Key Highlights:
- The 3D Printer is found inside underground bunkers marked by pulsing green GPS icons.
- Players can print essential survival gear like flasks, grappling hooks, and tech mesh.
- Resin (Printer Ink) is required for crafting and can be found in nearby labs and loot caches.
Quick Links:
Sons of the Forest hides much of its advanced tech in plain sight, buried beneath the surface, inside a series of corporate bunkers left behind by a now-absent civilisation. Among the most useful discoveries in these hidden labs is the 3D Printer, a machine capable of creating advanced survival gear from Printer Resin.
Where to Find the 3D Printer
The easiest 3D Printer to access is located in a bunker entrance near the western forest, between the snowy mountain region and the southern coastline.
It does not matter where you spawn – all players can reach the 3D Printer bunker on Day One, regardless of where the helicopter crashes. The only difference is the distance you’ll need to travel.
To identify the correct green GPS ping, open your map and zoom out: you’re looking for the most central green marker, located beside a lake that has four rivers running into it. This lake is a reliable terrain landmark and can be seen from a wide radius.
This entrance is highlighted on your GPS as a green pulsing icon – distinct from the cave markers used for tools or keycards.
As you approach the correct location, look for an abandoned golf cart with flashing lights parked near a dirt slope. That’s your visual confirmation that you’re at the right spot.
Head down into the slope and through the dark tunnel. Unlike traditional caves, this tunnel leads to a corporate underground lab, not a mutant nest.
The first room you reach is relatively safe. It includes:
- A 3D Printer console
- A bedroll for saving or resting
- Resin cartridges scattered around shelves and desks
- A laptop with lore details (optional, but worth investigating)
This bunker is accessible from the start of the game. No tools are required to enter, making it a high-priority visit early on.
Second 3D Printer Location (Advanced Access)
Later in the game, a second 3D Printer can be found in a buried bunker near the northwest, marked by another green GPS point. However, this site is buried under terrain, meaning access requires a Shovel, which in turn demands prior acquisition of both the Rebreather and Zipline Rope Gun.
This advanced lab includes more high-value items:
- Fire Axe
- Tuxedo
- Laser Sight
- Access to Compound Bow and Silencer
Given the gear requirements, most players won’t reach this location until the mid-game or later. Still, it’s worth noting that it contains another fully functional 3D Printer and significantly more loot.
How to Use the 3D Printer
Using the 3D Printer is straightforward, but does require Printer Resin, sometimes labelled as “Printer Ink.” The machine typically starts with a partial fill (often 100–150ml).
Extra resin can be collected from various sources around the room, such as plastic jugs, inside other bunkers, or through looting crates and utility rooms located underground.
Once the printer is stocked:
- Approach the console and press ‘E’ to interact.
- Use ‘R’ to cycle through available print items.
- When your chosen item is selected, hold ‘E’ to begin printing.
- Wait for the object to complete and retrieve it from the tray.
The process takes just a few seconds per item and can be repeated as long as you have sufficient Resin.
What You Can Craft with the 3D Printer
Each crafted item offers strategic utility and is not purely cosmetic. Here’s a breakdown of what you can make and why it’s valuable:
| Item | Resin Cost | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Flask | 100ml | Allows water collection from rivers/lakes |
| Mask | 150ml | Temporarily confuses some cannibals |
| Arrows | 50ml (5x) | Ammo for bow—better accuracy than crafted ones |
| Grappling Hook | 100ml | Required ammo for the Rope Gun |
| Tech Mesh | 250ml | Used in crafting Tech Armor |
| Sled | 1000ml | Enables fast downhill travel with no fall damage |
Note: The Sled is the most expensive item but one of the most satisfying for exploration—ideal for descending snowy peaks or skipping dangerous terrain quickly.
Resin is finite, especially early in the game, so prioritise essentials like the Flask and Grappling Hooks over cosmetic or experimental items.
After crafting a Flask, always keep it filled. It’s your best defence against dehydration when exploring deep bunkers or caves.
To craft Tech Armor, you’ll need Tech Mesh, but keep in mind that it’s only one of several components required; you’ll also need circuit boards, batteries, wire, and duct tape to complete the armor.
Finding the 3D Printer early grants a major advantage, especially with the Flask and Grappling Hooks unlocking deeper parts of the island.
If you haven’t visited the bunkers yet, prioritise the western location near the golf cart and pulsing GPS signal. From there, you can begin stockpiling the tools that will make your time in Sons of the Forest more efficient, safer, and a lot more fun.