Step-by-Step Guide

Bambu Lab X1C Pen Plotter Setup Guide

Everything you need to go from unboxing to your first plot. Includes dry run testing to verify your setup before using ink.

~45 minutes total
No experience required
Z-Draw: 14, Z-Lift: 20

Before You Start

Printed Pen Holder

Print the X1C pen holder STL on your printer (included with purchase)

SD Card

For transferring G-code files to your X1C

Pen or Marker

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

Paper

Secured to the bed with tape or clips

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 X1 Carbon from the printer dropdown. This automatically sets the correct bed size (256×256mm) and attachment offsets.

3DPlotter printer selection dropdown showing Bambu Lab X1 Carbon selected with bed dimensions 256x256mm
Select X1 Carbon 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 X1C pen plotting mode
Enable the Pen toggle to activate pen plotter mode
3DPlotter app canvas interface showing design ready for plotting on Bambu Lab X1C with 256x256mm bed area
The plotter canvas with X1 Carbon 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 X & P which is designed specifically for X1 and P1 series printers.

3DPlotter 3D Pen Models page showing Head Mount V1 for Series X and P compatible with Bambu X1, X1 Carbon, P1P, and P1S printers
Download the Head Mount V1 - Series X & P from the 3D Pen Models section
2

Configure Plotter Settings

Select your printer and configure the Z-height settings. These values control how high the pen lifts and how low it draws.

Recommended Settings for Falu Pen Holder

Z-Draw (pen down)

14 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:

  1. 1Open the Settings panel in the app
  2. 2Select "Bambu Lab X1C" or "X1 Carbon" 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 X1C pen plotting
Plotter Settings panel with recommended Z-Draw (14) and Z-Lift (20) values for the X1C
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 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

  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 Z16 down to Z4 at three speeds each.
  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 X1C 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 X1C
The Download G-code dialog shows your design stats and Pen Attachment Mode instructions
5

Transfer to Your X1C

Copy the G-code file to your X1C using an SD card.

  1. 1Copy the downloaded .gcode file to your SD card
  2. 2Insert the SD card into your Bambu Lab X1C
  3. 3Secure your paper to the print bed using tape or clips

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, firmware calibration, and travel paths before attaching the pen holder
  • Never skip this step — attaching the pen too early can drag it across the bed or damage your X1C
  • Confirm the design fits within your paper boundaries

Dry Run Steps:

  1. 1

    Start WITHOUT the pen holder attached

    Navigate to your G-code file on the X1C and start the print job. Do not attach the pen holder yet.

  2. 2

    Watch the calibration sequence

    The printer will run its calibration routine. This is normal.

  3. 3

    Printer pauses at the left corner

    This is the cue to attach the pen holder on a real plot. The printer waits here for you to prepare. For the required dry run, you must press Start without attaching anything.

  4. 4

    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.

7

Attach Pen Holder & Plot

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

  1. 1

    Start the same G-code again

    Run the print job just like before.

  2. 2

    Wait for the pause at the left corner

    Let the calibration complete and wait for the printer to pause.

  3. 3

    Attach the pen holder with pen

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

  4. 4

    Press "Start" and watch the magic

    Your X1C will now draw your design on the paper!

X1C with Pen Holder Attached

Bambu Lab X1C with pen holder attachment showing the Falu pen holder clipped onto the toolhead

The Falu pen holder clips onto the X1C 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 the pen from the side and align the tip with the offset point shown. This matches the app settings (Z-Draw: 14, Z-Lift: 20).

Pen holder showing correct Stabilo pen tip position and offset alignment for accurate plotting on Bambu Lab X1C

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

See the X1C in Action

Watch the complete plotting process on a Bambu Lab X1C.

Bambu Lab X1C pen plotter attachment in action

Troubleshooting Tips

Paths are offset from expected position

Check that you selected "Bambu Lab X1C" or "X1 Carbon" in the printer dropdown. The attachment offset 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 X1C.

Get 3DPlotter - €29.90Back to X1C Overview

Related Resources

How It WorksGalleryAll Supported PrintersContact Support