
- Token organizers
- Player dashboards
- Dice towers
- Replacement parts
- Cute thematic accessories
- Miniatures (if you’re brave)
Print enough of these and you’ll eventually wonder:
Should I just print EVERYTHING myself?
Well… maybe. Let’s talk about it.
2. FDM vs Resin – board-game edition
A. FDM Printers (Filament)
Examples: Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality
Technology: Melt plastic → layer it → cool it → boom, tray.
Best for: inserts, trays, organizers, functional parts.
Pros:
- Affordable machine + cheap filament
- Great for large structural pieces
- No toxic chemicals
- Color options galore
Cons:
- Visible layer lines
- Not suitable for high-detail minis
- Requires space & ventilation
👉 If you mainly want inserts and trays, this is the right choice.
B. Resin Printers (SLA/DLP/LCD)
High detail. High beauty. High maintenance.
Best for: miniatures, terrain, small detailed parts.
Pros:
- Incredible detail
- Smooth surfaces
- Professional miniature quality
Cons:
- Resin = toxic, messy, smelly
- Requires gloves, cleaning, curing
- Not ideal for large organizers
👉 If you’re printing minis → worth it.
👉 If you’re printing inserts → absolutely not.
3. The Hidden Costs No One Tells You About
Here’s where your personal stories fit perfectly – because they are exactly what happens to 3D-printing beginners.
✔ Story 1: “I bought a multicolor printer… then bought ALL the colors.”
Yes, multicolor printing is magical.Yes, AMS systems are addictive.Yes, you will buy 12 colors because “maybe I’ll need them one day.”
Reality check: you’ll end up using the same basic colors over and over because multicolor printing produces more waste and costs more per print.
Pro tip:Always do your first multicolor print in daylight, where you can catch nozzle clogs and material jams before they turn into a spaghetti monster at 3AM.
✔ Story 2: “PLA is non-toxic… but it still needs ventilation.”
PLA filament is officially non-toxic – true.
But heating plastic still releases ultrafine particles, which means:
- You shouldn’t keep the printer in your bedroom
- You should ventilate the area
- You might end up buying an air purifier
- And possibly even a cabinet for your balcony
So congratulations – you now have:
A printer → a balcony cabinet → an air purifier → 12 rolls of filament.
It escalates fast.
✔ Story 3: “Home machines are small… which means LOTS of overnight printing.”
Most consumer printers can’t print an entire insert in one go.You’ll print:
- One tray today
- A lid tomorrow
- Dividers tonight
- The main box insert… overnight
- And the rest over the weekend
Cue:
- The printer humming at 2AM
- Occasional whirring noise
- A faint warm-plastic smell drifting into the hallway
- You lying awake thinking, “Is it still printing or has it exploded?”
Your machine will work so many night shifts you’ll want to give it employee benefits.
4. What owning a printer really looks like
• Printing takes forever
8-20 hours per project is normal.
There is no such thing as “quick print.”
• Noise + smell are part of the experience
Not unbearable, but not invisible.
• Failures are… inevitable
Every printer owner has met the gods of Failed Adhesion and Layer Shift.
• Consumables multiply
Spools. Tools. Dry boxes. Scrapers.
Then more spools.
• You become emotionally invested
You slice, tweak, babysit, pray…This is a relationship, not a machine.
5. Where to Find Board-Game-Friendly 3D Models
⭐ Best for Inserts & Functional Prints
- Printables – https://www.printables.com
- Thingiverse – https://www.thingiverse.com
- Bambu MakerWorld – https://makerworld.com
- MyMiniFactory – https://www.myminifactory.com
- Cults3D – https://cults3d.com
- Creality Cloud – https://www.crealitycloud.com
- 3DShe – https://3dshe.com
⭐ Best for Miniatures (Resin-Focused)
- MyMiniFactory Minis – https://www.myminifactory.com/category/minis
- Loot Studios – https://lootstudios.com
- Titan Forge – https://titan-forge.com
- One Page Rules (OPR) – https://onepagerules.com
- Wargaming3D – https://wargaming3d.com
- Heroes Infinite – https://www.heroesinfinite.com
- CGTrader – https://cgtrader.com
⭐ Designer Hubs / Search Engines
- Yeggi – https://yeggi.com
- SuperKaos on Printables – https://www.printables.com/@SuperKaos
6. So… Should You Buy a Printer?
You should buy one if:
✔ You love tinkering
✔ You print often
✔ You enjoy customizing your games
✔ You have space & ventilation
✔ You’re okay with late-night robot noises
✔ You’re ready for a small plastic warehouse in your home
You should not buy one if:
✘ You just need a few inserts
✘ You don’t want to troubleshoot
✘ You lack space
✘ You want perfect results without effort
Because here’s the truth:
👉 3D printing is powerful – but it’s not convenient.
👉 It gives freedom – but it demands time.
👉 It’s cheaper per part – but only if you print a lot.
And for many board gamers… outsourcing is the smartest move.
Final Thoughts – And How FacFox Can Help
Whether 3D printing becomes your new obsession or your new nightmare depends entirely on your lifestyle.If you enjoy tweaking machines, troubleshooting, and creating things from scratch – get a printer and have fun.
But if you simply want:
- Beautiful inserts
- Professional-quality parts
- No failures
- No fumes
- No noise
- No wasted filament
- No midnight heart attacks
Then let FacFox do the printing for you.
FacFox’s 3D printing services offer:
✔ Professional-grade materials
✔ High-precision printers
✔ Smooth finishes
✔ Zero cleanup
✔ Zero troubleshooting
✔ Direct delivery to your door
You get perfect results without sacrificing your living room, your sleep, or your sanity.
Upgrade your board games – the easy way.