Whether you’re a Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast, a board game designer, or just someone who loves unique collectibles, custom 3D printed dice open up a world of creativity. From personalized initials and symbols to unusual shapes and materials, 3D printing allows you to design and fabricate dice that are truly your own.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to create your own custom dice—from design to finishing—using desktop 3D printers. We’ll walk through modeling, printing, and even post-processing techniques to make your dice both functional and beautiful.
Why 3D Print Custom Dice?
- Create unique designs with personal flair or game-specific symbols
- Prototype board game mechanics with custom-sided dice
- Replace lost dice from commercial sets
- Experiment with shape, size, and material for novel gameplay
- Ideal for cosplay, gifts, or gaming merch
With 3D printing, you can go beyond standard D6 and D20 sets and explore totally original forms.
Step 1: Choose the Type of Dice You Want to Create
Tabletop games use a variety of dice types:
| Dice Type | Description |
|---|---|
| D4 | Four-sided tetrahedron |
| D6 | Standard cube (6 sides) |
| D8 | Eight-sided octahedron |
| D10 | Ten-sided pentagonal trapezohedron |
| D12 | Twelve-sided dodecahedron |
| D20 | Twenty-sided icosahedron |
| Custom/Unusual | Custom number ranges, icons, or shapes |
Start simple with a D6 if you’re new to modeling, then progress to more complex polyhedrons.
Step 2: Design Your Custom Dice
Option 1: Use Online Dice Makers
Several tools allow fast, template-based dice creation:
- Thingiverse Customizer (OpenSCAD-based)
- Tinkercad (drag-and-drop modeling)
- Dodeca Studio or DiceMaker add-ons for Blender
Ideal for:
- Beginners
- Quick tests
- Icon or text-based dice
Option 2: Model Dice in CAD Software
For full customization, use 3D design software:
| Software | Best For |
|---|---|
| Fusion 360 | Parametric modeling of precise shapes |
| Blender | Artistic freedom and sculpting |
| Tinkercad | Beginner-friendly custom dice |
| OpenSCAD | Programmable shapes with exact math |
Design Tips:
- Use boolean operations to engrave or emboss numbers/symbols
- Align faces carefully to ensure even weighting
- Keep edges slightly rounded to improve printability and rolling
- Add center marks or pits to reduce surface area sticking to bed
Step 3: Ensure Fairness (Dice Balance)
Fair dice must be evenly weighted and symmetrically designed. Keep these points in mind:
- Keep infill consistent across the volume
- Avoid hollow sections or large recessed faces
- Ensure engraved numbers/icons are uniform in depth and size
📌 Test fairness by rolling the dice at least 100 times and tracking results.
Step 4: Prepare Your Dice for 3D Printing
Slicer Settings for Dice:
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Layer Height | 0.1–0.2 mm for better resolution |
| Wall Count | 3+ for solid edges |
| Infill | 100% (or high, for balance) |
| Supports | May be needed for overhangs on D20/D12 |
| Adhesion | Brim or raft for small contact surfaces |
Orient the dice face-up or corner-down depending on the shape to reduce support and improve detail quality.
Step 5: Choose the Right Filament
| Material | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | Easy printing | Good detail but brittle if dropped |
| PETG | Durable dice | Slightly flexible, good impact resistance |
| Resin (SLA) | High-detail dice | Smoothest surface finish |
| Silk PLA | Shiny finishes | Great for showpieces |
| Glow-in-the-dark or color-shift PLA | Visual flair | Slightly abrasive—check your nozzle type |
📌 Use a hardened steel or ruby nozzle for abrasive filaments.
Step 6: Post-Processing for a Polished Look
Basic Cleaning
- Remove supports carefully with flush cutters or tweezers
- Light sanding with 400+ grit improves edges
Painting Numbers
- Use acrylic paint and a fine brush to fill in numbers or icons
- Wipe excess with a damp cloth before it dries
- Finish with a clear coat spray for protection
Resin Coating or Vapor Smoothing (Optional)
- Resin or epoxy coating can add a glassy, professional finish
- For ABS dice, acetone vapor smoothing can polish surfaces
Advanced Tips for Custom Dice Makers
- Add logos or game icons on specific faces
- Use two-tone printing (via filament swaps or multi-material printers)
- Embed inserts or weights for novelty or balance
- Consider UV resin molds if moving into casting mass dice
Where to Find or Share Dice Designs
- Thingiverse, Printables, and MyMiniFactory feature tons of free dice STL files
- Share your custom designs with game communities or on marketplaces like Etsy if you’re creating unique sets
FAQs
Q1: Can 3D printed dice be used in official tabletop games?
Yes, though balance and legality may vary in tournaments. For casual or home play, they’re perfect.
Q2: What’s the best 3D printer type for dice?
- FDM works well with good resolution settings
- Resin printers offer the best detail and smooth surfaces
Q3: How do I make dual-color or filled dice?
Use filament changes mid-print, or pause the print and fill engravings with resin, wax, or contrasting filament.
Q4: Is it better to engrave or emboss the numbers?
Engraved numbers are easier to paint and create more contrast, while embossed designs can wear better over time.
Conclusion
3D printing your own custom dice is a rewarding and creative project that enhances your tabletop gaming experience. From simple D6s with initials to elaborate polyhedral sets with glowing symbols, the only limit is your imagination.
With some planning, modeling, and post-processing, you can produce dice that are not only functional but also unique, stylish, and game-ready. Whether you’re a gamer, designer, or just love to tinker, creating dice is a perfect way to level up your 3D printing skills.