Best 3D Printing Test & Calibration Models – With Downlaod Links

3D printing test models are an important part of setting up and challenging your skills on your 3D printer. Whether trying to perfectly tune in that layer height or attempting the longest bridge possible, here are some of the best test models.

There are many different test models, some small and some big. There is also much to consider, like whether you want to test just one setting or many. Below, they are ranked between print time, number of settings tested, and difficulty to perfect.

The links to the STL files will be at the bottom of the page! All prints were printed on an Ender 3 Pro with a 0.13mm layer height, 215c nozzle temp, and a 60c build plate at 300mm/s.

Quick and Easy Prints

These are your common test models, they take no more than 4 hours to print, and generally don’t use more than 30 grams of filament!

Calibration Cube

• This cube is designed to test 3 simple things, axis accuracy, layer height, and bed adhesion.
• It is easily readable, and the orientation just makes sense
• Has a relatively quick print time (anywhere between 30 min to and 1:00 hour)
• Many different styles, all testing different settings

The Benchy Boat

The Benchy boat is a staple of 3D printing. Although it looks like a cute steamboat, it packs a solid punch for easy-to-medium calibration.

• Test’s overhangs, small bridging, detail, bed adhesion, warping cooling, and speed.
• Takes around 2 hours to print
• Makes a cute little model afterward, so you don’t just have some random calibration thing sitting around.
• Many different styles and models, some harder, some easier than others.

The Fidget Cube Or Tolerance Test

Both the fidget cube and tolerance test test the same thing: tolerance! Tolerance is the amount of “error” your 3D printer has, and it can be increased by slower print speeds, less acceleration, and tuning your temperature and flow rate.

The Fidget Cube

• It is a lower tolerance test and functions mainly as a fidget
• Easy to print, providing you have good bed adhesion
• Makes your printer look cool (has the “how did you do that” effect)
• A good print if you are happy with low to medium tolerances

Tolerance Test

• This test’s your tolerances from 0.5mm to 0.1mm
• It can be used for extensive and incredibly precise tuning
• Takes longer to print than the fidget cube.
• Print in Place (should move the moment you pick it up off the print bed)
• One of my personal favorites.
• If your printer can master all challenges or tests, this is for you!

Medium To Longer Print Time Models

These models are generally more challenging and are mainly focused on tuning the printer rather than having other purposes. They can take anywhere from 5-12 hours

3D Printer Test and The Mini Version

This print is designed to test almost all aspects of your printer. It is challenging and unforgiving, but it provides vital information about all aspects of your printer.

• Tests overhangs (with angle readings) tolerance, bridging (different distances) retraction, speed bed adhesion, temperature, layer height, quality, cooling, and more
• What it tests depends on the model you print
• The level of difficulty can vary greatly (we will have a much harder one appear later)
• It is one of the best time vs. information prints you can do, giving you overwhelming information on your prints.
• The small and regular-size ones provide the same information, but the smaller ones are just…smaller.

Coli flour Calibration

This is good for tolerances and speed tests on another level. Each of the little squares has an exact dimension, and each one can help you determine what is wrong. This one may take some experience to read, but many articles and videos are out there to help you.

• Provides information on speed, acceleration, flow, and tolerance
• Measurable regardless of elephant’s foot
• You may have to pay for the design (we will not be putting any link other than the paid one below)
• Takes some experience or help to read
• You may need to have a certain size of build plate (scaling may not work on certain aspects of the coli flour, as it might throw off the measurement)

Full Printer Bed Layer

This is known in many ways, but the best way to think of it is as a Full printer bed layer. This is when you take a square or rectangle and make it the size of your bed. It should be only one layer and is designed as a level and bed adhesion test. This is harder than the standard test because your bed leveling can have minimal to no imperfections.

• Tests bed adhesion and bed level, along with heat (is the bed too hot or cold)
• Takes a while to print because of its large size (round 1/2-2 hours)
• Takes less filament than a Benchy!
• Easy to slice

Long & Difficult Print Models

These models introduce you to the immensely challenging aspect of 3D printing. They are designed to test all aspects of your printer to the extremes. Some may only test one or two things, but they push your printer to its limits. The time for each model varies greatly between printer speeds, so the times I suggest are relatively vague.

Extreme 3D Printer Tests

This is like the mini 3D printer test, except with more information provided. Not only does this test everything like the mini, but it also tests stringing, warping, and curved walls (inward and around corners). This print is the perfect challenge for any well-tuned printer!

• Tests include overhangs, stringing, bed adhesion, nozzle and bed temperature, tolerance/clearance, warping, support, curves (inward and around corners), and cooling, among others!
• Longer print time (around 5-7 hours)
• Likely to fail (complex and difficult print)
• I use it to tune my print farm printers, which has worked relatively well.

Bed Adhesion (Level 2)

This adhesion test subjects your printer to a tower that is 20mm by 20mm on the base and up to 200mm tall. It tests your printer’s layer height, bed adhesion, jerk, and acceleration. This is most likely the easiest model in this category.

• Tests layer height, bed adhesion, bed temp, cooling, jerk, acceleration, and speed.
• It can be printed in different areas of your printer for an extra challenge
• The difficulty can be increased the smaller the tower is.

The Full Control Pin Support Challenge

this challenge requires stellar cooling and well-tuned E-step values. When uploaded, it prints a pillar straight in the air with a little ball on top. This is a fun and challenging print, as it is quick (around 30 minutes) and uses minimal filament (you can do it many times if you mess up!). Overall, this print only tests for cooling, but it does that in the most stylish way possible!

• Tests cooling and E-step values
• Fun print
• Quick and takes minimal filament
• Hard to display.

Boss Prints

These prints are the final bosses of printing. They both look cool and test your printer and your sanity (if your printer is not well-tuned). They are all lumped together, as each does not test a particular thing but rather produces an epic product.

The Bed Adhesion Boss

The tower of terror. Remember to TURN YOUR SUPPORTS OFF!

The Layer Height & E-Step Boss

The Cube (many different versions)

The Speed Boss

The Speed Benchy Challenge! Your goal is to make a Benchy in as little time as possible! This is the same print as your standard Benchy but printed as fast as possible.

Conclusion

What was your first test print? Join our Discord community and let us know!