3D printing for the office: organisers, holders and handy little things

3D printing for the office: how to make your workspace more comfortable

A desk buried under cables, pens and mugs — sound familiar? An office often needs little things you won’t find in an ordinary shop, or that cost far more than they should. 3D printing solves this: you can make exactly what you need, in precise sizes, in the right quantity and even with your company logo. In this article we look at the most useful office items worth printing on a 3D printer.

Cable management: a tidy desk starts with the wires

Cables are the main enemy of a clean workspace. Phone chargers, monitor cables, mice, keyboards — it all turns into a tangle under the desk. 3D printing offers several practical solutions:

• Cable clips — small clips that attach to the edge of the desk or with double-sided tape. They keep a cable in place and stop it slipping onto the floor.
• Cable holders — compact organisers for 3–5 cables that can sit by the monitor or on the back of the desk.
• Cable channels — lidded trunking that hides wires along the wall or under the desk. Printed in sections of the required length.

All of these print beautifully in PLA plastic — it’s strong enough, has no smell and comes in a range of colours to match the office interior.

Stands for devices: laptop, monitor, phone

Workplace ergonomics isn’t a luxury but a necessity. Positioning the screen correctly reduces strain on the neck and eyes. Here’s what you can print:

Laptop stand

It raises the screen to eye level and improves the device’s ventilation. Printed in PLA, it can have holes for air circulation and a recess underneath for the keyboard. It’s important to get the tilt angle right — 15–20 degrees is usually optimal.

Monitor riser

It lifts the monitor by 5–10 cm and frees up space underneath for the keyboard, documents or stationery. The structure is printed in several parts and assembled without glue — with snap fits.

Phone stand

Holds a smartphone upright or sideways. Handy for video calls, checking messages or using the phone as a second screen. You can add a cut-out for the charging cable so the phone charges right on the stand.

Tablet holder

It works on the same principle as a phone stand but is designed for more weight and a wider body. Ideal for anyone who uses a tablet as an extra monitor or for reading documents.

Stationery organisers

Pens, pencils, paper clips, sticky notes, scissors — they all need a place. Standard plastic pots look dull and don’t always fit. Printed organisers have several advantages:

• Exact sizes for specific items — separate compartments for pens, markers and scissors.
• The option to add a section for a smartphone or business cards.
• A modular design — you can add new blocks as needed.
• Branding — your company logo applied right during printing, at no extra cost.

Such organisers become not just a functional object but part of your corporate style. If you’re interested in similar ideas for the home, we recommend the article 15 useful things for the home printed on a 3D printer.

Headphone holders

In a modern office practically everyone has headphones. When they’re not in use, they usually end up on the desk or hung on the monitor — both inconvenient. A printed headphone holder attaches to the edge of the desk, under the desktop or to the wall and takes up minimal space.

Design options:

• A hook on the edge of the desk — fitted in a second and held in place by its own weight and geometry.
• A wall holder — fixed with a screw or double-sided tape.
• A desk stand — a stable upright structure for full-size headphones.

Business card holders and custom signs

3D printing is great for creating corporate accessories:

Business card holders

Compact stands for business cards at reception or on a desk. They can be made in corporate colours with a raised logo. This looks far more solid than standard clear plastic holders.

Signs with a name and logo

Name plates for office doors, workstations or zones in a co-working space. Two-colour printing creates contrasting lettering without painting. You can also make desk signs with an employee’s name and job title — it gives the office a professional look.

Coasters for coffee and mugs

It seems like a small thing, but coffee rings on the desk spoil the look of a workspace and damage documents. Printed coasters solve this problem in style:

• You can make a set in a single style for the whole office.
• Add the company logo or a fun message for each employee.
• Include a rim so condensation doesn’t run onto the desk.
• Choose a surface texture — smooth or patterned for better grip.

PLA is perfectly suitable for these items — it’s safe, releases no harmful substances and withstands the heat of a hot mug without deforming.

Which material to choose for office items

For most office accessories, the best choice is PLA plastic. It’s light, strong, comes in dozens of colours and has a smooth surface straight off the printer. For items under more load — monitor risers, for example — PETG can be used, as it has higher impact resistance. Read more about the available options on the 3D printing materials page.

Branding deserves a separate mention. A logo or company name can be built right into the 3D model — raised above or recessed into the surface. This lasts much longer than a sticker and looks professional.

How much does it cost and is it worth printing

The cost of a single office accessory depends on its size and complexity, but it’s usually much less than buying branded equivalents. A set of cable clips, a phone stand, a headphone holder — each of these prints in a few hours and costs a moderate amount. And if you order a set for the whole office, the savings become even more noticeable.

The main advantage of 3D printing is customisation. Instead of a mass-market product from a shop, you get something made for your specific needs: for the size of your desk, your particular laptop model, with your own company’s logo.

Ready to tidy up your office?

If you want to make the workstations in your office more comfortable and tidier, write to us. We’ll help you choose models, advise on the best material and make as many items as you need. From a single cable clip to a full set of office accessories with your branding — all of this can be done in a few days.