Top Shelf
Busts are a common form of statue used to show admiration or respect for a person (or thing). Busts are traditionally made from marble, bronze, wax, plaster, or wood, however, in this article, we’ve found busts that you can 3D print in your material of choice. Of course, filaments that are marbled, metallic, or wood-filled are great choices!
3D printing makes recreating your idols easy because you don’t have to hand-craft every wrinkle and hair, your printer does that for you. Busts are a popular model for 3D printing and there are thousands of them online that you can download.
Generally speaking, busts work well printed using a medium layer height for a compromise between detail and speed. After printing, you can always post-process a bust to make the print look even better, including smoothing and painting these models for a nice finish.
In this article, we’ve gathered our favorite 15 bust designs of popular figures that you can 3D print today. We’ve split them into three categories including superheroes, famous leaders, and Star Wars characters. (There were too many good ones for them to not get their own category!) For each model, you’ll find a brief description, some printing tips, as well as where you can download each design (all but one are free).
If you see a bust you like but don’t have the desire or means to 3D print it yourself, try Craftcloud. With an extensive range of materials and finishes, your famous figure will be atop your mantle in no time!
And now, let’s get to the inspiring individuals.
Superheroes
Superheroes may not be real, but you can always strive to be like them! What better way to admire them than a bust?
Batman
From the DC universe, Batman makes an iconic bust model. According to the designer, this bust modeled from the game “Batman: Arkham Asylum”. There’s a warning that the ears are quite pointy and breakable so be careful, especially if it’s displayed around small children.
The creator recommends printing with a 50% slower print speed on the ears so there’s enough time for each layer to cool. A commenter posted that they successfully printed the model in PLA at a 0.16-mm layer height and without supports for the print.
- Who designed it? MustangDave
- How popular/printable is it? This bust of Batman has an incredible 258 recorded Makes, 13 Remixes, and almost 83,000 downloads! You can print this bust today just like hundreds have successfully done before.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Mark 85 Iron Man
This bust is of Iron Man in his Mark 85 suit from Avengers: Endgame. For anyone who doesn’t know: Iron Man is the alter ego of Tony Stark, a superhero and creative tech genius in the Marvel universe. This bust features the legendary Arc Reactor that protects Tony’s heart from being impaled by shrapnel.
The maker of this bust suggests printing with a low overhang angle to reduce the need for supports. They also stated that they originally printed the bust with a 0.2-mm layer height for the base and the chest and a 0.1-mm layer height for the helmet.
- Who designed it? JBertotto
- How popular/printable is it? This Mark 85 Iron Man bust has more than 10 posted community prints, about 24,000 views, and over 6,600 downloads!
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Spider-Man
Swinging through New York City, Spider-Man is up next in our superheroes category. Many aspire to be the famous web-slinger with his bravery and brains, and this print is the perfect tribute to him.
The designer lists that the bust should have a reinforced filling, most likely meaning a higher infill percentage. The creator of this model also recommends using a 0.1-mm layer height.
- Who designed it? Mak3Me
- How popular/printable is it? This bust of Spider-Man has over 11,000 views and 1,500 downloads with 1 posted community print.
- Where to find it? Cults
Black Panther
Another great superhero is the fairly recent Black Panther. With his Vibranium suit, Black Panther has a lot of inspiring characteristics such as his loyalty, fierceness, and control. On top of this, the bust design looks incredible with the detailed claw necklace.
The maker of this bust suggests printing with PLA but gives no further printing recommendations. What better way to honor Chadwick Boseman’s memory than with an epic bust of his most famous character?
- Who designed it? ianmclein
- How popular/printable is it? This Black Panther bust model has 6 posted community prints, plus over 5,000 downloads and 23,000 views.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Deadpool
This Deadpool bust is perfect for those who are inspired by the superhero-ish, well-armed, legend with his humor and cool suit. Deadpool will never let you down as he literally can’t die!
The bust goes from the stomach up and has longer shoulders than what we’ve seen so far. The bust captures Deadpool’s swords, mask, chest rig, and weapon holsters with immense detail.
The designer states that the Deadpool bust should have a reinforced filling, which likely means using a high infill percentage.
Famous Leaders
Now we’ve got some real-life legends who have led nations and changed them for the better. With so many aspirational qualities, these are all great busts to print!
George Washington
George Washington has many notable characteristics such as confidence, patience, and bravery, both as a general and a president. This founding father and first president of the United States of America is a great bust for all the history fans.
One recorded maker posted a successful bust of the president that they printed without supports or a raft, a 0.15-mm layer height, and a 25% infill. They also printed the model using PETG.
- Who designed it? BrianPalmer
- How popular/printable is it? This bust of George Washington has 12 recorded Makes, 1 Remix, and over 4,700 downloads! The posted Makes are in a mix of PLA, PETG, and ABS, though metallic filaments look especially good. Many also scaled this model up.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar, although no saint, was a very influential leader who contributed to aspects of our world today. He overthrew Rome’s political system and established himself as a dictator, and was eventually assassinated by people who believed he was getting too powerful.
The designer stated that they used high-resolution settings with a 25% infill to successfully print the bust. They also stated that the print took a little under four hours. The good news is the model is listed as easy for its printing complexity.
- Who designed it? MyMiniFactory
- How popular/printable is it? This Julius Caesar bust design has over 7,500 views as well as 500 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was an all-around hero. The former president of South Africa was a revolutionary in his fight against apartheid. He served 27 years in prison and when he was released, he continued to fight against injustice and was a philanthropist, too.
The maker of this bust listed that they printed with a 0.2-mm layer height and a 50% infill. The designer stated that the print consumed about 56 grams of material and took approximately six hours to print at those settings. They also listed the complexity of the print as easy.
- Who designed it? MyMiniFactory
- How popular/printable is it? This Mandela bust has 1 community print, almost 8,000 views, and 755 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Nefertiti
Nefertiti was an ancient Egyptian queen and husband to the Pharaoh Akhenaten. She was mysterious, extremely powerful, and later a symbol of beauty. The bust of Nefertiti has less detail than some of the others on this list but is still distinctive in its simplicity.
Though there are no specific printing instructions listed other than that the model is hollow, you should be able to print this because the folks behind Adafruit are known for their quality work.
Albert Einstein
Last, but certainly not least for our world changers category, we have Albert Einstein: one of the smartest people in modern history. He developed the theory of relativity (the famous E = MC2 equation), which is one of the two pillars of modern physics. He will always be remembered for his influence and knowledge in philosophy and science.
Einstein invented and developed many things, and received a Nobel Prize in Physics in recognition of his work. Print yourself a bust of this genius and innovator who didn’t let anybody tell him he couldn’t do something!
The maker stated that they used an Ultimaker 2+ with a 0.1-mm layer height to successfully print this bust.
- Who designed it? LSMiniatures
- How popular/printable is it? This Albert Einstein bust has 9 posted community prints and over 11,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Cults
Star Wars
Although it all happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, you can still try to be like the famous Star Wars legends who fought against the Imperial forces.
Yoda
3D printed and awesome he is. Yoda is a wise Jedi master who trained Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker.
You can pay tribute to the legend and aspire to be as wise as he was with this amazing bust model. It’s extra detailed, showing all his hundreds of years’ worth of wrinkles from the shoulders up.
The designer of this Yoda bust provided no printing suggestions, however, a recorded maker posted a successful print and listed some printing settings that you might expect: 0.2-mm layer height, a 20% infill, and supports activated.
- Who designed it? chylld
- How popular/printable is it? This Yoda bust design has an incredible 356 recorded Makes, 20 fun Remixes, and over 78,000 downloads! You can print this too just like hundreds of others have done successfully.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka Tano, the Togruta Padawan, is another great Star Wars bust. As a hero of the Clone Wars and a trainee of Anakin Skywalker, she has many great attributes such as her bravery and loyalty to the Republic.
The bust stands 100 mm tall and, as seen in the picture, can be painted and post-processed to look amazing. If you want it to look exactly like the picture, check out this YouTube video to see how the maker painted this bust.
The designer doesn’t have any printing suggestions, however, a community maker listed that they printed the model with PLA.
- Who designed it? LS Miniatures
- How popular/printable is it? This Ahsoka Tano bust has 1 community print, over 7,000 views as well as almost 1,400 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is one of the greatest Star Wars characters ever, fighting for what’s right since Episode IV. With a lot of detail on the hair and eyes, the bust has text on the side that reads “Star Wars” and under that “Return of the Jedi”. The design is actually a Remix that’s based on a model of Luke’s face.
The creator didn’t provide any printing tips however a recorded maker listed that they successfully printed the bust using a 0.1-mm layer height and 25% infill
- Who designed it? MightyJabba
- How popular/printable is it? This bust of the young Skywalker has 3 recorded Makes and over 4,500 downloads!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Rey
Rey is a newer hero in the Star Wars universe, who’s brave and fearless in her fight against the Imperial army and to restore power to the Republic. (Don’t worry, no spoilers about her origins here!)
This bust has a lot of detail and goes from the waist up. Plus, there’s a lightsaber! The designer didn’t provide any printing suggestions but from the looks of it, the lightsaber will definitely need supports.
- Who designed it? El Cronac CG
- How popular/printable is it? This Rey bust model has over 900 views and 200 downloads.
- Where to find it? MyMiniFactory
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is another legendary Jedi master, trained by Yoda, and one with the force. He was Anakin Skywalker’s mentor and a general in the Republic army during the Clone Wars. He also mentored Luke Skywalker, and for that, it’ll cost you… around $2 for the model!
This Jedi trainer was brave, kind, and a good teacher, all of which make for a great bust candidate. Obi-Wan is depicted from the shoulders up and has a lot of detail, especially on the beard, mouth, and eyes.
Although the maker didn’t leave any printing tips for this bust, a successful community print listed their settings as 0.2-mm layer height, 50mm/s print speed, 10% infill, and supports activated.
Lead image source: pedrohd via MyMiniFactory
License: The text of "Best 3D Printed Bust Models: Pay Tribute to Your Heroes" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.