Innovation

Photos: 26 weird and useful things to 3D print for your desk

By and // July 9, 2018, 9:08 AM PST // ErinCarson

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  • Customizable cable catcher

    Until the cord cutters finally have their way, you can print this cable catcher and attach it to your desk to save you from hunting around for your various wirings.

    Image: TheNewHobbyist/Thingiverse

  • Out of office sign

    Leave no doubt in the minds of folks who come by your desk looking for you. You are OOO until the sign says otherwise.

    Image: Tosh/Thingiverse

  • Cup holder

    Because plastics cups lack flair, print out this cup holder and never sip the same way again. Plus, you don't have to worry about condensation.

    Image: tonghuix/Thingiverse

  • Pen holder

    You could lay your pen on your desk. Or, you could stick it in the powerful jaws of a 3D printed T-Rex. Your call.

    Image: XYZWorkshop/Thingiverse

  • Circular business card holder

    Reports of the death of business card are exaggerated. Organize the ones you've got (and actually want to keep) with this fanning business card holder.

    Image: tmorris9/Thingiverse

  • Robot desk organizer

    Our robot overlords will applaud your organizational skills after seeing this desk organizer.

    Image: purita/Thingiverse

  • iPhone dock

    For the 3D printing minimalist, here's a simple iPhone dock.

    Image: mikie10/Thingiverse

  • A daft iPhone dock

    For those who aren't minimalists -- here's a Daft Punk-esque iPhone dock that will let you charge it, point it, zoom it, press it... or whatever it is that you do.

    Image: paulsiew31/Thingiverse

  • Pencil holder

    Do you have more writing utensils than you know what to do with? Try the buckyball pencil holder.

    Image: pmoews/Thingiverse

  • Tablet stand

    Might as well combine function and style. These octopus tentacles come up from your desk and prop up your tablet. Just don't make them mad. They get a little grabby.

    Image: Notcolinforreal/Thingiverse

  • Gyroscopic cube gears

    Not everything on your desk has to serve a specific function. We'll call this little machine a "conversation starter."

    Image: joefe/Thingiverse

  • Cable spool

    Here's another option for folks overwhelmed by cords and cables.

    Image: cheewee2000/Thingiverse

  • SD card holder

    The thing about SD cards is they're small, and small things tend to get lost. Keep them handy with these guys.

    Image: tjstroker/Thingiverse

  • Combination safe

    Keep prying eyes and sticky fingers at bay with this 3D printed combination safe.

    Image: SavageRodent/Thingiverse

  • Coasters

    Keep your sweaty drinks off your desk with these geometric coasters.

    Image: MakeALot/Thingiverse

  • Coffee pod desk organizer

    If you use a lot of coffee pods at work, this desk organizer is right up your alley. Modifications may be needed to fit some kinds of coffee pods.

    Image: StIzZo/Thingiverse

  • Cubicle shelf

    Running out of space for all your office paraphernalia? You should think about printing some shelves, such as this one that nestles into a cubicle corner.

    Image: xenotrim/Thingiverse

  • Monitor-top mirror

    Is your back to your cubicle or office door? Know who is sneaking up on you by printing this tiny monitor-top mirror (mirror not included).

    Image: Kas-sir/Thingiverse

  • Cubicle hook

    In the perfect office, all cubicles would come with a couple of coat hangers. When that isn't the case, you can just print your own cubicle hooks.

    Image: BrookTrout/Thingiverse

  • Fix a sinking office chair

    Who hasn't dealt with a sinking office chair? These simple rings will hold that self-adjusting chair right where you want it.

    Image: MacGyver/Thingiverse

  • Office chair brake

    Speaking of office chairs, does yours move around more than you like? If so, print a couple of these chair brakes, and you'll finally stay put.

    Image: Onesilentlight/Thingiverse

  • Cable corners

    Corners are the bane of cable management. Well, not anymore. These cable corner organizers will help keep cords where you want them--against the wall and out of the way.

    Image: muzz64/Thingiverse

  • Stackable desk organization bins

    When I worked in IT, there were always errant screws, loose adapters, and miscellaneous bits floating around our repair desk. I wish I had a set of these stacking organizers, available in multiple configurations.

    Image: sartemch/Thingiverse

  • Mini candy machine

    Be the envy of the office by printing (and filling) your own miniature candy dispenser!

    Image: piraxchild/Thingiverse

  • Self-watering planter

    Don't come back from vacation to dead office plants: Print this self-watering planter, and your companion will be alive and healthy when you return. The only additional item you need is some cotton string to pull water from the reservoir into the soil.

    Image: O3D/Thingiverse

  • Adjustable laptop stand

    You don't need to spend hundreds--or thousands--of dollars to get a standing platform for your computer: Print your own! This one is designed for a laptop, but there's no reason it couldn't raise a monitor and keyboard as well.

    Also see

    Image: jpearce/Thingiverse

Customizable cable catcher

Until the cord cutters finally have their way, you can print this cable catcher and attach it to your desk to save you from hunting around for your various wirings.

Image: TheNewHobbyist/Thingiverse

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By Erin Carson

Erin Carson is a Staff Reporter for CNET and a former Multimedia Editor for TechRepublic.