Do you have a 3D printer but no costume for Halloween? Make your own mask this fall by using timeless Halloween character models that you can print at home.
Iconic, distinctive, and striking, this collection of 3D printing models will set you apart this year by going back to the original characters made with handmade special effects.
Now using modern techniques, you will make people wonder how you were able to re-create the awesome characters of classic horror movies.
1. Face Hugger – Alien (1979)
Starting off with a massively popular print from the classic sci-fi film Alien, the deceptively named Face Hugger has over 14,000 downloads.
The flesh-colored, spider-like arms of this creature are connected by joints at each knuckle, making this 3D model quite exceptional. Because each section of the skeletal structure is printed separately and joined together after printing, the result of the model is large: 40 x 23 inches. It’s enough to wrap the Face Hugger around your head and frighten anyone on Halloween, least of all for this model’s impressive structure.
2. Ghostface – Scream (1996)
A Halloween night staple since its debut around 1991-1992, Ghostface is possibly the most recognizable image of spooky happenings. Before becoming incredibly popular in the ’90s film Scream, the image of Ghostface was found in the painting The Scream, by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.
This print will take 11-12 hours to complete, but its minimal design means it’s relatively simple and easy to produce.
3. Jason Vorhees – Friday the 13th (1980)
In the infamous horror movie Friday the 13th, the terrifying fictional character Jason Vorhees wears a distinctive hockey mask. What is often forgotten about Jason however is that he only starts wearing this mask from the third installment of the franchise, swapping out a burlap sack for the now-iconic modified hockey mask.
The story goes that 3D supervisor Martin Jay Sadoff was a big hockey fan, and when the crew couldn’t be bothered applying makeup to Jason for a lighting test, Sadoff offered up his Detroit Red Wings goalie mask. The first of the film franchise to be released in 3D, it’s only fitting that you can now 3D print yourself the very same mask if you also can’t be bothered applying makeup this Halloween.
4. Billy the Puppet – Saw Movies (2003)
In the long-running Saw horror movies, Billy is a mechanical ventriloquist puppet whose glowing red eyes and tuxedo make for a great Halloween costume. The puppet has bold cheeks, a large nose, and thick ridged eyebrows, making it a great shape to print in 3D. It doesn’t take much work post-printing to transform the mask into the memorable face of Billy: you simply need red, black, and white paint, and you’re good to go.
5. Frank the Rabbit – Donnie Darko (2001)
Rabbits aren’t normally meant to be a symbol of terror, but in the cult classic Donnie Dark, Frank the Rabbit is as terrifying as it gets. This model might not be the simplest to print, but once painted it can look quite impressive. Frank is a life-size humanoid rabbit, so donning this costume will fit true to his character.
The only additional requirement of this model is that the eyes need to be cut out to wear as a mask.
6. Chucky – Child’s Play (1988)
In Child’s Play, the spirit of Charles Lee Ray inhabits a doll who’s constantly attempting to transfer to a human body. By printing the 3D model of Chucky for Halloween, you might just be helping him to achieve his goal.
This mask is set at 30 cm height, so adapt the scaling as you need. To complete the look, glue some orange hair to the edge of the mask and the resemblance will be spot-on.
7. Hannibal Lecter – Silence of the Lambs (1991)
A sinister, cannibal serial killer, Hannibal Lecter is one of America’s most formidable villains. The mask used in the film Silence of the Lambs covers his mouth and jaw to prevent him from biting anyone who comes near him. This model has been designed with holes for straps that wrap around your head, and printable pins for the mouth grate. However, the use of pins made of metal would really elevate the costume.
8. Predator (1987)
The Predator is a masked extra-terrestrial creature whose heat-seeking technology and laser target pointer aren’t easily mistaken. This 3D model is designed to fit an LED light to simulate the Predator’s targeting system. If you look at the added pictures of the completed mask, you can get an idea of how to bring the mask to life with silver spray paint and mesh over the eye cutouts.
Back to the Classics
3D printing offers some fantastic projects for a Halloween costume. Much in the way of the handmade special effects that went into designing horror movie characters in the past, 3D printing offers you a fresh DIY approach to making your own costume.
Begin with these classic models, or start adapting them to your own specs. Either way, your friends and family will likely be impressed this Halloween.