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Here is how to make NFC business cards as a product for 3D printing

Design and print a phone-tap NFC business card in your slicer — no CAD skills needed, just a cube, an SVG, and a pause.

Tutorials Intermediate 1:13 38 views Oct 06, 2026
#3d printed business card #nfc business card #3d print nfc tag #slicer modifier svg #pause print nfc #bambu studio tutorial #ntag215 card #custom 3d printed card #printpal guide #maker product idea

About this video

Why a 3D Printed NFC Business Card Works

A 3D printed NFC business card combines a physical memento with contactless functionality. When someone taps the card against a phone, the embedded NFC tag shares your contact info, website, or social profile instantly. Unlike paper cards, these are durable, memorable, and feel premium — which is why creators sell them as a ready-to-go product.

What You Need

  • 3D printer with a pause-at-layer capability (Bambu Lab, Prusa, Voron, Ender 3 with firmware like Marlin or Klipper all work)
  • Slicer software (Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, or Cura)
  • NFC tags — NTAG215 or NTAG216 stickers, costing only a few cents per piece
  • Print filament — PLA or PETG works well
  • Textured build plate for a premium matte finish (PEI textured sheet recommended)

Step-by-Step Slicer Walkthrough

  1. Add a cube in your slicer and resize it to standard business card dimensions (roughly 85 × 55 mm).
  2. Set height to at least 1 mm so the card feels solid without wasting filament.
  3. Right-click the cube → Add Modifier → SVG, then import your logo or custom design.
  4. Scale and center the SVG using the move tool, and set its height to 0.4 mm or more so it prints cleanly on the top surface.
  5. Change the modifier color in the object menu for a two-tone look, then flip the whole card face-down so the design prints on the bottom.
  6. Add a negative volume (right-click → Add Negative → Cylinder) sized to match your NFC tag. Align it to the center of the card.
  7. Slice the model and locate the layer just before the negative cylinder closes up.
  8. Insert a pause command at that layer using the slider.
  9. Select a smooth textured plate in your print settings for a refined surface.
  10. Start the print. When it pauses, drop in the NFC tag, then resume. The printer buries the tag inside the card.

Programming the NFC Tag

Once printed, use an Android phone or an NFC writer app like NFC Tools to encode your vCard, URL, or Wi-Fi credentials onto the tag. iPhones can read NTAG tags natively from iOS 13 onward.

Tips for a Premium Result

  • Keep the modifier height between 0.4–0.6 mm to avoid muddy details.
  • Use silk or matte PLA for a high-end feel.
  • Test-fit your NFC tag dimensions before printing a full batch.
  • Print a single prototype first to dial in pause timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do NFC tags work inside plastic? Yes — PLA and PETG are thin enough that phones read tags through them reliably.

Which NFC tag type is best? NTAG215 is the most common choice; NTAG216 offers more memory for longer vCards.

Can I sell these? Absolutely. Many creators sell custom NFC business cards on Etsy and at maker markets as a profitable low-cost product.

Full Transcript

Here's a full guide on how to make a business card that taps a phone to share your info with zero modeling experience. First, add a cube inside of your slicer and adjust it to the size of the card. Use at least 1 mm in height and then right-click the cube and select add a modifier to add an SVG of your custom design. Now adjust the size of the logo and using the move feature, align it to the middle of the card and make the height at least 0.4 mm. Change the color of the modifier in the object menu and turn the whole card to face down. Right-click it again and select add negative and choose the cylinder. Adjust it to the size of your NFC tags that cost a few cents per piece and again align the cylinder to the middle of the card. Then slice the print and find the layer before the hole gets covered where you need to add a pause using the slider. For a look like this, use the smooth textured plate and switch it in the settings. When the print stops, insert the NFC card and resume the print. Now the printer will bury the tag in there and you can upload anything to the card and get a premium ready-to-sell product. Follow for more guides like this.