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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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 were calibrated with the Falu pen holder and a Stabilo Fineliner Point 88 (0.4 mm) — the same pen shown in the position reference at the end of this guide. You may need to adjust slightly for other pens.
Configuration steps:
- 1Open the Settings panel in the app
- 2Select "Bambu Lab A1 Mini" from the printer dropdown
- 3Set Z-Draw to 12 and Z-Lift to 20
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 Z16 mm down to Z4 mm (high to low) so the printer starts with lighter contact and gradually presses harder.
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
- 1Download the calibration G-code (Full or Compact test).
- 2Dry run: start the file on your printer WITHOUT the pen holder. Verify homing and movement look safe.
- 3Secure paper to the bed and attach the pen holder correctly (pen vertical, mount tight).
- 4Run the calibration again with the pen. The file draws labeled rows from Z16 down to Z4 at three speeds each.
- 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).
- 6Note the Z-Draw and Draw Speed on that row (e.g. Z12 D45) and enter them in Plotter Settings.
- 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.
Generate & Download G-code
Once your design is ready and settings are configured, generate the G-code file that your A1 Mini will execute.
- 1Click the "Download G-code" button at the bottom of the settings panel
- 2Review the export dialog showing path count, layers, and plotter settings
- 3Enter a filename and click "Download" to save the
.gcodefile
Transfer to Your A1 Mini
Copy the G-code file to your A1 Mini using an SD card.
- 1Copy the downloaded
.gcodefile to your SD card - 2Insert the SD card into your Bambu Lab A1 Mini
- 3Secure your paper to the print bed using tape or clips (max 180×152mm)
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.
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 movement works correctly on the A1 Mini
Dry Run Steps:
- 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
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
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.
Attach Pen Holder & Plot
Now that you've completed the required dry run, it's time to create your actual plot.
- 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
Start the G-code again
Run the print job with the pen holder attached.
- 3
Watch the magic happen!
Your A1 Mini will now draw your design on the paper!
A1 Mini with Pen Holder Attached
The Falu pen holder clips onto the A1 Mini toolhead — photo shows a Stabilo Point 88 installed.
Correct Pen Position in the Holder
Important: The reference photo below uses a Stabilo Fineliner Point 88 (0.4 mm). The Falu pen holder was tested with this pen. Insert from the bottom so the cap touches the bottom of the pen holder — that is the ideal height for Stabilo pens. Align the tip with the offset point shown.
Stabilo Point 88 in the Falu pen holder — align the tip with the offset point 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.