The Printess is a low-cost, open-source 3D printer developed by the Skylar-Scott Lab at Stanford University in 2024. We wanted to create a tool for direct ink writing of soft and biological materials that could be built entirely from 3D-printed and off-the-shelf components. This bottom-up design allows for limitless customization and open-source dissemination amongst engineers, biologists, and enthusiasts. To date, we've built dozens of Printessas for less than $300 each to support teaching and research laboratories at Stanford.

We designed all 3D-printed components in SolidWorks and Onshape. Printer motion is driven by stepper motors and open-source control boards with Marlin firmware. Files and instructions for construction and operation can be found here.

Please contact us if you need assistance in building a Printess.

Team

Jonathan Weiss

Jonathan Weiss

Ph.D. Candidate in Bioengineering

Member 2

Alana Mermin-Bunnell

Ph.D. Candidate at Harvard-MIT HST

Member 3

Tony Tam

Printess Technician

Member 4

Fredrik Solberg

Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering

Member 5

Soham Sinha

Ph.D. Candidate in Bioengineering

Member 6

Mark Skylar-Scott

Principal Investigator