Step-by-Step Guide

Bambu Lab A1 Pen Plotter Setup Guide

Everything you need to go from unboxing to your first plot. Perfect for detailed artwork on your A1.

~30 minutes total
No experience required
Z-Draw: 14, Z-Lift: 20

Before You Start

Printed Pen Holder

Print the A1 pen holder STL on your printer (included with purchase)

SD Card

For transferring G-code files to your A1

Pen or Marker

Any pen with 8-12mm diameter (Stabilo, Sakura Pigma, Staedtler, Sharpie, etc.)

Paper

Secured to the bed with tape or clips (256×228mm max plotting area)

1

Login & Create Your Design

Start by logging into your 3DPlotter account. Once in the app, you can create designs using:

  • Text tool - Type with 50+ single-stroke Hershey fonts
  • Image upload - Convert photos to plottable vector paths
  • Drawing tools - Freehand drawing and shapes

Select Your Printer:

Choose A1 from the printer dropdown. This automatically sets the correct bed size (256×256mm) and attachment offsets.

3DPlotter printer selection dropdown showing Bambu Lab A1 selected with bed dimensions 256x256mm
Select A1 from the printer dropdown to set correct bed dimensions

Enable Pen Plotter Mode:

Make sure the Pen toggle is enabled in the top toolbar. This activates pen plotter mode with the correct settings for your printer.

3DPlotter app pen toggle switch enabled in the toolbar for Bambu Lab A1 pen plotting mode
Enable the Pen toggle to activate pen plotter mode
3DPlotter app canvas interface showing design ready for plotting on Bambu Lab A1 with 256x256mm bed area
The plotter canvas with A1 selected, showing the effective plotting area

Download the Pen Holder STL:

Go to the Printers page and navigate to 3D Pen Models. Download the Head Mount V1 - Series A which is designed specifically for A1 and A1 Mini printers.

3DPlotter 3D Pen Models page showing Head Mount V1 for Series A compatible with Bambu A1 and A1 Mini printers
Download the Head Mount V1 - Series A from the 3D Pen Models section
2

Configure Plotter Settings

Configure the Z-height settings for the A1. These values control how high the pen lifts and how low it draws.

Recommended Settings for Pen Holder

Z-Draw (pen down)

14 mm

Z-Lift (pen up)

20 mm

These values work for most pens with the A1 pen holder. You may need to adjust slightly based on your specific pen.

Configuration steps:

  1. 1Open the Settings panel in the app
  2. 2Select "Bambu Lab A1" from the printer dropdown
  3. 3Set Z-Draw to 14 and Z-Lift to 20
3DPlotter app plotter settings panel showing Z-Draw set to 14mm and Z-Lift set to 20mm for Bambu Lab A1 pen plotting
Plotter Settings panel with recommended Z-Draw and Z-Lift values for the A1
3

Pen Height & Speed Calibration

Calibration finds your optimal Z-Draw (pen-down height) and Draw Speed by printing labeled test lines at different combinations. Pick the row that looks darkest, smoothest, and most consistent — then enter those values in Plotter Settings.

Test lines run from Z High down to Z Low (high to low, default 16→4 mm) so the printer starts with lighter contact and gradually presses harder. Adjust Z High / Z Low in this panel if your pen sits lower in the holder.

When a row looks ideal, stop the print on your printer immediately. The file keeps going to lower Z values — continuing past your best line can press too hard and damage your pen tip or pen holder.

Dry run required first

You must run the calibration G-code without the pen holder attached first. Watch the homing and travel paths to confirm nothing collides with the bed or frame.

  • Attaching the pen holder too early can drag the pen across the bed during homing.
  • A crooked or loose mount can crash the nozzle into the bed or tear your paper.
  • Always dry-run first, then attach the pen only when the file is ready to draw.

How to calibrate in the app

  1. 1Download the calibration G-code (Full or Compact test).
  2. 2Dry run: start the file on your printer WITHOUT the pen holder. Verify homing and movement look safe.
  3. 3Secure paper to the bed and attach the pen holder correctly (pen vertical, mount tight).
  4. 4Run the calibration again with the pen. The file draws labeled rows from your Z High down to Z Low at three speeds each (default Z16→Z4).
  5. 5As soon as a row looks ideal, stop the print — do not let it continue to lower Z values (risk of pen or holder damage).
  6. 6Note the Z-Draw and Draw Speed on that row (e.g. Z12 D45) and enter them in Plotter Settings.
  7. 7Optionally run a Fractal test to confirm on curves.

Open the Calibration panel at the bottom of the plotter sidebar and download a Full or Compact test. A confirmation dialog explains the full procedure before the G-code downloads. Open the plotter app.

4

Generate & Download G-code

Once your design is ready and settings are configured, generate the G-code file that your A1 will execute.

  1. 1Click the "Download G-code" button at the bottom of the settings panel
  2. 2Review the export dialog showing path count, layers, and plotter settings
  3. 3Enter a filename and click "Download" to save the .gcode file
3DPlotter G-code download dialog showing pen attachment mode instructions, path count, and download button for Bambu Lab A1
The Download G-code dialog shows your design stats and export options
5

Transfer to Your A1

Copy the G-code file to your A1 using an SD card.

  1. 1Copy the downloaded .gcode file to your SD card
  2. 2Insert the SD card into your Bambu Lab A1
  3. 3Secure your paper to the print bed using tape or clips (max 256×228mm)

Important: When selecting the file on the printer screen, choose the file WITHOUT the underscore (_) prefix. Files starting with _ are thumbnails/metadata and will not print.

6

Dry Run Test (Required)

Why a Dry Run Is Required

  • You must verify homing and travel paths before attaching the pen holder or using ink
  • Never skip this step — attaching the pen too early can drag it across the bed or damage your printer
  • Confirm the design fits within your paper boundaries on the A1

Dry Run Steps:

  1. 1

    Start WITHOUT the pen holder attached

    Navigate to your G-code file on the A1 and start the print job. Do not attach the pen holder yet.

  2. 2

    Observe the toolhead movement

    Watch as the toolhead traces through all the paths. Verify it stays within your paper area and follows the expected design.

  3. 3

    Verify the paths look correct

    You must run a dry run without the pen holder. Watch the movements only — if everything looks safe, you are ready for the real plot.

7

Attach Pen Holder & Plot

Now that you've completed the required dry run, it's time to create your actual plot.

  1. 1

    Attach the pen holder with pen

    Clip the pen holder onto the A1 toolhead. Insert your pen with the tip extending to the correct position.

  2. 2

    Start the G-code again

    Run the print job with the pen holder attached.

  3. 3

    Watch the magic happen!

    Your A1 will now draw your design on the paper!

A1 with Pen Holder Attached

Bambu Lab A1 with pen holder attachment showing the pen holder clipped onto the toolhead

The pen holder clips onto the A1 toolhead. The spring mechanism keeps consistent pressure.

Correct Pen Position in the Holder

Important: The reference photo below uses a Stabilo Fineliner Point 88 (0.4 mm). For Stabilo pens, insert from the bottom so the cap touches the bottom of the pen holder — that is the ideal height. Align the tip with the offset point shown.

Pen holder showing correct Stabilo pen tip position and offset alignment for accurate plotting on Bambu Lab A1

Stabilo Point 88 in the pen holder — align the tip with the offset point for accurate plotting

See the A1 in Action

Watch the complete plotting process on a Bambu Lab A1.

Bambu Lab A1 pen plotter attachment in action

Troubleshooting Tips

Paths are offset from expected position

Check that you selected "Bambu Lab A1" in the printer dropdown. The attachment offset (28mm) is automatically calculated.

Pen doesn't touch the paper

Decrease the Z-Draw value (e.g., from 14 to 12). Each pen has slightly different dimensions.

Pen drags too hard on paper

Increase the Z-Draw value (e.g., from 14 to 16). The spring in the pen holder provides some flexibility.

Lines are broken or inconsistent

Ensure your pen has enough ink. Try a slower draw speed in the settings.

Ready to Start Plotting?

You now have everything you need to create amazing pen plots on your Bambu Lab A1.

Get 3DPlotter - €29.90Back to A1 Overview

Related Resources

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