3D printing is an incredibly cool technology, but it’s not always the easiest to learn from the basics on up. Luckily, the technology has been around long enough now that many books have been written about it, most seeking to educate eager learners. Some are even entertaining and accurate! (Unlike the textbooks and guides you got in school.)
Like many technologies though, 3D printing is progressing fast. So, guides need to be updated often, or they risk becoming obsolete. We’re keeping our eyes peeled for any new additions to the 3D printing library as the industry continues to grow.
Considerations
There are tons of 3D printing books out there worth reading, but we only want to highlight the best. Here’s what we were looking for when putting our list together:
- Readability: Assigning textbooks that may be more suited for an engineering expert isn’t going to help anyone gain an interest in 3D printing. Our list comprises books that are easy to read and offer some entertainment value while informing readers about 3D printing.
- Knowledgeable: Equally important to the above point, we only want books that are able to teach you about 3D printing. It’s easy to tell when an author doesn’t know what they’re talking about or is simply copying what they’ve heard elsewhere. We skipped those on our list.
- Accurate: 3D printing has come a long way since its inception and continues to evolve each year. With that in mind, we looked for the most recent offerings (and a few older but still suitable options) with up-to-date information that remains relevant and accurate for any makers getting started in 2024.
- Versatility: There are many things to cover about 3D printing, from its history to how to troubleshoot specific problems, as well as the latest developments and specifics about how it works. Instead of going only in one direction, we’ve tried to cover as much ground as possible, with some books meant for beginners, while others may be meant for more advanced readers.
Now that you know how we narrowed down our choices, let’s get to the list! Note that the books aren’t in any particular order.
3D Printing for Dummies (3rd Edition)
As the title wryly suggests, this is absolutely a book for 3D printing newbies. It’s part of the popular “For Dummies” guides and, as happens with other titles from the publisher, has been updated recently to include current information, including the latest 3D printers and materials.
The guide leaves no stone unturned, starting with a general introduction to additive manufacturing and 3D printing, going deeper into the more technical side of things and explaining the different technologies and materials, then looking into the business side of things and helping readers decide which type of setup would benefit them most should they be on the lookout for one.
Readers appreciate that the author avoids too much jargon and tries to keep explanations as simple and concise as possible. Plus, for those who really know nothing about the 3D printing world, it eases the learning curve. Another element of the book that gets high marks is the tips for 3D printer assembly, which can certainly be challenging at times, even for experienced users.
- Release year: 2023
- Length: 416 pages
- Price: ~$18 (paperback and Kindle)
- Rating: 3.9 stars from 12 reviews
- Recommended for: Newbies to the world of 3D printing who want to learn about the macro and micro of it all
- Find it at: Amazon
3D Printing and Maker Lab for Kids
Whether a gift book for an enthusiastic maker-in-the-making teen or an educator, this book is an excellent choice when it comes to finding exciting CAD creations that can be executed by younger makers. Written by Eldrid Sequeira, a former engineer and current Director of STEM at Public Preparatory Network in New York City, the book covers the basics about 3D printing before detailing design processes with Tinkercad and SketchUp.
The book is targeted toward kids (and teaching adults), which is why it helpfully features photos that help illustrate steps, materials, and 3D printed objects. Some of the projects include a 3D puzzle, a coat hook, and a phone holder, although there are also useful ideas for inexperienced users to get their bearings designing the basics, like a cube and a cylinder.
It should be noted that the book is more focused on the project side of things rather than doing a deep dive into 3D printing topics like support structures and infill. Younger or more inexperienced makers will benefit from adult support to fill in the gaps to get a more comprehensive understanding of the field.
- Release year: 2020
- Length: 144 pages
- Price: ~$17 (paperback); ~$12 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.6 stars from 84 reviews
- Recommended for: Older kids and teens (as well as educators) with an interest in 3D printing
- Find it at: Amazon
The Future is Faster Than You Think
This one isn’t a guide or handbook like most on our list. It’s more of an entertaining non-fiction book that deserves a read from anyone involved in the 3D printing or additive manufacturing industries. It’s the third entry in a series focusing on emerging technologies from authors Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler, and the one with the greatest focus on 3D printing.
Since it’s not a guide, it’s also the most mainstream book on our list: a New York Times bestseller with around 3,000 reviews at Amazon – the vast majority of which are overwhelmingly positive.
- Release year: 2020
- Length: 384 pages
- Price: ~$18 (paperback); ~$15 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.6 stars from 2,994 reviews
- Recommended for: Tech fans who want insight and deep-dives
- Find it at: Amazon
3D Printing Failures (2022 Edition)
This is the newest edition in a series of helpful guides that help makers avoid or diagnose issues with their 3D printers and fix common errors.
The best way to learn is through mistakes, and this guide from Sean Aranda covers as many as you can think of so you don’t have to make them for yourself. Yes, you can learn from your mistakes, but isn’t it better to learn and anticipate them, thus avoiding them?
- Release year: 2022
- Length: 338 pages
- Price: ~$26 (paperback); ~$10 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.8 stars from 603 reviews
- This book is for: Anyone with a 3D printer, from newbies to experienced users, who may have already gotten their bearings and are now trying to improve their experience
- Find it at: Amazon
The 3D Printing Handbook
This handbook is courtesy of the great minds over at Protolabs Network (formerly Hubs or 3D Hubs), specifically written by the team of Ben Redwood, Filemon Schoffer, and Brian Garret. It includes interesting insights from industry experts and 3D printing professionals.
This book is slightly more advanced and a great pick for anyone with some knowledge of additive manufacturing, but committed newcomers can also learn quite a bit from its pages. You’ll pay a bit more for this book than some of our other picks, but it’s worth it for the advanced insight from industry insiders.
- Release year: 2017
- Length: 304 pages
- Price: ~$25 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.4 stars from 382 ratings
- This book is for: Makers who may want to learn more about more industrial-focused 3D printing technologies
- Find it at: Amazon
Make: Getting Started with 3D Printing (2nd Edition)
The updated version of this guide is another great option to learn about 3D printing. Authors Nick and Liza Kloski provide a simultaneously basic and comprehensive blueprint for learning the technology.
Rather than being a comprehensive introduction into the field of 3D printing, its history, and the like, it’s particularly helpful in guiding future makers on what materials and type of printing technology to select for their interests.
- Release year: 2021
- Length: 264 pages
- Price: ~$15 (paperback); ~$14 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.4 stars from 102 reviews
- This book is for: 3D printing newbies
- Find it at: Amazon
The Zombie Apocalypse Guide to 3D Printing
This fun and unique guide is great for makers looking to print functional devices rather than the fun decorations that proliferate on Thingiverse and similar sites. Clifford Smyth’s unique title is sure to grab attention, while the book’s content is relevant by focusing on functional prints that prize self-sufficiency.
This book is a great teacher, but as the title suggests, it’s far more interesting than a standard textbook or how-to guide.
- Release year: 2016
- Length: 188 pages
- Price: ~$15 (paperback); ~$10 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.5 stars from 275 reviews
- This book is for: Those who want to print practical items
- Find it at: Amazon
Functional Design for 3D Printing (3rd Edition)
Another book from Clifford Smyth that prizes functionality in 3D printing. While the title isn’t quite as fun as the guide above, it does explain exactly what you’ll find inside this book.
The 3rd edition of this guide offers practical advice, techniques, and guidance on 3D printing basics like setting up supports while also addressing common 3D printing concerns like bed adhesion and warping.
- Release year: 2017
- Length: 236 pages
- Price: ~$23 (paperback)
- Rating: 4.4 stars from 234 reviews
- This book is for: Anyone looking to delve into printing functional objects and exploring functional design
- Find it at: Amazon
Designing 3D Printers
Ever considered diving into the fascinating world of building your own 3D printer? This book is an excellent initial guide for those looking to dip their toes into the fundamentals of the process. Designing 3D Printers walks users through the necessary components and basic design setups, using helpful graphics and highly detailed lists of the tools needed for printer assembly.
Beyond just explaining what needs to be done (e.g. having a rigid gantry), the text also delves into why this is important and what kind of issues can come up if the step isn’t followed with attention.
Readers give high praise to the structure and organization of the book, as well as to the straightforward approach and information provided – although for experienced makers, it might not yield many new tidbits.
In this third edition, there’s expanded information on newer features and developing trends, such as automation, input shaping, and remote operations.
- Release year: 2023
- Length: 223 pages
- Price: ~$36 (paperback); ~$25 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.5 stars from 169 reviews
- This book is for: Makers who want to enter the DIY field of printer mechanical design and projects
- Find it at: Amazon
How to Make Money with 3D Printing
While we don’t think anyone will get rich simply from reading this book, it’s still a solid source of information for anyone breaking into the 3D printing industry.
Author Jeffrey Ito does a good job of highlighting the many different industries and applications 3D printing touches as it revolutionizes manufacturing.
- Release year: 2014
- Length: 138 Pages
- Price: ~$16 (paperback); ~$7 (Kindle)
- Rating: 3.9 stars from 178 reviews
- This book is for: Makers looking to be more entrepreneurial with 3D printing
- Find it at: Amazon
20 Makey Makey Projects for Evil Geniuses
Another fun title rounds out the final spot on our list of 3D printing books. Written by Aaron and Colleen Graves, this is another great option for kids interested in learning more about 3D printing and how to combine this with other technologies.
While the main objective of the book is to help users get acquainted with the MakeyMakey board, which allows you to use random objects as touch sensors, there are plenty of projects that utilize different tools and skills, including some with 3D printing. But if your kid’s curiosity goes beyond filaments and the like, there’s plenty to learn from programming, Raspberry Pi, and more!
Whether you identify as an evil genius or not, this guide will help you start creating and making some cool inventions. There’s also a ton of online content to accompany this book and your journey into the world of 3D printing.
- Release year: 2017
- Length: 224 pages
- Price: ~$20 (paperback); ~$14 (Kindle)
- Rating: 4.5 stars from 174 reviews
- This book is for: Those searching for interesting MakeyMakey projects or looking for varied project ideas
- Find it at: Amazon
