CADKreations Leads Beginner 3D Printing Workshop at Bladensburg Jan. 23

CADKreations ran a 90-minute beginner workshop at the Bladensburg branch that gave teens and new community makers practical, hands-on instruction in operating a public 3D printer. The session, held Friday, Jan. 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., focused on how the printer works, file preparation and submission, common settings, and best practices for successful prints.

The workshop targeted ages 13 and up and was structured as community training for users who want to move from curiosity to actual printing without buying their own machine. Presenters walked attendees through the workflow used at the library’s maker service, emphasizing file preparation, slicing and the submission process that public labs typically require. They also covered common settings and print-prep routines that reduce failed prints and material waste.

Bladensburg’s program removes a major barrier for first-time makers: access to equipment and guided instruction. By offering this session in a public library setting, CADKreations and the Bladensburg branch provided supervised time on a shared machine, which helps new users build confidence with bed leveling, nozzle checks, and slicer export before attempting solo projects at home. The hands-on format gave teens practical experience rather than a purely lecture-based introduction.

Registration had been handled through the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System event page, with sign-up required ahead of time and the audience set at ages 13+. The event page is listed at pgcmls.info/event/15443995 for anyone looking for follow-up details or future offerings from the library and CADKreations. Community members who could not attend were encouraged to watch the library calendar for repeat sessions and other maker programs.

Local makers benefit from workshops like this because they help lower the learning curve for digital fabrication, foster peer-to-peer troubleshooting, and expand access to tools that would otherwise require significant investment. For teens, the session offered an entry point into STEM and design skills that transfer to school projects, careers in manufacturing and engineering, and creative hobbies.

Expect more beginner sessions as interest in public maker services grows; check the Bladensburg branch calendar and CADKreations announcements for upcoming dates and the registration steps required to reserve printer time.