How to 3D print fabric - Step by step

This video is about how to 3D print fabric in a conventional desktop 3D printer. We review the basics of 3D printed fabrics and the different ways of making them, including a step by step tutorial to print your first fabric swatch.
You can find a FREE STARTER KIT with a PDF guide, a fabric log template and the swatch 3D model clicking this link: 1drv.ms/u/s!AvEi9ge8n20Eg4dgw...
Subscribe to my channel for more videos like this: / @saraalvarez
00:00 Goal and contents
00:14 Get your 3D printed fabric starter kit
00:23 What is 3D printed fabric?
00:53 Why 3D print fabric?
01:25 Different methods of making 3D printed fabric
01:31 The chainmail method
01:46 The Gcode method
02:05 The modeling method
02:27 The infill method
03:20 Create a 3D block and export as STL
03:47 Import STL in Cura
03:53 Remove top and bottom layers
04:08 Play with the settings
04:26 Print!
04:52 Summary and final thoughts
WHERE TO FIND ME
Instagram: @s.is.for.sara
Website: www.sara-alvarez.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/sara-alvarez-vinagre
RELATED LINKS
Music by RomanBelov from Pixabay.
Designers using 3D printed fabrics
@sewprinted on Instagram and KZbin
@_sarque_ on Instagram
Chainmail models by Flowalistik
www.thingiverse.com/thing:309...
www.thingiverse.com/thing:329...
Gcode method projects
www.fabrix.design/
www.media.mit.edu/projects/de...
www.researchgate.net/figure/D...
MATERIALS USED
Filament - Recreus Filaflex 82A
Software
- 3D modeling: Tinkercad www.tinkercad.com/
- Slicer: Ultimaker Cura 4.11 ultimaker.com/en/software/ult...
3D printers
- BCN3D Sigma R1
- Ultimaker S5

[@SaraAlvarez]

I've just started creating instructional videos, so I’m looking forward to your feedback! Remember to get your free 3D printing fabric cheat sheet and log here: sara-alvarez.ck.page/3d-printed-fabric-kit

[@AdaZoul]

I did not understand how to use Fabrix. Sara, could you explain better? Thanks.

[@tomgardner3789]

Congratulations on the *style* of your video! I rarely watch youtube videos because they are a waste of my remaining life, but you have avoided *all* the traps :) Most videos are 1) "talking heads" that could be equally well done using text/images or even voice alone. Yours needs video to make the points. 2) full of "um" and "ah" and "you know". You talk fast but clearly, and there is information in what you say 3) don't let me understand why I might want to watch the video. Yours has the table of contents. 4) I can speed read 10* times faster than speech, so I can very quickly decide what to *ignore*. If I can't do that, I don't bother to watch on the off chance there might be something I want to see. So, congratulations on your technique!

[@Physco219]

I read the hackaday article and really didn't understand. I watched the video and now it's all clear. Great indicative video. Keep up the great work and keep making awesome things.

[@kellyjean4981]

I just found your channel and am excited to see your other videos. Thank you

[@AndrewAHayes]

I already have a swatch of infill patterns which I made so that I have a visual reference of the infill patterns, I never thought of using them for TPU fabrics though but I did make some cup coasters made from infill patterns and printed in ASA, this TPU fabric would be a good thing to print on belt machines!

[@techchrism]

This is very interesting! Has there been any analysis on durability / microplastic pollution from 3d printed fabrics with common filaments? I know polyester fibers contribute significantly to microplastic pollution and, with lower durability, 3d printed fabrics might be worse.

[@thesplatstrategist]

If memory serves me right, PLA(not sure for other kinds of filament) does not degrade into micro plastics MakersMuse has a great video on the impact of 3D printed plastics

[@logitech4873]

@@thesplatstrategist Flexible materials, like what's used in this video, is not PLA. It's TPU.

[@thesplatstrategist]

Oh sorry, I just thought of flexible pla because it’s what I use TPU might not be as great for the environnement

[@user0K]

@@thesplatstrategist every plastic degrades into microplastics

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

PLA is biodegradable, like biodegradable BBs.

[@clared5812]

THIS IS SO COOL! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Also especially appreciate everything being free and open-source :) that says a lot about you as a person. I will be trying this myself ASAP. Subscribed!

[@JamesWardGodsMagicGuy]

I find this facnating makes me think I can make some of those fantastic patterns I see in my favorite movies maybe.

[@luciacontreras8897]

woowww loved the format of the video and all the info, thank you so much sara

[@ThingEngineer]

It would be cool to try this with a dual extruder using different filaments for each direction for a start and moving onto even more complex patterns.

[@therealnicecream]

Thank you for the Informationen you provided. This is awesome!

[@maxpaym3]

Such a cool idea.very new to 3d printing but loving the journey so far.

[@mycelleismybffl]

this is an amazing video! thank you for posting this!

[@jillatayceramics2542]

I am so happy to have found your channel. I've been dreaming of using infill patterns since learning about 3D printing last year. I'm a ceramic artist and there are so many wonderful things being done with the medium. But I want to be able to make these "fabrics" to create textures on my clay. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Jill

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thanks for the lovely comment Jill ❤️ Can I see your explorations with clay somewhere? It sounds cool :)

[@veemechanical4663]

Just had to pop in and say how much I love your work. Your project assignments are all very interesting and I cant wait to see more

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you for your kind words! I’m happy you’re enjoying my work :)

[@davidd2661]

@@SaraAlvarez how durable is the fabrick?

[@CluenMedia]

Such a great video! I am extremely inspired by this!! Thank you!

[@propylaeen]

Great stuff! Thank you for sharing.

[@THEOGGUNSHOW]

Outstanding instructional video. Thank you for sharing ❤🎉

[@jordanlapointe8207]

This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

[@pierreester1470]

Fantástico! Muy buena info. Gracias

[@Jeff1995born]

Mind blown! Think of the possibilities.

[@SimonSozzi7258]

Fascinating

[@SharXwasTaken]

That is very creative and interesting use of a 3D printer! I haven't thought about that, but its good to know that it works. Will definitely come back to this, when I will work with textiles.

[@yonibachar4147]

Very cool thanks for sharing I definitely am gonna need to remember this.

[@BearerOfLightSonOfGod]

Thank you Sara this will be very helpful.

[@htislog]

Very cool idea, thanks for sharing.

[@user-qr3bi8ly6z]

excellent. thank you

[@kenisthistoo7499]

Wow! This is a great video. Thanks

[@tacmonkey]

Wow! Not only very interesting, but one of the most well-presented, comprehensive and factually accomplished videos I've come across on any topic. Been tinkering with 3D-printing for fairly many years myself, with many different machines, methods, applications and levels of expertise.. and I find this introduction very well balanced, accurate and at the same time informative . Like, follow, subscribe and all the stuffs, for sure!

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you so much for the kind words David! They make me very happy. I’m sorry about taking this long to reply, I posted this video and then I had to take a break from KZbin for a while, but I’m back! I’ll be posting more videos soon. I just publish one on 3D printing lace:kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TYk3qkbNV5idE. I hope you enjoy it!

[@rescuemethod]

Great video! Love this topic. I'm a footwear designer developer and have worked on thousands of shoes. I'll give this a try. Thanks!

[@Corbald]

I've been using a combination of direct modeling and the infill method for about three years, now. I've been making bags and hip-pouches for friends and family, though I haven't tried to market it yet (working another project path atm.). I'm looking forward to seeing if the public responds as positively as my 'test market' has! In my case, I've been printing fairly thick sheets with a very soft ninjaflex. It comes out with feeling very close to pleather. I model in the stitch holes to make assembly easier, but I love that you can do cool borders and patterns basically however your imagination desires. One huge tip I have is that it's _much_ easier to buy the white ninjaflex, then use Rit synthetic dye to color it. Just make sure you do all the same colored parts for the same project at the same time, so you can get the colors to match, otherwise you end up with darker/lighter parts. I do a few test swatches with a color mix, then dye all the panels at the same time in a big pot. The ninjaflex holds up very well to the temperatures of the dye/water, despite being a thermoplastic. YMMV, so experiment.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I have to give the dyeing a try 👌🏼 Have you tried using natural dyes like avocado pits or onion skins? I wonder if that would work.

[@Corbald]

@@SaraAlvarez I really have no idea. Rit synthetic was what I saw recommended for dying rubbers, and it worked first try, so I didn't experiment much. Do let me know if you find other dyes which work just as well!

[@onimoz]

Excellent video!

[@LOGICALMAGNET]

thank you, you are amazing u made my day

[@abdontroche]

So cool!

[@Popisovac_]

This is amazing.

[@carlossabogal1317]

This is awesome! Thanks for doing this.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you Carlos! Happy you liked it. I just posted a new video on 3D printing lace, perhaps you’ll like it too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TYk3qkbNV5idE

[@davidpetersonharvey]

Amazing!

[@Sembazuru]

I don't know about Cura, but for printing simple sample swatches you can do all of this in PrusaSlicer (and many other Slic3r forks). Simply after starting up the slicer, add a primitive shape (like a cube) to the print volume then scale it to the dimensions you want. Remove the top and bottom layers and then play with the infill. Yes, you will probably want to use your favorite 3D CAD program to get the actual pattern shapes when taking from idea to design, but for simple swatches the inbuilt slicer primitives is faster and easier.

[@josephmama9657]

Yup. Totally subbed to Ms Sara!

[@fedeyoutub]

coool,. it's a brilliant thing ..

[@nilp0inter2]

Brutal! Más por favor.

[@draginator6]

Incredibly informative and really makes me want to give 3d printing a shot, great video!

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you for the support!

[@draginator6]

@@SaraAlvarez Thank you for the detailed guides! I'm watching the video you made on lace now and I think my sister would be really interested in it.

[@LifeWithTheBeckers]

Amazing! I have been thinking about this but didn't think about doing it this way! Awesome!

[@SaraAlvarez]

I also had an aha moment the first time I worked with this technique 🤗

[@CaliforniaMist]

This is an absolutely incredible video you did a fantastic job!!!! Doll makers would love this too

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you!! I never thought of using this to make doll garments, but it’s a good idea yes!

[@yasuyukitakeda]

解りやすい解説ありがとうございます

[@ilseprinsen3331]

So interesting!!

[@duality4y]

This is super cool

[@Creative_Electronics]

Very good video!

[@biasandini]

Amazing Sara!!

[@SaraAlvarez]

Yay! I’m happy you liked it 🙂

[@MrBaskins2010]

very lovely and open ended project for others to try. would love to see you do a video on cura 5

[@arialf9637]

te felicito aprendi muchisimo

[@brentjackson2312]

Congratulations! This was really well done.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you! It takes a lot of work to make these videos so I'm happy they are helpful :)

[@Saw-qv3bl]

Great video

[@LScott97]

Great intro video! Very interesting! 👍👍👍

[@h3Xh3Xh3X]

Amazing! I would love to see more about printing lace and designing shoes.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Hi Lennart, thank you for comment! I took note of the suggestions and I just posted a new video about how to 3D print lace: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TYk3qkbNV5idE

[@Abihef]

Ze zijn wel leuk geworden die schoenen

[@casseyanzio2568]

wow. i didnt know anything about printing fabric before. now i have so much more knowledge. your very clear about your information, and your visuals are fantastic. thanks so much. a new subscriber now.!!

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you for the kind words ☺️ I’m happy to hear it is helpful!

[@burningions]

Honestly: enjoyed.

[@steveis33]

This is brilliant 👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you Steve!

[@dagr8kerek]

Wow! This is such a great idea! I guess it’s time to dig up my ninjaflex and make something 🥰

[@MARALISMO]

soo helpfull. Thank you!

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you Maral! I'm happy it is useful :)

[@danielgonzalez2048]

excelente video, me gustaria que tuvieras mas contenido

[@agnesolivia6400]

very helpfull and insteresting. looking forward to see another application of 3d print on fashion

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll be sharing more projects in the near future :)

[@sascha_trvl]

Wow! I didn´t know that is possible. A very informative Video! Which has also a good quality. Hopefully you make more Videos like that. Greeting from Germany

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you for the support Sascha :)

[@VincentVeak]

This so so cool wtf

[@Mo-bi1pk]

Underrated

[@kevinbissinger]

Ayyy the algorithm picked you up. Nice to meet you

[@michaelbliss3337]

Thanks for this video and information, there doesn't seem to be enough discussion about this. Very interesting! If you're looking for ideas for future videos, expanding on the things you can make, techniques to make them - how to type stuff, with 3d printed fabric would be a hit I'm sure.

[@alexisacevedo4633]

congrats on 500 subs

[@xalsid3484]

wow nice video

[@Zhinoi]

You genius... 🥲

[@khoahuynh9775]

Many thanks for useful video. May I know whether we are able to use recycled PET filament to make a 3D printed fabric shoe upper directly onto a shoe last? Is there any recycled PET filament supplier?

[@fernandabermejo]

Muchas Gracias por el video, estoy incursionando en el tema y aca hay un monton de info para arrancar.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Muchas gracias Fernanda! Tengo pensado hacer contenido en español más adelante también :) Si te interesa este tipo de contenido acabo de subir un nuevo vídeo sobre cómo imprimir encaje: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TYk3qkbNV5idE

[@LWJCarroll]

Not sure I think Cura will import an svg vector drawing file. This might work as well?

[@Etna.]

Thank you for this well craftet and beautiful video to get you interested in printing flexible parts. Instead of waving strands of material to fuse them were they meet is a neat way of coming around to beeing able to do this. Thank you for broaden my horizon on 3D printing. Making some sort of hinge should be nice beeing made this way. I guess you`ll need a bigger bed than that to custom print your t-shirts? Z-axis hight would be not so important. Regards, Etna.

[@Sembazuru]

For single panel t-shirts, yeah a bigger print bed would probably be needed. See Ivan Miranda's big printer. ;-) But I could see interesting color and texture patterns could be done by connecting together smaller panels to make the bigger t-shirt panel. Sort of like building up a quilting square. Not sure if I would want TPU against my skin though. Might need an actual textile liner, or be worn over a tighter fitting shirt (like an undershirt).

[@mebymathew3498]

great information ... where you get this material from and what is the cost of it..... can it be printed with any of the common printer ..or else what are the spec for the printer that you use.

[@dreamsprayanimation]

What kind of filament do you use for fabric?

[@LeDodgyLodger]

I wonder if there could be a hybrid using thread in the mesh that sticks to the polymer while still in the melted state. To add strength and maybe, in the case of the shoes, the side facing skin could have more natural fiber against the skin than the polymer.

[@19mitch54]

I have never produced fabric using the infill method, but after printing a part in nylon, I noticed the raft was a possibly useful fabric. Since then, I have produced fabrics in TPU by using larger nozzles and tweaking the raft settings and part geometry, stopping the print after the raft. I have modified the g-code also, deleting layers above the raft so I don't have to stop the print manually.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Wow, you're quite the expert then! It is interesting to read all the different ways to achieve a similar result.

[@somathebest]

que tendrá el acento español que antes de ver el nombre del canal ya sabia de donde era xD Oye el video es un 10, habia usado el metodo de eliminar superficies para vasijas o filtros de red pero nunca se me habria ocurrido que serviria para hacer tejidos. Greating and Like From Galicia!!

[@GANGZ-qt9we]

What printer would I need to get for doing this

[@davi2ue]

Hi! Really intertesting video. I tried to download the manual but I cannot receive the email. Can you share a download link? Thanks a lot :)

[@craigperkins]

Im unable to get the resource kit?

[@PeteSchirmer]

Would love to hear more about different filaments and how to choose one, what properties that can give you, and tips for pattern making and assembling a final piece. Can you melt weld seams or glue , or sew with thread?

[@SaraAlvarez]

Hi Pete, thanks for your comment and sorry for the late reply! I’ll show more final projects and go through the pattern making process as well in future videos. In the meantime you can check my last video on 3D printed lace, perhaps this is interesting for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TYk3qkbNV5idE

[@verlourdior]

Hi. If i want to make my own shapes (Like a flower )how do I go about doing that what Software would I use to draw and then what next do I export the drawing to a 3D software? And what printer would you recommend I use. PLEASE help thanks ❤ Edit: if you could do a video or reply to my comment that would be lovely

[@Robothut]

Good job on the instructional video. The only thing I would change is the audio level is a bit low. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

[@flexarnn]

I have never had any interest in making clothes but this is really darn cool.

[@tuskegee87]

First of all... this is Awesome! Thanks for this video and information. You've opened my eyes to a whole new world of printing. I would like to use this method to make clothes for homeless kids in the area. I'm hoping it's durable enough for constant use. Thanks again.

[@ramboturkey1926]

its basicly pure plastic and its not comfortable on the skin

[@tuskegee87]

@@ramboturkey1926 I can definitely see that being an issue. What about using a nylon filament?

[@ramboturkey1926]

@@tuskegee87 depends how flexible it is. im sure it would be more economical just to buy some clothes and donate them

[@tuskegee87]

@@ramboturkey1926 that's true

[@MegaSafie]

This is awesome I'm really thinking about buying a 3D printer and getting into this. What kind of printer would you recommend?

[@user-kt7kh2vj2l]

I think you might be very interested in the mastering infill video by teaching tech, he found a lot of options to texture and pattern infill with some easy to deploy lateral thinking. This might open up even more creative liberties for you!

[@eggsandwhichian]

can i sew with this shii? that would be awesome

[@benjaminbutcher]

I wanna be clear: I want more women in 3D printing, but the reason I subscribed because this video is fire. 🔥

[@briguy9915]

Yeah more vaginas am I right!?!? 🙌

[@cutenomo]

what flexible fillament can you recomend and is the fabric sewable ?

[@SaraAlvarez]

Hi, you can attach pieces together with a sewing machine or a 3D pen. The material I use is Recreus Filaflex 82A.

[@prlys3520]

Your Channel has way to less followers for the Quality content you are producing. Im glad that i found your Channel! Keep up the good work.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Thank you so much! I’m now picking it up again and I’ll be posting new videos soon :) You can check the last one here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3TYk3qkbNV5idE

[@plzzz]

I have been playing around with TPU filament and infill method. The result is great for handbags and shorts (Yes shorts!) I have tried printing and stitching together a shirt and shoulderpad (cosplayer reguest) and the texture is too irritating once mixed with sweat. While the possibility is there, I still think traditional fabric is more affordable and eco-friendly.

[@SaraAlvarez]

Hello! Thanks for your comment, how cool that you’ve made all those things with this technique! And it’s good to know their limitations when people wear them. I think for now it’s more experimental than anything else, but I believe this can evolve to something more useful as materials keep developing.

[@matthewkopp2391]

I am brainstorming ways to make origami tents and want to have the crease patterns printed on lightweight tent materials. The crease patterns I am mainly working with are parabolic patterns, and flasher patterns using water resistant paper. If you have any information on someone working on the same design problem let me know. The design I am striving for has these qualities: 1. Very lightweight 2. Does not need poles because it has a rigid effect with tensile strength. 3. deploys and Folds down to very compact sizes quickly. I have several designs that do this with paper, but it needs to be durable fabric like nylon-polyester rip stop.

[@B0A2]

What filament do you use

[@SaraAlvarez]

Recreus Filaflex 82A

[@josephmama9657]

I didn’t really read the title and I saw printing fabric and I thought it meant like making a T-shirt print and then as soon as Ms Sara started talking I was like whoa!! wait what??

[@CaliMeatWagon]

If you can 3mf is a better file type. It exports much faster.

[@minakshichannel8624]

🙏💖

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

Great idea! Now the hardware has to catch up to make pants. :)

[@tabernadetebes5547]

how do you join diferent fabric sections? :O (i mean, my 3d printer is pretty small)

[@SaraAlvarez]

Hi! I also have a small print area so I usually do one of three: Use a 3D pen with the same filament; sew the pieces with a sewing machine; or make the design modular, so I can interlock the pieces with each other. I hope this helps :)