3D Printed GM Tools That Make Running Campaigns Easier
Being a Game Master (GM) is equal parts imagination, preparation, and on-the-fly decision making. Whether you’re orchestrating an intense Dungeons & Dragons dungeon crawl, navigating a layered Pathfinder political drama, or running a sprawling homebrew epic of your own creation, there’s always a constant juggling act. You have to track initiatives, manage NPC backstories and stats, distribute handouts, monitor conditions, and keep the story flowing seamlessly for your players. It’s no small task — and that’s exactly where custom 3D printed GM tools come in. These aids are designed not just to lighten your mental load, but to elevate the entire playing experience.
At All Crafted Creations (ACC), we understand how a well-designed GM aid can transform the behind-the-screen experience. Every day, we work closely with tabletop roleplayers to create practical, visually stunning tools and immersive props that enhance both organisation and immersion. Below, we dive into the ways 3D printed GM tools can help you run smoother, more engaging, and more memorable campaigns.
Why Custom GM Tools Are a Game-Changer
As a GM, you’re essentially a live storyteller, stage manager, and rules arbiter all rolled into one. You narrate scenes, roleplay dozens of unique characters, enforce mechanics, and track player and NPC actions — often simultaneously. Physical, purpose-built tools can help you keep every moving piece in place while maintaining a strong sense of narrative flow.
Stay organised – Track initiatives, hit points, status effects, and plot points without digging through stacks of paper.
Enhance immersion – Place tangible objects in players’ hands to draw them instantly deeper into your world.
Speed up gameplay – Have stats, trackers, and visual reminders at the ready to minimize downtime.
Make an impression – A professional, thematic table setup sets the tone before the first dice roll.
The beauty of 3D printing lies in its flexibility. Every element can be tailored to your needs - from compact travel kits to expansive modular stations for home campaigns that run for years.
Organisers, Trackers & Initiative Boards in 3D
Combat management is one of the most complex GM duties, with initiative order and creature stats quickly becoming hard to follow during hectic encounters. A custom 3D printed initiative board offers a sleek, efficient solution.
Picture a magnetic board that neatly attaches to your GM screen. You can slide labelled nameplates up and down as turns progress, while using colour-coded markers to flag conditions like “blinded,” “poisoned,” or “grappled.” Prefer a free-standing design? Some GMs go for a rotating initiative tracker that doubles as a dice tower — practical and space-saving.
Other popular organisational tools include:
Token holders – Keep inspiration tokens, fate points, or Bennies tidy in themed, easy-access trays.
Spell slot counters – Simple trackers for NPC casters or to monitor limited-use abilities.
Modular condition trackers – Swappable icons for common effects improve visibility for everyone at the table.
Custom campaign binders – 3D printed dividers, card sleeves, and inserts designed to match your note-taking style.
Organisers created with attention to detail don’t just solve logistical problems — they give your game a polished, engaging edge.
Personalised Props to Bring NPCs & Settings to Life
The right prop can turn a passing plot detail into a lasting memory. Instead of describing an ornate brass key, imagine placing a real, weighty 3D printed version in your players’ hands. Suddenly, the world feels more tangible.
Commonly requested 3D printed props for GMs include:
Custom NPC busts or miniatures – Give recurring characters a physical identity players can instantly recognise.
In-world artefacts – Coins stamped with a kingdom seal, ancient amulets, mysterious relics.
Themed letter and scroll tubes – Deliver handouts in style, whether royal decree or pirate map.
Puzzle boxes and physical clues – Props that act as interactive game elements.
ACC has crafted everything from goblin clan coins to engraved elven rings, pirate treasure maps safe inside printed tubes, and even detailed tavern signboards for quest hubs. Regardless of genre — grimdark mystery, whimsical fantasy, or gritty post-apocalypse — the right prop can spark player curiosity and engagement in ways digital assets can’t match.
Affordable Tools to Streamline Play
Many assume bespoke 3D printed GM tools are a luxury reserved for deep-pocketed collectors. In reality, modern Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printing makes durable, detailed items accessible on almost any budget. By working directly with a creator like ACC, you get pieces designed for your exact table without paying for excess features or mass-production mark-ups.
Examples of affordable custom pieces include:
Compact initiative trackers to clip under a GM screen.
Stackable terrain trays that halve setup time.
Flat-packing organisers for minimal storage space needs.
Because each item is printed to order, you’re never stuck adapting to a one-size-fits-all solution. You control the design, features, and scale — ensuring maximum usability for your own style of game mastering.
Examples of Popular 3D Printed GM Tools from ACC
Here are some of the standout items GMs have loved from ACC:
Magnetic Condition Tracker Rings – Snap directly onto miniature bases to make status effects visible to all players.
Town Map Stands – Angled map holders keep shared visuals clear while saving table space.
Quest Token Sets – Unique quest markers given to players to mark active missions.
Dry-Erase Initiative Boards – Reusable and quick to update during rapid combat changes.
Custom-Themed Dice Towers – Styled to match your campaign setting, from wizard’s towers to battered fortresses.
Each of these is designed with a balance of utility and thematic flair so they add to the experience without overshadowing the story itself.
Crafting Your Perfect GM Toolkit
One of the advantages of collaborating with ACC is that your GM toolkit evolves alongside your campaign. Start small, with core organisation tools like an initiative tracker or dice tray, and build out with props, terrain, and specialty organisers as your story universe grows.
Our process makes custom creation simple:
Consult – We learn about your campaign, GMing style, and pain points.
Design – Our team adapts or creates unique models tailored for you.
Print – High-quality FDM printing ensures strength, detail, and longevity.
(Optional) Post-Process – We can finish, sand, prime, or paint for a table-ready product.
By starting with your priorities, we ensure each tool you add is practical, durable, and full of thematic character.
Level Up Your GMing
The best GM tools blend seamlessly into the session — supporting your storytelling rather than distracting from it. Whether that means a clean, efficient organisational board to keep battles flowing or a jaw-dropping artefact prop that gets your players buzzing, custom 3D printed GM tools help you focus on what matters most: crafting memorable adventures.
With All Crafted Creations, you’re not purchasing off-the-shelf novelties — you’re investing in physical pieces that reflect your world, your rules, your tools. Every item is produced to suit your story, your space, and your style, giving you a gaming experience that’s as unique as your campaign itself.