I 3D Printed a Custom Board Game for Christmas—Here’s What Happened

In a world where the cost of living keeps climbing, finding gifts that won’t send our wallets into a tailspin can be quite the challenge. That’s why I’ve been diving into DIY projects lately; nothing says “I care” quite like a handmade gift crafted with your own two hands, especially if you have access to cool tech like 3D printers. Since I test these machines for work and my in-laws are just as passionate about board games as I am, I decided to embark on a delightfully absurd project. Can you guess where this is headed?

My family loves Catan, and it turns out there are tons of free files available to create a fully 3D version of its board (the community behind this is fantastic). “Perfect!” I thought. “I’ll print the tiles, paint them, and we’ll be good to go. How hard can it be?” Oh, the naivety of my optimism.

With excitement, I downloaded the files and got to work on my 3D printed board game. And yes, it was quite the challenge. But you know what? It turned out to be some of the most enjoyable time I’ve spent all year.

Thinking of giving this a shot yourself? I used the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, a fantastic printer for both beginners and seasoned hobbyists, though the Anycubic Kobra 3 V2 Combo is another solid choice for those interested in multi-color prints.

After locating the latest community-made files, I faced a crucial decision. No, not questioning my sanity; rather, should I go with resin or filament? If you’re new to 3D printing, there are two main types of printers and materials. Resin printers use a viscous liquid to create incredibly detailed models, often favored for miniatures in wargaming or tabletop RPGs. On the other hand, filament printers use traditional plastic reels that can be melted into various shapes, making them ideal for sturdier items like terrain or cosplay.

Resin looks fantastic but can be fragile, so I opted for filament—these pieces would see a lot of action, so durability was key. Thankfully, modern filament printers can produce impressive detail, giving me the best of both worlds.

Next, I had to decide whether to print in multiple colors or paint the pieces myself. While multi-color printing is tempting and can yield stunning results, I ultimately decided against it for cost reasons. I’d need to invest in a bunch of different colored reels, which kind of defeats the purpose. Plus, I have a surplus of miniature paints from Warhammer, so I felt confident tackling the painting myself.

Yes, I have a tendency to underestimate the difficulty of tasks.

With those decisions made, I got to printing. Since my Elegoo Centauri Carbon has been my go-to since my last review, I knew I was in good hands—it’s fast, reliable, and delivers solid results. It did take longer than I expected to finish everything (there were a lot of pieces, so plan accordingly if you want to try this), but I was pleased with the outcome. As with many 3D printing projects, good preparation is key; printing a test piece first can save a lot of headaches later.

Then came the fun part—painting and adding effects. I decided against a quick green base for the ground, as it can look quite plastic unless done well. Instead, I went full wargamer mode. For terrain, I typically start with a brown basecoat, then drybrush with a lighter color to highlight the details. A few different flock colors added a nice natural effect. This approach worked wonders, especially when the pieces were assembled, bringing the whole scene to life. A touch of snow effect for the mountains and gloss for the water, and I was in business.

Not knowing when to quit, I decided to add magnets to ensure the pieces fit together snugly without clips or worries about them coming apart during play. Ironically, this turned out to be the trickiest part and had me questioning my life choices.

What I ended up with was a hopefully impressive tabletop setup. I’ll be handing it over as you read this, so fingers crossed it’s well-received. Regardless of the outcome, the entire experience was incredibly rewarding—it showcased the amazing things we can create with the right tools. While I know I’m lucky to have access to this equipment, the problem-solving skills I developed along the way will be invaluable for future projects. I’m already eager to tackle more ambitious endeavors in 2026… which I’ll probably regret a few months down the line.