The 3Doodler Start Vs. Create: A Comparison Of 3D Printing Pens

Imagine giving students the technology to create skyscrapers or some of the most powerful cars they can dream up. Now, imagine actually being able to do that. Well, we don’t mean they could really construct an Eiffel Tower but, with both 3Doodler 3D printing pens, they can come close. Perfectly capturing the spirit of the Maker Movement, the 3Doodler Start and Create+ pens enable students to bring creative ideas to life simply by drawing them in three dimensions. Plus, each 3D pen is completely safe for STEAM learning and they're both designed for students of specific ages.

This specialized technology enables students to essentially write vertically and construct three-dimensional structures of various sizes and colors. Many differences are noticeable when it comes to the 3Doodler Start vs. Create+ but each 3D printing pen offers awesome upside when used with the right sets of students. As their name implies, there's also plenty of fun associated with both doodle pens. While powerful for creation and artwork, students also have fun conceptualizing designs and bringing ideas into the tangible world.

The first differences anyone looking at the pens will notice is the fact that they have different appearances. The 3Doodler Start is bright blue whereas the 3Doodler Create+ is dark blue. They also differ in thickness with the Start much thicker and shorter in length than the longer, skinny Create pen. Both, however, create efficiency, safety, and fun whether students invent individually, in groups, during school, or in afterschool makerspaces. Plus, the idea of creating 3D pen art is very appealing to students—especially at first. And, as they get older, they can explore more intricate opportunities with 3D design projects for makerspaces or the classroom.

Get to know the 3Doodler Start.

So, let’s look into the 3Doodler Start pen first and then the Create. You might have guessed, based on its bulkier appearance, that the 3Doodler start is more for younger students. The recommended age range for using the Start is 6-13 years old. Since the pen has no hot parts on the exterior, it’s perfectly safe for kids within this age range. You’ll also notice that the Start features just one button (the big orange one) and this controls all of its functions from extruding to reversing and ceasing the release of filament. There's also no need for kids to hold this button down continuously for the pen to work. That “one-click control” feature is great for young children who are getting started with 3D printing. Plus, it can also help make it easier for them to fix jams or overcome issues if the 3Doodler Start won't feed.

Other than that, the filaments for the 3Doodler Start vs. Create+ are eco-plastic, which are different than the filament they'd utilize with the Create+. Students can touch and mold the filament right after it extrudes since it's warm but not hot to the touch. This allows them to get the exact shape they need for each plastic strand that comprises their STEAM projects. Students can use one 6-inch strand of filament for 60 inches of doodling and we have both 3Doodler refills on our store as well in case you run out of either 3Doodler filament! The Start is also wireless and rechargeable (up to a 60-minute run time, up to a two-hour charge time). So, students can move freely when doodling.

What differentiates the 3Doodler Create+ from the Start?

As for its counterpart, the Create+ is designed for kids 14 and older with more power than the Start thanks to its built-in dual drive system. It also has multiple buttons on its surface, including a fast and slow button, so students can 3D print at different speeds based on what their projects and situations dictate. Unlike the Start, the Create+ is compatible with four different types of filaments: ABS or PLA and Flexy, which all are each a bit more traditional, and it can also print structures using wood, too. We also offer all of the Create+ 3D pen refills on our store should you need them.

Another difference between your 3Doodler Start and Create+ is that the Create+ must remain plugged in to work. The kits come with those power adapters but this does limit the range of these pens. Students might need to consider the space they’re doodling in from time to time. The Create+ is available in packs of six or 12 but students can use it for longer periods of time. There are also typically fewer jams than with the Start thanks to the dual drive system.

Creating with each 3D printing pen.

The additional functionality with the Create+ comes mostly from its start and stop button. Pressing it once starts the pen, pressing it again stops it, and pressing it twice reverses the release of filament. The system, as you can tell, is very simple and, though more powerful than the 3Doodler Start, the Create continues to serve kids well thanks to these traits, in particular. Finally, the heated plastic hardens almost immediately and the pen has a switch for different options depending on filament type.

The various features of the 3Doodler Start vs. the Create+ help make each of them great options for maker education. Plus, with so many opportunities for creative expression, students could explore many different things to make with the 3D pen. To learn more about them, check out some other 3Doodler articles on our blog or visit our store to find all these pens, class packs, and refills for 3Doodler. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to ensure you’ve got all the need-to-know information about various STEAM and maker tools.