Which 3D Printer Should I Buy To Make Cookie Cutters?

If you’ve been following The Colorful Cookie for a while, you know that 3D printing plays a HUGE role in my cookie business. Over the years, I’ve tested multiple 3D printers, and today, I’m excited to share that I now exclusively use Bambu P1P 3D printers—and I absolutely LOVE them! I have 10 of them and I have printed thousands of cookie cutters for our Cookie-A-Thon Cookie Decorating Kits over the past couple of years. Whether you're new to 3D printing or looking for an upgrade, here’s why I highly recommend the Bambu printers for your custom cookie cutter and stencil needs. I don't have the A1 or the A1 Mini, but see the end of this blog post for a comparison chart.

Why I Love My Bambu P1P 3D Printers

1. Ease of Use: The Bambu P1P is incredibly user-friendly, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced users. Works right out of the box! 

2. Self-Leveling: No more manually adjusting your print bed! The self-leveling feature saves time and ensures precision.

3. Large Print Bed: Print lots of cutters at once on a 256 mm x 256 mm (approx 10 in x 10 in)

4. Beautiful Prints: The quality of prints is consistently excellent—smooth edges, sharp details, and perfect layer adhesion.

5. Bambu Studio Software: This software is intuitive and powerful, making designing and slicing your cutters and stencils a breeze. There is a version for your computer (Bambu Studio) and an app for your devices (Bambu Handy).

6. Super Fast and Efficient: The P1P prints quickly without compromising quality, which means more cutters in less time!

If you want to dive deeper into all of the Bambu 3D printers features and setup, check out the Bambu Wiki for all the details! Click HERE to visit the Wiki site for Bambu.

Filaments I Highly Recommend

A great printer needs great PLA filament! I’ve tested various brands, and these two have been my go-to choices lately:

Numaker Filament – Fantastic quality with **smooth extrusion and vibrant colors**. Perfect for precise, reliable prints. Use the code: THECOLORFULCOOKIE for 5% off an order. You will need diameter 1.75 mm.

Cookiecad Filament – This brand offers a **huge variety of fun colors and unique filaments**, making it easy to create eye-catching cutters! You will need diameter 1.75 mm.

Other brands that I have tried and are produce good quality prints: Bambu PLA, 

Both brands provide strong, food-safe, and reliable PLA and PETG filaments that work beautifully with 3D printers. I use the PLA+ when ordering from Numakers.

Want to Learn How to Make Your Own Custom Cookie Cutters & Stencils?

Owning a 3D printer is just the beginning—learning how to design your own custom cutters and coordinating stencils is where the real magic happens! That’s exactly what I teach inside The Colorful Cookie Club. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, our club is packed with step-by-step tutorials, expert tips, and an amazing community of cookie decorators who love 3D printing as much as you do!

Join The Colorful Cookie Club today and take your cookie designs to the next level! You will be so happy you joined our fantastic community of cookiers!

👉 Click here to join The Colorful Cookie Club

I can’t wait to see what you create with your 3D printer and these amazing filaments! Do you already have a Bambu printer, or are you considering making the switch? Happy printing and happy decorating! 

Here’s a comparison of the Bambu P1P, A1, and A1 Mini 3D printers, breaking down their key differences:

📌 Bambu P1P (Mid-Range, High-Speed Workhorse) 

✔ Build Volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm

✔ Speed: Fast printing with CoreXY motion system 

✔ Auto Bed Leveling (ABL): Yes, highly precise

✔ Filament Compatibility: Supports multi-material printing with AMS add-on

✔ Enclosure: Open-frame (optional DIY panels for enclosure)

✔ Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bambu Handy App, Bambu Studio

✔ Best For: High-speed, high-quality printing, great for cookie cutters and stencils

 📌 Bambu A1 (Entry-Level with AMS Integration) 

✔ Build Volume: 256 x 256 x 256 mm (same as P1P) 

✔ Speed: Slower than P1P (due to its bed-slinger motion system)

✔ Auto Bed Leveling (ABL): Yes, fully automated

✔ Filament Compatibility: Comes with AMS Lite, enabling multi-color printing out of the box

✔ Enclosure: Open-frame but can be enclosed

✔ Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bambu Handy App, Bambu Studio

✔ Best For: Beginners wanting easy multi-color printing without modifying settings too much

📌 Bambu A1 Mini (Compact, Budget-Friendly Option) 

✔ Build Volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm (smaller than P1P & A1) 

✔ Speed: Moderate (slower than P1P, similar to A1)

✔ Auto Bed Leveling (ABL): Yes, fully automated

✔ Filament Compatibility: AMS Lite for multi-color printing (optional add-on)

✔ Enclosure: Open-frame, compact design

✔ Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bambu Handy App, Bambu Studio

✔ Best For: Small spaces, beginners, and hobbyists looking for a low-cost, multi-color 3D printing option 

🚀 Quick Summary: Which One Should You Get? Hopefully, after seeing the comparison, you can make the best decision for your needs. You don't need to purchase anything extra with a Bambu printer. Everything you need comes in the box. You will need to purchase filament, however some Bambu printers do come with a spool of filament. I don't use the AMS (short for Automatic Material System), which allows you to print with multiple colors of filament in one print. I print with 1 color of filament only since I print cookie cutters. If you think you will print other things someday, you may be interested in the AMS.

 • ✅ Bambu P1P: Best for fast, high-quality single-material prints, but AMS is an optional add-on. (10 in x 10 in print bed) Works right out of the box!

 • ✅ Bambu A1: Ideal for beginners who want easy multi-color prints with AMS Lite included, same bed size as P1P. (10 in x 10 in print bed) Works right out of the box!

 • ✅ Bambu A1 Mini: Great budget-friendly option with AMS Lite support, but smaller build volume (7 in x 7 in print bed). Works right out of the box!

Note about food safety concerns and 3D printed cookie cutters: Do your research and use what you feel comfortable using with your cookies. Google provides tons of info on this topic. PLA is derived from organic food starches like corn or sugarcane. You can cover cookie dough with saran wrap before cutting out shapes so the cutter doesn't come into contact with it. 3D printed cookie cutters are washable with warm water and dish soap, not hot water. You are printing your own cutters for very little money(sometimes 25 cents a cutter!) Throw them away after use and print more if you are concerned about using them more than one time.