How to 3D print a lamp: A guide to the VUVU lamp
One of the most satisfying 3D printing projects is making something you can actually use in your home. A lamp is a perfect example. It combines design, materials, and light into a single object that becomes part of your space.
The VUVU lamp was designed specifically for desktop 3D printers. Every part fits within a standard 250 × 250 × 250 mm build volume, which means most consumer printers can handle it without modifications. The lamp prints as a series of modular parts that stack together, allowing you to build either a compact table lamp or a tall floor lamp depending on how many modules you print.
This guide walks you through the basic process of printing the lamp, from materials and printer setup to assembly.
What you need to 3D print the lamp
Before starting the print, make sure you have a printer with a build volume of at least 250 × 250 × 250 mm. Most modern desktop printers fall within this range.
The lamp uses a combination of materials because different parts have different requirements. The base can be printed in PLA, which is easy to print and strong enough for structural parts. The inner light column should be printed in translucent PETG, since PETG handles heat from LED strips better than PLA. For the outer lamp modules you can choose either translucent PETG or translucent PLA depending on the type of glow you prefer.
In total, the project typically requires around one kilogram of PLA for the base, one kilogram of translucent PETG for the light column, and roughly two kilograms of translucent filament for the lamp shades.
Printing the lamp parts
The VUVU lamp prints in stages. Each part uses slightly different settings depending on its function.
1. Print the base
Start with the base.
It is the most structural part of the lamp, so strength and dimensional accuracy are important.
Recommended settings:
- 0.4 mm nozzle
- 0.2 mm layer height
- PLA filament
- 15% infill
- Multiple wall loops for strength
2. Print the light column
The light column holds the LED strip and needs to be strong while still letting light pass through.
Use PETG filament for this part.
Recommended settings:
- 0.8 mm nozzle
- 0.4 mm layer height
- no infill
- no cooling
- slow print speeds
The column is printed in 25 cm sections so it fits on smaller printers.
3. Print the lamp modules
The lamp modules define the final look of the lamp when it is turned on.
These parts are printed using vase mode.
Recommended settings:
- 0.8 mm nozzle
- 0.56 mm layer height
- vase mode enabled
- 0% infill
- single wall
Thicker layers help blend the light smoothly through the material.
4. Print the lamp top
The lamp top finishes the lamp visually.
It prints similarly to the lamp modules but with a slightly lower layer height.
Recommended settings:
- 0.8 mm nozzle
- 0.4 mm layer height
- vase mode
- 0% infill
Installing the LED strip
The lamp is designed around a Philips Hue Solo LED strip that sits inside the light column. The strip must be cut to length at the marked cutting points before installation.
For the small version of the lamp you typically use about 25 cm of LED strip, cut at the first cut mark. The medium version uses about 50 cm, and the large version uses the same length depending on the number of column segments used.
When inserting the strip, make sure the LEDs face inward toward the center of the column so the light spreads evenly through the translucent material.
How long does the lamp take to print
Depending on your printer and speed settings, the total print time can vary quite a bit. In general, a small lamp takes roughly 21 to 26 hours to complete, while a large version with more modules can take anywhere between 41 and 51 hours.
Because the lamp prints in separate parts, most people spread the project across multiple days and print one or two components at a time.
Final assembly
Once all the parts are printed, assembly is straightforward. The column sections connect together and screw into the base. The LED strip is inserted into the column, after which the lamp modules can be stacked around the light column. The final step is placing the top piece to finish the lamp visually.
Once everything is assembled, you have a fully functional 3D printed lamp. By adding or removing modules, the lamp can easily be configured as either a table lamp or a floor lamp.
Share your build
One of the best parts of 3D printing is seeing how different people interpret the same design. Filament choices, colors, and print settings all influence the final look.
If you print the VUVU lamp, feel free to share your build and tag @heysisimono. Community prints are regularly featured.
