Step-by-Step Guide

Bambu Lab X2D Pen Plotter Setup Guide

Everything you need to go from unboxing to your first plot. With a Stabilo Point 88 and the Sebas X2D pen holder, use the presets below and skip straight to plotting — calibration is optional.

~45 minutes total
No experience required
Z-Draw: 14, Z-Lift: 25

Before You Start

Printed Pen Holder

Print the Sebas X2D pen holder STL on your printer (included with purchase in Resources → 3D Pen Models)

USB Stick

Copy the G-code file onto a USB stick and plug it into your X2D

Pen or Marker

Stabilo Point 88 recommended (8–12 mm diameter pens also work)

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
  • Terrain — wireframe grid over a height field (Add Object → Lines & Patterns)

Select Your Printer:

Choose X2D from the printer dropdown. This automatically sets the correct bed size (256×256mm) and Sebas attachment offsets.

3DPlotter printer selection dropdown showing Bambu Lab X2D selected with bed dimensions 256x256mm
Select X2D 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.

The screenshots in this guide use a Terrain design — a wireframe grid draped over a height field. Add it via Add Object → Lines & Patterns → Terrain.

3DPlotter canvas with Bambu Lab X2D selected, showing a Terrain wireframe grid ready for plotting
Terrain on the plotter canvas with X2D selected — see the Terrain feature guide for controls

Download the Pen Holder STL:

Click Resources in the top toolbar, then open 3D Pen Models. Download the X2D Pen Plotter Toolhead by Sebas — purpose-built for the X2D dual-nozzle print head.

3DPlotter 3D Pen Models page showing X2D Pen Plotter Toolhead by Sebas
Download the Sebas X2D pen plotter toolhead from 3D Pen Models
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 Sebas X2D Pen Holder

Z-Draw (pen down)

14 mm

Z-Lift (pen up)

25 mm

These values were calibrated with the Sebas X2D pen holder and a Stabilo Fineliner Point 88 (0.4 mm). Seat the pen so about 4 cm protrudes above the holder. You may need to adjust slightly for other pens.

With this pen and holder combo, calibration is optional — you can skip to Step 4 and start plotting.

Configuration steps:

  1. 1Open the Settings panel in the app
  2. 2Select "Bambu Lab X2D" from the printer dropdown
  3. 3Set Z-Draw to 14 and Z-Lift to 25 (Stabilo Point 88 with Sebas X2D pen holder, ~4 cm pen protrusion)
3DPlotter plotter settings for Bambu Lab X2D with a Terrain wireframe design on the canvas
Plotter Settings with X2D selected — Z-Draw 14 and Z-Lift 25 for the Sebas holder

The canvas preview shows the same Terrain object from the example above.

3

Pen Height & Speed Calibration (Optional)

Using a Stabilo Point 88 with the Sebas X2D pen holder at Z-Draw 14 and Z-Lift 25? Calibration is optional — apply those presets in Plotter Settings and start plotting. Run calibration only if you switch pens, use a different holder, or want to fine-tune line quality.

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 before calibrating

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 X2D 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 export dialog showing pen attachment mode, path count, and download button for Bambu Lab X2D
The Export G-code dialog shows your design stats and pen attachment instructions
5

Transfer to Your X2D

Copy your G-code to a USB stick and plug it into your X2D.

  1. 1Plug a USB stick into your computer and copy the downloaded .gcode file onto it
  2. 2Eject the USB stick safely, then plug it into your Bambu Lab X2D
  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 X2D
  • Confirm the design fits within your paper boundaries

Dry Run Steps:

  1. 1

    Start WITHOUT the pen holder attached

    Select your G-code file on the X2D screen 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 moves to center of the board and waits 10 seconds

    After calibration, the toolhead moves to the center of the board and waits for 10 seconds. This is your window to attach the pen holder on a real plot. For the required dry run, you must let it continue 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 toolhead to move to the center of the board

    Let the calibration complete. The toolhead will move to the center of the board.

  3. 3

    Quickly attach the pen holder (10 second window)

    You have 10 seconds to clip the pen holder onto the toolhead and insert your pen. The printer will beep and then automatically start drawing.

  4. 4

    Watch the magic happen

    After the 10-second wait, your X2D will automatically start drawing your design on the paper!

Pen Holder Attached to X2D

The Sebas X2D pen holder clips securely onto the X2D print head. The workflow is the same as the P2S — attach during the 10-second pause after homing.

Sebas X2D pen plotter toolhead on a Bambu Lab X2D with a Stabilo Point 88 mounted and ready for plotting

The Sebas X2D toolhead clips onto the print head with a Stabilo Point 88 installed.

Bambu Lab X2D pen plotter toolhead side angle with pen drawing on paper

Correct Pen Position in the Holder

Important: The reference photo below uses a Stabilo Fineliner Point 88 (0.4 mm). The Sebas X2D pen holder was calibrated with this pen. This matches the app settings (Z-Draw: 14, Z-Lift: 25) with ~4 cm of pen protruding above the holder. Seat the pen so about 4 cm protrudes above the holder — longer pens may reduce the usable bed area.

Pen holder showing correct Stabilo pen tip position and offset alignment for accurate plotting on Bambu Lab X2D

Stabilo Point 88 in the Sebas X2D pen holder — ~4 cm protrusion above the holder, tip aligned for accurate plotting

The only precaution worth mentioning is that these margins take into account that the pencil does not protrude more than 4 cm beyond the tool holding it.

See the X2D in Action

Watch the complete plotting process on a Bambu Lab X2D.

Terrain wireframe plotted with Stabilo Point 88 fine 0,4 on Bambu Lab X2D

Troubleshooting Tips

Paths are offset from expected position

Check that you selected "X2D" in the printer dropdown. The Sebas X2D 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). Seat the pen so about 4 cm protrudes above the holder.

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 X2D.

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