# MakerBot Sketch: specs, SimplyPrint compatibility and setup > **Not expected to work** (Most likely not). We don't expect it to work, but we could be wrong. - By MakerBot, USA - Launched February 2020 - Canonical page: https://simplyprint.io/compatibility/makerbot-sketch ## MakerBot Sketch at a glance The MakerBot Sketch is a 3D printer by MakerBot with a 150 x 150 x 150 mm build volume. - Build volume: 150 x 150 x 150 mm - Enclosure: Fully enclosed - Prints well: PLA, PETG, ABS & ASA - Built-in camera: Yes - Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi ## Connect the MakerBot Sketch to SimplyPrint | Way of connecting | Status | What you need | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | SimplyPrint | Not expected to work | | | | Klipper (Moonraker) | Not expected to work | | Ships MakerBot's closed firmware. There is no Klipper for the Sketch. ([Source](https://www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/sketch/)) | | OctoPrint (Directly, over USB) | Not expected to work | | Takes only .makerbot print files, through MakerBot CloudPrint, the network or a USB stick. MakerBot documents no G-code printing over USB serial. ([Source](https://www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/sketch/)) | ## What slicer to use for the MakerBot Sketch Use MakerBot's own slicer, MakerBot Print: none of the slicers in SimplyPrint's cloud has a profile for the MakerBot Sketch, and it doesn't take standard G-code that we know of. - [PrusaSlicer](https://simplyprint.io/features/slicer/prusaslicer): No profile for the MakerBot Sketch · Runs in the SimplyPrint cloud - [OrcaSlicer](https://simplyprint.io/features/slicer/orcaslicer): No profile for the MakerBot Sketch · Runs in the SimplyPrint cloud - [BambuStudio](https://simplyprint.io/features/slicer/bambustudio): No profile for the MakerBot Sketch · Runs in the SimplyPrint cloud - [ElegooSlicer](https://simplyprint.io/features/slicer/elegooslicer): No profile for the MakerBot Sketch · Runs in the SimplyPrint cloud - [CrealityPrint](https://simplyprint.io/features/slicer/crealityprint): No profile for the MakerBot Sketch · Runs in the SimplyPrint cloud - [Cura](https://simplyprint.io/features/slicer/cura): No profile for the MakerBot Sketch · Runs in the SimplyPrint cloud - [Kiri:Moto](https://simplyprint.io/features/slicer/kirimoto): No profile for the MakerBot Sketch · Runs in the SimplyPrint cloud - [MakerBot Print](https://www.makerbot.com/makerbot-print/): Made by MakerBot, not in the SimplyPrint cloud We only list slicers you can use in the SimplyPrint cloud, so there may be others for the MakerBot Sketch. ## MakerBot Sketch specifications: bed size, print height and more ### Size - Build volume: 150 x 150 x 150 mm - Bed type: Square - Bed size: 150 x 150 mm - Max print height: 150 mm ### Printing - Enclosure: Fully enclosed - Max extruder temperature: 240 °C - Has heated bed: Yes - Max bed temperature: 100 °C - Number of nozzles: 1 - Toolheads: 1 - Direct drive: No - Probing tool / Auto Bed Leveling: Yes - Filament width: 1.75 mm ### Multi-material - Toolchanger or hotend changer: No - IDEX (independent dual extruders): No ### Connecting - Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi - Built-in camera: Yes - Supports serial printing: Unknown - Shipped firmware: The maker's own ### Files and slicing - Supported file formats: G-code (.gcode, .gco, .g) ### The printer - Printer manufacturer / brand: MakerBot - Printer model name: Sketch - Made by a company from: USA - Launched: February 2020 [Read more by the manufacturer](https://www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/sketch/) ## What filament can the MakerBot Sketch print? Filament compatibility for the MakerBot Sketch: the materials MakerBot lists for it. | Filament | Suitability | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | PLA | Great | On the maker's list of materials for this printer. | | PETG | Great | Comfortably in range (PETG likes a ~230-250C hotend and a ~70-85C bed). | | TPU & flexibles | With care | Possible, but a Bowden extruder makes flexibles harder - print slowly and prefer firmer (higher-shore) TPU. | | ABS & ASA | Great | Enclosed, with a hot enough hotend and bed: ABS and ASA print well. | | Nylon (PA) | Not ideal | Not recommended - nylon needs a hotter hotend (~250-270C) and ideally an enclosure. | | Polycarbonate (PC) | Not ideal | Not recommended - PC needs very high hotend temps and an enclosed chamber. | | Carbon-fiber & glass-filled | With care | Possible if you fit a hardened or wear-resistant nozzle - the abrasive fibers quickly wear a stock brass nozzle. | ## Printers like the MakerBot Sketch that work with SimplyPrint - [PrintersForAnts Salad Fork](https://simplyprint.io/compatibility/printersforants-salad-fork): Compatible, 180 x 180 x 150 mm, Similar build volume · Also prints ABS & ASA - [Sovol Zero](https://simplyprint.io/compatibility/sovol-zero): Compatible, 152 x 152 x 152 mm, Similar build volume · Also prints ABS & ASA - [Monoprice Maker Ultimate 2](https://simplyprint.io/compatibility/monoprice-maker-ultimate-2): Compatible, 200 x 150 x 150 mm, Similar build volume · Also prints ABS & ASA - [Voron Voron Trident](https://simplyprint.io/compatibility/voron-voron-trident): Compatible, 350 x 350 x 250 mm, Also prints ABS & ASA ## Where to buy the MakerBot Sketch - [MakerBot's global store](https://simplyprint.io/buy/8331) (Official store) ## About MakerBot MakerBot is an American 3D printer brand founded in New York in 2009 out of the open-source RepRap scene. Stratasys bought it in 2013 and merged it with Ultimaker in 2022; MakerBot is now UltiMaker's education brand, selling Sketch classroom printers with lesson plans, teacher tools and management in UltiMaker's Digital Factory cloud. The Replicator printers in our catalogue are discontinued. - Founded: 2009-01 - Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York, US - Ownership: Brand of UltiMaker, formed in August 2022 when Stratasys merged MakerBot with Ultimaker (NPM Capital 53.5%, Stratasys 46.5% at closing) - Website: https://www.makerbot.com Openness: Mostly closed (2.3 of 5) Proprietary firmware, MakerBot-only extruders and materials, and classroom management in UltiMaker's cloud. In return schools get one managed system with curriculum and support. - Firmware and custom firmware (1 of 5): MakerBot stopped sharing its hardware designs with the Replicator 2 in 2012, and its fifth-generation printers moved to proprietary controllers, extruders and firmware. We found no firmware source for the current Sketch line. - Local control and integrations (3 of 5): The Sketch Sprint prints over Wi-Fi or Ethernet from UltiMaker Cura or Digital Factory, or from a USB stick. Classroom management, remote monitoring and browser slicing (Cura Cloud) run in UltiMaker's Digital Factory cloud, which replaced MakerBot CloudPrint in 2025. We found no documented local interface that other software could use. - Third-party filament, slicers and parts (2 of 5): MakerBot lists only its own PLA and Tough PLA, and only its own Sketch extruder, for the Sketch Sprint. Slicing is in UltiMaker Cura (open source) or Cura Cloud. - Repairs and spare parts (3 of 5): UltiMaker's shop sells Sketch extruders, a Sketch Sprint nozzle assembly, build plates and cables, and still sells Smart Extruder+ units for the Replicator+; spare parts are mostly whole assemblies. - Data and privacy (3 of 5): Some MakerBot services need an account, and MakerBot's privacy policy lists what it collects (including device identifiers such as MAC addresses and usage data) and its use of Google Analytics and retargeting. Students can submit files through Link Share without an account. - Community and documentation (3 of 5): MakerBot offers hundreds of free lesson plans, educator certification, Thingiverse Education and a support site; there is no public source code or bug tracker. ### Pros - Built for schools: curriculum, lesson plans, teacher tools and certification are part of the package. - Enclosed Sketch printers with HEPA filtration, aimed at classrooms. - Students can submit files without creating accounts (Link Share). - Spare extruders and parts are still sold, even for the Replicator+. ### Cons - Closed firmware and MakerBot-only extruders; only MakerBot PLA and Tough PLA are listed for the Sketch Sprint. - Fleet management depends on UltiMaker's Digital Factory cloud. - CloudPrint's 2025 shutdown left the Replicator 5th Gen, Mini, Mini+ and Z18 without cloud support. - Many ownership changes and layoffs over the years (Stratasys 2013, layoffs 2015 and 2017, Ultimaker merger 2022). ### Track record - December 2025: UltiMaker shut down MakerBot CloudPrint in early December 2025, after announcing 1 October 2025. Printers had to be reconnected to Digital Factory by hand, and the Replicator Z18, 5th Gen, Mini and Mini+ are not supported there; MakerBot points their owners to MakerBot Print. - August 31, 2022: Stratasys closed the merger of MakerBot with Ultimaker into a company named Ultimaker (now UltiMaker), owned 53.5% by NPM Capital and 46.5% by Stratasys. - February 2017: MakerBot announced a restructuring with another round of layoffs, Fortune reported. - July 2016: A court dismissed the investor class action over the fifth-generation printers and Smart Extruder, finding the statements at issue were not actionable. - April 2016: MakerBot moved printer manufacturing from Brooklyn to the contract manufacturer Jabil and parted ways with an undisclosed number of Brooklyn staff, The Verge reported. - July 2015: A class action was filed against MakerBot and Stratasys alleging investors were misled about problems with the fifth-generation printers' Smart Extruder. - April 2015: MakerBot laid off about 20% of its staff, roughly 100 people, under a new CEO, Motherboard reported. - June 2013: Stratasys bought MakerBot in a stock deal worth $403 million at the time. - September 2012: With the Replicator 2, MakerBot stopped publishing its machine designs, a break with open-source hardware that co-founder Zach Smith criticised publicly. How MakerBot compares with every other brand: https://simplyprint.io/articles/best-3d-printer ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the MakerBot Sketch compatible with SimplyPrint? To our knowledge the MakerBot Sketch is not yet supported. SimplyPrint works with 130+ brands and 600+ models via OctoPrint, Klipper and built-in integrations - check the compatibility list for a supported printer. ### What slicer should I use for the MakerBot Sketch? Use MakerBot's own slicer, MakerBot Print: none of the slicers in SimplyPrint's cloud has a profile for the MakerBot Sketch, and it doesn't take standard G-code that we know of. ### What filament can the MakerBot Sketch print? MakerBot lists PLA for the Sketch. ### What is the MakerBot Sketch's bed size and build volume? The MakerBot Sketch has a 150 x 150 mm print bed and prints up to 150 mm tall, a build volume of about 150 x 150 x 150 mm. See the full specifications table above for bed type, temperatures and more. ### When did the MakerBot Sketch come out? MakerBot launched the Sketch in February 2020. ### Where can I buy the MakerBot Sketch? From MakerBot's own store, which has shops for everywhere else. The links on this page go to those stores; some are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. --- © 2026 SimplyPrint. All rights reserved. This page and the compatibility, specification and review data on it are compiled by SimplyPrint and may not be copied, scraped, reproduced or republished, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. Printer images are the property of their respective manufacturers and are shown for identification purposes only; SimplyPrint claims no ownership of them. Quoted reviews belong to their authors.