Exploring the World of 3D Printing: My Journey with the Bambu A1 and AMS

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for creativity and design. From digital art to crafting, there’s something incredibly fulfilling about bringing ideas to life. Recently, I took a big step into a new creative venture: 3D printing! After a lot of research and deliberation, I finally got my hands on the Bambu A1 3D Printer with the AMS (Automatic Material System), and let me tell you—it has been an absolute game-changer.

Why 3D Printing?

I’ve always been fascinated by how technology and art intersect, and 3D printing felt like the perfect next step. It allows for incredible flexibility in design, making it possible to create custom pieces for pets, Christian-themed items, and family-oriented designs—all of which are at the heart of my new Etsy shop, PXLBloom. The idea of designing unique, useful, and beautiful objects and then physically holding them in my hands was too exciting to pass up!

The Bambu A1 and AMS: First Impressions

When researching 3D printers, I wanted something that was reliable, beginner-friendly, yet powerful enough to create high-quality prints. The Bambu A1, paired with the AMS, fit the bill perfectly. Here’s what I love about it so far:

✅ Easy Setup: Right out of the box, the setup process was surprisingly smooth. Bambu Lab has done an excellent job making this printer approachable, even for beginners.

✅ Multi-Color Printing with AMS: The AMS system is a game-changer! Being able to print in multiple colors without having to manually switch filaments mid-print is a huge time saver and allows for stunning multi-color designs.

✅ Speed and Quality: I was blown away by how fast and precise the A1 prints. Even intricate designs come out beautifully detailed without long wait times. Of course the more complex the print, the longer it takes, but that was expected.

✅ User-Friendly Software: The slicer software is intuitive, making it easy to tweak settings and optimize prints without feeling overwhelmed.

My First 3D Prints

Like any new hobby, there was a bit of a learning curve, but I quickly got the hang of things. My first prints included:

🖨 A Chip Clip – Because let’s be honest, these things disappear faster than socks in the dryer!

🖨 A Tiny Golden Retriever – I used their AI PrintMon feature to design this! It's adorable!

🖨 A Poop Bin for the A1 –If you know, you know!

Each successful print feels like a mini victory, and with every new project, I’m learning something new about the limitless potential of 3D printing.

What’s Next?

I’m excited to expand my designs and refine my skills. PXLBloom is all about blending faith, family, and fun into meaningful, high-quality digital and physical creations. I plan to explore more complex multi-material prints, functional household items, and eventually expand into custom items for my Etsy shop.

If you’ve ever considered getting into 3D printing, I highly recommend taking the leap. It’s an incredibly rewarding hobby that allows you to merge creativity with technology in amazing ways. Stay tuned as I continue sharing my journey—there’s so much more to come!

Have you ever tried 3D printing? What would you create first? Let me know in the comments!