Your 3D printer has a filament problem, and these tiny prints solve it perfectly

3D printing has a rather annoying problem: what to do with that last bit of filament left on an emptying spool. It's often not enough for a complete project, and should you decide to store it, it just sits here occupying an entire spool's worth of space, absorbing moisture, and becoming worse for printing whenever you decide to use it.

You can use slicer settings to save filament on your 3D prints, but if you've been throwing out that last bit of filament, you're wasting more filament than you think. The better option is to go for some lightweight prints that cost a few grams and easily fit on nearly-empty spools, while also coming in handy.

Stop your spools from unraveling

Tiny filament clips keep loose ends under control between prints

You can use the last bit of your filament to print the thing that keeps the last bit of your next spool under control. A filament clip is a tiny retaining clip that snaps onto the rim of a spool, pinching down the loose end of filament so it doesn't unravel, tangle, or get pulled back into the PTFE tube when you're swapping spools mid-session.

Most designs weigh between one and three grams, and you can typically print them in batches to use up whatever little filament you've got left. The best part is that they're universally useful regardless of what brand or size of spool you're running, as most are designed to fit snugly on standard 1.75mm filament and clip cleanly onto the spool lip. Print a few in different colors so you can visually identify which spool is which at a glance.

It's one of those small-but-indispensable quality-of-life upgrades that only takes a few minutes to make. And you can never have too many of them.

Never throw away another cable tie

Reusable printable zip ties solve workshop organization without creating more waste

Yes, you can 3D print zip ties, and they actually work, regardless of how gimmicky it might sound. There are tons of designs on Printables, Makerworld, and other 3D printing websites that consume anywhere from a couple to a dozen grams of filament. You can also 3D print these in a variety of styles and lengths to match your needs. Oh, and 3D printed zip-ties are often reusable, although you can make the single-use variety too if you want.

When printed in PETG, these can be surprisingly strong. A batch of around 10 zip ties comes in at around 10 to 12 grams, depending on the size and length, which means your near-empty spool can spit out a genuinely useful set of cable management tools. They're not going to replace heavy-duty nylon zip ties used for automotive or other industrial purposes, but for general home use, like cable management, they hold up just fine.

Keep your snacks fresh

Simple bag clips help keep moisture out and your chips crisp and ready

Another useful object that you can't have enough of on hand is bag clips. A 3D printed bag clip will not only seal those open chip bags and keep your snacks crisp, but it also comes in all kinds of different shapes and sizes, meaning you can break away from the generic clips you find at the supermarket or at Amazon while saving money. It's one of those things you should always 3D print instead of buying.

A single clip can take as little as three grams of filament. Some of the more designer options can go up to five, six, or even higher, depending on the design. You can also size them to purpose, meaning you can have custom bag clips for a specific kind of snack bag that you won't find on the market. PETG is the better choice here, especially if your kitchen gets warm, but I've had no issues printing these with scrap PLA I had lying around. They also make a quick gift for people who don't own a printer.

Cable management is a print away

Printable cable clips tame messy workbenches and keep your printer setup organized

Cable management is one of those things that somehow always gets deferred to another day. That is, until you print the thing that forces you to actually do it. Small parametric cable clips, the kind that stick to a surface with a slot for a screw or adhesive pad, barely use between five and eight grams each and are an endlessly useful object to have around a desk or workbench. 3D printed cable organizers can make your messy desk look much better.

What makes 3D printed cable clips better than just buying a bag of adhesive clips is the customization. Need a fancier cable clip for a cable you travel with? Done. Design too small for your cables? Just scale it up. As is the case with everything in 3D printing, the sky is your limit, not the amount of filament left on that spool.

The smallest tool solves the biggest annoyance

A PTFE tube remover makes maintenance easier without damaging fittings or your fingers

A lot of modern printers, especially those from Bambu Lab, have a small lip on top of the extruder where your PTFE tube locks into place. It 1works wonders when you're inserting the tube, but can be quite difficult to deal with when taking it out. The solution? A 3D printed PTFE tube remover.

You can print one for as little as two grams of filament, and, just like those filament clips, it doesn't hurt to have a few extras lying around. They put even pressure on the PTFE tube collar and allow them to pull out the tubes without wrestling the otherwise tiny collar and topward extruder assembly.

Print the tools before you need them

The real upgrade here isn't any single print; it's building a list or folder of models you can go to when a spool has an awkward amount of filament left, and it's time to clear it out.

You aren't limited to just these items either. Scour the internet, and you'll find thousands, if not more, of small items that only take a few grams but offer great utility in return. So if you've been throwing away those almost empty spools, maybe check if they're still out there. You can do a lot with that seemingly wasted filament.