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

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

• DIY-IT Project: 3D printing discovery series (ZDNet)
• Gallery: 27 Star Wars goodies you can download and 3D print right now (ZDNet)
• IT pro's guide to 3D printing technologies (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
• Photos: 3D printed dentures, bike, surgical tools, and more (TechRepublic)
• The new Monoprice 3D printer prints 3D things for $150 (CNET)

Image: jpearce/Thingiverse