So, you’ve got yourself a 3D printer. Maybe you’re fresh out of the box, still staring at the user manual like it’s written in an alien language. Or maybe you’ve been at this for a while, tinkering, troubleshooting, and occasionally yelling at your machine like it owes you money. Either way, at some point, you’ll find yourself hitting “print” on one of the most iconic 3D models of all time: the 3DBenchy.

Yes, that adorable little tugboat.

It’s practically a rite of passage in the 3D printing world. But why? Why does every printer owner, from the total newbie to the seasoned pro, eventually print this seemingly simple little boat? Well, grab a coffee, and let’s talk about it.

The Benchmarking Boat (Yes, That’s What ‘Benchy’ Means)

First things first—despite its cute and harmless appearance, the Benchy is a test. It’s like a pop quiz for your 3D printer, and trust me, your printer will get graded. The Benchy is packed with tricky design elements that help expose a printer’s weak spots. Think of it as a fitness test for your machine, revealing everything from misaligned belts to wobbly layers.

That little boat has:
✔ Overhangs that test how well your printer can handle gravity (because, surprise, plastic droops if it doesn’t cool fast enough).
✔ Bridging sections that show how well your printer can print in mid-air without support.
✔ Tiny details like the logo and windows, which tell you if your machine can handle fine precision.
✔ A curved hull that exposes issues with layer shifting, warping, and inconsistent extrusion.

And that’s just scratching the surface! If your Benchy comes out looking like a melted marshmallow or a modern art sculpture, well… your printer needs some work. But hey, at least you’ll know where to start, right?

Testing Filaments: Because Not All Plastic is Created Equal

Beyond checking if your printer is properly dialed in, the Benchy is also great for testing different types of filament.

PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU—sounds like a jumble of letters, but these are just different types of 3D printing materials, each with its own quirks. Some are flexible, some are tough, and some will make you question all your life choices because they refuse to stick to the bed. Printing a Benchy in a new filament helps you figure out if it plays nice with your machine before you commit to a huge print.

And let’s be honest, sometimes you just want to see how a new color looks in the real world. Maybe you found a sick neon green filament or a silky rainbow spool, and you need to know if it lives up to the hype. Benchy is small, quick to print, and doesn’t waste a ton of material—perfect for a filament test drive.

Speed vs. Quality: The Never-Ending Battle

Another fun thing about Benchy? You can use it to experiment with different print speeds. If you’re the type who likes to get a model printed yesterday, you might try cranking up the speed to see how much your machine can handle before the quality takes a nosedive.

Some printers can zip through a Benchy in under 30 minutes. Others take their sweet time, producing a stunningly detailed version that looks like it belongs in a museum. Either way, it’s a fun way to find that sweet spot between “fast enough” and “doesn’t look like a blob.”

Because… It’s Just Cute

At the end of the day, even if you’re not troubleshooting or testing filament, Benchy is just adorable. It’s a tiny boat, and who doesn’t love tiny things? People have entire collections of Benchies in different colors, materials, and sizes. Some even print them at ridiculous scales—there’s an ongoing challenge in the community to print the world’s smallest and largest Benchy. (Spoiler: Someone printed one smaller than a grain of rice. Madness.)

It’s also a fun desk ornament, a perfect little gift, or even a way to flex your printing skills. Ever tried printing a multi-color Benchy? That’s a whole new level of cool.

The Bottom Line: Every Printer Needs a Benchy

Whether you’re diagnosing print issues, testing new filament, pushing your speed limits, or just adding to your tiny boat fleet, the Benchy is the go-to print. It’s been around for years, and it’s not going anywhere. And honestly? Printing one feels like a little badge of honor. You did it. You’re officially in the club.

So, tell me—have you printed a Benchy yet? And if so, how’d it turn out? Did it float? (Spoiler: It totally doesn’t.) Let’s chat in the comments!

If you want to read a little bit more about our first Bency, you can find the blogpost about it here: https://blog.layerminter.com/2025/01/17/the-journey-began/

Or if you are only interested in the timelapse video, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/2Kyx_m7tAbM?si=utvrhlqwuHPQrwuw