32 Things To Make With Your Silhouette Alta 3D Printer

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Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock these past few weeks, you’ll know that the Silhouette Alta 3D printer is finally here!

We’ve written a full review and feature report of the Alta here, but we decided to put together a list of ideas of things you can make with this brand new machine.

While many of you out there are cutting pros, we know that many of you are pretty new to the world of 3D printing. And when you’re a newbie, it can be hard to find entry level ideas and progressions to try.

Thankfully, Silhouette have included 25 free designs in your library to get you started.

But there are plenty more things that you can craft with a 3D printer — we’d go so far as to say that they’re the crafter’s dream tool kit!

Let’s take a look at some of the things you might want to try your hand at…

Keychains

what to make with 3d printer

Keychains are one of the easiest and most rewarding objects to craft with a 3D printer.

We love this gorgeous Day of the Dead inspired skull keychain — just choose the color filament you want and the work is done!

Vases

what to make with silhouette alta 3d printer

Vases are an insanely popular object to make with a 3D printer, for some reason that we haven’t quite grasped yet.

We think these spiral vases look particularly cool — yet simple enough not to give the Alta too many headaches.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

3d printer projects

There are an incredible number of different salt and pepper shaker designs on open source sites like Thingiverse — cuddling ones, Star Wars ones, Tardis shaped ones… you name it.

We have a particular fancy for these squirrel shaped ones. Can you say, cute?!

Mini Figurines

what to make with a 3d printer

Figurines are another popular thing to make with a 3D printer — just make sure that you’re making them for personal use rather than selling them. You don’t want to wade through the quagmire of copyright issues otherwise.

There are plenty of different designs to choose from, but we really like this Baby Groot.

Straws

silhouette alta 3d projects

Reusable straws are all the rage nowadays thanks to the green initiative, and they’re also a quick and easy thing to make with the Silhouette Alta.

We’re big fans of the curly design to boot!

Scrapbook Embellishments

what to make with silhouette alta 3d printer

We make plenty of scrapbook embellishments with our vinyl cutters but you can really notch it up a level by making them 3D.

There are loads of different 3D embellishment and button designs to be found online, but we’ve got a particular hankering for these buttons right now.

Jewelry

how to make jewelry with silhouette alta

Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, pendants — whatever small pieces of jewelry you can think of, you’ll be able to create with the Silhouette Alta 3D printer.

Just beware, as an entry level 3D printer, the Alta is best equipped for simple designs rather than highly intricate ones.

Plantygon

what to make with silhouette alta

Stackable geometric shapes are really easy to make with a 3D printer, and look incredible when stacked all together.

We love this plantygon which has been specifically designed for succulents.

Stencils

how to make stencils with silhouette alta

Printing stencils with your Silhouette Alta is another way to use a 3D printer as a tool for your other craft projects.

There are simply hundreds of stencil designs available.

We love this frog-shaped one for latte art.

Dog Tags

what to make with silhouette alta 3d printer

You’re not the only one in your household who could benefit from the Silhouette Alta 3D printer — these dog tags go to show that Fido will too!

Labyrinth Gift Box

silhouette alta projects

Giving cash can be a bit of a boring — if highly appreciated — gift, so one way to jazz it up a bit is an interesting presentation.

This labyrinth gift box is a cool way to make the giftee work for their money — they have to solve the path to correctly open the box.

Jewelry Box

how to make jewelry box with 3d printer

Boxes in general are a fantastic way to make use of your 3D printer, and what’s a better trinket holder than a jewelry box?

This heart-shaped box is simple yet beautiful.

Dollhouse Furniture

3d printing projects

The Silhouette Alta has quite a small print size for a 3D printer so any furniture making has to be on the small size — ideal for dollhouse furniture!

We’re particular fans of this mini outdoor garden furniture set.

Lamp

what to make with 3d printer

If you fancy going for something a little more complex, try out this awesome cellular lamp.

It’ll work as both a lampshade for an LED light or as a sculpture.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks are a great little present or stocking stuffer — and are a super easy thing to make with your Silhouette Alta.

We particularly love these owl-shaped ones!

Cake Toppers

things to make with a silhouette alta

We’ve made cake toppers plenty of times with our craft cutters, but we think they’re especially good looking when they’re crafted with a 3D printer.

Why not try it out with this ‘Just Married’ topper?

Bottle Opener

make bottle opener with 3d printer

If you’re looking for a practical usage for your Silhouette Alta 3D printer, then you need to test out this bottle opener.

This is an easy print and doesn’t need to be printed with metal.

Paper Weight

what to make with a silhouette alta 3d printer

This awesome basketball goal doubles up as both a paper weight and a basket to store stuff in — perhaps some stationery.

Hamburger Patty Maker

cool things to make with 3d printer

We think that this hamburger patty maker is our absolute favorite design on Thingiverse.

Who doesn’t want a patty maker that can imprint the words ‘BITE ME’ and ‘MINE’ into your burger?!

Smartphone Stand

silhouette alta 3d printer

A smartphone stand is another great way to get a practical use out of your Silhouette Alta.

This phone stand design is simple and effective — just choose your favorite color filament to mix it up a bit!

Phone Case

things to make with a 3d printer

Buying a phone case can be expensive, not to mention that you won’t always be able to buy exactly what you want.

There are plenty of phone case designs available online — have a search and see what works best for you.

Cable Wraps

silhouette alta 3d printer projects

There’s nothing worse that all your cables being tangled together — so why not use your 3D printer to make an effective cable wrap?

This particular one is designed for your lightning cable for your iPhone.

Sunglass Visor Clip

what to make with silhouette alta

Another super useful design to try out with your 3D printer is this sunglasses clip for the sun visor in your car.

Perfect for the sunny summer months!

Book Page Holder

what to make with 3d printer

Another book-related design to try out with your 3D printer is this cool page holder, which will allow you to keep your book open while using only one hand.

Easy and simple to make — a great project for a 3D newbie!

Guitar Picks

things to make with silhouette alta

Another easy design to test out with the Silhouette Alta is this one for guitar picks.

Spinning Tops

what to make with silhouette alta

Let’s take it back to the ancient times and try making a spinning top with your 3D printer.

These tops are orbital, which means the centrifugal forces used to spin it make it easier and longer-lasting.

Puzzle Cube

silhouette alta 3d projects

Another, slightly more modern, game to make with your Silhouette Alta 3D printer is this cool puzzle cube.

It might take a little longer to create as there are multiple colors at play here — and therefore multiple filaments — but looks like it’s worth it.

Coasters

3d printer projects

Coasters might seem a little dull to make with something as exciting as a 3D printer, but you can really get creative here.

We love this tree silhouette coaster, for instance.

Chess Pieces

things to make with a 3d printer

We probably could have included chess pieces under the mini figurines we outlined earlier, but we thought these awesome Pokemon-style chess figures deserved their very own entry!

Spirograph

what to make with silhouette alta 3d printer

Spirographs are one of those things that we all used to love as kids, but probably haven’t bothered with much in adulthood.

But now you can create your very own spirograph set with your Silhouette Alta 3D printer — whether for you or your children!


What are you looking forward to making with the Silhouette Alta 3D printer?

Looking to get inspired for your next craft project? Check out our Inspiration board packed full of freebies, cut files and craft deals for every occasion!

2 thoughts on “32 Things To Make With Your Silhouette Alta 3D Printer”

  1. I’m impressed with this selection and fine prints. I was looking at Pinterest and stumbled on the Silhouette Alta 3D Printer Projects page. I’m also a printer myself and must research the Silhouette Alta 3D Printer, somewhat similar to the Delta printers.

    Reply

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