Getting Started

Not sure where to begin with your new Create+ pen? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started with a few of the basics. By the end you’ll not only be Doodling, but Doodling well. For our visual learners, don’t forget to also check out our video section.

Basics


3Doodler pen and toothpaste tube

Plug in Your 3Doodler

Ensure you select your temperature to ABS/FLX for ABS and FLEXY plastic or PLA for PLA or WOOD plastic.

Creating 3D art with red and black wire using a 3D pen

Press Fast/Slow & Insert a Strand

Press either button to put your pen in drive mode, and then insert a strand of plastic into the back of the pen. Push gently to ensure it engages with the gears and gets gripped properly.

3Doodler creates red line on paper

Ready, Set, Doodle

It may take a few seconds for your plastic to extrude.


The Buttons


Person holding two 3D pens for creating art

Fast / Slow Button

Single click either Fast or Slow button to start a continuous flow of plastic. If you have the pen in continuous flow mode, you can simply click either button once to stop the continuous flow.

Artist using 3D pen, creating intricate drawing

Reverse Feature

Double click either Fast or Slow button to reverse the strand. The pen will start to pulse. Don’t worry, the pulse helps the pen successfully reverse. If your strand is too short to reverse, while the pen is turned on and heated up, you can carefully remove the nozzle with the mini wrench and insert the unblocking tool in through the pen tip. That will push the short strand out of the feed port.

Feeding Strands


First try pushing your plastic into the pen. As we mentioned before, push gently to ensure it engages with the gears and gets gripped properly. If the strand of plastic inside the pen is not long enough for you to grip or push by hand, you can also use another plastic strand, or the unblocking tool, to push the first strand down and into the gear system.

Jammed Plastic


Creating with 3D pen on paper

Using the included screwdriver

Though uncommon, it is possible for plastic to get jammed (this may happen if you do not snip your melted plastic ends). Fret not! While the maintenance cover should only be opened when absolutely necessary, as long as you follow the instructions in the manual, you’ll be fine.

A Few Reminders

  • Follow the step-by-step user manual at all times.
  • Never ever force anything into place! You risk breaking your pen if you do.
  • Ensure there is no plastic inside the pen when you put the maintenance cover back on.
  • When replacing the maintenance cover, please be careful with the small tabs on the sides. If you line them up with the openings they are designed to fit into, they should pop into place easily, and you will avoid breaking them off.

Still Struggling?

Don’t worry, our support team is here to ensure you are Doodling as quickly as possible. You can reach out to us here and let us know what’s going on.

Pressing On Surface


Probably the most common question we get is related to this. If you are finding that the plastic won’t hold to paper, or goes off in random directions, don’t worry! The solution is very simple. Push your 3Doodler pen’s nozzle firmly onto the paper and allow the plastic to extrude for a couple of seconds, then lift the 3Doodler’s nozzle off of he paper. The extra downward pressure will help your extruded plastic stick to the paper. We call this “anchoring” your plastic.

https://media.the3doodler.com/20210524125142/bunched-plastic.png
Hovering above surface is bad
https://media.the3doodler.com/20210524125143/the-right-way-to-press.png
Pressing firmly upon surface is good

Nozzle Removal


When it comes time to change your nozzles, simply use the nozzle removal tool to gently unscrew the nozzle counter-clockwise while the pen is turned on and fully heated up.

https://media.the3doodler.com/20210524144626/10-Nozzle-Removal-left%402x-20.png
https://media.the3doodler.com/20210524144627/11-Nozzle-Removal-right%402x-20.png

It’s important that you don’t over-tighten the nozzle, and equally important to keep the nozzle removal tool centered, so as to avoid damaging the threaded tip.


Snipping Ends


Keep your plastic strands clean

Use clippers or scissors to snip the melted plastic ends. This will help you avoid any unnecessary jams in your 3Doodler pen.


Welding Plastic


3D pen creating red line on paper

Connecting plastic to plastic

While extruding, simply touch the tip of the 3Doodler to both pieces of plastic you want to join together. This is an essential skill that will help you Doodle to infinity and beyond.


Still Struggling?

Take a look at our 3Doodler create troubleshooting guide.
Help Me
Close-up: 3D pen art cake with sticks design

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