3D printing at home is becoming more accessible, with many affordable printers now capable of producing high-quality cookie cutters. I frequently receive questions about 3D printing, so I decided to share some information in my blog in hopes that it will be helpful. *I’ll also keep updating this post with new tips and insights!
Please note: You need to have basic knowledge of how to use your 3D printer model.
3D printers & slicers vary, so while I provide recommended settings, some adjustments may be needed, as settings and performance can vary depending on the model and software.
FILAMENT
We recommend using 1.75mm diameter PLA filament for printing cookie cutters.
According to the FDA , PLA meets food contact requirements and is generally recognized as food-safe. While cookie cutters are not classified as utensils or cookware (as they don’t store food, only briefly touch raw dough, which is then baked at high temperatures and don’t come into contact with the final, ready-to-eat food) and do not require the same level of food safety regulation, we still strongly recommend using filament from reputable brands that meet food safety standards.
For my cookie cutters, I personally prefer using clear (transparent) PLA filament which is its natural color without added colorants (as this is also mentioned in FDA guidelines).
While I personally do not think that colored filament is necessarily less food-safe, added colorants can slightly alter the texture, composition, or chemical properties of the filament. Each color may also print a bit differently, so you might notice slightly different outcome —for example, a with white filament compared to black or blue.
We print lot of different items in addition to cookie cutters and I love experimenting with different filament colors (including neon, fluorescent, and metallic) and unique textures like flex, wood and silk. Exploring these materials for various 3D-printed creations is always exciting and inspiring!✨
Safety of 3D-printed items depends on both the material used and the printing process. Using food-safe PLA filament and a stainless steel nozzle (instead of brass, which may contain lead) helps prevent or minimize contamination risks. So I strongly recommend to use stainless steel nozzle! And as with any kitchen utensil, it’s important to wash cookie cutters with dish soap after every use to maintain proper hygiene.
It's important to store opened filament properly, such as in airtight containers and following the manufacturer's storage and handling instructions. Improper storage or exposure to excessive dryness or moisture can affect print quality, leading to issues like cracking, oozing, stringing, or weak layers.
Each manufacturer provides specific temperature recommendations for their filaments. Generally, for PLA plastic, the recommended printing temperature is around 200°C (± 10°C depending on the filament).
SLICER SETTING
As I said previously, 3D printers & slicers vary, so while I provide recommended settings, some adjustments may be needed, as settings and performance can vary depending on the model and software.
Slicer for 3D printing converts a 3D model into layers and generates G-code, which tells the printer how to build the object. It controls settings like print speed, temperature, and layer height to optimize the printing process.
I can recommend Cura slicer by Ultimaker that we use — it's free and can be downloaded from their website. However, you can use any slicer that works best for you.
If you're using Cura for cookie cutters, simply select the Profile: Standard Quality (0.2 mm) and keep all the default settings—it's that easy!
For basic settings, we typically print cutters at 60 mm/s print speed, 0.2 mm layer height and 200°C temperature (adjusting ±10°C if needed).
3D PRINTER
Today, there are a lot of affordable 3D printer models for home printing—you can explore the market to find the perfect one for you. Cookie cutters can be printed on any FDM 3D printer, so you don’t actually need an expensive model.
I personally can recommend the Artillery 3D Genius (costs around $300)—it does a really great job, especially for the price. You can see it in my Instagram reels.
Each 3D printer comes with detailed safety and usage instructions from the manufacturer, so please make sure to follow them carefully.
3D MODELLING
I often receive questions about what software I use to make 3D models. I use Adobe Illustrator to create vector designs for cookie cutters (both outline and imprint cutters) and 3ds Max to build the 3D model. I also draw the illustrations for my cutters and patterns in Adobe Illustrator, as I prefer to make them as vector designs. I love using Procreate on iPad as well, but mostly for other artistic projects. I’ve been in 3D modeling and design for over 10 years and work with a lot of different software, depending on the project. This is what I love and what I’m good at.
The reason I don’t share my 3D modeling process is that it’s far from the easiest way to model cookie cutters. I use my own custom-built profile and smoothing modifier to achieve the results I want, such as sharper edges and gradual thickness of the cutter walls. Also, the software is not free and not easy to use at all—if you’re just starting out, it can take away all the fun and really isn’t worth the hassle.
If you want to learn how to model cookie cutters yourself, there are much easier ways and great free software with user-friendly interfaces. I’m planning to explore different options, test the results, and will be happy to share if anyone is interested. Please let me know in the comments if this is something relevant for you—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
For now, I can recommend Blender as a really good and free 3D modeling software.
And here you can find my post about 3D Printing Troubleshooting
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