Step-by-Step Guide

Bambu Lab A1 Mini Pen Plotter Setup Guide

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

~30 minutes total
No experience required
Z-Draw: 12, Z-Lift: 20

Before You Start

Printed Pen Holder

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

SD Card

For transferring G-code files to your A1 Mini

Pen or Marker

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

Paper

Secured to the bed with tape or clips (180×152mm 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 Mini from the printer dropdown. This automatically sets the correct bed size (180×180mm) and attachment offsets.

3DPlotter printer selection dropdown showing Bambu Lab A1 Mini selected with bed dimensions 180x180mm
Select A1 Mini 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 Mini 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 Mini with 180x180mm bed area
The plotter canvas with A1 Mini 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 Mini. These values control how high the pen lifts and how low it draws.

Recommended Settings for Falu Pen Holder

Z-Draw (pen down)

12 mm

Z-Lift (pen up)

20 mm

These values work for most pens with the A1 Mini 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 Mini" from the printer dropdown
  3. 3Set Z-Draw to 12 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 Mini pen plotting
Plotter Settings panel with recommended Z-Draw and Z-Lift values for the A1 Mini
3

Generate & Download G-code

Once your design is ready and settings are configured, generate the G-code file that your A1 Mini 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 Mini
The Download G-code dialog shows your design stats and export options
4

Transfer to Your A1 Mini

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

  1. 1Copy the downloaded .gcode file to your SD card
  2. 2Insert the SD card into your Bambu Lab A1 Mini
  3. 3Secure your paper to the print bed using tape or clips (max 180×152mm)
5

Dry Run Test (Recommended)

Why Run a Dry Test First?

  • Verify the toolhead traces the correct paths before using ink
  • Ensure the design fits within your paper boundaries
  • Confirm the movement works correctly on the A1 Mini

Dry Run Steps:

  1. 1

    Start WITHOUT the pen holder attached

    Navigate to your G-code file on the A1 Mini 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

    For the dry run, simply watch the movements. If everything looks good, you're ready for the real plot!

6

Attach Pen Holder & Plot

Now that you've verified the paths with a 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 Mini 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 Mini will now draw your design on the paper!

A1 Mini with Pen Holder Attached

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

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

Correct Pen Position in the Holder

Important: Position your pen so the tip aligns with the offset point shown below. This ensures the plotting coordinates match the settings configured in the app.

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

Align the pen tip with the offset point on the pen holder for accurate plotting

See the A1 Mini in Action

Watch the complete plotting process on a Bambu Lab A1 Mini.

Bambu Lab A1 Mini pen plotter attachment in action

Troubleshooting Tips

Paths are offset from expected position

Check that you selected "Bambu Lab A1 Mini" 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 12 to 10). Each pen has slightly different dimensions.

Pen drags too hard on paper

Increase the Z-Draw value (e.g., from 12 to 14). 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 Mini.

Get 3DPlotter - €29.90Back to A1 Mini Overview

Related Resources

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