Gifts · 2026
Personalised 3D printed gifts
What personalised gift can you make with 3D printing?
A lithophane with a photo that appears when backlit, a sign or keyring with their name, a phone stand, a figure of their pet, a model of their motorbike or a miniature of their RPG character. A small part costs about €10 (€6–€17) and a medium one about €12, excluding VAT and shipping; modelling something from photos is charged separately. Fabrishare is a network of makers: post your idea for free and get quotes within 24–48 hours.
3D printed gift ideas, one by one
What you can personalise in each one and how much time it needs. “Short” means a small part printed in a few hours; “long” means something has to be modelled from photos and approved before printing.
| Gift | For whom | Technology | What you personalise | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithophane (lamp or frame) | Family, partner, grandparents | FDM, in white | The photo, the size and the light stand | Short |
| Name sign or plaque | Children, doors, pets | FDM | Text, font and colours | Short |
| Keyring | Anyone; also in batches | FDM | Name, initials or a shape | Short |
| Phone or headphone stand | A work or gaming desk | FDM | Device dimensions and a name | Short |
| Plant pot | Plant lovers | FDM (PETG if it's watered) | Shape, size and some text | Medium |
| Desk organiser | Office, study, workshop | FDM | Compartments sized to what it holds | Medium |
| Figure of the person or their pet | Birthdays, anniversaries | Resin | Modelled from photos | Long |
| Model of their car or motorbike | Anyone who loves their vehicle | Resin | Model, scale and colour | Long |
| Miniature of their RPG character | Role-players | Resin | Their character, from a purchased file | Short if there's a file |
| Bust | Collectors, tributes | Resin | Size and finish | Medium |
| Jewellery | Partner, anniversaries | Castable resin and casting | Design, ring size and metal | Long |
Gifts with their own guide
Some gifts have their own process. Each guide explains what to send and what the price depends on:
For your business
Gifts with your logo for clients, teams or events.
3D printed corporate giftsA lithophane of their photo
A photo that appears when a light is switched on behind it: in a frame, a lamp or a light box.
Custom lithophanesA figure of someone
A person, a couple or a pet, modelled from your photos and approved before printing.
Custom figurine from photosTheir car or motorbike to scale
A model of the recipient's own vehicle, at a scale that fits their shelf.
Scale model cars and motorbikesTheir RPG character
A miniature of the character they play every week, ready to paint.
RPG miniaturesA bust
A collectible bust to paint, or one of a real person from a 3D scan.
3D printed bustsA piece of jewellery
A made-to-measure ring or pendant: printed in castable resin and cast in silver or gold by a jeweller.
3D printed jewelleryA cake topper
The couple, the birthday boy or girl, or a name to crown the cake at a celebration.
Custom cake toppersChristmas decorations
Baubles with names, stars, nativity figures and decorations to give in December.
3D printed Christmas ornamentsCorporate gifts in batches
Keyrings with your logo or giveaways for an event: in a batch, a small FDM part works out at about €3.65 each. Order a sample first; the logo has to be yours.
Small batch 3D printing
What is a lithophane, and which photo works?
A photo that appears when the light comes on
A lithophane is a white plastic panel printed with thinner and thicker areas. Unlit, it looks like a colourless relief; with a light behind it, the thin areas let light through and the thick ones don't, and the photo appears in black and white. It's mounted in a frame with an LED light, in a lamp or in a light box.
It's almost always printed in FDM, in white, with a solid panel so light passes evenly through the whole photo.
The photo: contrast and resolution
Photos with good light, strong contrast and a large face in the frame work best. Send the original file, not a screenshot or a photo forwarded by messaging app, which loses resolution. Busy backgrounds take attention away from the person: the maker can crop the photo if you ask.
- Face or main subject large and sharp.
- Even light, no harsh shadows on the face.
- The original file, at the highest resolution you have.
What to send so the gift turns out right
- 1
The photo or the idea
The original photo for a lithophane, photos from several sides for a figure, or a sketch with measurements for an object. If you have the 3D file, even better.
- 2
The exact text
Copy and paste the name or phrase exactly, with accents, capitals and punctuation. A typo in a name can't be fixed afterwards.
- 3
The size
In centimetres, or with a reference: “fits in the palm of a hand”, “the size of a 13 × 18 cm frame”.
- 4
The colour or colours
Some makers print several colours at once; others print in one colour and paint. Say so in the project.
- 5
The date
When it needs to be at your door, not when you're giving it. That way each offer tells you whether it'll arrive in time.
Will it arrive in time? Count back from the date
A gift with a deadline is planned backwards: start from the day you need it and subtract each step.
| Step | How long it takes |
|---|---|
| Offers from makers | 24–48 hours after you post |
| Modelling and approval | Only if there's no file: depends on the detail and how quickly you approve |
| Printing a small part | about 20 minutes of machine time |
| Printing a 20 cm resin figure | about 4 hours of machine time |
| Painting and finishing | Add days if you want it painted |
| Shipping | Stated in each offer |
What makes a gift take longer isn't the printing but the modelling and the maker's queue. For Christmas or a birthday, post it early and pick the offer whose lead time arrives before the date.
Reference prices for a 3D printed gift
Estimates from the Fabrishare calculator for the whole job, excluding VAT and shipping. Each maker sets the final price in their offer.
| Gift | Technology | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyring or small part | FDM | €6–€17 | €10 |
| Small stand or organiser (about 6 × 6 × 4 cm) | FDM | €7–€19 | €12 |
| 75 mm bust | Resin | €15–€40 | €25 |
| 20 cm figure (printing only) | Resin | €21–€55 | €34 |
Modelling from photos, hand painting and large FDM parts, such as a plant pot or a lamp, have no reference price: each maker quotes them after seeing your project.
Of the 110 requests registered on Fabrishare between May and October 2026, 33 were decor and decorative figures: the largest group.
What you can put on a gift
Your photos, your family's, names, dates and phrases: no problem. A photo or figure of someone else, with their permission: a gift for someone is the normal case.
What can't be ordered is a brand's logo, a club crest or a copyrighted character without permission to use it, or a copy of an object sold in shops. When you post the project you confirm you have the right to order it, and the maker can turn down anything that doesn't comply.
How to order your personalised gift
- 1Post your project for free with the photo, idea or file, the exact text, the size and the date.
- 2Makers in the network send you their offer within 24–48 hours, with price and lead time.
- 3Pick the one that arrives in time; the maker prints the gift and ships it to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a personalised 3D printed gift cost?
A small part such as a keyring costs €6–€17 (about €10), and a medium one such as a stand about €12, excluding VAT and shipping. Printing a 20 cm resin figure costs €21–€55; if it has to be modelled from photos, the modelling is extra.
What is a lithophane?
A white plastic panel printed with thin and thick areas: with a light behind it, a black-and-white photo appears. It's mounted in a frame with an LED light or in a lamp, and works best with high-contrast photos and a large face.
Will it arrive in time for a birthday or Christmas?
Offers arrive within 24–48 hours and each one states its lead time, so you pick one that arrives first. A small part takes about 20 minutes of machine time; what makes a gift take longer is modelling from photos, painting and the maker's queue. Post it early.
Do I need a 3D file?
No. You can send a photo or a sketch with measurements, or describe the idea: some makers do the modelling, quoted separately. With a file, the price is more precise.
Can they add a name or a message?
Yes. Copy and paste the exact text, with capitals and punctuation, and say the colour: some makers print several colours at once and others paint the lettering.
Can I give something with their team's crest or a brand logo?
Only with the owner's permission. Crests, logos and copyrighted characters can't be ordered without it; a name, a date, colours or your own photo can.
Can I order the same gift for several people?
Yes, and it's cheaper per unit: a run of 100 small FDM parts works out at about €3.65 each, excluding VAT and shipping. Order a sample first to approve the colour.
Can it be sent straight to the person receiving it?
You give the delivery address when you accept the offer: only the chosen maker receives it. If it's a surprise, ask them not to put the price in the parcel.