5 Ways How to Make a 3D Printer Enclosure – DIY & More

A 3D printer enclosure is a useful accessory for printing with temperature-sensitive materials like ABS and PETG. It keeps the printer’s smells and noise in while keeping cold drafts out.

Buying a new 3D printer enclosure is an option, but many users prefer to build or make one for themselves. I wrote this article to show users how to make 3D printer enclosures.

To create a 3D printer enclosure, the LACK tables from IKEA are a popular and affordable option. You can construct a simple and cost-effective enclosure with two sets of this table and some instructions. Alternatively, ready-made alternatives such as photo studio tents can be repurposed for an enclosure.

To learn more about making a 3D printer enclosure, keep reading on.

How to Make a DIY 3D Printer Enclosure

There are many cheap options you can choose from when it comes to creating DIY printer enclosures. You can create enclosures from cheap materials like cardboard, or you can opt for more sturdy materials like wood.

You can even add accessories like a spool holder, silicon seals, LED lights, etc. Let’s look at some ways you can build these enclosures.

1. Create an IKEA Lack Table enclosure
2. Repurpose an old cabinet, wardrobe, or other furniture
3. Cardboard box enclosure
4. PVC pipes enclosure
5. Buy a professional enclosure

1. Create an IKEA Lack Table Enclosure

The IKEA Lack table is one of the most popular choices for creating DIY enclosures. The cheap frame is sturdy and easy to customize, making it popular among 3D print enthusiasts.

It can fit various popular 3D printers, including the Ender 3, Prusa i3, Anycubic Kobra, etc.

Some of the things you need to buy to build this enclosure include the following:

• 2X IKEA Lack side tables
• 3/4mm thick acrylic glass panels
• 32x M4 nuts
• 32x M4x16 bolts (M4x12 for 2mm acrylic)
• 16x 4×70 wood screws
• 16x 4×40 wood screws

You’re also going to need to print out some other accessories for the printer. These materials include:

• Hinges
• Top and bottom 50mm risers for the table legs.
• A handle for the enclosure’s doors

Thankfully, a YouTuber called Hobbyist Notes has provided the files you need to download. You can check out these files on Thingiverse.

Constructing the IKEA Lack Enclosure

Once the parts are ready, you can start constructing the IKEA enclosure. Here’s how you can do it.

• First, build up the first lack stool to serve as a base for the enclosure
• Attach risers to the top and bottom of each of the second set of Lack legs. These risers are important, as they help enlarge the build space of the enclosure.
• Next, attach the risers to each corner of the lack table top. Make sure the glass stoppers on the risers are facing inward.
• Measure the space between the legs and cut out the plexiglass using those dimensions.
• Attach three of the plexiglass sheets you cut out to the risers using bolts and nuts.
• Take the last remaining sheet and attach a handle and some hinges to it. This sheet will be the door.
• Attach the plexiglass sheet to the last side using the hinges.

You can follow this video below for more detailed instructions on building the enclosure.

Pro Tip: Always drill pilot holes (smaller guide holes) in the legs and plexiglass before screwing them in.

Now, your basic enclosure is ready. However, it can still get better!

Adding Accessories to The Enclosure

Building the enclosure is just the first stage of the project. You can still add many accessories to make it more functional and cooler than store-bought models.

Some of these accessories include:

• LED Lights
• External spool holder
• Magnets
• External PSU
• Hygrometer/Thermometer
• Air purifier
• Smart smoke detector
• Silicon seal

Some of these accessories can bring great improvements to your workflow. For example, LED lights are necessary for the enclosure as they help illuminate the space and let you observe your print clearly.

The Tenmiro LED Strip from Amazon is a great option for your enclosure. It offers many color options; you can easily change and customize the colors via the remote control.

You can run the wires to an external power source or power them via your printer’s PSU. Just be very careful when dealing with electronics.

Also, many 3D printing hobbyists recommend taking your PSU outside your enclosure. This is because the PSU might not fare well in the high-temperature environment of the enclosure.

So, to keep it from malfunctioning, you might need to take it out of the enclosure. YouTuber Chris’s Basement provides a little guide on how you can achieve this.

2. Repurpose an Old Cabinet, Wardrobe, or Any Other Furniture

If you have any furniture you aren’t using at the moment, you can repurpose it into a 3D printer enclosure. This is a cheaper and less stressful alternative to the IKEA Lack table since you don’t have to build anything.

You can check out a great example of upcycling old equipment into 3D printing enclosures below. The poster converted an old server rack into a 3D printing enclosure.

All you have to do is add a few accessories, like LED strips and a smoke detector, to the cabinet to get it ready. If the cabinet has gaps, you can use silicon sealant to close them and ensure it is airtight.

3. Use a Cardboard Box Enclosure

Cardboard is another material you can use to make a 3D printer enclosure. Although it is less sturdy than wood, cardboard does a great job of blocking out drafts and keeping in the heat.

So, if you have a pile of broken-down cardboard boxes laying around, you can put them to good use.

You can check out this hobbyist that created a pretty functional enclosure out of cardboard.

To use it, he simply places the cardboard box over his printer and tapes it to the table. Inside the enclosure, he has a hygrometer, spool holder, and even some LED lights.

Most users recommend using a cardboard box that is at least 5mm thick for creating the enclosure as it provides optimal insulation properties.

Also, you can reinforce the inside and seams of the box with some duct or aluminum tape to achieve a tighter seal. For example, this Redditor used some Mylar bubble wrap to create an additional insulating layer inside the enclosure.

If you want to get fancy, you can cut out a viewport in the cardboard for observing your model while it’s printing. You can cover up the view port with some clear plastic to retain the enclosure’s insulating properties.

Note: Cardboard is a flammable material, so you should be very careful when using it for 3D printer enclosures. Always ensure your printer’s firmware has thermal runaway protection enabled.

Also, make sure you have safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your printing area. This way, you’ll be able to quickly deal with any fire emergency before it can get out of control.

4. Build a PVC Pipe Enclosure

A PVC pipe enclosure is another cheap alternative to the IKEA Lack table enclosure. It consists of a PVC pipe frame covered up with transparent plastic.

You can check out the PVC enclosure YouTuber Chris Riley built.

To build this, you’re going to need the following:

• ½” PVC pipes
• A clear plastic waterproof tablecloth
• Plastic corners
• Some Velcro

Here’s how you can build this enclosure:

• First, download and print out the plastic corners from
• While the corners are printing, cut the PVC pipe into the required shape. The creator recommends cutting out twelve 20.5” pieces from it.
• However, depending on your printer’s size, you can increase or reduce this value.
• Also, cut the tablecloth into six square pieces corresponding to the PVS frame’s dimensions. Ensure they are about 2″ larger than the PVC pipes you cut.
• The extra overlap is for the Velcro straps.
• Cut up the Velcro and attach it to the edges of the plastic sheet.
• Once the corners finish printing, assemble them with the PVC pipes.
• After you complete the enclosure’s box shape, cover it with clear plastic and join its edges with Velcro.

Viola, your enclosure is complete. The best part about this sort of enclosure is that you can modify and cut your PVC pipes to fit the dimensions of your printer.

For example, this Redditor created a large PVC pipe enclosure to fit his CR10-S5 printer.

The CR10-S5 is quite large and might not fit in conventional enclosures or the IKEA lack table DIY enclosure. However, you can measure and cut the PVC pipes to the required size to fit your large printer.

Also, instead of using a plastic tablecloth, you can use Aluminum Bubble Foam to cover the PVC frame. It keeps the heat in better, resulting in a more stable temperature for the enclosure.

It also has the added benefit of being soundproof, so the printer’s noise will be kept to a minimum.

5. Buy a Professional Enclosure

If you do not like any of the DIY enclosures, you can still buy a professional enclosure. One highly recommended choice is the Creality 3D Printer Enclosure.

It is made from an insulating material that will keep the printing area at a constant temperature. Also, the material is flame retardant, meaning it won’t catch fire in the event of an accident.

Also, the enclosure is dustproof. This way, you can store your printer and filament without fear of contamination.

Many users love this enclosure. They say the insulation is quite thick and the enclosure is made out of tough, durable materials.

Additionally, they say it is quite easy to install. According to them, you might need to use a bit of force to get the frame into the proper position but it should pop into place quite easily.

However, one minor complaint users have is about the enclosure’s size. According to them, it fits the Creality printers a little bit too snugly, leaving little room for anything else.

Note: Depending on your printer’s size, you can choose between the small and large versions of the enclosure.

You can also use a photo shooting tent like the Neweer Photo Studio photo tent for your printer. It’s quite large and can fit most mid-size printers. Many 3D printing enthusiasts recommend this as a low-cost alternative to other enclosures.

They say it maintains a stable temperature and is also easy to set up and put away. However, you should know that it doesn’t do a great job of keeping in the printer’s fumes.

So, if the material’s fumes are a concern, you should consider printing in a well-ventilated environment or using another enclosure.

In conclusion, building your 3D printing enclosure is an excellent way to improve the quality and consistency of your prints. While you can use many different approaches and materials, the most important thing is to ensure that the enclosure is safe, effective, and tailored to your specific needs.

By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can create a custom enclosure that will not only enhance the performance of your 3D printer but also add a personal touch to your printing setup!