3D Print Your Own Engraved Ring: An Onshape Tutorial

Updated at: 29/03/2025

Ever dreamed of crafting a unique, personalized ring reflecting your style? Forget mass-produced jewelry; this tutorial empowers you to design and 3D print your own exquisitely engraved ring, all from the comfort of your home. We'll leverage the power of Onshape, a robust and user-friendly cloud-based CAD software, to guide you through the entire process, from initial concept to final polished piece. No prior CAD experience is necessary – we’ll break down every step in a clear, accessible manner.

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of creating a stunning engraved ring using Onshape's intuitive tools. Learn how to model the ring's base, incorporate intricate engravings, and prepare the design for 3D printing. Get ready to unleash your creativity and follow the step-by-step instructions below to bring your personalized ring design to life.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Onshape (free 3D modeling software)
  • 3D Printer
Safety Guidelines
  • Always wear appropriate safety glasses when operating 3D printing equipment. Resin and FDM printers can produce airborne particles or ejected materials that can cause eye injury.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation when 3D printing, especially with resin printers. Resin fumes can be harmful to your health.
  • Use caution when handling sharp objects. The ring, especially after post-processing, may have sharp edges that require careful handling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Create Onshape Document

    • Create a new Onshape document and name it (e.g., 'ring').
    Create a new Onshape document and name it (e.g., 'ring').
    Create Onshape Document

  2. Sketch Ring Dimensions

    • Make a sketch on the front plane. Draw two concentric circles to define the inner and outer diameters of the ring. Dimension these circles to your desired size (e.g., 0.71 inches inner diameter, 0.88 inches outer diameter).
    Make a sketch on the front plane. Draw two concentric circles to define the inner and outer diameters of the ring. Dimension these circles to your desired size (e.g., 0.71 inches inner diameter, 0.88 inches outer diameter).
    Sketch Ring Dimensions

  3. Sketch Engraving Area

    • Create a second sketch on the front plane for the engraving area. Use the line tool to draw a rectangle within the outer circle. Use constraints (equal dimensions) to ensure the rectangle is centered and has the desired dimensions (e.g., 0.49 inches wide, 0.33 inches tall).
    Create a second sketch on the front plane for the engraving area. Use the line tool to draw a rectangle within the outer circle. Use constraints (equal dimensions) to ensure the rectangle is centered and has the desired dimensions (e.g., 0.49 inches wide, 0.33 inches tall).
    Sketch Engraving Area

  4. Extrude Ring Body

    • Extrude the ring’s body. Select the outer circle and inner circle areas in your first sketch. Extrude them outwards to a chosen thickness (e.g., 0.24 inches).
    Extrude the ring’s body. Select the outer circle and inner circle areas in your first sketch. Extrude them outwards to a chosen thickness (e.g., 0.24 inches).
    Extrude Ring Body

  5. Sketch Engraving Text

    • Create a sketch on the top plane for the engraving. Use the text tool to add your desired text. Position and size the text carefully within the rectangle (e.g., dimensions 0.13 inches by 0.13 inches). Use constraints as needed.
    Create a sketch on the top plane for the engraving. Use the text tool to add your desired text. Position and size the text carefully within the rectangle (e.g., dimensions 0.13 inches by 0.13 inches). Use constraints as needed.
    Sketch Engraving Text

  6. Extrude Engraving

    • Extrude the text downwards (into the ring) to create the engraving. Adjust the extrusion depth as needed (e.g., 0.078 inches) to achieve the desired engraving depth.
    Extrude the text downwards (into the ring) to create the engraving. Adjust the extrusion depth as needed (e.g., 0.078 inches) to achieve the desired engraving depth.
    Extrude Engraving

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Making Inlay Rings with Bentwood Ring Supplies

Tips

  • Ensure your dimensions are in inches.
  • Use constraints effectively to ensure accurate dimensions and centering.
  • Keep your text simple for easier 3D printing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Insufficient Support Structures

Reason: Overhanging or intricate ring designs lack adequate support, leading to warping, collapse, or failure during printing.
Solution: Add sufficient support structures in Onshape's support generation tool, ensuring they contact the model adequately and are easily removable after printing.

2. Incorrect Orientation on the Print Bed

Reason: Printing a ring on its side or at an unfavorable angle can result in poor layer adhesion, warping, and a weakened final product.
Solution: Orient the ring model to maximize the contact area with the print bed, ideally laying it flat for optimal stability.

3. Inadequate Layer Height or Resolution

Reason: Using too large a layer height or insufficient resolution can lead to a rough, less detailed, and potentially structurally weak ring.
Solution: Decrease the layer height and increase the resolution (if your printer allows) to achieve a smoother, more detailed and stronger final product.

FAQs

What type of 3D printer is best for printing rings?
Resin printers are generally preferred for rings due to their ability to produce highly detailed and smooth surfaces. FDM printers can work, but the layer lines might be more visible and require significant post-processing.
What kind of resin or filament should I use?
For resin printing, choose a resin known for its durability and detail, such as a high-detail resin. For FDM printing, a strong and durable filament like PLA or PETG is recommended.
What if my ring doesn't print correctly? What troubleshooting steps should I take?
Check your Onshape model for any errors, ensure your printer settings (resin/filament type, exposure time/temperature, layer height) are correct, and inspect your print bed for cleanliness and proper adhesion. Slight adjustments to the model's scaling might also be necessary.