Do you have insufficient funds to afford a 3d printer of choice, and you wish to know how to get a free 3d printer, or do you need another 3d printer to add to what you have so as to accomplish more production without overworking your machines?
As every year goes by, prices of 3D printers drop due to economies of scale, new brands and models, etc. But in recent months, we cannot say there has been any significant drop. Instead, on the contrary the prices of 3D printers seem to have gone a few dollars higher, making it less affordable for the average hobbyist to purchase and utilize.
However, for affordable 3D printers which have experienced a fraction of drop in prices, it cannot be that affordable still, these printers may still be quite expensive for many on a low budget or who are keen on experimenting with the technology.
For this reason, many would jump at any opportunity that may earn them a very cheap 3d printer or better yet a free one, as this will be quite beneficial for them.
If you are reading this article, chances are you may be one of them and we will be sharing with you a few ways on how to get a free 3d printer or at least at very cheap prices!
Mediums of How to Get a Free 3d Printer
The following are some of the ways you can be an owner of a free 3d or a highly discounted 3D printer.
1. Joining Contests
One of the surest mediums of how to get a free 3D printer that is brand-new and without paying a dime is through watching out for contests and joining them.
You need to stay alert to contests, hosted by 3D model repositories, not just any kind of contests but those that are 3D related. Most usually entering these contests and competitions will require some kind of registration, design or project submission.
Go for it, you have nothing to lose and a 3D printer to gain! You can find some of these on the following platforms hosting frequent contests:
Cults
Cults is one of the websites that host contests regularly, where you stand a chance to get a free 3D printer, though it leans more on providing premium paid models. The website hosts design contests mostly sponsored by them and other brands, as a reward for interested entrants to win cash prizes, including 3D printers, and other accessories.
Printables
Printables is owned by Prush Research. If you are looking to get a free 3D printer, printables is a famous 3D printing file repository. They also host regular contests with prizes that include 3D brand printers.
Entry into these contests may require you to design and print a 3D product under their contest theme. A new theme gets introduced regularly so if you don’t find any within your wheelhouse currently, there will surely be something that fits soon.
Next, visit the Printables’ competition page to see the selection of new and active contests happening at the same time.
Also Read: What is PLA in 3d Printing
Instructables
To get a free 3D printer can be possible through the instructables platform owned by Autodesk, as the name implies, this platform gives opportunity to users to show others around the world how to make their unique project/s. The platform holds various contests in a number of themes, including 3D design.
In some concluded contests, specific awards have been given for using 3D printing or CAD software designs. Awards often come in the form of cash prizes reaching hundreds of dollars, which could be used to purchase a 3d printer, from the prize money.
If you want to share your project with a wide audience and get rewarded for it, visit Instructables’ contest page.
Creality Cloud
Creality Cloud is a community-oriented site owned by Creality, this brand is wel-known for their Ender printers. Creality Cloud hosts a model marketplace and a community forum with thousands of users, as well as contests, which you can read more about
This platform’s contests may require you to design models based on their proposed topic. Their medium of rewards or prizes range from Cuvacoins (Creality Cloud currency), to cash, filament, and even 3D printers.
2. Giveaways
When it comes to getting a free 3d printer, you just have to watch out, especially in this era of digitization. Giveaways are increasingly popular and happen randomly with just a few milestones as hurdles to bypass before claiming the ultimate prize, which may be a free 3d printer.
3D printing companies often look to promote their products and seek out organizations or individuals with a large community presence to work with.
All you need to gain entry into the giveaways often involves having to follow their social media or answer a few questions on their products. In the end, all parties get something, which may include a brand-new 3D printer, for the lucky winner!
There are many companies that offer giveaways, including resellers do host giveaways from time to time. Following your favorite 3D printing brands on social media is a good way of keeping tab with the latest giveaways pricez. Some of these brands include Creality, eSun, Newegg or SainSmart, etc.
Sponsored giveaways can also be found on forums like r/3Dprinting on Reddit.
3. Classified Ads
Another medium on how to get a free 3d printer, though it may not always be completely free, but will certainly become affordable is classified Ads.
Since the advancement of technology, classified ads simply pop up on our phones interrupting whatever we were initially doing as long as we are connected to the internet in most cases.
Not just confined to newspapers and magazines, though they aren’t completely eliminated but it’s easier today, the aim of these adverts is for people to be aware of the product, buy, sell, etc and these classified have rewards like give away all sorts of items through online platforms.
If you haven’t yet discovered classified ad platforms, here are sone of the most well-known Amazon, eBay, Craigslist in the USA, Facebook Marketplace, Shpock in Germany etc and some of them have applications for easy and convenient access.
You can easily find giveaways in classified ads; expensive items being given away completely for free (or at a very generous price). Often this usually happens on clearance sales, where items may want to be gotten rid of to create space in their home or relocation reasons
You could find otherwise expensive appliances like TVs, refrigerators, washing machines etc. common on these ads, you could be lucky to find a 3D printer too.
Though, note most of these items are used but still in good if not top shape and classified ads represent a real possibility to find significant items for free, or at least very cheap.
Conclusion
In this article on how to get a free 3d printer, we believe the above mediums will get you started in the right direction and you should share with us if they helped.
