Most chess sets have a problem: they only look good mid-game. The rest of the time they're a box in a closet. The best modern sets flip that — they're sculptural enough to live on the coffee table or shelf, which means they actually get played. Here are five sets we print to order that pull double duty as decor, each customizable in your choice of colors.
1. TUXEDO — the penguin set that makes people smile
Thirty-two penguins in formal wear, waddling across the board. The TUXEDO penguin chess set is our most-gifted design — kings in top hats, pawns with little flippers, and a personality that makes kids want to learn the game. One recent buyer put it simply: “a great gift for a girl that loves penguins.” Board included (about 12″ × 12″), pieces 1.5–4″ tall, printed in PLA.
2. SPORE — magnetic mushrooms in a pine log
The SPORE mushroom chess set swaps traditional pieces for toadstools and forest fungi, each with a magnet in its base so pieces snap satisfyingly to the board — great for wobbly tables, porches, and travel. Between games, everything stores inside a 3D printed pine log that looks like a woodland sculpture on the shelf. Easily the most “wait, that's a chess set?” design we make.
3. ANONYMOUS — minimalist pieces for design lovers
No horses, no crowns — the ANONYMOUS abstract set reduces each piece to its essential geometric silhouette. If your home leans modern, Scandinavian, or gallery-white, this is the set that belongs on the credenza. Pair the pieces with a board you already own, or play on anything with 64 squares.
4. ABBY — modern abstract with built-in storage
The ABBY set takes the minimalist idea and solves the storage problem: the pieces nest into their own printed storage box, so the whole set stays together and travel-ready. Clean lines, satisfying weight, zero clutter.
5. BUNG — chess for wine lovers
The BUNG cork-style chess pieces are shaped to sit atop wine corks — a conversation-starting set for the bar cart or wine-country kitchen. Bring it out on game night; leave it out the rest of the week.
Why 3D printed sets make better gifts
- Custom colors: every set prints to order, so you can match team colors, wedding colors, or a favorite palette — just pick from 30+ finishes (or message us for something specific).
- Two finish levels: Standard for everyday play, Premium fine-layer printing for gift-grade smoothness.
- Made in Connecticut: printed, hand-finished, and inspected in our own studio — most orders produce in 1–2 business days with tracked shipping and free U.S. delivery.
- Low-waste printing: made to order in PLA with minimal waste — no injection-molding factory runs.
See the whole lineup — including new designs as they drop — in our chess and games collection. And if you're shopping for someone specific, our 3D printed gift guide covers every hobby from climbing to pickleball.
30-day free returns on every set. Order by mid-December for guaranteed holiday delivery — or add ZIPPY 24-hour rush production if you're cutting it close.