Every layer
starts with access.
Purpose is Designz3D's way of putting 3D printing into more classrooms. We donate machines to schools and STEM programs, and we keep this page free and open — no login, no cost — so any educator can start teaching with 3D printing today.
See how purpose works!
A quick look on why Designz3D believes every classroom should have a 3D printer.
Hands-on STEM shouldn't depend on budget.
Designz3D is a small print shop in Orting, Washington. We run sublimation, heat press, and UV printing equipment every day to fill custom orders — and we believe a working 3D printer belongs in more classrooms than can currently afford one. Purpose is how we act on that.
Machines, donated
We set aside printers and capacity for schools, libraries, and STEM programs that don't have reliable access to a 3D printer of their own.
Abstract made physical
A CAD model on a screen is an idea. The same object printed in your hand is a lesson in geometry, tolerance, and iteration a worksheet can't teach.
Open by default
Every resource below is free and public. No account, no email gate — because the point is removing friction for teachers, not adding it.
How a donation reaches your classroom
The process is intentionally simple — built for teachers, not procurement offices.
Thank you for all your interest!
Unfortunately, Designz3D has run out of stock on older 3D printers. Please join our waitlist and you'll be contacted as soon as they're back in stock.
Join the waitlist
Leave your email and school district name. That's it — no forms, no essay required.
We reach out and review for fit
When printers are back in stock, we contact the waitlist and look at current access, program type, and impact — priority goes to classrooms with little or no existing 3D printing equipment.
Delivery & setup guidance
Approved donations ship or, for local Pacific Northwest schools, can be dropped off with basic setup help so you're printing in your first week.
Are you a business? Partner with Purpose.
If you're a business interested in supporting Designz3D Purpose by donating or helping districts, please contact us! We'd love to partner with you.
Resources for teaching with 3D printing
Everything here is free to open right now. Start at the top if you're new to 3D design — work down as your program grows.
Start here
BEGINNER · BROWSER-BASEDLevel up: CAD for older students
MIDDLE · HIGH SCHOOLAutodesk Fusion
Professional-grade CAD/CAM, free for verified students and educators. The natural next step once a class has outgrown Tinkercad.
autodesk.com/education → Free for schoolsSketchUp for Schools
Included free with many school Google accounts. Intuitive push-pull modeling — a strong fit for geometry, architecture, and design-tech units.
schools.sketchup.com → Free for educationOnshape
Cloud-based, real-time collaborative CAD used by many FIRST Robotics and VEX teams. No installs, works on Chromebooks.
onshape.com/education →Find models to print
LIBRARIESPrintables
A large, well-organized model library with strong search and curated collections — an easy first stop for ready-to-print files.
printables.com → FreeThingiverse
One of the longest-running model communities online, with a huge back catalog of classroom-friendly designs.
thingiverse.com → Free · CC0Smithsonian 3D
Real museum and science artifacts — fossils, historical objects, specimens — digitized and released for open, no-permission use.
3d.si.edu → FreeNASA 3D Resources
Rockets, rovers, spacecraft, and planetary models sourced directly from NASA missions — a natural pair with any space or physics unit.
science.nasa.gov/3d-resources →Curriculum & project ideas
LESSON PLANNINGDon't want to buy a curriculum? A few project starters teachers reuse every semester:
- Geography — print a topographic terrain map of a local watershed or a country under study.
- Biology — scale models of cells, DNA strands, or organ systems students can hold and label.
- History & social studies — replicas of artifacts (pull from the Smithsonian library above) tied to a unit.
- Engineering & design — a load-test challenge — design a bridge or bracket, print it, test it to failure, redesign.
- Math — physical models of geometric solids, fractals, or functions students otherwise only see on a whiteboard.
Slicing & printing basics
TEACHER PREPPrusaSlicer
A free, widely used slicer that converts a finished 3D model into instructions your printer can actually follow.
prusa3d.com → FreeUltimaker Cura
Another free, popular slicer with a gentle learning curve — a solid alternative if PrusaSlicer isn't the fit for your printer.
ultimaker.com/software → FreeFlashPrint
FlashForge's own slicer, built for their printer lineup (Adventurer, Creator, Finder series and more) with pre-tuned profiles that make it easy for beginners to get a first print right.
flashforge.com →Classroom safety basics
BEFORE YOUR FIRST PRINTA few habits to set up on day one
- Place the printer somewhere with airflow — not right under a student's nose during a long print.
- PLA filament is the standard choice for classrooms: lower odor and lower printing temperatures than most alternatives.
- The nozzle and bed run hot. Keep hands clear while printing, and never leave the first few layers of a print unsupervised.
- Follow your specific printer's manual for ventilation and maintenance — it's the final word, not this list.
Frequently asked
Why is there a waitlist right now?
Demand has been higher than expected, and we've given away our current stock of older 3D printers. Join the waitlist and we'll contact you as soon as more are available.
Is this program open to any school?
Yes — educators, schools, libraries, and STEM or makerspace programs are all welcome to join the waitlist. Priority generally goes to classrooms with little or no existing 3D printing equipment.
What do I need to join the waitlist?
Just your email and your school district name. No formal application or fee.
Do I need 3D printing experience already?
No. Start with Tinkercad in the Resources section above — it's built for first-timers, and the rest of the page is organized to grow with you.
Do I need to register or log in to use the resources?
No. Every resource card on this page links straight to the tool or library — no account with Purpose is required.
How can my business help?
We're looking for partners who can donate printers, sponsor a district, or help cover setup costs. Use the "Contact Us About Partnering" button in the Donations section and we'll follow up.
Is Purpose connected to the Designz3D store?
Yes — Purpose is an education initiative run by Designz3D, a print shop based in Orting, WA. Donated machines come out of our own production capacity.