Hooked on Convenience: 3D Printed Hook to Keep Your Bag Off the Floor

I’ve always disliked putting my backpack on the floor in class. It gets dirty, takes up leg space, and often feels like a distraction when I need to grab something quickly. After years of awkwardly placing it on the floor or trying to hook it onto a chair, I finally decided to design my own solution: a portable 3D printed hook that clips onto a desk or table.

This project started with a practical classroom problem, but it quickly expanded into something more versatile. Picture this: you’re at a restaurant with friends, and you’ve brought a purse. You don’t want to put it on the ground, and hanging it on the back of a chair feels unsafe because it’s out of sight. Holding it on your lap all meal long? Not comfortable either. My hook solves this by giving you a portable way to hang your bag securely at almost any table or desk.

What started as a personal convenience item grew into a small example of human-centered design—creating something that meets a daily need and can adapt to many environments. I went through multiple prototypes and design iterations to land on a design that feels simple, sturdy, and practical.

To make this project, you’ll need the following:

Materials

1. PLA filament (or another 3D printing material of your choice)
2. Optional: felt padding or rubber strips (to add grip and prevent scratching surfaces)

Tools

1. 3D printer (any printer with a standard bed size should work)
2. Computer with 3D modeling and slicing software (Bambu Studio or similar)
3. Tape measure (for measuring your desk or table thickness)

Files

1. STL file: included in this post (default size fits a 1.25-inch desk width, but you can adjust in your slicer).

Every desk and table is a little different, so customizing the design ensures a snug, supportive fit.

Start by identifying where you’ll use the hook most often—your classroom desk, kitchen table, or office counter—and measure carefully.

Steps:

1. Open the attached STL file (Hook Version 5.stl)
2. Use a tape measure (or a ruler if that’s all you have) to measure the surface thickness.
3. Compare your measurement with the default STL size (1.25 inches).
4. If your desk is thinner, the hook will still work, but grip may feel looser.
5. If your desk is thicker, adjust the STL in your slicer:
6. Scale only the X-axis to widen the clip.
7. Leave other dimensions the same to keep structural strength.
8. Export the model for printing!

Tip: Always test with lightweight items first after resizing—structural integrity changes slightly when you scale.

Design: The STL file included in this post was created using Onshape, though you’re welcome to remake or modify it if you’d like. Onshape is an accessible platform for building both 2D and 3D models, and it’s open for anyone to use. Before starting this project, I had never used Onshape—but I was still able to design the hook on my own!

Now that your design is adjusted, it’s time to set up your print. Good print settings make the difference between a weak, bendy hook and a durable one.

Recommended Print Settings:

1. Infill: 50-60% (adds strength while keeping print lightweight)
2. Supports: Not needed in this design
3. Print time: ~35-40 minutes depending on your printer and size

Steps:

1. Import the STL file into your slicer.
2. Adjust scale if needed (from Step 2).
3. Preview the model to confirm the design is positioned on the bed sideways. This positioning is what allows us to avoid the use of supports.
4. Save the sliced file. For my setup, I saved it onto an SD card and inserted it into the printer, but be sure to follow the file transfer method required for your specific printer.
5. Begin the print!

Tip: Before printing the full design, try printing just the desk attachment piece to confirm it’s the right width and fits your desk properly. This way, you won’t waste time and filament on the entire model if adjustments are needed. I’ve also included a separate STL file (Hook Part.stl) with only the desk attachment part for easy testing.

Once you begin the printing process, check back periodically.

Keep an eye out for common issues, like filament running out or getting tangled—both happened to me during my print and needed quick fixes. The image above is an example of a message to look out for.

When the print finishes, let the product cool for at least a minute before removing it from the printer bed. This helps prevent warping or damage to the piece.

When the print is finished, it’s ready for some quick finishing touches.

Steps:

1. Gently remove the hook from the print bed. Avoid bending it too hard to prevent cracks.
2. Optional: Add grip material (rubber/felt) to the inside of the clip using super glue.
3. Test the hook on your desk. It should sit flush and feel stable.
4. Start with lighter items, then gradually test heavier loads (product supports about 15–20 lbs).

Tip: If you plan to carry this in your backpack daily, consider printing two—one for class, one for restaurants/travel.

Congratulations! Your hook is ready. Now let’s put it to work. The beauty of this design is that it isn’t limited to classrooms.

Where you can use it:

1. Classrooms/Libraries: Keep backpacks clean and easy to reach.
2. Restaurants/Cafes: Hang purses or totes instead of putting them on dirty floors.
3. Workspaces: Hold headphones, tool bags, or charging cables.
4. Travel: Use on benches in airports, train stations, or hotels.
5. At Home: Works for grocery bags, umbrellas, or even jackets.

Tip: Since the hook is compact, you can toss it into your bag and always have a portable hanger handy.

Looking back on this project, I realize that it taught me much more than simply how to design and 3D print a hook. One of the biggest lessons was the importance of iteration in the design process. My first prototypes were far from perfect—they were either too weak to hold a backpack or didn’t fit desks properly. Each failure provided valuable feedback, showing me how small changes in dimensions, angles, or thickness could dramatically improve the functionality of the design. This experience reinforced the idea that failure is an essential part of learning and that each adjustment brings you closer to a successful solution. I also gained practical experience with 3D printing itself. While the printer does most of the work, I learned that active monitoring is crucial. For example, my filament ran out mid-print, and I had to replace it carefully to avoid ruining the model. At another point, the filament got tangled, requiring troubleshooting and patience. These challenges taught me how to anticipate problems, stay calm under minor setbacks, and make real-time adjustments—skills that are just as important in engineering and design as in everyday problem-solving. Another important takeaway was user-centered design. From the beginning, I designed the hook not only to solve my classroom problem but also to be adaptable to restaurants, cafes, workspaces, and travel. Testing it in multiple contexts showed me how small, portable solutions can have broader applications than initially expected. The positive feedback I received from classmates and friends who tested the hook confirmed that designing with other users in mind increases the impact and usefulness of a product. Finally, this project strengthened my confidence in using new design software. I had never used Onshape before starting this project, but by exploring it step by step, I was able to create a functional STL file and customize it for my needs. It reminded me that learning new tools is a matter of curiosity, persistence, and trial-and-error, rather than relying solely on prior experience. In conclusion, this project combined technical skills, problem-solving, and creative thinking. It showed me the value of designing with purpose, testing in real-world contexts, and reflecting on the process to improve future projects. Beyond the practical result—a sturdy, portable hook—it gave me a deeper appreciation for how iterative design and thoughtful problem-solving can create solutions that are simple, useful, and versatile.