Creating cookie cutters

Design custom cookie cutters using outline shapes or hole material, then export for 3D printing.

Creating cookie cutters

This guide walks you through creating a cookie cutter from scratch using two different methods: outline shapes and hole material. By the end, you will have a printable cookie cutter ready for export.

Prerequisites

  • Familiarity with basic drawing tools (shapes or freehand)
  • Understanding of the 3D panel and height adjustment

Method 1: Using outline shapes

Outline shapes extrude as raised edges rather than solid fills, making them ideal for cookie cutters.

Draw the cutter shape

  1. Select a drawing tool (Rectangle, Circle, Star, Heart, or Freehand)
  2. Draw the shape you want for your cookie cutter
  3. The shape appears filled by default

Convert to outline

  1. Select the shape using the Transform tool
  2. Open the context menu at the bottom of the screen
  3. Click the Fill/Outline toggle to convert the shape to an outline

The shape now displays as a line rather than a filled area. In the 3D panel, you can see it appears as raised walls instead of a solid block.

Set the cutter height

  1. Select the Height tool from the 3D toolbar
  2. Click on your outline shape in the 3D panel
  3. Drag the height handle to set the cutter depth

For most cookies, a height of 15-25mm works well. Taller cutters are easier to press into dough but use more material.

Adjust the wall thickness

The outline thickness determines how thick the cutting walls will be.

  1. Select the shape using the Transform tool
  2. Open the Details panel from the context menu
  3. Adjust the stroke width value

A stroke width of 1.5-2mm creates sturdy walls that cut cleanly. Thinner walls may be fragile; thicker walls require more force to cut.

Method 2: Using hole material

This method creates a cookie cutter with a solid backing rim and raised cutting edges.

Draw the base shape

  1. Select a shape tool
  2. Draw a shape slightly larger than your desired cookie cutter
  3. This becomes the outer rim of your cutter

Draw the cutting shape

  1. Select a drawing tool
  2. Draw the cookie shape inside the base
  3. Position it centered within the base shape

Convert to hole

  1. Select the inner shape using the Transform tool
  2. Open the context menu
  3. Click Hole Material to mark it as a hole

The inner shape now cuts through the base, leaving a raised rim around the cutting edge.

Adjust heights

  1. Select the Height tool from the 3D toolbar
  2. Set the base shape height to your desired cutter depth (15-25mm)
  3. The hole cuts completely through, creating the cutting edge

Adding detail shapes

You can add raised details inside the cutter to create imprints in the cookie.

  1. Draw additional shapes inside the cutter area
  2. Set their height lower than the cutter walls (5-10mm works for imprints)
  3. These shapes press into the dough without cutting through

Detail shapes work best with method 2 (hole material), as you can control their height independently.

Export for 3D printing

  1. Preview your design in the 3D panel to verify the geometry
  2. Open the menu
  3. Select Export STL
  4. Save the file

Import the STL into your slicing software. Cookie cutters print well with 2-3 perimeters and 10-20% infill.

Result

You now have a cookie cutter design ready for 3D printing. The cutter has sharp edges for cutting through dough and optional imprint details.

Tips

  • Test your cutter design with a small print before making the full-size version
  • For food safety, print with PETG or food-safe PLA and apply a food-safe sealant
  • Add a handle by drawing a filled shape on top of the cutter and raising its height above the cutting edge
  • Use symmetry mode when drawing symmetrical designs like hearts or stars

Next steps