3D Printed Thank You Card

Do you ever want to have a card, but instead of one that never changes, having one that doesn't fall over and can have different messages on it every day? This short Instructable goes through the process of creating a card with a stand, adding color and uniqueness also.

To make the card, you will need a computer to work on, a 3D printer, slicing software that enables filament changes, and multiple colors of 3D filament (I use PLA).

To download certain parts you can find them below, or you can download my Tinkercad model of the Thank You Card, and change it to what you would like. You will need to download the card stand, and the card also, to print the parts needed for this project. If you want to have a different message on the card such as "Happy Birthday," you can edit the text, add words, and scale them using Tinkercad, after remixing the Tinkercad design. When 3D printing using an FDM printer, each layer is put on consecutively, meaning changing the height of different words will enable you to write a colorful message, rather than a single color print. Additionally, you can change the upper section of the card with the flag on it to more text, another flag, or any design that looks good instead. Make sure to keep the insert 81.25 mm long by 74.5 mm wide, otherwise it might not fit or be held by the stand. The edges that get inserted into the car stand holding bracket must be no more than 1 mm tall, although the rest can be taller to include other designs.

When printing, the card and stand are both downloaded and printed separately, so different slicing G-code will be generated. In my case, I am using a Prusa Mini printer, so Prusa Slicer works for me. As long as you can add colors to the model, any slicer works. Make sure the measurements are in millimeters, and the print settings layer height (setting in top right corner) is 0.15 mm. Import the card stand STL model downloaded above, and press slice and export. Then, after starting a new slicing session, import and slice the card insert model. However, here, look on the left sidebar showing print layers, and click the small "plus" button, located to the right of the layer you are on. This will add a new color change in the model, with the new color starting on the layer that you clicked plus on. Adding a new color layer will make the print multi-colored, meaning elevated text or images with different levels will end up being different colored. For the model of the card insert that I provided, add a new color at 1.1 mm, 1.7 mm, 2.15 mm, and 2.6 mm. Don't worry if the colors don't match on the slicer's image, as the color scheme you end up with will be chosen when you decide which colors of filament to put back in the printer. I am using a purple-blue filament first, then red, white, blue, white. Press slice again, and export. Now the model is ready to print.

Now the model is ready to come into the physical world through the modern technology of 3D printing. Use the USB to bring the G-code files onto the printer, and begin. Remember to change colors, and insert the card section into the stand when done. If you want to add other cards to display, design them on a base layer of 81.25 mm long/tall, 74.5 mm wide at the bottom, and 1 mm tall on the edges, and be creative with the design and message! Finally, you can give this to a person who has contributed positively to your life.