First Prints: from the box to printing on your own
Your new printer has opinions. We'll help you understand them. First Prints is a three-week live online course for anyone with a first 3D printer and no idea where to start. Each week ends with something you print at home.
Uses your printer
Planned for early 2027. Dates and prices are below. Sign-ups open soon, and the interest list hears first.
Who it's for
Anyone with a first 3D printer who wants it out of the box and making things. That could be a parent who bought one for the family, a kid 10 or older who got one as a gift (with a grown-up), or a small business owner who wants to make their own parts and displays. No experience needed. If you already print often, our other classes will suit you better.
How it runs
- Week 1: out of the box to a first print.
- Week 2: read the slicer, the software that turns a model into instructions for your printer.
- Week 3: bring a print that didn't go to plan. We work out why together, then plan what you'll make next.
Between sessions, a short lesson in Z-Access Learn keeps you moving.
Pick your series
Three Wednesdays plus your one-on-one setup call. Small groups, so spots are limited.
Preview: only you can see this. Checkout is live, so a test booking charges a real card. Refund it in Stripe afterward.
First Prints
Feb3
Series A
Wednesdays Feb 3, Feb 10, and Feb 17, 6:00 to 7:15 PM Arizona time
Mar3
Series B
Wednesdays Mar 3, Mar 10, and Mar 17, 6:00 to 7:15 PM Arizona time
Apr7
Series C
Wednesdays Apr 7, Apr 14, and Apr 21, 6:00 to 7:15 PM Arizona time
May5
Series D
Wednesdays May 5, May 12, and May 19, 6:00 to 7:15 PM Arizona time
Jun2
Series E
Wednesdays Jun 2, Jun 9, and Jun 16, 6:00 to 7:15 PM Arizona time
Dates
Three Wednesdays in a row, 6:00 to 7:15 PM Arizona time. That's 8:00 PM Eastern and 5:00 PM Pacific before Mar 14, and 9:00 PM Eastern and 6:00 PM Pacific after. The one-on-one setup call is booked in the week before Session 1.
| Series | Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Wed Feb 3 | Wed Feb 10 | Wed Feb 17 |
| B | Wed Mar 3 | Wed Mar 10 | Wed Mar 17 |
| C | Wed Apr 7 | Wed Apr 14 | Wed Apr 21 |
| D | Wed May 5 | Wed May 12 | Wed May 19 |
| E | Wed Jun 2 | Wed Jun 9 | Wed Jun 16 |
What you'll learn
- Set up, level, and calibrate your printer, and load filament safely.
- Find a good model, spot a bad one, and send it to print.
- What the main slicer settings do: layer height, infill, walls, supports, and brim.
- The five most common first-month problems and the first fix for each.
- How to keep your printer running well: cleaning, filament storage, and updates.
What you leave with
Your printer set up, three finished prints, a slicer cheat sheet, a troubleshooting card, and the First Layer badge on your maker passport.
In Z-Access Learn
A video of each session to rewatch, the cheat sheet and troubleshooting card, practice files, and a printer log to track what you changed.
Format: 3 live sessions, 75 minutes each, one a week, plus a short lesson between sessions and a 30-minute one-on-one setup call by video
Price: $129 per household for the series, including the one-on-one setup call.
Designed by a certified teacher
Every class is designed by an Arizona-certified teacher, co-founder Gina Wilt, EdD, MBA.
Join the interest list
Questions new owners ask
Will it work for my printer?
Most of what you'll learn works on any filament printer. Tell us your model on the interest form, and we'll let you know how well it fits.
Can my kid take it?
Yes, kids 10 and up, with a grown-up beside them.
Do I need any experience?
No. It's made for beginners.
Where does it happen?
Online, on a live video call. Join from anywhere.
Who teaches it?
First Prints is designed by an Arizona-certified teacher, co-founder Gina Wilt, EdD, MBA, and taught live by Z-Access.
When are dates and prices?
They're on this page. Sign-ups open soon, and the interest list hears first.