There are many, many varieties of dragon models to be found roaming about the lands of the internet. However, not all of them are suitable for 3D printing, and fewer still are simple enough to be easily printed without expensive printers or lots of experience.
To make your quest for these majestic models easier, we’ve compiled a compendium of a few that not only look good when finished but that have been printed by multiple people in addition to the original designer.
So, whether you’re looking for fully articulated firedrakes and serpents, an imposingly perched wyvern, or even a dragon egg ready for hatching, have a look below to find the model that best suits you!
And if your setup is good but won’t deliver what you’re aiming for, consider Craftcloud. With a variety of technologies, materials, and manufacturers all over the world, your dragon(s) will be soaring toward you in no time!
Fictional Characters
Whether friend or foe, dragons are a mainstay in popular culture. Here are some familiar firebreathers from books, television, and movies that you may recognize.
Dragonite
Dragonite is one of the most well-known characters from the super popular game and TV series Pokémon, and you can 3D print this cutesy model of the creature. This project features Dragonite in its upright, non-attack position with a satchel across his stomach. Not much other information was provided by the designer of this model, but you can make the dragon with just one print!
While the creator of this Dragonite model didn’t provide any of the settings they used, a few recorded makers did. One posted a great print of the dragon model and mentioned that they used a 0.1-mm layer height with a 30% infill density. They also added that they used supports to print the model.
- Who designed it? Patrickart
- How printable/popular is it? This Pokémon dragon has 110 recorded makes, 2 remixes, and over 100,000 downloads from all sites!
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory
Toothless
If you (or your kid) are a fan of the How to Train Your Dragon animated movies and TV shows, you probably remember the main dragon character, Toothless.
You can 3D print this cute little dragon, and the design features Toothless in a funny sitting-down position with his tongue sticking out. In total, this dragon is made up of six different 3D printable parts, which can be printed in different colors to improve the look of the model!
To achieve the multicolor effect, you can either print the different parts in different filament colors or use the multi-material unit version of the model if you have an MMU on your printer.
Unfortunately, no printing tips were provided by the creator of this dragon model. However, a few users in the community prints section mentioned that they activated supports for the prints, and special care should be taken with the tail, as it’s rather thin. But the charming prints show that Toothless can be printed and can join you in your adventures!
- Who designed it? Derailed3D
- How printable/popular is it? This dragon design has 41 community prints as well as over 1,500 downloads!
- Where to find it? Printables
Ender
Hailing from the ultra-popular game Minecraft, the Ender Dragon is an icon that we all know and love. We feel that this list would be incomplete without it!
The model is comprised of 48 pieces and takes roughly 30 hours to print. The creator recommends using a 0.2-mm layer height and 10% infill for all the pieces except the back legs, which should be printed at 5% infill for best results.
- Who designed it? Intentional3D
- How printable/popular is it? This iconic model has an impressive 49 makes and over 64,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults
Skyrim Frost Dragon
If you’re an avid player of the game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you’re probably familiar with the Frost dragon. This 3D printable Frost dragon was designed to look just like the one from the game, with everything from the spikes on the back of the creature to the pointy tail included in the model.
In total, the dragon is made up of eight different 3D printable parts, but the creator of this project also provided the full model if you’re feeling up for it. It’s also worth mentioning that one of the eight prints is a perch that the dragon stands on, as seen in the image above.
As for printing this dragon, the designer lists that they used a 0.15-mm layer height and a 20% infill density. They also stated that they activated supports for the prints but didn’t use a raft. Some makers have printed it in resin with stunning results.
- Who designed it? voxinaudita
- How printable/popular is it? This 3D printable Frost dragon has 37 recorded makes, 3 remixes, and over 50,000 downloads!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Aria
Based on the popular “Adalinda the Singing Serpent”, this model was designed with a more dragon-like aesthetic in mind. Perched atop a column and featuring a slimmer body and more developed spikes, this model is perfect for any number of uses.
Aria stands 130 mm tall and prints without supports.
- Who designed it? loubie
- How printable/popular is it? With over 600 shared prints and over 113,000 downloads from the sites, this is clearly a popular design!
- Where to find it? Cults, Printables, Thingiverse
Decorations & More
From door knockers to coffee table centerpieces, decorative dragons can add unique charm to any castle. Here are some great decor pieces for your home or workspace.
Hatchling
When looking for a dragon, it’s always best to start with a hatchling. According to our sources, they’re far easier to train and consume less food.
This model prints in a single go but requires supports. As with any detailed model, the lower the layer height, the better.
- Who designed it? mz4250
- How printable/popular is it? At least 43 dragons have hatched at their makers’ homes.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
Knocker
Dragons are known for their scary intimidation factor, so why not take advantage of it? This awesome dragon knocker can be mounted on the outside of any door, giving it the look of an entrance to a medieval dungeon.
The creator of this knocker recommends printing at a 0.2-mm layer height and 15% infill. There are files available with and without supports, so you can pick what’ll work best for you. For inspiration on the painting process, check out this video.
- Who designed it? Shira
- How printable/popular is it? The dragon knocker has over 17,000 likes, 217 makes, and was even a featured thing on Thingiverse.
- Where to find it? Cults, Thingiverse
Cali-Dragon
Next, the Cali-Dragon isn’t just a fabulous 3D printable dragon design but also a test model. Moreover, the Cali-Dragon contains many different features like overhangs, small perimeters, and stringing tests. You can evaluate your finished model to determine how you can improve your printer or slicer profile.
The designer mentions that you can print the model with no infill (0% density). One community member posted a great print and listed that they used a 0.2-mm Z Hop, 1.2-mm retraction distance, and a 40-mm/s retraction speed.
- Who designed it? McGybeer
- How printable/popular is it? The Cali-Dragon has over 1,400 recorded community prints combined from all of the sites!
- Where to find it? Printables, Cults, MyMiniFactory, Thingiverse
Flexi-Dragon Fire
The Flexi-Dragon is movable, thanks to the many hinge joints that make its wings and body somewhat articulate and flexible. However, it’s important to point out that these types of joints won’t hold their position on their own like ball joints will.
But what’s great about this Flexi-Dragon is how easy it is to print! All the joints are print-in-place, and the full dragon takes only three different prints. The creator of this project also designed flames for an authentic fire-breathing look!
Printing the Flexi-Dragon also shouldn’t be too hard. For best results, print with a 0.2-mm layer height, a 5% infill density, and neither supports nor a raft!
- Who designed it? Ky3_actual
- How printable/popular is it? The Flexi-Dragon has 12 recorded makes from both sites, so you should definitely be able to make your own.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
Alpha
Don’t have any space on your desk for an awesome dragon model? Never fear, for this model will perch nicely on the edge of your computer monitor. Perhaps he’ll even scare off some of those pesky advertisements.
This model prints in multiple pieces that some users have reportedly glued together, and while the wings and tail need supports, the rest of the parts can be printed without them.
- Who designed it? nevaneva
- How printable/popular is it? At least 106 dragons are perched on screens or furniture.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Cute
Perhaps a fearsome beast isn’t quite your speed, and you just want an adorable little model for your desk. In that case, this cute dragon design is the creature for you!
The variant we’ve picked here has custom supports built-in, making the print easy, as many users have commented.
- Who designed it? Sebastian_v650
- How printable/popular is it? A whopping 931 people have printed this model. Some used silk filaments, others rainbow, and plenty opted for resin.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Volcano
Emerging from the depths of fiery volcanoes, this dragon is exceptionally detailed and intimidating. As a bust, we can easily see this being used as a game piece or simply eye candy for your desk or coffee table.
This model was featured on Printables and even won an award for sculpting. Many have chosen to print this popular model in rainbow and shiny filaments for an eye-catching result.
- Who designed it? albaro_3d
- How printable/popular is it? This fiery monster has over 1,200 likes and 17 makes shared.
- Where to find it? Printables
Braq
We now present Braq, the jointed dragon. Despite its many pieces, Braq is one of the best-known and most well-loved 3D printed dragons out there. In fact, the articulation offered by the 42 pieces is probably one of the things that makes him so popular.
Though it may take a little time, assembly should be relatively straightforward. Just note that you’ll need an elastic cord to finish the job.
- Who designed it? BQEducacion
- How printable/popular is it? Around 230 users have posted makes of this design on the different sites, but from the comments, we’re betting there are many more makes out there.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Cults, MyMiniFactory
Realistic
The following dragons are incredibly lifelike, making them the perfect addition to a tabletop game or fantasy-themed event.
Green
Standing tall and valiant, this fierce green dragon is an excellent addition to any dragon-lover’s collection, and would work wonderfully as a tabletop game piece.
You can print it all in one piece, but it’s also possible to break it up into smaller parts if you prefer. This dragon will also look great with a paint job!
- Who designed it? mz4250
- How printable/popular is it? This intricate dragon has over 4,400 likes and 47 makes so far from the different sites combined.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory, Printables, Thingiverse
Forest
An attempt at producing a proper Nordic wyrm, with full antlers and claws meant for scaling even the tallest of trees, this green legend certainly strikes an impressive pose. Useful as a model or a figure in a tabletop game, this dragon won’t disappoint.
Best printed in multiple pieces and then assembled, this dragon is scaled for 15-mm tabletop gaming but can also be used for up to 30-mm gaming.
- Who designed it? dutchmogul
- How printable/popular is it? 76 makes have been shared, while the files have been downloaded over 82,000 times.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Seven
Looking for an articulated masterpiece of a magical medieval monster? Here you have it! This dragon is fully articulated and designed to have cloth wing inserts for the authentic folding experience.
This model prints in a lot of little pieces and will take quite a while to print, finish, and assemble. The supports are built into the STLs, so make sure to disable them in your slicer before printing.
The designer has also remixed the model to be a bit bigger and with revised joints.
- Who designed it? 7Fish
- How printable/popular is it? 70 Thingiverse users have successfully printed this model, while over 374,000 have downloaded it.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
The Better Dragon
This imposingly perched fire-drake is prime material to become the inspiration for a fantastical storyline or tabletop wargame. Remixed from another dragon, the aim of this design was to make it as easy as possible to achieve a high-quality print on your home 3D printer.
To print, simply load the file into your slicer, choose a material and resolution, then get going! There’s no need to fiddle with support settings, as the model has custom “tree” supports already built in!
- Who designed it? illuminarti
- How printable/popular is it? 51 people have shared their prints of this magnificent creature.
- Where to find it? Cults, Thingiverse
Articulated Ice Dragon
For those who love a more interactive model to play around with, this articulated ice dragon may be of interest. It’s made up of several small pieces that link together in order to achieve the bendy, articulated motion.
The creator of this ice dragon recommends a minimum of at least 10% infill. It appears most people in the comments section did not encounter any issues while printing the design. Bonus points if you opt for glow-in-the-dark or clear filament, or clear blue resin, like Elegoo’s water-washable option, as seen in the image above.
- Who designed it? P1lotz
- How printable/popular is it? With over 73,000 downloads and 71 makes, this freezing dragon is popular among dragon lovers.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Sea Serpent
Another articulated model by 7Fish, this sea serpent lacks wings and legs. What it does have, however, is an amazing articulated tail, perfect for curling around precious objects or swimming through the vast oceans of legends and sailor’s yarns of old.
This model prints in a large number of pieces, which need to be sanded and assembled. While this may prove a time- and effort-consuming task, the shared prints show that it’s worth it! The supports are built-in to aid printing, which should be done at high resolution.
- Who designed it? 7Fish
- How printable/popular is it? This articulated sea serpent design has 25 recorded makes, 5 remixes, and close to 53,000 downloads! This much popularity is a good indicator that this dragon is possible to print!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Oriental Lung Dragon
While the majority of the dragons on this list are more typical of Western legends, we couldn’t forget the majestic creatures of the East. These dragons are attributed with many elemental and spiritual powers, but the most amazing bit about this one is that it’s fully articulated!
Another design by 7Fish, this model prints in a large number of parts that need to be finished and assembled. The designs have support structures built in, so the only thing you need to do is set the scale (no pun intended) and resolution to your liking!
- Who designed it? 7Fish
- How printable/popular is it? 54 people have shared their prints of this dragon, and 9 have posted remixes.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Dragon Eggs
We couldn’t mention dragons without including their eggs. From Game of Thrones-themed dragon eggs to planters with scales, the following models are sure to delight. Who knows, you just might hatch the dragon of your dreams!
Resin
The first egg on our list features beautiful definition on the scales of the shell. It’s designed to print in one piece, resulting in a gorgeous print that can be achieved with both resin and FDM printers.
The designer printed their egg in resin with a rim and supports. Plenty of the makes show how this egg is capable of being printed with an FDM printer after tuning a few settings to prevent stringing. However, a nice, clear resin will give you a finish that no other egg can match. Some makers have recommended trying to print this model with dual-color filament as well for a unique look.
- Who designed it? DoritoMojito
- How printable/popular is it? This egg has been downloaded a staggering 7,100 times. The five makes each show a unique way that you can print this model.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Planter
Give your favorite plants a new home with this dragon egg-themed planter. The planter will fit in perfectly with your home decor and give the place a fantasy vibe. Feel free to scale this model to fit any size of plant you have!
This is a remix of MechVince‘s dragon egg vase, which was a remix of sideeffect001‘s dragon egg model. All three of these models are worth checking out. This planter in particular is not printed in vase mode and features thicker walls and drainage holes that plant lovers will appreciate.
- Who designed it? Rooster (remixed from MechVince)
- How printable/popular is it? While the planter has only been downloaded a little over 200 times, the community seems to love it. Five people have already shared their makes showcasing various sizes of the model.
- Where to find it? Printables
Game of Thrones
These dragon eggs were inspired by the Game of Thrones series and feature a little surprise inside! The model is a remix combining a popular egg and dragon model. They have a unique break from the top and bottom sections, rather than a clean separation, making them look more authentic.
The little dragons can be printed separately or as part of the bottom eggshell, depending on whether you want them to be a different color or not. The top of the shell seems to be the trickiest part to print. There is a pre-supported version if you’re having trouble with it not staying up straight during printing. One user mentioned the top half of the shell to be fragile, so handle it with care just like you would a real egg!
- Who designed it? ZekeAsakura
- How printable/popular is it? These little guys have been a big hit in the community, with over 76,000 downloads. The 129 makes shows the many, many different ways you can print this model.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Nest
Print your very own nest of dragon eggs, each with a unique pattern! These eggs come in two separate halves that split apart so you can put whatever you want inside. They can even nest inside of each other, so you can store the entire set inside of a single egg. These make a great display item for a coffee table, shelf, or mantel.
The largest egg stands at 8.7 cm tall and has been scaled to fit the build plate of a Prusa SL1, while the smallest of the bunch is 4.8 cm tall. This means that they should all fit on most modern resin printers. Each of the eggs will print just fine on an FDM printer as well. A little paint in post-processing can go a long way with these eggs.
- Who designed it? loubie3d
- How printable/popular is it? These eggs have collected nearly 3,600 views already. There are also around 420 downloads and 1 shared make.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Dice Tower
From Dungeons & Dragons to Magic: The Gathering, there are plenty of tabletop games that require dice rolls. Dice towers are the perfect way to add a little spice to your rolls. Feed this dragon your dice and it just might hatch you a natural 20.
This file was designed to print without any supports so the dice channel, along with the dragon head, should have no issues printing. This model is another example of a print that takes full advantage of shiny silk PLA or dual-color filaments. There is plenty of detail to work with if you want to try and paint your model!
- Who designed it? Jhawk
- How printable/popular is it? This dice tower has been downloaded almost 400 times. The 2 shared makes both show how well the model prints in silk PLA filament.
- Where to find it? Printables
License: The text of "3D Printed Dragons & Eggs: The Best STL Files" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.