Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Welcome to the Bambu Prints FAQ! Find answers to common questions below.

General Questions

What is Bambu Prints?

Bambu Prints is a free, community-driven platform for sharing 3D printable models. While we focus on the Bambu Lab printer community, models on our platform can be printed on any compatible 3D printer.

Is Bambu Prints affiliated with Bambu Lab or MakerWorld?

No. Bambu Prints is an independent community project. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bambu Lab, MakerWorld, or any other company. We're just passionate makers who wanted to build something for the community!

Is Bambu Prints free to use?

Yes! Bambu Prints is completely free to use. You can browse, download, and upload models without paying anything. We believe in the open sharing of 3D designs.

Do I need an account to download models?

No, you can browse and download models without an account. However, creating a free account lets you:

  • Upload your own models
  • Like and save models
  • Follow your favorite creators
  • Create collections
  • Comment on models
  • Track your downloads

What file formats are supported?

3D Model Files:

  • STL (.stl)
  • 3MF (.3mf)
  • STEP (.step, .stp)
  • OBJ (.obj)
  • PLY (.ply)
  • ZIP archives containing any of the above

Images:

  • JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg)
  • PNG (.png)
  • WebP (.webp)
  • GIF (.gif)

Accounts

How do I create an account?

  1. Click "Register" in the top navigation
  2. Enter your email, choose a username, and create a password
  3. Verify your email address by clicking the link we send you
  4. Complete your profile (optional but recommended!)

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

  1. Go to the login page
  2. Click "Forgot Password"
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Check your email for a reset link
  5. Click the link and create a new password

How do I change my email address?

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Enter your new email address
  3. Confirm your password
  4. Verify the new email address

How do I delete my account?

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Scroll to "Delete Account"
  3. Confirm your decision

Note: Deleting your account will remove your profile, uploaded models, and collections. This action cannot be undone.

Can I change my username?

Currently, usernames cannot be changed after registration. If you need to change your username, please contact support.

Uploading Models

How do I upload a model?

  1. Log in to your account
  2. Click "Upload" or go to /models/create
  3. Fill in the model details:
    • Title and description
    • Select a category
    • Add relevant tags
    • Choose a license
    • Add print settings and tips
  4. Upload your 3D files
  5. Upload photos of your printed model
  6. Click "Publish" (or "Save as Draft" to finish later)

What makes a good model upload?

Great uploads include:

  • ✅ Clear, descriptive title
  • ✅ Detailed description with assembly instructions
  • ✅ Multiple high-quality photos of the actual printed model
  • ✅ Accurate print settings (layer height, infill, supports, etc.)
  • ✅ Material recommendations
  • ✅ Notes about potential issues or tips
  • ✅ Proper categorization and tags

Avoid:

  • ❌ Renders or CAD screenshots only (show real prints!)
  • ❌ Missing or vague print settings
  • ❌ Generic descriptions
  • ❌ Wrong category or irrelevant tags

What license should I choose?

If you want... Choose
Maximum sharing, no restrictions CC0 (Public Domain)
Credit required, commercial OK CC BY
Credit required, share alike CC BY-SA
Credit required, no commercial CC BY-NC
Credit required, share alike, no commercial CC BY-NC-SA
Personal use only Personal Use Only

Can I edit my model after publishing?

Yes! Go to your Dashboard → Models → Click Edit on the model you want to change. You can update descriptions, add files, change images, and modify settings.

Can I delete my model?

Yes. Go to your Dashboard → Models → Click Delete. Downloaded copies will remain with users who already downloaded them, but the model will be removed from the platform.

Why was my model removed?

Models may be removed if they violate our Community Guidelines or Terms of Use. Common reasons include:

  • Copyright infringement
  • Prohibited content (weapons, adult content, etc.)
  • Spam or duplicate uploads
  • Missing required images

If you believe your model was removed in error, please contact support.

Downloading Models

How do I download a model?

  1. Go to the model's page
  2. Click "Download" to get all files as a ZIP
  3. Or click on individual files to download them separately

Are downloads tracked?

Yes, we track download counts to show model popularity. For logged-in users, downloads appear in your history. We don't share individual download information with other users.

Can I use downloaded models commercially?

It depends on the license chosen by the creator:

  • CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA: Commercial use allowed
  • CC BY-NC, CC BY-NC-SA, Personal Use Only: Commercial use NOT allowed

Always check the license before using a model commercially.

Do I need to credit the creator?

For licenses with "BY" (Attribution):

  • Yes, you must credit the creator when sharing
  • Include their name/username and a link to the original model when possible

For CC0 (Public Domain) and Personal Use Only:

  • Attribution is appreciated but not required

Social Features

How do likes work?

Click the heart icon on any model to like it. Liked models appear in your profile's "Likes" tab. You can unlike by clicking the heart again.

How do follows work?

Click "Follow" on any user's profile to follow them. You'll see their new uploads in your personalized feed (coming soon). Followed users appear in your profile's "Following" list.

How do collections work?

Collections let you organize models into groups:

  1. Create a collection from your Dashboard
  2. Add models by clicking "Add to Collection" on any model page
  3. Collections can be public (visible to everyone) or private (only you)

How do comments work?

  • Comment on any model to share feedback or ask questions
  • Reply to comments for threaded discussions
  • Edit or delete your own comments
  • Model owners can moderate comments on their models

Licensing & Copyright

What is Creative Commons?

Creative Commons licenses are standardized ways for creators to grant permissions for their work. They're used worldwide and legally enforceable.

What if someone uploads my design without permission?

If you believe your intellectual property has been infringed:

  1. Click "Report" on the model
  2. Select "Copyright infringement"
  3. Provide details about your original work
  4. We'll investigate and remove infringing content

For formal DMCA takedown requests, email [email protected].

Can I upload remixes or derivatives?

Yes, if the original license allows it:

  • CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC BY-NC, CC BY-NC-SA all allow derivatives
  • You must credit the original creator
  • For ShareAlike (SA) licenses, use the same license

What if I'm not sure about the license?

If you're unsure whether you have the right to upload something:

  • Contact the original creator
  • When in doubt, don't upload
  • Ask in our community for guidance

Technical Questions

What browsers are supported?

Bambu Prints works best on modern browsers:

  • Chrome (recommended)
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Edge

Internet Explorer is not supported.

Why is my upload failing?

Common causes:

  • File too large: Maximum 100MB per file
  • Wrong format: Check supported file types
  • Network issues: Try again or check your connection
  • Browser issues: Try clearing cache or using a different browser

Why aren't my images showing?

  • Images must be in supported formats (JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF)
  • Maximum file size is 10MB per image
  • Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache

How do I report a bug?

Email [email protected] with:

  • Description of the issue
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Browser and device information
  • Screenshots if helpful

Safety & 3D Printing

Is it safe to print models from Bambu Prints?

We don't verify the safety or printability of user-uploaded models. Always:

  • Review models before printing
  • Start with test prints at small scale
  • Don't use 3D printed parts in safety-critical applications
  • Be cautious with functional parts

Are printed models food-safe?

Most 3D printed models are NOT food-safe due to:

  • Layer lines harboring bacteria
  • Filament materials not rated for food contact
  • Printing process potentially introducing contaminants

If you need food-safe items, use appropriate food-grade materials and finishing techniques.

Can I print models for children?

Be cautious with prints intended for children:

  • Avoid small parts that could be choking hazards
  • Check for sharp edges
  • Use non-toxic materials
  • Supervise young children with 3D printed objects

Contact & Support

How do I contact support?

How do I report a problem with a model?

Click the "Report" button on any model and select the appropriate reason:

  • Intellectual property violation
  • Prohibited content
  • Spam or misleading
  • Other (explain in details)

How do I give feedback or suggest features?

We love hearing from our community!

Future Features

What features are coming soon?

We're working on exciting new features:

  • 3D model preview (view models before downloading)
  • Print profiles (Bambu Studio integration)
  • User badges and achievements
  • Activity feed
  • Makes gallery (show your prints!)
  • API for developers

Why doesn't Bambu Prints have a points or rewards system?

We intentionally chose not to implement a points or "gamification" system. Here's why:

Community over Competition: Points systems often encourage quantity over quality. We'd rather have 10 well-documented models than 100 rushed uploads chasing points.

Your Reward is the Community: On Bambu Prints, your "reward" is:

  • Genuine feedback and appreciation from fellow makers
  • Building your reputation as a quality designer
  • Helping others succeed with their prints
  • Being part of a collaborative hobby community

No Corporate Incentives: Points systems on other platforms often exist to drive engagement metrics for investors or to create artificial scarcity. We're not interested in that - we're here for the love of 3D printing.

If you're coming from platforms with points systems, we hope you'll find that authentic community interaction is more rewarding than chasing numbers.

How can I stay updated?

  • Follow us on social media (links in footer)
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Check back here for updates

Last updated: January 6, 2026

Didn't find your answer? Contact us at [email protected]