How to make a phone or tablet stand
- Pick your device – phone, phone in landscape, small tablet or tablet. This sets the width, back support and lip to sensible sizes.
- Enter the thickness with the case on. The slot is made 1 mm wider so the device drops in and lifts out easily.
- Choose the viewing angle (65° suits most desks) and the width of the stand.
- Turn on the cable slot if you want to charge while it stands.
- Download the STL and print it lying on its side, exactly as it arrives in your slicer.
Recommended print settings
The STL is laid on its side: the side profile sits flat on the bed and the width builds up in layers. That way it prints without supports, and every layer is a complete profile, so the lip and the back support are as strong as the plastic itself rather than relying on layer bonding.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Orientation | As downloaded – on its side, profile face on the bed |
| Material | PLA or PETG (PETG for a stand in a sunny spot or a car) |
| Layer height | 0.2 mm |
| Walls | 3–4 |
| Infill | 15–20% (gyroid or grid) |
| Supports | None. The cable pocket bridges across the slot and the tunnel sides are 45° |
| Bed adhesion | Brim optional for stands over 150 mm wide |
The weight shown in the stats is for a solid part; with the settings above expect roughly half of it.
Tips for a stand that fits well
- Measure with the case on, at the bottom edge where it sits in the slot. If your case has a raised lip around the screen, include it.
- Lip height: 8–10 mm holds a phone securely without covering the screen; tablets in a thick case are happier with 12–14 mm.
- Cable plugs: the raised floor leaves about 22 mm for the plug. Very long or stiff plugs fit better with a right-angle cable.
- Portrait or landscape: set the device height to the edge that stands up. A taller device needs a deeper base, which the generator adds for you.
- Rubber feet: a few small self-adhesive bumpers under the base stop it sliding when you tap the screen.
Organising the rest of your desk? Make matching drawer bins with the Gridfinity Bin Generator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my phone for the slot?
Measure the thickness of your phone with its case on, at the thickest point near the bottom edge (a ruler or calipers across the case lip). Enter that number: the generator adds 1 mm of clearance so the phone drops in and lifts out easily without wobbling.
What viewing angle should I choose?
Around 60–70° from the desk suits reading and video calls at a desk. Choose 70–80° if the stand sits close to you or beside a monitor, and 50–60° for a lower, more relaxed angle when the device is further away or for typing on a tablet.
Can I charge my phone while it is on the stand?
Yes. Turn on the charging cable slot: the slot floor is raised to leave about 22 mm under the phone for the plug, with a pocket under the charging port and a low tunnel through the front so the cable runs out along the desk. Plug the cable in first, then lower the phone into the slot.
Will it tip over with a heavy tablet?
The base is sized from your device height and the angle: the device’s balance point has to sit at least 10 mm inside the base, and the base is lengthened automatically when it would not. The stats show how far inside the base the balance point is.
Why is the STL lying on its side?
The stand is one side profile extruded across its width, so printing it on its side puts the whole profile flat on the bed. It needs no supports, and every layer contains the full shape, so the lip and back support cannot snap along a layer line.
Does it work with a phone in landscape or with a tablet?
Yes. Pick Phone (landscape), Small tablet or Tablet to set the width, back support and lip to suit, then set the thickness of your device with its case. Custom lets you set the device height and every size yourself.