DIY Phone Stand with a 3D Printing Pen: A Step‑by‑Step Guide for Designers

Ever tried to watch a video on your phone while cooking, and the phone keeps sliding off the counter? It’s annoying, right? In the world of makers, a quick phone stand can save you a lot of frustration. And the best part? You can make one right at your desk with a 3D printing pen. This is a perfect little project for anyone who follows PrintCraft Studio, whether you’re a seasoned designer or just getting your hands dirty for the first time.

Why a Pen‑Made Phone Stand?

A 3D printing pen gives you instant feedback. You see the filament melt, you shape it, and you can tweak the design on the fly. No slicing software, no printer bed, no waiting for a print to finish. For busy designers, that speed is gold. Plus, you get to experiment with different materials—PLA for a sturdy stand, flexible TPU for a softer grip, or even a mix if you’re feeling adventurous.

What You’ll Need

That’s it. No fancy tools, no expensive kits. Just the stuff you probably already have in your PrintCraft Studio toolbox.

Step 1: Sketch the Shape in Your Head (or on Paper)

Before you start pulling filament, think about the shape you need. A basic phone stand has three parts:

1. Base – wide enough to stay stable.
2. Back support – leans back at about 70 degrees.
3. Lip – a short edge that holds the phone from sliding forward.

If you’re a visual person, draw a quick rectangle for the base (about 10 cm long, 5 cm wide) and a triangle for the back support (height about 12 cm). The lip can be a small 1 cm overhang at the top of the triangle. Keep it simple; you can always adjust later.

Step 2: Lay Down the Base

Place your cardboard or silicone mat on the table. Turn on the pen, let it heat up (usually a minute or two). When the tip is ready, start drawing a solid rectangle. Move the pen slowly, and try to keep the line thickness about 3 mm. Overlap the lines a little so they stick together.

Tip from PrintCraft Studio: If the filament looks thin, press the pen a bit harder on the surface. The pressure pushes more melted plastic out.

Let the base cool for about 30 seconds. It should feel firm but still a little warm to the touch.

Step 3: Build the Back Support

Now, from one end of the base, start drawing a diagonal line upward. Aim for a 70‑degree angle—don’t worry about measuring it perfectly; just eyeball it. As you go, add a second line parallel to the first, about 5 mm apart. This creates a “wall” that will hold the phone.

When you reach the top, curve the line slightly back toward the base to form the lip. The lip should be about 1 cm long and a little thicker than the rest of the wall, so the phone doesn’t slip through.

Personal note: The first time I tried this, my lip was too short and my phone kept sliding off. I laughed, added a little extra filament, and it worked like a charm. That’s the fun of working with a pen—mistakes are easy to fix.

Step 4: Reinforce the Joint

The place where the back support meets the base is the weakest spot. Take a short piece of filament and wrap it around the joint a few times, pressing gently. This adds strength and keeps the stand from wobbling.

If you have a second color of filament, this is a great place to add a pop of color. It also makes the joint easy to spot if you ever need to take the stand apart.

Step 5: Test and Tweak

Place your phone on the stand. Does it stay upright? If it leans too far back, add a little more filament to the back support to push it forward. If it tips over, widen the base a bit.

Because you’re using a pen, you can add material right where you need it. No need to start over.

Step 6: Finish Up

Give the whole stand a final look over. Trim any stray bits with scissors. If you want a smoother finish, you can gently rub the surface with a piece of sandpaper (fine grit). This step is optional—many makers love the raw, textured look of a pen‑made piece.

And there you have it—a functional phone stand made in under an hour, using only a 3D printing pen and a few everyday items. It’s a perfect little project to showcase on PrintCraft Studio, and it proves that good design doesn’t always need a big machine.

Why This Matters for Designers

Design is all about solving problems quickly and creatively. A phone stand is a tiny, everyday problem, but the process of making it with a pen teaches you a lot:

• Iterative thinking – You can see changes instantly.
• Material awareness – Different filaments behave differently; you learn which one fits the job.
• Hands‑on prototyping – No CAD, no slicer, just pure making.

If you’re a design student or a professional looking for a quick way to prototype a small object, keep this method in mind. It’s a great way to test ergonomics before committing to a full 3D printed version.

A Little Challenge for PrintCraft Studio Readers

Now that you’ve built a basic stand, try one of these variations:

1. Add a cable holder – Draw a small loop on the side of the base.
2. Make it foldable – Use a thin hinge made from flexible filament.
3. Personalize it – Write your name or a tiny logo on the front with a different color.

Share your results on social media and tag PrintCraft Studio. I love seeing how the community takes a simple idea and runs with it.

Happy making!