How to 3D print fabric - Step by step

This video is about how to 3D print fabric in a conventional desktop 3D printer. We review the basics of 3D printed fabrics and the different ways of making them, including a step by step tutorial to print your first fabric swatch.

00:00 Goal and contents
00:14 Get your 3D printed fabric starter kit
00:23 What is 3D printed fabric?
00:53 Why 3D print fabric?
01:25 Different methods of making 3D printed fabric
01:31 The chainmail method
01:46 The Gcode method
02:05 The modeling method
02:27 The infill method
03:20 Create a 3D block and export as STL
03:47 Import STL in Cura
03:53 Remove top and bottom layers
04:08 Play with the settings
04:26 Print!
04:52 Summary and final thoughts

WHERE TO FIND ME

RELATED LINKS
Music by RomanBelov from Pixabay.

Designers using 3D printed fabrics
@sewprinted on Instagram and YouTube
@_sarque_ on Instagram

Chainmail models by Flowalistik

Gcode method projects

MATERIALS USED
Filament – Recreus Filaflex 82A

Software

3D printers
- BCN3D Sigma R1
- Ultimaker S5

[fayekimmelconsulting]

As a seamstress and have a partner who is a 3D printer, the sky is the limit. I am so grateful he sent me your video. I immediately subscribed. I have seen many chainmail fabric videos, but I love that more are using TPU. I love the flexibility of TPU. Thanks for the clear and professionally created video.

[rhiannoncatalyst]

You are the BEST for breaking this down so clearly and even including your personal fave starter programs to make this accessible to newbs like me. Thank you so much!! 🎉

[AndrewAHayes]

I already have a swatch of infill patterns which I made so that I have a visual reference of the infill patterns, I never thought of using them for TPU fabrics though but I did make some cup coasters made from infill patterns and printed in ASA, this TPU fabric would be a good thing to print on belt machines!

[techchrism]

This is very interesting! Has there been any analysis on durability / microplastic pollution from 3d printed fabrics with common filaments? I know polyester fibers contribute significantly to microplastic pollution and, with lower durability, 3d printed fabrics might be worse.

[jillatayceramics]

I am so happy to have found your channel. I've been dreaming of using infill patterns since learning about 3D printing last year. I'm a ceramic artist and there are so many wonderful things being done with the medium. But I want to be able to make these "fabrics" to create textures on my clay. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Jill

[rescuemethod]

Great video! Love this topic. I'm a footwear designer developer and have worked on thousands of shoes. I'll give this a try. Thanks!

[clared]

THIS IS SO COOL! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Also especially appreciate everything being free and open-source :) that says a lot about you as a person. I will be trying this myself ASAP. Subscribed!

[Corbald]

I've been using a combination of direct modeling and the infill method for about three years, now. I've been making bags and hip-pouches for friends and family, though I haven't tried to market it yet (working another project path atm.). I'm looking forward to seeing if the public responds as positively as my 'test market' has!
In my case, I've been printing fairly thick sheets with a very soft ninjaflex. It comes out with feeling very close to pleather. I model in the stitch holes to make assembly easier, but I love that you can do cool borders and patterns basically however your imagination desires. One huge tip I have is that it's _much_ easier to buy the white ninjaflex, then use Rit synthetic dye to color it. Just make sure you do all the same colored parts for the same project at the same time, so you can get the colors to match, otherwise you end up with darker/lighter parts. I do a few test swatches with a color mix, then dye all the panels at the same time in a big pot. The ninjaflex holds up very well to the temperatures of the dye/water, despite being a thermoplastic. YMMV, so experiment.

[veemechanical]

Just had to pop in and say how much I love your work. Your project assignments are all very interesting and I cant wait to see more <3

[casseyanzio]

wow. i didnt know anything about printing fabric before. now i have so much more knowledge. your very clear about your information, and your visuals are fantastic. thanks so much. a new subscriber now.!!

[kellyjean]

I just found your channel and am excited to see your other videos. Thank you

[hXhXhX]

Amazing! I would love to see more about printing lace and designing shoes.

[Sembazuru]

I don't know about Cura, but for printing simple sample swatches you can do all of this in PrusaSlicer (and many other Slic3r forks). Simply after starting up the slicer, add a primitive shape (like a cube) to the print volume then scale it to the dimensions you want. Remove the top and bottom layers and then play with the infill. Yes, you will probably want to use your favorite 3D CAD program to get the actual pattern shapes when taking from idea to design, but for simple swatches the inbuilt slicer primitives is faster and easier.

[sascha_trvl]

Wow! I didn´t know that is possible. A very informative Video! Which has also a good quality. Hopefully you make more Videos like that.
Greeting from Germany

[ThingEngineer]

It would be cool to try this with a dual extruder using different filaments for each direction for a start and moving onto even more complex patterns.

[tacmonkey]

Wow! Not only very interesting, but one of the most well-presented, comprehensive and factually accomplished videos I've come across on any topic.
Been tinkering with 3D-printing for fairly many years myself, with many different machines, methods, applications and levels of expertise.. and I find this introduction very well balanced, accurate and at the same time informative . Like, follow, subscribe and all the stuffs, for sure!

[draginator]

Incredibly informative and really makes me want to give 3d printing a shot, great video!

[luciacontreras]

woowww loved the format of the video and all the info, thank you so much sara

[prlys]

Your Channel has way to less followers for the Quality content you are producing. Im glad that i found your Channel! Keep up the good work.

[THEOGGUNSHOW]

Outstanding instructional video. Thank you for sharing ❤🎉