In recent years, subscription boxes have grown in popularity across many different categories, from makeup to drones and now 3D printers!
A subscription box is usually a set of supplies relevant to a particular interest and comes once every one, two, or three months. In many cases, subscription boxes are unique because they contain a random assortment of supplies, so you don’t know what you’re getting until you open them!
While some people think these boxes aren’t a good value because the company organizing them is making a profit, many enjoy the thrill and surprise of opening a mystery box. 3D printing subscription boxes, for example, usually contain some filament samples or spools and maybe an accessory like some thermal paste or stickers.
In this article, we’ll be going over a few great 3D printing subscription boxes. Each box contains different items, so it’s hard to tell you exactly what’s in each one, but we’ll go over what each box should have (guaranteed). We’ll also provide a short summary for each box, listing the price, frequency, and included supplies.
We diversified the selections to provide you with a few of the best and most unique options. Some boxes include full guidance for a project, while others include 3D printing accessories or larger filament samples. You should choose the box that suits your interests and is practical for your 3D printer.
We hope you enjoy the surprise when your subscription arrives!
Alien3D
Alien3D offers a subscription box known as their UFO – or unidentified filament object – which includes more than just filament.
You can choose between a 1-month project box, with project parts and accessories, a 1-month mystery box, with four 20-meter filament samples (usually PLA or a variation, such as silk PLA), an accessory for your 3D printer, a project kit, and more, or a subscription to the Mystery Box. This latter option is customizable, and the price will depend on your filament(s) of choice (or if you opt out of the filament altogether), and whether you include the project accessory and control board or not. Depending on the box of choice, you’ll also have some swag such as stickers and even discount codes. You can also choose between a monthly or every 3-month shipping frequency.
BV3D: Bryan Vines on YouTube observes how the filaments in each UFO box are humorously themed for each month!
If you don’t want the project kit and hardware, Alien3D also offers a filament sample pack, which includes five samples that can range from PLA to PETG, wood-filled composites, and even HIPS, with colors and brands randomly selected so as to avoid repetitions.
It’s worth noting that the previous Maker Box subscription box (by Box Mountain LLC) has merged with Alien3D’s. If you already have a subscription to the former, there won’t be any changes to your subscription, but new makers will be directly offered the 3D Printing Mystery Box.
- Price: ~$43 (1-month UFO); ~$25 (1-month project without filaments); ~$19 (Mystery Box subscription starting price, depending on choices)
- Frequency: Every one or three months
- Included supplies: Filament, accessory, swag, discount codes, project (with electronic components)
- Included filament: 4, 8, or 12 0.06-kg (20-m) samples (optional)
Protopasta
Protoplant is a well-known 3D printing filament manufacturer that makes all sorts of filaments, from PETG to conductive PLA, under their brand Protopasta. Their subscription box, known as the Endless Pastabilities filament subscription, is sent once every two months and contains various popular Protopasta filaments.
The subscriptions are for 1.75-mm filament, and each box includes six samples of filament. Protoplant also lets you choose how much filament you want for the three samples (50 grams, 100 grams, 500 grams, or 1 kilogram). If you choose the latter option, each sample comes wound around a spool, not just in a bag, making printing with them far easier.
The unique thing about the Pastabilities box is that its contents include unreleased HTPLA, which is Protoplant’s line of “hella tough” and “heat-treated” PLA. That means you’ll receive never-before-seen samples that very few people will get. Customers have reported that the Pastabilities box includes exciting filaments in unusual colors.
According to Protoplant, each box sticks to a theme, so all the filaments will have something in common (texture, transparency, etc.). In the past, the company has come up with some unique filaments. How unique, you ask? Bacon filament unique.
- Price: ~$15 (size of samples will affect the cost)
- Frequency: Every two months
- Included supplies: Filament
- Included filament: Six 0.05-, 0.1-, 0.5, or 1-kg samples
Clavius3D
Clavius3D is a Canadian company specializing in filament for 3D printing. Their PLA subscription box comes with two 1-kg spools of their own Canadian-made PLA filament in a random color or texture. It also includes a project kit, with a fun new project for you to work on.
Standard spools go for around $24 in their online store, so the main selling point of this subscription box is the project kit. This comes with all the hardware needed to complete the monthly project, which may include LED lights, LED lighting fixtures, motors for RC cars, and much more. If you finish the monthly project, snap a picture and tag Clavius3D on social media. This will give you the chance to win promo codes or free filament.
- Price: ~$45, ~$50
- Frequency: Every one or two months
- Included supplies: Filament spools, hardware for the monthly project, candy, other goodies
- Included filament: Two 1-kg spools
Keene Village Plastics
Keene Village Plastics is an American company that manufactures 3D printing filament in-house. Their monthly subscription box supplies two spools of ABS or PLA in a random color right to your door. While many of the other subscription boxes on our list are limited to PLA, this box is perfect if you prefer ABS.
Other than some occasional surprises that may come in the box, this is a filament-first subscription dedicated to providing customers with high-quality filament. 1-kg spools of PLA and ABS filament sell for about $35 in their online store, making this subscription box one of the best deals out there if you require large amounts of filament.
- Price: ~$50
- Frequency: Every month
- Included supplies: Filament spools, occasional surprises
- Included filament: Two 1-kg spools
Pushplastic
Pushplastic is a 3D printing filament company founded back in 2013. They specialize in consumer-grade filaments like PLA and PETG and more experimental and professional-grade filaments like PEI, PC, and carbon fiber-blended filaments.
Pusphlastic’s PushBox is configurable and customizable, and it’s aimed at the professional and semi-professional market. You can choose between PLA and PETG in white or black, or you can opt for a mystery choice. They offer spools from 1 to 3 kg. Since this service is intended for high-volume and professional printing, only the filament is included in the subscription box.
- Price: ~$50, ~$75
- Frequency: Every month
- Included supplies: Filament spools
- Included filament: PLA or PETG, 1- or 3-kg spools
License: The text of "The Best 3D Printing Subscription Boxes" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.