Advances in 3d printing have made it faster and more accessible than ever before. With no more than a computer, printer, and a few layers of plastic, creatives around the world are using this process to make their clever ideas a reality.

Are you ready to get in on the fun? Check out these five cool things to 3d print for some inspiration.

1. Desk Accessories

Do you find your office space in a constant state of disarray? Get a handle on the chaos by printing yourself some fun desk accessories. Whether you’re in need of a pen and pencil holder, cable organizers, or a headphone stand, the web is full of templates that can help you clean up your workspace, once and for all.

2. Puzzles

Designing and solving your own 3d-printed puzzles is a great way to exercise your right-brain thinking skills. Don’t limit yourself to traditional jigsaws, though. A coin safe, puzzle box, or build-it-yourself dinosaur skeleton is a great gift for the puzzle lovers in your life!

3. Musical Instruments

In a beautiful mashup of art and science, creative musicians across the globe have figured out how to print their own custom musical instruments. From simple recorders and maracas to full-sized acoustic guitars, a 3d printer can help you create instruments as unique and beautiful as the songs they play.

4. Replacement Parts

Finding replacement parts for older appliances and cars can be a serious hassle. Luckily, sites like Thingiverse and Cubify have thousands of replacement part templates available for download—just make sure that your printing material can withstand any heat and force it might experience once installed. If 3d printed replacements are good enough for classic Porsches, they’re good enough for us!

5. Yourself

Yes, you read that correctly—with the right software and a good selection of photos, you can even 3d print yourself!

The easiest way is to start by taking 20-30 photos of your head; enough to capture a full 360-degree view. Then, download a stock body model that resembles your body and combine them with the photos using rendering software. Once your model is complete, you’re ready to print out your very own mini-me!

Getting Started with 3d Printing

If you can dream it, you can print it—as long as you have the right equipment.

First, you’ll need a computer with a decent graphics card. Most newer desktop computers will do the trick, but if you’d rather take your work on the go, check out this list for some help choosing the best laptop for 3d modeling.

Next, download and install the 3d modeling software of your choice. Many, like Blender and Tinkercad, are available for free download. You can then create your own models or choose from a wide range of ready-to-print templates online.

Finally, you need access to a 3d printer. If you don’t have one of your own, check out local maker spaces, libraries, and schools to find one available for public use.

Which of These Cool Things to 3d Print Will You Try Out First?

3d printing is one of the most innovative ways to bring your creative ideas to life. Now that you’re inspired and ready to go, give one of these five cool things to 3d print a try!

Want to turn your custom 3d-printed designs into money-making machines? Check out this post on how to start an online business in eight easy steps.