Getting Started with 3D Printing: A Complete Beginner's Guide

June 22, 2026

3D printing sounds complicated — but it doesn't have to be. This guide walks you through everything a complete beginner needs to know, from choosing your first printer to completing your first print.

Step 1: Choose the Right Printer

For beginners, you want a printer that's simple, safe, and forgiving. Avoid large, complex machines with lots of settings to tune.

The EasyThreed K7 and K9 are ideal first printers. They feature one-key printing, offline operation via TF card, and a compact desktop design. No computer required — just insert the card and press print. Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Step 2: Choose Your Filament

Start with PLA filament. It's the easiest material to print with — low warping, no heated bed needed, and available in dozens of colors.

Use 1.75mm PLA — the standard size for most desktop printers
Start with a 1kg spool — enough to print dozens of models
Pick a color you love — it won't affect print quality

Step 3: Find a Model to Print

You don't need to design anything yourself. Thousands of free, ready-to-print models are available at:

Thingiverse.com — the largest free 3D model library
Printables.com — high-quality community models
Makerworld.com — great for beginners

Search for something simple to start: a keychain, a small figurine, or a phone stand.

Step 4: Prepare Your Printer

Place the printer on a flat, stable surface
Level the print bed (follow the included instructions)
Load your filament through the extruder
Copy your model file (.gcode) onto the TF card

Step 5: Print!

Insert the TF card, select your file, and press the print button. Your first print may not be perfect — that's completely normal. Small imperfections are part of the learning process.