Hello, I’m Darth Vader Cui Zhuoran. In the previous two articles, I introduced the Spider-Man minifigure released by LEGO at SDCC and other Spider-Man-related minifigures. This time, let’s shift away from rare minifigures—since we’ve covered them quite a bit lately, you might be getting tired of them. Instead, we’ll focus on another fascinating, extremely hard-to-get, and expensive collectible: LEGO’s 3D-printed parts.
You may have heard about LEGO’s 3D-printed parts, but there hasn’t been a systematic introduction to them—after all, no webpage or article has thoroughly covered this topic.
First, let me clarify: the 3D-printed parts I’m referring to are not custom-made “fake LEGO parts” created by individuals using 3D printers. Instead, they are official LEGO parts with designated numbers, specifically produced by the LEGO Group using 3D printing technology.
To date, the LEGO Group has released three types of 3D-printed parts. If we include different color variations, there are five versions in total, spanning four colors—two of the parts have been produced in two different colors each.
The reason behind LEGO’s use of 3D printing is simple: in some sets, certain parts are needed in very small quantities (often just a few hundred pieces), making it impractical to invest in expensive molds. Thus, 3D printing becomes the ideal solution.
This is why official LEGO 3D-printed parts are produced in such limited numbers. If mass production were the goal, traditional molding would be used—but that would eliminate the exclusivity and appeal of these limited editions. That said, 3D-printed parts offer higher precision and can achieve functionalities that conventional parts cannot, enhancing both playability and mobility.
Now, let’s dive into the three types of LEGO 3D-printed parts, presented in chronological order of their release. This article is divided into four sections.
2019: The Plotting Arm
The first 3D-printed part in LEGO history made its debut in 2019, featured in the set 4000034 System House.
The lengthy set number alone indicates its limited nature. In fact, this was an exclusive gift for participants of the 2019 Inside Tour, with only about 320 sets produced. That year, the Inside Tour selected 80 visitors per session across four sessions, resulting in roughly 320 sets. I entered the lottery that year but, unfortunately, wasn’t selected.
Speaking of the Inside Tour, I’ve participated in the lottery every year since 2019 but have never been chosen. Competition has grown increasingly fierce over the years, making it even harder to secure a spot. The Inside Tour remains a dream for many LEGO fans, and I hope to experience it one day.
Now, back to the set itself. The 2019 System House is a high-quality release with a rare theme. The real System House opened on September 12, 1958, serving as LEGO’s flagship office in Billund. The set’s box art recreates the iconic scene where sales directors from various countries stood on the roof alongside raised flags.
In 1972, LEGO moved to new offices, and the System House was repurposed for development—many early sets were likely designed there. By 2005, it had become a small LEGO museum, a role it maintains today. The building isn’t open to the public, and access is typically restricted to Inside Tour participants.
The 3D-printed part in this set is a plotting arm, once used by designers and architects for drafting. Though largely obsolete today, it holds historical significance.
Even as a 3D-printed part, LEGO assigned it unique design and part numbers: 66237 and 6286866, respectively. It appears exclusively in set 4000034 and is only available in Sand Green. The color matching is precise, consistent with standard Sand Green parts.
Notably, this part includes movable elements—a feature common across all LEGO’s 3D-printed parts. The plotting arm has a sliding mechanism that mimics real drafting movements, allowing for dynamic play.
Set 4000034 also introduced the first 1×4×4 glass window part, adding to its appeal. This Inside Tour set remains one of my favorites, though its high price has kept it out of my collection. The plotting arm marked a bold and successful innovation by LEGO, cementing its status among collectors.
As for pricing, since the part is rarely sold separately, we must consider the entire set. Given its rarity, prices vary widely. A reasonable range would be around ¥35,000, with deals below ¥30,000 being steals. Prices around ¥40,000 are acceptable but less ideal. Currently, many sellers list it at ¥55,000, which is overpriced. Ultimately, it’s a niche set, so purchase according to your budget.
2022: The Wooden Duck
The second 3D-printed part released by LEGO is the Brownish Red Wooden Duck—the most accessible and affordable of the bunch.
I specify “Brownish Red” because a Green version also exists, which I’ll discuss later.
This duck was first distributed in September 2022 at the Skaerbaek FAN Weekend in Billund, Denmark. It pays homage to the original wooden duck crafted by LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.
Following the plotting arm, this became the second 3D-printed part. Due to the event’s scale and subsequent releases in November 2022 (via Minifigure Factory reservations), availability increased, driving prices down.
The duck has its own part number: 92898. Like its predecessor, it features movable parts—its beak opens and closes when the wheels are pushed.
The internal mechanism, made possible by 3D printing, connects the rear wheels to the beak via a lever. This complexity would be challenging with traditional injection molding. The duck’s size matches that of original wooden versions and past exclusive gifts.
Price-wise, this part is relatively affordable. I acquired mine for under ¥3,000, including a pristine card and custom acrylic display case. Current market prices have risen slightly, but deals around ¥3,000 are still possible. Condition matters less than with SDCC minifigure cards.
2022: The Spring Stilts
The third and fourth 3D-printed parts are the Spring Stilts, released together in different colors but otherwise identical.
These parts are among the least known and rarest. They originated from a crowdfunded book titled The Secret Life of LEGO® Bricks, authored by Daniel Konstanski and launched on the LEGO IDEAS platform in August 2020.
The book, initially planned for early 2022, shipped in late 2022. A revised edition was released in 2024, making it more accessible.
Several book tiers were offered during crowdfunding. The basic version cost 75,whilebundlesincludedretiredsetslike76042SHIELDHelicarrieror10236EwokVillage.Themostintriguingoptionwasthe115 package, which included the book and a 3D-printed Spring Stilt—limited to 500 pieces.
The stilt comes in two colors: Blue and Brownish Red. Each is packaged in a small plastic bag with a minifigure (non-exclusive). The Brownish Red matches the wooden duck, while Blue is unique among 3D-printed parts.
The stilt features a spring mechanism and a sliding groove, allowing it to bounce. A handle on top enables minifigures to stand on it. This part exemplifies LEGO’s commitment to innovation.
Pricing for these stilts is steep due to their rarity. A fair range is ¥3,000–4,000. I’ve seen listings at ¥3,000 domestically and even ¥2,000 on eBay but hesitated—now I regret it. Current eBay listings ask ¥5,000–8,000, which I don’t recommend. Patience may yield better deals.
2024: The Green Wooden Duck
We return to the wooden duck, this time in an ultra-rare Green version. Fortunately, I own this piece and will share my experience.
The Green Wooden Duck is the latest 3D-printed part, released in 2024 as part of the Inside Tour set 4000042 The Vault Memory Lane.
This set depicts a legendary room within LEGO House (though I haven’t visited it myself), which stores every LEGO set ever released—a dream destination for fans. Access is typically restricted to Inside Tour participants.
The Green Duck is displayed as an exhibit within the diorama. The set also includes other exclusive parts, such as an “LIT”-printed medal worn by minifigures.
Functionally identical to the Brownish Red version, the Green Duck’s exclusivity makes it highly sought-after.
Set 4000042 is limited to about 400 copies (50 participants per session across eight sessions). A reasonable price range is ¥35,000–40,000. I missed an early ¥26,000 deal and ended up paying ¥36,000 before shipping and insurance.
After international shipping and partial insurance (covering only ¥6,000), my total cost approached ¥40,000. The process was stressful, but the set arrived safely.
Current eBay listings are inflated (¥60,000–70,000). Occasionally, auctions or new listings may appear. Domestically, I’ve listed mine on Xianyu (username: “1233”) for ¥42,999, negotiable. If it doesn’t sell, I may open it for a hands-on review.
Conclusion
That covers all five official LEGO 3D-printed parts. I believe this is the most comprehensive guide available online.
LEGO collecting encompasses many niche areas—from rare minifigures and graded sets to 3D-printed parts. I’ll continue sharing insights within my expertise.
That’s all for this month. I’m Darth Vader Cui Zhuoran—see you next time!