Survival Guide/3D Printer

3D Printer

Print what you can't find

The 3D Printer lets you manufacture medical supplies, repair kits, and even high-end weapons right at your base. Find the printer, power it up, load filament, and start printing. Some items are built into the printer's memory. Others require rare encrypted USBs — and the rarest USB prints something worth more than most players will ever earn.

What You Need

Before you can start printing, you need to find all the components. These spawn in the world and can also be found at traders.

ItemPurposeNotes
3D Printer KitThe printer itselfPlace this to deploy the printer
GeneratorPower source (permanent)Best for base setups
OR Printer BatteryPower source (portable)Long-life battery, pair with Metal Wiring
OR Truck BatteryPower source (portable)Standard battery, pair with Metal Wiring
Cable ReelConnects printer to powerMust link both printer AND power source
SparkplugRequired for generatorGenerator won't run without one
FilamentPrinting material9 colors available, recipes require specific colors
USB Stick (optional)Unlocks special recipes5 encrypted USBs, each with unique blueprints

Setup & Power

Setting up the printer is straightforward, but you need to do it in the right order.

Step 1Place the 3D Printer Kit. Find a flat surface at your base. The kit deploys into the full printer.
Step 2Place your power source nearby. Set down a Generator (with Sparkplug) or connect a Battery with Metal Wiring.
Step 3Connect the Cable Reel. Attach it to both the generator/battery AND the printer. Both ends must be connected or the printer won't power on.
Step 4Turn on the generator. If using a generator, make sure it's switched on and fueled. Battery setups power on automatically when connected.
Step 5Load filament into the printer. Insert the correct color filament that your recipe requires.
Step 6Press F on the printer to open the UI. Select "Print" to access the recipe menu.
Generator vs Battery: Generators are the best choice for a permanent base setup — just keep them fueled. Batteries are more portable but will eventually run out. The Printer Battery (long-life) lasts significantly longer than a standard Truck Battery.

How to Print

Once your printer is powered and loaded with filament, here's how printing works:

1Press F on the printer and select "Print" to open the recipe UI.
2Browse the Memory tab for built-in recipes, or the USB tab if you have an encrypted USB inserted.
3Each recipe shows the required filament color and print time. Make sure you have the right filament loaded.
4Select the item and start printing. The UI shows real-time progress as it prints.
5When complete, the printed item appears in the printer's inventory. Take it out and you're good to go.
Filament Usage: Each print consumes a percentage of the filament spool. Small items might only use 8–12%, while the legendary Anzio Black consumes the entire spool in one print. Plan your filament supply accordingly.

Filaments

There are 9 filament colors. Each recipe requires a specific color — you can't substitute. Some filaments are rarer than others, so the items they produce tend to be more valuable.

Blue
LightBlue
Orange
Red
Violet
Yellow
Green
Gold
Silver

Memory Recipes

These items are stored in the printer's built-in memory. No USB required — just load the right filament and print. These are utility and medical supplies that any survivor can manufacture.

ItemFilamentPrint TimeFilament Used
HD Hemostatic BandageGreen5 minutes10%
HD Industrial Repair KitBlue6 minutes12%
HD Pro Leather KitRed5 minutes10%
HD Heat InjectorOrange4 minutes8%
HD Bone Fix InjectorYellow5 minutes10%
Self-sustaining supply line: Memory recipes are your bread and butter. With enough filament, you never need to scavenge for bandages or repair kits again.

USB Recipes

USB recipes require an encrypted USB stick inserted into the printer. Each USB contains a single blueprint for increasingly powerful items. Finding a high-tier USB is one of the most rewarding moments in the game.

USBTierPrintsFilamentPrint TimeFilament UsedUSB Damage
USB 01CommonParagon .50 BMG SuppressorSilver10 min20%25% damage
USB 02UncommonPunched CardGold15 min30%50% damage
USB 03RareSNAFU Scar-H DKMCRed20 min40%50% damage
USB 04EliteParagon M82 BlackViolet30 min70%75% damage
USB 05LegendaryParagon Anzio BlackSilver45 min100% (full spool)Destroyed
USB 05 is the holy grail. It prints the Paragon Anzio Black — a $115,000 anti-material sniper rifle. But it's single-use: 100% USB damage destroys the stick, and 100% filament usage burns an entire Silver spool. One shot. One print. Gone forever.
USB 02 prints a Punched Card. This gives you bunker access — you're literally manufacturing a key to some of the best loot locations on the map. The USB survives 2 uses before breaking.

USB System & Durability

There are 5 encrypted USB sticks that spawn in the world. Each one holds a blueprint for a single item. When you use a USB to print, the stick takes durability damage based on the recipe. Higher-tier USBs take more damage — making their prints increasingly precious.

25%Multi-use — USB 01 takes only 25% damage per print, giving you roughly 4 uses. The most forgiving tier.
50%Limited use — USB 02 and USB 03 take 50% damage per print. You get roughly 2 prints before the stick breaks.
75%Nearly single-use — USB 04 takes 75% damage. You might squeeze out one more print if you're lucky, but don't count on it.
100%Single use — USB 05 is destroyed after one print. The Anzio Black is a one-time deal.

USB Tier Summary

USBTierBlueprintApprox. Uses
Encrypted USB 01CommonParagon .50 BMG Suppressor~4 prints
Encrypted USB 02UncommonPunched Card (bunker access)~2 prints
Encrypted USB 03RareSNAFU Scar-H DKMC~2 prints
Encrypted USB 04EliteParagon M82 Black~1 print
Encrypted USB 05LegendaryParagon Anzio Black1 print (destroyed)

Storage Options

Two storage options help you organize your filament supply at your base:

ItemCapacityType
Printer Bench20 filament slotsDeployable via kit — larger, permanent storage
Filament Holder10 filament slotsPlaced item — compact, good for smaller setups
The Printer Bench shows filament spools visually on the model, so you can see at a glance what's stored. Deploy it near your printer for easy access.

Tips & Strategy

Set up at your base. The printer requires power and takes time to print. This isn't something you use on the go — set it up at a secure location where you can leave it running.
Stockpile Silver filament. Both the .50 BMG Suppressor (USB 01) and the Anzio Black (USB 05) require Silver filament. If you find a high-tier USB, you'll want Silver ready to go.
Memory prints are your supply line. Don't sleep on the memory recipes. Printing bandages, repair kits, and injectors means you never run out of essentials. Green, Blue, Red, Orange, and Yellow filaments keep your survival gear topped up.
Don't leave the printer undefended. Other players can use your printer if they find it. Worse, they can take your USBs and filament. Build walls around your printing station.
Guard your USBs with your life. A USB 05 is potentially the single most valuable item you can find in the world. Don't carry it on you unless you're heading straight to your printer. Stash it. Lock it up. Print the Anzio and then it's gone forever.
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