One of the main advantages of 3D printing is that it allows you to print with many different materials. Ranging from beginner-friendly up to engineering-grade plastics and resins, you have access to a multitude of polymers that you can choose from for your projects.
Unfortunately, some materials, like glass or acrylic, can’t be printed on a fused deposition modeling (FDM) or a resin-based machine. That said, you can simulate the appearance of these materials with transparent options.
Many companies produce them now so that you can decide between a wide variety of materials and brands. If you want to dive deeper into the best transparent filaments out there, you can check out our guides on PLA and PETG.
In this article, we’re going to dive into some of our favorite designs that you can print with transparent filaments. From display pieces to functional parts, there are plenty of models to pick from. But first, let’s take a look at some printing tips to get the clearest results.
Printing Tips
Let’s take a quick look at the best practices to get as transparent a print as possible.
- Slicing settings: Your slicing settings are key. To start with, the layer height. The bigger the layer height, the fewer layers will be needed to finish a piece, therefore the more light will pass. For this reason, consider using a larger nozzle, such as 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm, with a layer height of 0.32 mm or more. Additionally, printing hot and slow will create a more realistic glass finish because the layers will fuse completely with each other.
- Materials: As mentioned, you can print different materials on FDM machines, including PLA, PETG, ABS. The transparent plastic you choose has a big impact on the final result. PETG tends to be clearer than PLA, but the best polymer for clear prints is PVB, which can be smoothed for a final finish that is really similar to glass. In fact, PVB can be post-processed with isopropyl alcohol, eliminating the layer lines and creating a more uniform and smooth surface finish that is typical of glass.
- Post-processing: When working on clear models, post-processing can really improve the transparency of your prints. Sanding will help smooth the surface, while a clear coat will make the surface of the part uniform. If you’re in a rush, you can also skip sanding and get to business with a layer of transparent spray coating.
Before proceeding with our selected designs, let’s clarify another couple of things. First, you need to keep in mind that because of the nature of 3D printing, prints won’t be completely see-through. Since layer lines overlap with each other, the final result will be more of a translucent finish rather than an entirely transparent appearance. For this reason, fewer walls will lead to more transparent parts.
Secondly, pay particular attention when looking for your material because brands aren’t always as clear – get it? – as they could be. If you’re looking for transparent prints, you need to search for transparent spools. Clear filaments might seem like the real deal, but they give the piece more of a translucent finish rather than a transparent one.
Last but not least, before embarking on your project, you can calibrate your printing profile using some appropriate tests, like CNCKitchen’s and JensWillmer’s.
Star Wars Lamp
Could we start with any model other than a lamp? We don’t think so.
Lamps and LED diffusers are some of the models that go best with transparent filaments. The transparent material lets light pass through and diffuses it perfectly. There are many designs out there, but if you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll love this one!
This lamp is a lithophane of the Death Star from the famous saga and it’s going to be a perfect addition to your collection. Lithophanes are a fascinating kind of model that uses light to show the image they hide. If you’re curious about them, check out our guide on the topic!
The design includes both the Death Star lithophane as well as a stand for the lamp. To achieve the best results, the creator suggested using 100% infill or four or five solid walls. Additionally, you can use a 0.2 mm layer height. The best part is that you won’t need supports!
- Who designed it? Olivier Popiers
- How printable/popular is it? Many fellow makers have already been captured by this model, which features over 4,250 downloads! Plus, you can take a look at 55 prints that have been shared on Printables for inspiration.
- Where to find it? Printables
Vase
Another kind of model that’s a perfect match for transparent filaments is a vase. This type of design is usually printed in vase mode, which helps create a great clear finish. Vase mode is a particular slicing technique that shapes the object using a single wall in a spiral path. As mentioned, the fewer the walls, the clearer the final result.
A simple yet elegant design is this twisted 6-sided vase that you can scale up and down as you want. The model shared by the author is 200 mm tall, so check your 3D printer’s build plate before hitting “Print” to make sure it’ll fit. The creator stated that on their “standard” UltiMaker, it took between two and a half to three hours to complete, which isn’t that much considering the vase’s dimensions.
You can use it as a vase for plants (you might want to waterproof it first) or as a penholder, like many other users have shared. Vase designs are versatile models that we can’t enough of.
- Who designed it? MaakMijnIdee
- How printable/popular is it? Uploaded in 2012, this model has had time to be discovered by many people. In fact, it can brag over 351,000 downloads and more than 560 makes!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Hourglass
Hourglasses are fascinating objects. Whether you want to use it as a home decoration or for a game, you’ll surely like this model. This design is entirely 3D printed except for the sand (or sugar) that you need to complete the build. It’s also easy to disassemble, so you’ll be able to tweak the amount of sand you need depending on your purpose.
The creator created this hourglass with transparent PVB and then smoothed the pieces with IPA. As we’ve mentioned, this is one of the best solutions to obtain transparent prints on an FDM machine. The author has shared has uploaded detailed instructions, so you’ll be able to achieve the same results.
The designer has also suggested printing it in vase (or spiral) mode and increasing the extrusion width to make the walls slightly thicker and more resistant. Additionally, if you need to modify the model, they’ve also uploaded the OpenSCAD file.
- Who designed it? mageb
- How printable/popular is it? This design has been downloaded 150 times, while 2 makers have shared a few versions of it and over 70 have added it to their collections.
- Where to find it? Printables
Baby Rattle Toy
Kids love toys, so why not make them begin to love 3D printing with this model? This simple yet clever design consists of an external shell printed with transparent filament in vase mode and some Legos to produce the classic sound of rattle toys.
The clear material will allow the kid to see the colors of the Lego through the 3D printed part, making it even cooler than a store-bought model! Let them decide which colored Legos to put in and this will become their favorite toy.
The author used a 1-mm nozzle to print their version, which includes a 0.32-mm layer. They enabled vase mode for a fast yet safe print, and added a pause mid-print to insert the Legos. When it comes to the material, they chose PETG for its non-toxic properties (and its transparency). You can also opt to use more walls if you want to feel safer, but with 1 mm-thick walls, this toy should be plenty resistant.
- Who designed it? Prestige Prototype
- How printable/popular is it? According to MakerWorld, over 170 makers have already printed this toy for their kids. You can use one of the uploaded print profiles to encounter success on the first try!
- Where to find it? MakerWorld
Seed Starter
If you have a green thumb, this is the right model for you! These seed starters will help you grow your plants with a self-watering system that keeps the seeds hydrated. The design features splitable pots, so inserting seeds and taking out sprouts will be a piece of cake.
The design is made up of different parts and you can choose whether you’d like a single seed starter or an array of up to eight pods. This model is perfect for our list because the lids of these starters need to be printed with transparent materials. In fact, transparency is not only an aesthetic choice in this model but also a functional one. The transparent 3D printed part will let the right amount of light pass through, maintaining the temperature as needed.
You should have no problems printing this model. Many makers have already created their small gardens with this design, with three sharing their slicing profiles. One includes a starter kit with a single seed starter in case you want to start small before committing to a full Jumanji setup.
- Who designed it? EPIQ3D
- How printable/popular is it? With no less than 2,700 downloads, 1,300 makes, and over 2,260 likes per MakerWorld, it’s clear that there are quite a lot of makers who love plant out there!
- Where to find it? MakerWorld
Crystals
Crystal-themed prints are ideal for clear filaments. Their transparency can simulate the dazzling surface, creating a super cool effect. As you might expect, there are many models out there, from Switch Dock platforms to bookends; we selected a small one of subtly color-changing crystals.
You can print this beautiful design as a decoration or as a lamp by adding an LED light. RGB LEDs will create a magical color-changing effect for a stunning final result! The transparency of the crystals is key to achieving this outcome, which is why it’s particularly useful that the creator has shared his printing settings.
Regarding material, he used clear PETG, and the setup included a 0.4-mm nozzle and 0.2-mm layer height. He specified that supports aren’t necessary for this print – this is always good to hear – and that having a level bed is important to avoid elephant’s foot, otherwise the crystals won’t fit in the base. You can print the rocks with a darker filament to make the crystals pop, although the designer warns against using black.
- Who designed it? WimV
- How printable/popular is it? Over 1,660 users have been drawn to this model, while 157 of them have saved it in their collections and 3 have shared their versions of it.
- Where to find it? Printables
Ghost Booh
Transparent filaments are perfect to replicate ghosts, so we couldn’t miss one on our list!
Ideal for Halloween decor, this particular model was among the winners in Printables’ Halloween 2022 contest. And that’s not the only reason why it flowed into our list. It’s a simple one-piece model that kids will love and that, as you can see in the images above, works great when the lights are out.
The creator hasn’t added a detailed description when it comes to print settings, but you shouldn’t have any problems – as indicated by the almost 10,000 likes combined from Printables and Thingiverse. From the many makes and comments on all repositories, user note that it’s easy to print and it doesn’t require supports.
You can scale the model up and down and print it in different dimensions to create a cool collection of transparent ghosts. Plus, opting for vase mode can help yield spookier results.
- Who designed it? Body3D
- How printable/popular is it? Over 700 makes of this model have been shared on Printables and Thingiverse, with a whopping 8,800 reported by MakerWorld!
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse, MakerWorld
Candy Bowl
Candy makes both kids and adults happy. For those with a sweet tooth, this model will help with cravings! We selected a minimalist yet elegant candy bowl that’s ideal for storing goodies. Your guests will be impressed with this 3D print, especially if you go for a clear filament.
Creator CreativeTools stated that the model was designed to test larger nozzle. In the design they shared, they used a 1-mm nozzle with a 0.8-mm layer height! With these settings, they were able to print the bowl in less than two hours, going slow to achieve the glossiest finish possible.
This bowl is 136 mm wide and 60 mm tall, but you can modify it to the dimensions you desire. The creator has uploaded two versions, the first being for vase mode, while the second being for large nozzle printing with a wall 1 mm thick.
- Who designed it? CreativeTools
- How printable/popular is it? Join the 45,000 people who have downloaded this model on Thingiverse and add your make to the 180 prints already published!
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Sample Card Box
If you’re into 3D printing, you undoubtedly have all kinds of filaments and samples lying around. While the material on the spool can give you a rough idea of how the piece will turn out, printing a sample card is a practical way to know what results will be – no educated guesses necessary.
To be able to quickly find them when you’re selecting the appropriate filament for your project, you need to find the right storage. Enter this simple yet cool sample card box that will allow you to organize your cards.
Printing this design with transparent filament will allow you to take a peek at what samples are inside so you’ll always find the right box. For instance, if you want to organize the card by shade, you can print different boxes for blue spools, red spools, and so on, and easily find the box you need.
To keep the model as clear and sturdy as possible, the designer included a printing profile with a 0.1-mm layer, 1 wall, and 99% infill.
- Who designed it? dabo53
- How printable/popular is it? This model is brand-new so only a handful of people have already seen it, but you should have no problem printing it thanks to the print profiles that the designer has shared.
- Where to find it? MakerWorld
Chess
Glass chess sets are usually expensive, but their appearance is awesome. So why not replicate them for a fraction of the price with transparent filament? There are many models out there, so there’s a huge choice, but we kept it simple by selecting a minimalist set that should be created in just a few hours!
This model was designed to be printed in vase mode, allowing you to create some great transparent pieces in a small amount of time. The author suggests using sequential printing to minimize even further the time needed, since vase mode pieces can’t be printed in batches due to the nature of the technique.
And because playing chess without the board can be a bit of a challenge, the designer included that part as well. Created with laser-cut acrylic, you can choose to print it – maybe in transparent filaments to complement the style?
- Who designed it? rossero
- How printable/popular is it? There are many fans of chess out there, so much so that this model has been downloaded over 5,000 times! You can also take a peek at a few other makes that have been shared.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
License: The text of "Transparent 3D Prints: The Coolest See-Through Designs" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.