3D Print with Fabric: Floppy Fish

Although it’s floppy, this 3D printed fish will be hard to put down because it is so fun to play with:) 

Fabric needed. I recommend mesh fabric (must be “mesh” with holes for filament printing on top of fabric to adhere to filament already printed beneath the fabric).  I recommend 100% Polyester “Mosquitto Netting” or Lightweight Polyester Fabric (see fabrics in photos). I don’t recommend ‘Tulle” fabric because it tears easily and I don’t recommend a mesh knit fabric because it is too stretchy.      

3D PRINTING SETTINGS

Layer Height 0.2mm

PLA works great

20% Infill 

No supports or brim needed.

*I don’t not recommend scaling this print smaller. The gaps between the scales are minimal (0.5mm) scaling the print smaller makes those gaps smaller and the fish not so flexible or floppy:)

Printing instructions: When you import this STL file into your slicer program, add a “pause print” command.  I recommend at layer height 0.6mm or 0.8mm (total height of print is 2mm). When the print is paused, lay fabric over print. Size of fabric should extend ½ inch or so beyond border of print.  Make sure the fabric is smooth and pulled taunt and tape all edges down securely. I have found that I do not need to adjust the layer height to allow for printing over the thickness of the mesh fabric. Once fabric is smooth and secured in place, continue the print. 
When the print is complete carefully pull it off the print bed and trim excess fabric with scissors.