Modern-day technology has put the ability to create things within reach of nearly everybody. The cell phone you carry in your pocket can be used to sculpt or scan anything onto a digital canvas. And 3d printing technology can quickly and cheaply turn that 3d sculpted file into a physical object. This, of course, has led to countless websites where users can trade and sell 3d files. It has also cultivated an entire industry of people using 3d printers to make extra money printing stuff for others. While this technology seems to be a perfect match for the sex toy industry, there are some things you should know about the dangers of 3d printed sex toys.

3D printing basics

I am going to keep this as simple as possible. While there are many different types of 3d printers, the most common is an FDM. FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modeling and is sometimes called Fused Filament Fabrication, but the two terms are interchangeable. FDM printers are versatile, inexpensive, simple to operate, and have many material options. If you have stumbled across a sex toy manufacturer that 3d prints sex toys, in all probability, they are using FDM printers to do the work.

An FDM printer works by heating plastic, and extruding it, layer by layer, to build a 3d object. The layer thickness is very thin, and a 3d print made this way can look and feel smooth. As stated before, many different types of plastic can be used in these printers. ABS, a common material used for sex toys, is one of them. PET, which is the type of plastic used to make water bottles, is another. Many 3d printed sex toys will likely be made of one of these thermoplastic materials.

Thermoplastics, 3D printed vs. injection molded

Mid to high-end, hard plastic sex toys are made with ABS. ABS has a long history and is considered a body-safe material. Traditionally, ABS sex toys are made using injection molding. Injection molding is what it sounds like. A mold is “injected,” and filled with the melted plastic, then once it cools, it is removed, post-processed, and packaged. ABS toys made in this way have a smooth, nonporous surface.

On the other hand, 3d printed ABS toys are made layer by layer. Each layer has time to cool before the next layer is applied. This can leave gaps, pockets, and a generally porous surface. Many toys made in this way are either hollow or have a meager amount of infill. This is where the dangers of 3d printed sex toys comes into play. Any bacteria or fluids that get in between the layers can become trapped, either on or just below the surface. It can even get inside the device, which can cause all kinds of infections. Layers can separate over time, leading to even more bacteria, even if you clean the device correctly. These separations can also cause weak points and breakage. Part of the toy can get lodged inside your body or create sharp jagged edges of broken plastic during use.

Due to how a 3d printed sex toy is made, it is impossible to get them completely clean. For this reason, using a 3d printed sex toy is never recommended. However, if I can’t convince you not to use a 3D-printed toy, there are ways to treat the plastic and reduce your risk.

Treatment options for 3d-printed toys

Coatings

While I don’t recommend using a 3d printed sex toy of any kind, some 3d printed plastics can be made safer through various treatments. That’s not to say they will be completely free of the defects mentioned above. If you get a 3D-printed toy, you could treat the surface with a 2-part food-safe or body-safe epoxy before use. This will create a uniform, solid surface on the device. It’s recommended that you test the resin coating before use to ensure that it won’t break up or flake off, as this would cause an even more dangerous situation. This can be done by dropping it on a hard surface a few times, then inspecting the coating for cracks. You can also take a damp rag and rub it on the device to see if any of the coating flakes off or starts to break up.

Similarly, if you don’t mind making the device have a softer surface, you could coat it with platinum-cured silicone. Smooth-on makes some silicones that can be mixed, then brushed on to create a solid surface. Though this would have the possibility of forming tears over time, rendering the treatment useless. Also, it should be noted that silicone doesn’t stick well to plastics, so it is essential to coat the entire thing to prevent the silicone from peeling off.

Acetone smoothing

If you know for sure that the toy is made of ABS, you can use acetone to give it a uniform surface. 3d printing enthusiasts have been doing this for years with ABS parts, and in theory, it should reduce the number of bacteria that can harbor between the layers. A whole bunch of YouTube videos can show you how to do this. But basically, all you have to do is put some acetone on a rag and stuff it in the bottom of a sealed jar with your device. Warming it up will cause the acetone to turn to vapor, which will slightly melt the entire surface of the device. Many people are out there saying that other 3d printed plastics, like PLA, can be smoothed this same way, but in my tests, it is only effective with ABS.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 3d printed sex toys may seem like a less expensive alternative to professionally manufactured sex toys. But you are putting yourself at significant risk by using them. The infections and damage you can do to your body do not justify saving a few bucks. 3d printing is a great technology and can be used to make various products, but the dangers of 3d printed sex toys should be avoided. If you prefer harder toys, buy products from reputable companies using injection molding or other traditional manufacturing methods.
While a 3D-printed toy shouldn’t be used for direct body contact, It is worth noting that 3d printing can safely be used to make molds for toys made of other materials like silicone. If you are reading this article because you got a printer and want to make your own toys, use the printer to make molds instead and cast your toys with other body-safe materials. Platinum-cured silicone can usually be purchased at any hobby store and can be cast in a 3D-printed mold easily.