Tired of seeing the same 3D printing topics recycled in your community? Ignite new conversations with these ready-to-use Unpopular Opinion templates designed to spark thoughtful debate. Give your members a fresh way to share perspectives and engage meaningfully.
Plan your content calendar and auto-post to Skool, Circle, or Mighty Networks
Unpopular Opinion posts break the echo chamber by encouraging members to voice perspectives they might normally keep to themselves. This content type taps into the human desire for individuality and recognition, making members feel seen and heard even when they disagree with the majority. When managed respectfully, such discussions can create a more vibrant, open, and intellectually honest community culture.
In 3D printing, strong opinions abound on materials, brands, techniques, and best practices. By inviting members to share counterintuitive takes, you uncover new insights, challenge assumptions, and foster critical thinking. This not only boosts engagement but also elevates the level of discourse, making your community a destination for real conversation.
PLA is overrated as a beginner filament. Change my mind.
💡 Example: "PLA is overrated as a beginner filament. Change my mind."
I think dual-extruder printers are more trouble than they are worth. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I think dual-extruder printers are more trouble than they are worth. Agree or disagree?"
The best upgrades are usually not worth the money for hobbyists.
💡 Example: "The best upgrades are usually not worth the money for hobbyists."
I believe resin printing will never fully replace FDM for most users. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I believe resin printing will never fully replace FDM for most users. Thoughts?"
Slicing software matters more than printer hardware. Convince me otherwise.
💡 Example: "Slicing software matters more than printer hardware. Convince me otherwise."
Using support structures is often unnecessary if you plan your model well.
💡 Example: "Using support structures is often unnecessary if you plan your model well."
Print speed is overrated compared to print quality. Do you agree?
💡 Example: "Print speed is overrated compared to print quality. Do you agree?"
You can get great results without ever calibrating your printer. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "You can get great results without ever calibrating your printer. Who agrees?"
Most 3D print failures are user error, not hardware issues.
💡 Example: "Most 3D print failures are user error, not hardware issues."
STL sharing sites are making the 3D printing community lazy. Your take?
💡 Example: "STL sharing sites are making the 3D printing community lazy. Your take?"
Most prints do not need post-processing to look good.
💡 Example: "Most prints do not need post-processing to look good."
3D printing will not revolutionize home manufacturing as much as people say.
💡 Example: "3D printing will not revolutionize home manufacturing as much as people say."
PETG is harder to print than people admit. Anyone else feel this way?
💡 Example: "PETG is harder to print than people admit. Anyone else feel this way?"
I do not think bed leveling sensors are worth the extra cost.
💡 Example: "I do not think bed leveling sensors are worth the extra cost."
Making your own filaments is more hassle than it is worth.
💡 Example: "Making your own filaments is more hassle than it is worth."
I prefer open-frame printers over enclosed ones for ease of access. Who else?
💡 Example: "I prefer open-frame printers over enclosed ones for ease of access. Who else?"
Heated beds are not necessary for most prints. Agree or not?
💡 Example: "Heated beds are not necessary for most prints. Agree or not?"
Most slicer default profiles are good enough for everyday use.
💡 Example: "Most slicer default profiles are good enough for everyday use."
ABS is not as hard to print as people make it out to be.
💡 Example: "ABS is not as hard to print as people make it out to be."
I think proprietary filaments are just marketing. Prove me wrong.
💡 Example: "I think proprietary filaments are just marketing. Prove me wrong."
3D printing is not as environmentally friendly as we want to believe.
💡 Example: "3D printing is not as environmentally friendly as we want to believe."
I find most flexible filaments too frustrating to use. Anyone else?
💡 Example: "I find most flexible filaments too frustrating to use. Anyone else?"
More expensive printers do not always mean better prints.
💡 Example: "More expensive printers do not always mean better prints."
I think auto bed leveling is an unnecessary luxury. What do you think?
💡 Example: "I think auto bed leveling is an unnecessary luxury. What do you think?"
You can learn more from failed prints than successful ones.
💡 Example: "You can learn more from failed prints than successful ones."
I believe most timelapse videos of 3D prints are boring. Agree?
💡 Example: "I believe most timelapse videos of 3D prints are boring. Agree?"
Custom mods can cause more problems than they solve for most people.
💡 Example: "Custom mods can cause more problems than they solve for most people."
3D printers are not plug-and-play yet, despite what marketing says.
💡 Example: "3D printers are not plug-and-play yet, despite what marketing says."
I prefer manual calibration over any automated system. Who is with me?
💡 Example: "I prefer manual calibration over any automated system. Who is with me?"
Printing large objects in one piece is rarely the best solution.
💡 Example: "Printing large objects in one piece is rarely the best solution."
I think most people overestimate how much they will actually use their printer.
💡 Example: "I think most people overestimate how much they will actually use their printer."
Printing functional parts is more satisfying than making models or toys. Agree?
💡 Example: "Printing functional parts is more satisfying than making models or toys. Agree?"
I believe 3D printing is not as beginner-friendly as it is marketed.
💡 Example: "I believe 3D printing is not as beginner-friendly as it is marketed."
You do not need expensive nozzles for consistent prints. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "You do not need expensive nozzles for consistent prints. Thoughts?"
I do not think 3D printing is a practical solution for most home repairs.
💡 Example: "I do not think 3D printing is a practical solution for most home repairs."
More people should talk about the ongoing maintenance required for 3D printers.
💡 Example: "More people should talk about the ongoing maintenance required for 3D printers."
I prefer to design my own models rather than download them. Anyone else?
💡 Example: "I prefer to design my own models rather than download them. Anyone else?"
Focusing on print accuracy is more important than speed or aesthetics.
💡 Example: "Focusing on print accuracy is more important than speed or aesthetics."
I think social media hype around 3D printing is misleading. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "I think social media hype around 3D printing is misleading. Who agrees?"
Most people do not need a 3D printer at home.
💡 Example: "Most people do not need a 3D printer at home."
I believe filament color affects print quality more than people think.
💡 Example: "I believe filament color affects print quality more than people think."
I think 3D printing is better suited for prototyping than finished products. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I think 3D printing is better suited for prototyping than finished products. Thoughts?"
To implement these templates, simply copy one and post it in your community as a standalone discussion, thread starter, or scheduled feature. Encourage members to back up their opinions with reasoning, and invite respectful disagreement. For best results, use them regularly but not too frequently to avoid fatigue. Consider spotlighting particularly thoughtful or constructive responses to reinforce the value of civil debate.
On all platforms, tag posts clearly as Unpopular Opinion or Debate to set expectations. Use engaging visuals when possible, such as a relevant 3D print photo or poll. Monitor comments closely, and jump in early to set a positive tone. Pin or feature these posts to attract new participants and maintain visibility.
Focus on divisive topics that 3D printing enthusiasts frequently discuss, like the pros and cons of PLA's ease of use versus ABS's strength or PETG's flexibility. Present a strong opinion (e.g., 'ABS should be avoided for home printers') and invite members to share their experiences with warping, fumes, or print quality. This encourages knowledgeable debates rooted in real-world printing scenarios.
Leverage topics like 'PrusaSlicer is overrated for FDM printing,' or 'Cura's default settings produce better prints than custom profiles.' These prompts tap into strong user preferences and technical nuances, encouraging members to share tips about retraction, layer height, or support structures unique to each slicer.
Set clear guidelines for respectful debate, acknowledging that printer brand loyalty is intense in the 3D printing community. Frame posts carefully (e.g., 'Why I think Creality's support is underrated') and monitor for technical arguments about build volume, reliability, or open-source designs, stepping in if discussions become personal.
These topics can generate passionate discussion but require moderation. Make it clear that posts are for constructive debate, not advocacy of illegal activity. Encourage members to discuss the impact of file sharing on designers, or the benefits and drawbacks of open hardware, to maintain focus on industry ethics and innovation.
Pose statements like 'Manual bed leveling is superior to auto-leveling sensors' or 'Glue sticks outperform specialty adhesives.' These provoke responses from users with different printer setups and materials, allowing for an exchange of troubleshooting advice and tips tailored to the unique quirks of various 3D printers.
Coordinate posts with industry events such as major firmware updates, new printer releases, or expos (e.g., 'Is multi-material printing just a gimmick?'). This ensures relevancy and taps into the community's fresh experiences with new technology, increasing engagement and thoughtful discussion.
Skool · Circle · Mighty Networks