# PrintPal (remote · printpal.io)

3D printing: printable models, calculators, troubleshooting wiki, build guides, AI 3D + CAD design.

- Trust score: 73/100 (medium)
- Change this week: +3
- Registry status: active
- Liveness: live
- Owner verified: no
- Last scored: 2026-10-23

## Components

- remote · `printpal.io`: 73/100 (this document), [markdown](https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-printpal-printpal/printpal.md), [page](https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-printpal-printpal/printpal)

## Channel facts

- Endpoint: `https://printpal.io/mcp`
- Transports: `streamable-http`
- Auth: `none`
- Version: `1.0.0`

## Trust breakdown

How this component scores in each security and reliability category. Every signal is checked automatically against the live server, and we only credit what we can confirm. Scores are 0–100 per category. Scoring method: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring (what has changed: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring/changelog)

Scored 2026-10-23.

- **Endpoint Security**: 74/100
  - The endpoint's TLS certificate is valid, in date, and uses a strong key.
  - No authorisation is required to call this server. Every tool declares its destructiveHint and none is destructive, so open access doesn't expose one.
  - HTTPS is enforced; there's no plaintext access path.
  - HSTS check failed: the Strict-Transport-Security header is absent.
  - DNSSEC check failed: this domain isn't protected by DNSSEC.
- **Transport & Reachability**: 100/100
  - Verified streamable-http transport via a live MCP handshake.
- **Schema Quality & AI Usability**: 77/100
  - 100% of prompts and resources have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the item's name).
  - AI-judged instruction clarity (good).
  - Context-footprint check failed: tool/resource definitions use about 2624 tokens (~145/item across 18 items; 16 tools + 2 resources), over budget; trim descriptions and params.
  - Usage-examples check failed: none of the tools include examples.
- **Stability & Change Management**: 23/100
  - Stability observed for 7 of 30 days with no destabilising changes; credit accrues until the full window elapses.
- **Tool Coverage**: 83/100
  - 100% of tools have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the tool's name).
  - 41% of tool parameters carry a description.
  - Structured output schemas are declared (19% of tools); any adoption earns full credit.
- **Tool Safety**: 100/100
  - No prompt-injection markers were found in the server instructions, tool names or descriptions we captured.
  - We read all 16 captured tool definition(s), and no name or description among them implies an irreversible operation.
  - An AI judge read all 18 captured unit(s) of tool text and found none that tries to manipulate the model reading it.
- **Capabilities**: 100/100
  - Implements a current MCP spec version (2026-07-28).
  - Supports UI / widget rendering.

## Install

### How do I install the PrintPal MCP server?

PrintPal is a hosted endpoint at https://printpal.io/mcp, so there is nothing to install locally. Ready-made configuration for Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and 5 more is on this page, copied from each client's own documentation.

### Claude

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http io-printpal-printpal 'https://printpal.io/mcp'
```

### Cursor

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-printpal-printpal": {
      "url": "https://printpal.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "io-printpal-printpal": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://printpal.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Codex

```toml
[mcp_servers.io-printpal-printpal]
url = "https://printpal.io/mcp"
```

### opencode

```json
{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "io-printpal-printpal": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://printpal.io/mcp",
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}
```

### OpenClaw

```bash
openclaw mcp add io-printpal-printpal --url 'https://printpal.io/mcp' --transport streamable-http
```

### Hermes

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  io-printpal-printpal:
    url: "https://printpal.io/mcp"
```

### Netclaw

```json
{
  "McpServers": {
    "io-printpal-printpal": {
      "Transport": "http",
      "Url": "https://printpal.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Vellum

```bash
assistant mcp add io-printpal-printpal -t streamable-http -u 'https://printpal.io/mcp'
```

### Other

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-printpal-printpal": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://printpal.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

The mcpServers block is a cross-client convention. Remote transports vary, so check your client's docs.

## Changelog

Every change recorded for this component, newest first. Days that predate change tracking, or that we cannot explain, say so: "we were watching and nothing happened" and "we were not watching" are different claims.

### 2026-10-22 (score 73, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 17 to 20. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 5 days of observed history at the previous scan, 6 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-19 (score 72, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 7 to 10. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 2 days of observed history at the previous scan, 3 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-10-17 (score 71, +1)

- [functional improvement] Stability: unverified → 0.03

### 2026-10-16 (score 70)

First indexed and scored.

## MCP tools (16)

### `search` (~110 tokens)

Search PrintPal

Search everything on PrintPal for a 3D-printing query: community 3D models, free tools and calculators, wiki troubleshooting articles, OpenSCAD/AI-CAD docs, video tutorials, build guides and Academy courses. Returns ids accepted by `fetch` for the full content. Suited to general 3D printing questions such as "why is my first layer not sticking", "PETG temperature" or "3D printed phone stand".

Input parameters:

- `query` (string, required): Natural-language search query.

Output parameters:

- `results` (array)

### `fetch` (~121 tokens)

Fetch a PrintPal item

Fetch the full content of a PrintPal item returned by `search` (or any id of the form `model:<uid>`, `tool:<slug>`, `wiki:<slug>`, `doc:<slug>`, `resource:<slug>`, `project:<slug>`, `course:<slug>`). Returns the complete text (article body, transcript, build steps, BOM, model description and files) plus the canonical URL for citation.

Input parameters:

- `id` (string, required): Item id from `search`, e.g. "wiki:stringing-and-oozing".

Output parameters:

- `id` (string)
- `metadata` (object)
- `text` (string)
- `title` (string)
- `url` (string)

### `search_3d_models` (~152 tokens)

Search 3D models to print

Find printable 3D models (STL/3MF/OBJ) in the PrintPal community library by keyword — e.g. "articulated dragon", "headphone stand", "Raspberry Pi 5 case". Returns cards with thumbnail, author, tags, likes and a link to the model page where the files can be downloaded. Searches existing uploads only; new models are made by `generate_3d_model` (AI mesh) or `design_parametric_cad` (exact dimensions).

Input parameters:

- `category` (string): Optional category filter.
- `limit` (integer)
- `query` (string, required): What the user wants to print, 1–6 words works best.

Output parameters:

- `count` (integer)
- `explore_url` (string)
- `generate_url` (string)
- `query` (string)
- `results` (array)

### `get_3d_model` (~87 tokens)

Get 3D model details

Get full details for one PrintPal model by uid: description, license, file formats, author, stats, and the page URL to download it. Accepts a uid from `search_3d_models` results or a printpal.io/model/<uid> URL.

Input parameters:

- `uid` (string, required): Model uid from search results or a printpal.io/model/<uid> URL.

### `find_3d_printing_tool` (~181 tokens)

Find a PrintPal tool or calculator

Recommend the right free PrintPal browser tool for a task: print cost / resin cost / layer height (magic numbers) / E-steps / flow rate / volumetric flow / filament spool / drying / shrinkage / Vref / Etsy profit calculators; generators for lithophanes, vases, name plates, 3D text, QR codes, bins, puzzles, mold boxes, flexi models, fidget clickers, Desk Pal, terrain maps, Minecraft maps; mesh repair, model splitter, converter, viewer, G-code viewer, AMS/multicolor painters; AI generators. Returns matching tools with links. Pass an empty task to list every tool.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer)
- `task` (string): What the user is trying to do, e.g. "split a big model to fit my bed".

### `calculate_print_cost` (~252 tokens)

Calculate 3D print cost

Estimate what an FDM print costs (material, electricity, machine wear, labor, failure allowance) and a suggested selling price. Needs the print weight in grams and time in hours from the slicer; all other inputs have sensible defaults (1 kg spool at $20, 120 W printer, $0.12/kWh, 5% failures).

Input parameters:

- `electricity_cost_per_kwh` (number)
- `failure_rate_percent` (number)
- `labor_minutes` (number): Hands-on time: slicing, removal, post-processing.
- `labor_rate_per_hour` (number)
- `markup_percent` (number): Profit markup to compute a selling price.
- `print_time_hours` (number, required): Print time in hours (e.g. 3.5).
- `print_weight_grams` (number, required): Filament used, from the slicer.
- `printer_cost_usd` (number): Printer purchase price, for depreciation. 0 to skip.
- `printer_lifespan_hours` (number)
- `printer_power_watts` (number)
- `quantity` (integer)
- `spool_price_usd` (number)
- `spool_weight_kg` (number)

### `calculate_filament_usage` (~209 tokens)

Filament weight ⇄ length ⇄ cost

Convert filament grams to metres (and back), compute volume and cost, and estimate how much is left on a spool from its gross weight. Knows densities for PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, Nylon, PC, CF blends. Give either `grams` or `meters`.

Input parameters:

- `density_g_cm3` (number): Override density if known.
- `diameter_mm` (number)
- `empty_spool_weight_grams` (number): Weight of the empty spool (typ. 130–250 g).
- `grams` (number)
- `material` (string): pla, petg, abs, asa, tpu, nylon, pc, pla-cf, petg-cf, pa-cf …
- `meters` (number)
- `spool_gross_weight_grams` (number): Weight of spool + remaining filament, to estimate what is left.
- `spool_price_usd` (number)
- `spool_weight_kg` (number)

### `calculate_layer_heights` (~146 tokens)

Layer height magic numbers

Compute the Z-axis "magic number" layer heights for a printer from its stepper step angle, microstepping and lead-screw pitch/starts, filtered to what suits the nozzle. Defaults match most Ender/Prusa-style printers (1.8°, 1/16, T8 2 mm × 4 starts → 0.04 mm steps).

Input parameters:

- `lead_screw_pitch_mm` (number)
- `lead_screw_starts` (integer)
- `max_layer_height_mm` (number)
- `microstepping` (integer)
- `nozzle_diameter_mm` (number)
- `step_angle_degrees` (number)

### `calculate_volumetric_flow` (~180 tokens)

Volumetric flow / max speed check

Check whether a hotend can keep up: volumetric flow (mm³/s) = layer height × line width × speed, compared against the hotend limit, plus the maximum safe speed. Accepts a hotend preset name (stock, v6, bambu, volcano, rapido, high-flow, goliath…) or an explicit max flow.

Input parameters:

- `hotend` (string): Preset: stock, v6, ender3, prusa-mk3, prusa-mk4, bambu, volcano, rapido, dragon-hf, high-flow, chc-pro, goliath, voron
- `layer_height_mm` (number)
- `line_width_mm` (number)
- `max_volumetric_flow_mm3_s` (number)
- `print_speed_mm_s` (number, required)

### `search_build_guides` (~153 tokens)

Search build guides & projects

Find step-by-step PrintPal build guides: Arduino/ESP32 electronics + 3D-printed enclosures, robots, functional prints, printer mods, STEM classroom projects, props and toys. Each result lists difficulty, time, cost, part/file/step counts. Filter by category (electronics-robotics, functional-prints, home-workshop, stem-education, printer-mods, art-props, toys-games) or difficulty (beginner, intermediate, advanced). Leave query empty to browse featured guides.

Input parameters:

- `category` (string): Category slug or name.
- `difficulty` (string)
- `limit` (integer)
- `query` (string)
- `sort` (string)

### `get_build_guide` (~85 tokens)

Get a build guide (steps, BOM, files)

Read a full PrintPal build guide by slug: summary, bill of materials with quantities and links, downloadable files (STL/3MF/code), every build step, callouts and code blocks. Use when the user wants to actually follow or adapt a project.

Input parameters:

- `slug` (string, required): Project slug from search results or a printpal.io/projects/<slug> URL.

### `search_learning_resources` (~107 tokens)

Search guides, videos & courses

Search PrintPal's how-to content: the vendor-neutral 3D printing wiki (print quality, filaments, slicer settings, maintenance, error codes, safety), OpenSCAD + AI-CAD docs, short video tutorials with transcripts, and free Academy courses with certificates. Use `type` to narrow. Results include ids accepted by `fetch` for the full article text.

Input parameters:

- `limit` (integer)
- `query` (string, required)
- `type` (string)

### `generate_3d_model` (~239 tokens)

Generate a 3D model with AI (text or image → STL/GLB/OBJ)

Turn a text prompt or an image into a print-ready 3D mesh (STL/GLB/OBJ geometry) with PrintPal's AI generator. Without a PrintPal API key this returns a link that opens the generator on printpal.io with the prompt prefilled; nothing is generated until the user clicks it. With an API key header (`Authorization: Bearer pp_live_…`) it submits the job to the user's own account, spends that account's credits, and returns a `generation_uid` that `check_3d_generation` accepts. Suited to organic/sculptural objects (figurines, animals, props); exact-dimension mechanical parts are handled by `design_parametric_cad`.

Input parameters:

- `format` (string)
- `image_url` (string): Optional public PNG/JPEG/WebP URL for image-to-3D (API-key mode only).
- `prompt` (string, required): What to generate, e.g. "low-poly fox figurine, sitting".
- `quality` (string): default/high/ultra for text or image; super*/superplus* tiers are image-only high-res.

### `check_3d_generation` (~65 tokens)

Check AI 3D generation status / get download

Poll a PrintPal AI generation started with `generate_3d_model` in API-key mode. Returns status (queued/processing/completed/failed) and, when completed, a time-limited download URL for the mesh.

Input parameters:

- `generation_uid` (string, required)

### `design_parametric_cad` (~189 tokens)

Design a parametric part with the AI CAD agent

For mechanical / functional parts with exact dimensions — brackets, enclosures, adapters, gears, bins, knobs, mounts — open PrintPal's AI CAD agent with a ready-to-run brief. The agent writes editable OpenSCAD with parameter sliders, live 3D preview and STL/3MF/STEP export. This tool improves the user's description into a precise CAD brief (dimensions, tolerances, mounting, print orientation) and returns the link; the user clicks it to generate.

Input parameters:

- `description` (string, required): What the part is and what it must fit/do.
- `dimensions` (string): Known dimensions in mm, e.g. "60 x 40 x 20 mm, M3 holes 50 mm apart".
- `export_format` (string)
- `material` (string): Intended filament (affects tolerances), e.g. PLA, PETG, TPU.

### `get_pricing_and_plans` (~72 tokens)

PrintPal pricing, credits & plans

Explain what is free on PrintPal, how AI generation credits and the CAD agent are priced, API access and the on-demand 3D printing service — with links to sign up, buy credits or subscribe. Call when the user asks about cost, limits, subscriptions or how to get more generations.

## Diagnostics

Captured diagnostic sections: TLS, DNSSEC, Authorisation, Transports. The full working is on the page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-printpal-printpal/printpal#diagnostics

## Score history

- 2026-10-23: 73
- 2026-10-22: 73
- 2026-10-21: 72
- 2026-10-20: 72
- 2026-10-19: 72
- 2026-10-18: 71
- 2026-10-17: 71
- 2026-10-16: 70

## Common questions

### What is the PrintPal MCP server?

PrintPal is an MCP server listed in the public MCP registry as io.printpal/printpal. 3D printing: printable models, calculators, troubleshooting wiki, build guides, AI 3D + CAD design. This page covers its hosted endpoint (https://printpal.io/mcp).

### Is the PrintPal MCP server safe to use?

PrintPal scores 73 out of 100 on VerifyMCP. That is a record of what we were able to check automatically, not an endorsement. The category breakdown on this page shows every signal behind the number, including the ones we could not confirm.

### What tools does the PrintPal MCP server expose?

PrintPal exposes 16 tools: search, fetch, search_3d_models, get_3d_model, find_3d_printing_tool, and 11 more. Their descriptions and schemas cost roughly 2,348 tokens of context every time the server is loaded.

### Does the PrintPal MCP server require authentication?

No. We connected to PrintPal without credentials and it answered, so anything it exposes is reachable by anyone who knows the address.

### Is the PrintPal MCP server still maintained?

PrintPal is still listed as active in the MCP registry. We last reached this channel on 23 October 2026. Those dates come from our own scans of the registry and the channel itself, not from anything the publisher announced.

## Links

- Remote endpoint: https://printpal.io/mcp
- Website: https://printpal.io/
- Changelog RSS feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-printpal-printpal/printpal.xml
- Changelog JSON feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-printpal-printpal/printpal.json
- HTML version of this page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/io-printpal-printpal/printpal