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3D pen tutorial

How to Use a 3D Printing Pen: A Beginner Tutorial

Match the filament setting to your pen, wait for it to heat, and practice controlled lines on paper before trying raised or air-drawn shapes.

By ThatPainter Team 4 min read
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To use a 3D printing pen, select the setting that matches your filament, wait for the pen to heat, feed the filament until it engages, and draw with controlled extrusion. Begin with simple shapes on paper; the nozzle gets hot, so work in a ventilated area and follow your pen’s manual.

Before you start: match the filament to the pen

Use only filament approved for your model and select its corresponding material setting. A mismatched setting can cause poor feeding or a jam. Pen controls and compatible materials vary, so check the manual before loading.

Material Setting and temperature information Practical notes
PLA Use the PLA setting. The original 3Doodler guide lists approximately 190–200°C. A practical starting material for drawing on a surface. 3Doodler’s tutorial covers basic drawing techniques.
ABS Use the ABS/FLX setting. The original 3Doodler guide lists approximately 230–240°C. The drawing guide describes ABS as easier to control for drawing in the air. Use ventilation. 3Doodler’s tutorial
FLEXY Create+ supports FLEXY on the ABS/FLX setting. Verify the exact pen and refill specifications before use. Create+ manuals
Flow-compatible 1.75 mm filament Flow’s troubleshooting guide describes compatible spooled filament within a 160–220°C range, with the setting matched to the material. This guidance applies to Flow-compatible filament and the Flow pen, not every 3D pen. Flow troubleshooting

These temperatures are product-specific guidance, not universal settings. Do not apply one pen’s temperature range to another model.

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How to use a 3D printing pen

  1. Prepare a safe workspace. Clear the work area and provide ventilation. Keep the pen away from skin, water and flammable materials. The Create+ manual warns that the nozzle is hot and calls for a well-ventilated area.
  2. Select the material setting. Choose PLA for PLA filament, or ABS/FLX for ABS or FLEXY when your model supports it. Confirm the pairing in your manual.
  3. Heat the pen. Wait for its ready indicator before loading or drawing. On the original 3Doodler guide, heating takes approximately one minute; blue indicates ABS and green indicates PLA. Other pens may use different indicators and take different amounts of time. Original 3Doodler tutorial
  4. Insert the filament. Press the drive control, place the strand in the rear opening and push gently until the feed mechanism grips it. Give the filament a few seconds to reach the nozzle and begin extruding. Create+ getting started
  5. Practice on paper. Rest the nozzle on the surface, extrude a short line, then lift. Try straight lines, circles and a grid before moving on to upright or air-drawn forms. 3Doodler drawing guide
  6. Adjust the flow to the task. Use the slow control for corners and detail, and the fast control for longer lines. Button names and control layouts depend on the pen model. Create+ getting started
  7. Change filament safely. Stop extrusion and remove the strand using the procedure for your model. Trim the softened end if needed, then load a compatible strand. Do not pull or force filament against the pen’s instructions. Create+ manuals

How to improve your lines and shapes

Build control on a flat surface first

Keep the tip close to the paper and move at a steady pace while extruding. If a line piles up, reduce the flow or move the pen more consistently. If it breaks, check that extrusion is active and the filament is feeding before changing your drawing technique.

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Move from outlines to raised forms

After practicing flat lines and closed shapes, draw a base and add short supports or walls. Allow each section to cool and firm before attaching the next. Air drawing requires more control than tracing on a surface; the 3Doodler guide notes that ABS can be easier to control in the air, but only use it with the correct setting and suitable ventilation. 3Doodler drawing guide

Troubleshooting: filament will not feed or the pen is jammed

Start with the simplest likely causes: an incorrect material setting, a strand that has not engaged the feed mechanism, or a clog. Use only the troubleshooting steps approved for your model.

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  • No filament comes out: Check that the pen is ready and the selected setting matches the filament. Press the drive control and gently guide the strand until the gears grip it; wait a few seconds for extrusion.
  • The strand feeds poorly: Confirm that the filament is compatible with the pen and that it is inserted as directed. Do not force it if it resists.
  • The nozzle appears clogged: Recheck the material setting, gently nudge a fresh compatible strand, then follow the manufacturer’s unblocking procedure. The Flow guide, for example, provides model-specific troubleshooting; do not assume its steps apply to other pens. Flow troubleshooting
  • A jam persists: Stop and consult the manual for the pen’s approved cleaning or unblocking tool and procedure. Do not push incompatible filament through or attempt an unapproved nozzle change. Create+ manuals
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Safety and routine care

The nozzle remains hot during use. Keep fingers clear of it, place the pen where it cannot contact water or flammable materials, and use the ventilation guidance in your manual. The Create+ manual specifically states: “ALWAYS OPERATE YOUR 3D PRINTING DEVICE IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.” It also includes a California Proposition 65 warning for styrene filaments such as ABS. Create+ manuals

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For nozzle changes, cleaning and storage, follow the instructions for the exact pen model. A procedure or tool designed for one pen should not be assumed safe or suitable for another.

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