As the days pass, The Sons of the Forest keeps surprising us with its fantastic ambiance, polished gameplay, and terrific monsters roaming in the darkness.
The game “Sons of the Forest” has recently been released in Early Access on Steam, but it feels like a complete game for good reasons. This title improves upon everything its predecessor did well and implements unique and innovative mechanics that improve the experience.
One of the newest additions to this franchise is the 3D printer, which allows you to expand your gameplay experience by printing resources that you can’t access anywhere else.
This article covers everything you need to know this printer, such as its requirements, location, and the services it provides.
What is the 3D Printer for in Sons of the Forest?
The 3D Printer in Sons of a Forest is what the title suggests; it is a device that allows you to 3D print specific items once you fill it with the necessary resources.
While the 3D printer is not vital to the game, it will make your life easier and give you access to items that are not available elsewhere.
Requirements to Use the 3D Printer in The Sons of the Forest
You must only meet two requirements for the 3D printer in Sons of the Forest.
- Find a laboratory that has a working 3D printer inside
- Have enough Resin to print your items. This Resin can be found across the map, especially in human settlements and laboratories.
What Can You Print in Sons of the Forest
Here is the variety of items that you can craft in the 3D printer in Sons of the Forest and their utility.
1. Printed Flask
The Printed Flask is a unique and precious item that allows you to fill it with a decent amount of water which can be refilled at any river or lake, and it costs only 100m of Resin to craft.
The printed flask will come in a clutch, especially when you are deep inside a cave with no access to a water source.
2. Tech Mesh
The Tech Mesh is a specific crafting material that can be obtained only from the 3D printer in Sons of the Forest. It requires 250ml of Resin per mesh.
This valuable item allows you to craft the Tech Armory, one of the best armors in the game, as it offers excellent protection from all kinds of attacks.
It will cost you 2,500 mL of Resin to get a full set of armor from the 3D Printer.
Related Article: How to Build Your Shelter in Sons of the Forest
3. Sled
The Printed Sled is, hands down, one of the funniest items you can print on a 3D printer. It only uses 1,000 ml of resin to complete.
The sled helps one slide down hills at very high speed, which can be useful for quickly getting from point A to point B.
To use it, you simply have to jump down from a hill and press the left mouse button with the sled equipped, and your character will put it beneath you, and you will start sliding.
4. Printed Arrows
The Printed Arrows are incredibly convenient if you are low on them. You only need 50 mL of Resin to produce five arrows using the 3D printer in Sons of the Forest.
It is not officially confirmed, but players think that these printed arrows are more effective than regular arrows.
5. Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hooks are essential items you will need for your rope gun in order to progress through the game and gain access to more valuable areas filled with precious resources.
This item is the only item on this list that will directly help you progress in the game, as it is a must-have item to access specific areas.
6. Red Mask
While the Red Mask can be helpful in specific scenarios, it is probably the least relevant item one can get from the 3D printer.
This mask allows you to walk through cannibals momentarily without alerting them. Still, it only lasts for so little time before they notice it is almost irrelevant, especially in more severe difficulties.
It only costs 150 mL of Resin to print the Mask in Sons of the Forest.
How to Use the 3D Printer in Sons of the Forest
Resin can get found in human settlements, camps, and laboratories.
- To use the 3D Printer, you will simply need to refill the 3D Printer with Resin if empty by looking at it and holding E.
- To select the item you want, look at the computer next to the printer and press R to cycle through the items.
- Hold E once you selected the item you want to print
Unlimited Resources
If you are desperate for that precious Tech Armor and don’t want to go through the map looking for 2,500 ml of Resin, here we present you with a workaround that hasn’t been patched yet, which will save you a lot of time and trouble.
Related Article: How to Befriend Virginia in The Sons of the Forest
How to Get Resin Easily and Quickly
Before continuing, it is essential to mention that this method is more effective in laboratories where the resin spawn pool and rate are higher.
- Find a Laboratory with a 3D Printer inside
- Fill the 3D Printer with the Resin you already have
- Grab the Resin that spawned in that room
- Save your game in the same laboratory with the 3D printer
- Quit the game to the main menu
- Load your save again
- Grab the Resin that respawned
- Repeat
While this is not an official method, it is something that some players can do to speed up the process and have access to specific, unlimited resources.
3D Printer Locations in Sons of the Forest
There are three locations containing 3D printers.
1. Maintenance Bunker A
This bunker requires a shovel, as you must dig out the entrance. You will find a 3D printer with 900 ml of resin already loaded here. In this bunker, you will also find the Firefighter Axe—one of the best melee weapons in the game.
If you’re looking for one of the best-ranged weapons, check out our guide on how to get the shotgun in Sons of the Forest.
2. Maintenance Bunker B
You will also need a shovel to dig out the entrance for this bunker. In it, you will find a loaded 3D Printer with two precious items: the Compound Bow and the Silencer Attachment for the pistol. These are significant upgrades to your combat capabilities.
3. Printer Bunker
The Printer Bunker can be easily accessed through a cave entrance. This bunker is the best location for the 3D printer in Sons of the Forest, as the resin spawn pool is high, and you can easily do the workaround we suggested above.
Last Thoughts on Finding and Using the 3D Printers in the Sons of the Forest
That concludes this guide, and we hope you found it helpful for your current playthrough of Sons of the Forest. If you are a newbie, you may also want to check out our Sons of the Forest beginners guide to get off to a quick and easy start.
We are having tons of fun with Sons of the Forest, and we hope you are too. Sons of the Forest is a game that we will keep playing for weeks to come, meaning that you can expect more content about it in the upcoming days.
Feel free to check our other articles for Sons of the Forest, such as our guide about everything you need to know about Kelvin.
Let us know in the comments below what specific topics you would like us to cover about this game or other great survival horror titles.
Good luck and have fun, fellow survivors!