FDM 3D Printing Accessories
Essential / Recommended
Filament — The printing material; PLA is a good starting point for beginners.
Flush Cutters — Used to cut filament and remove supports or unwanted plastic.
Spatula / Print Removal Tool — Helps remove finished prints from the build plate when necessary.
Nozzle Cleaning Needle — Useful for clearing small nozzle blockages.
Spare Nozzles — Useful because nozzles can wear out or become clogged.
Digital Calipers — Used to measure printed parts and check dimensional accuracy.
Filament Storage Box / Dry Box — Helps protect filament from moisture.
Silica Gel / Desiccant — Used inside filament storage containers to reduce humidity.
Useful / Optional
Filament Dryer — Dries moisture-sensitive filament before printing.
Deburring Tool — Removes sharp edges and small unwanted pieces from finished prints.
Tweezers — Useful for removing small strands of filament and support material.
Replacement Build Plate — Useful to have as a spare or for different surface finishes.
Adhesive / Bed Adhesion Products — Can help with difficult materials or challenging prints, although many modern build plates work without additional adhesives.
Enclosure — Useful for materials such as ABS and ASA and for maintaining a more controlled printing environment.
Camera — Allows remote monitoring and, on some printers, print-failure detection.
Multi-Material Unit (MMU) — Allows compatible printers to automatically switch between different filaments for multi-color or multi-material printing.
Resin 3D Printing Accessories
Essential / Recommended
3D Printer Resin — The liquid material used to create the print.
Nitrile Gloves — Protect your hands when handling uncured resin and contaminated parts.
Resin Washing Solution — Used to remove uncured resin from finished prints; the appropriate cleaning liquid depends on the resin.
Wash Container / Wash Station — Used to clean the printed model after printing.
UV Curing Station — Uses UV light to fully cure and harden the printed model.
Paper Towels / Disposable Cleaning Materials — Useful for cleaning spills and handling uncured resin.
Resin Filters / Funnels — Used to filter resin when returning it to the bottle.
Scraper / Print Removal Tool — Used to remove the finished model from the build plate.
Nitrile Gloves — Important enough to mention separately if you want to emphasize resin-handling safety.
Useful / Optional
Wash & Cure Machine — Combines washing and UV curing into one system, making post-processing easier.
Spare FEP/PFA Film — The release film can eventually become damaged or worn and may need replacement.
Resin Vat — A spare vat can make switching between different resins easier.
Silicone Mat / Protective Work Surface — Makes cleaning resin spills easier.
Resin Storage Containers — Useful for safely storing resin away from direct UV light.
UV Flashlight — Can help locate and cure small amounts of spilled resin during cleanup.
Air Purifier / Ventilation Equipment — Can help manage odors and airborne contaminants, depending on the resin and workspace.
Resin Heater — Useful in colder environments or when a particular resin benefits from controlled temperature.