Top 10 3D Models of Statue Projects to 3D Print

One of the best ways to show off what your printer can do is to make 3D printed statues. They put together a project that had detail, ingenuity, and functional decor. Statue models are great for testing your layer quality, finishing skills, and painting skills. You can make fantasy pieces, animal figures, beautiful sculptures, or useful display items. Many makers like these prints because they seem high-end but are cheap to build with PLA, PETG, or resin. In this article, we look at some of the most well-known and impressive 3D printed statue projects that every maker should try.

1. Owl Statue Facing Left

For many years, makers have adored the Owl Statue Facing Left as a classic decorative model. This owl is designed to look like it's perched, with lifelike feathers, sharp eyes, and a foundation that keeps it steady after printing. It is quite popular for gardens, patios, doorways, and outdoor decorations. The maker says that you may get a full set by pairing it with an owl that faces the other way. This model is great for FDM printers that use PLA or PETG and have medium layer heights of about 0.2 mm to show off the feather texture. Depending on the direction of the slicer, supports may not be very strong. You can paint it in the colors of a real owl, such as brown or white. This is a great project because it's easy to print, looks great as decoration, and is big and detailed.

Download file: thingiverse

2. A Statue of a Sitting Ghost

People who appreciate scary decor love the Sitting Ghost statue. It has a ghost figure sitting calmly in flowing robes, which makes it look fascinating and stylish instead of menacing. The model is about 50.6 × 39.8 × 75.7 mm in size, which makes it a little print that works well on shelves, for Halloween displays, or on a desk. The robe folds, and the smooth body shape makes it easy to print in white PLA or matte resin. It's easier to finish when layer lines aren't as visible on curved surfaces. The design has enough detail to seem high-end, yet it isn't too hard to print. To make it more visually appealing, makers often make it bigger. This is a great statue project for both beginners and more experienced users who want a quick, beautiful print that looks good all year round.

Download file: thingiverse

3. Voronoi Cat Statue

The Voronoi Cat Statue is one of the most fashionable modern animal prints you can buy. It has a Voronoi mesh design, which means that the cat's body is made up of artistic open cells instead of solid walls. This makes a sculpture that is light and looks like it came from the future. It's great for decorating your home, your business desk, or giving to a cat lover. Because the open structure has a lot of bridges and thin parts, this model prints best when it is well-cooled and fine-tuned. PLA is the best material since it makes clean edges. A layer height of 0.16 mm or 0.2 mm helps keep the shape. A lot of people print it in black, white, gold, or silk filament for a high-quality look. This is a great maker project since it looks high-tech and converts a simple cat figure into modern art.

Download file: printables

4. Resting Girl Blu-ray Bookend Statue

This beautiful model has both sculpture and function in one print. The Resting Girl Blu-ray Bookend Statue has a woman lying down who is meant to hold books, Blu-ray discs, or gaming collections. Instead of simple bookends, producers can print something beautiful and unique. The wide base helps keep things balanced and supported, while the human shape makes shelves look more elegant. Depending on the final level you want, this print works well in PLA, PETG, or resin. Users should make the walls thicker and the infill percentage higher to make them stronger. You can use stone or marble paint to make it look like a real sculpture. This project is great for libraries, media rooms, and collectors who desire decor that is also useful. It stands out because it is both beautiful and practical in everyday life.

Download file: printables

5. Female Statue Headphone Stand (Renaissance Style)

This model is one of the most inventive practical sculptures you may find online. It looks like a high-end decorative bust and is meant to hold headphones. It was inspired by Renaissance sculpture. It works with a lot of full-size headphones and consumers have said that it is surprisingly strong. People in the community say it can easily hold models that weigh roughly 580 g. It mixes art and usefulness in a way that not many prints do. Because of its size and complicated shape, this project needs a longer print time, but the results are worth it. It's best to use PLA or PETG with more walls. A finish that appears like marble white is quite realistic. It is great for gamers, music lovers, and anyone who wants something different than a regular stand for their workstation.

Download file: printables

6. Horse Statue

The Horse Statue is a high-quality ornamental piece that shows off the beauty and strength of a horse standing still. It comes in both STL and OBJ files, which gives makers the freedom to slice or change it as they see fit. It is designed to be a high-resolution printable sculpture. Professional tools like Rhinoceros, DAZ, and ZBrush was used to make the model. This is why its anatomy is smooth, its proportions are realistic, and its surface quality is high. This is a great print for tables, bookshelves, or anything with a horse theme. Resin printers will give you the best detail on muscles and faces, while FDM printers can make bigger versions with a layer height of 0.12 to 0.2 mm. The PLA, matte black, bronze, or marble filament all look excellent. This statue is a great solution for people who want to construct an attractive animal sculpture that looks like it costs a lot of money after printing.

Download file: cults

7. Lion Statue (Estatua de León)

The Lion Statue is a brave decoration that was inspired by the ruler of the jungle. Lion models are constantly in style because they stand for power, bravery, and wealth. This pattern is perfect for shelves, workplaces, yard decorations, or displays at the front door. For a high-quality finish, makers often print lion statues in gold, bronze, sandstone, or black filament. The robust face, rough mane, and muscular physique make this a great centerpiece. To keep the details in the mane, FDM users should print with layers that are 0.16 to 0.2 mm thick. Resin printers can get sharper textures. A solid or high-infill print can also make it a strong paperweight. This project is great for people who desire a strong animal sculpture that gives any area a classic regal look right away.

Download file: cults

8. Geometric Jesus Statue

The Geometric Jesus Statue is a mix of modern polygonal art with spiritual symbols. Instead of a classic realistic sculpture, it has faceted geometric surfaces that give it a modern and fashionable look. The creator says that a 15 cm version prints well using a 0.4 mm nozzle, a 0.2 mm layer height, 5% infill, and 2–3 walls. For cleaner overhangs, tree supports are a good idea. People usually print it in matte white PLA, which makes it look like stone in a gallery. Some people also utilize fuzzy skin settings to add more texture. This type is great for decorating your house, prayer places, churches, or modern bookcases. This is a great project since it mixes meaning, art, and the ability to print it out easily into one beautiful statue.

Download file: makerworld

9. Minimalist Low Poly Anubis Statue

The Minimalist Low Poly Anubis Statue is one of the most beautiful prints for makers who like mythology. This model is based on the ancient Egyptian god Anubis and employs clean, low-poly shapes to make a modern sculpture for decoration. It is a tall and stunning display piece that is around 299 × 105 × 105 mm in size. For the best results, use a layer height of 0.16 mm, two walls, 7% gyroid infill, and three supports that come from the build plate. A lot of people print it at 80% scale to make it easier to make while still looking good. Matte black, gold, or sandstone filament looks exceptionally high-end. This project is great for anyone who likes mythology, gaming setups, or collectors who want something one-of-a-kind and attractive.

Download file: makerworld

10. Heart Statue

The Heart Statue is a modern decorative print that is based on the famous heart form. It makes a great present, home decor, or desk accessory. Heart sculptures are popular because they are easy to make, have a lot of meaning, and can be used for various events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and Valentine's Day. Depending on the style of the model, manufacturers often print these in red PLA, silk filament, marble white, or metallic colors to give them a high-end look. Most FDM printers can print smooth, curved surfaces without any problems, and they are easy for beginners to use. Resin printing can make things look shinier and have sharper edges. A lot of people make these models bigger for centerpieces or smaller for decorations. It's a great project since it prints quickly, makes a great gift, and looks good in virtually any setting.

Download file: makerworld

Best 3D Printing Software

A wide range of 3D modeling software is available for preparing designs for 3D printing, with SelfCAD being a notable example. It is a powerful 3D modeling software that allows you to create 3D models from scratch or edit existing designs and customize them according to your needs. 

If the files have issues, such as unnecessary holes, you can easily fill them using the various tools in the software. After preparing your files, you can use the built-in online slicer in the software to slice them and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. 

In addition to being easy to use, SelfCAD also comes with many resources to help you get started with ease. There are many interactive tutorials to help you learn by actually creating 3D models. 3D modeling 101 series and 3D modeling for beginners videos on YouTube are also great resources to help you learn how SelfCAD works and how you can use it to create your 3D models.