Overture Attends Awesome Con 2025: 3D Printing in the Cosplay Ecosystem
By Greg Bejtlich | April 2025
Awesome Con 2025 took over Washington, D.C., drawing more than 60,000 fans to celebrate comics, sci-fi, gaming, and pop culture. Major highlights included a “Lord of the Rings” cast panel with Orlando Bloom and Liv Tyler, plus a nostalgic reunion for the Goonies 40th anniversary. Big names drew big crowds, but cosplay, and the gear behind it, kept the energy going all weekend.
Photo cred. Michael Key - Awesome Con 2024
Overture Filament partnered with Dylan O’Connell of Saturday Morning Props to showcase how 3D printing makes cosplay more accessible, creative, and customizable. The booth featured detailed printed builds—helmets, droids, and a life-sized Iron Man suit—that drew in fans of all ages. Many of the source 3D models were designed by creators like Do3D, Yosh Studios, and other independent artists in the 3D printing community. Some were fully finished with sanding and paint, while others were raw prints that still looked incredible up close
We didn’t haul any printers to the show, but every piece Dylan brought was printed using the same machines many makers already own, or are thinking about getting. Bambu, Creality, and Elegoo included. It was a great way to show just how far accessible desktop printers have come.
Photo cred. Dylan O'Connell - Awesome Con 2025
Cosplayers especially gravitated toward our Matte PLA and PLA Pro. The matte finish helps mask layer lines, making costumes look clean even before post-processing. PLA Pro, on the other hand, provides extra strength and rigidity, ideal for wearable armor, helmets, or props meant to survive a busy con weekend.
The booth also served as a low-key hangout space where cosplayers could drop gear, cool down, and chat. And in partnership with Dylan, we hosted a $250 filament giveaway that brought even more energy to the space and gave us a chance to connect with first-time and returning makers alike.
We met plenty of attendees who remembered 3D printing as something complicated or expensive just a few years ago. But today, with affordable printers, user-friendly slicers, and endless free tutorials, the barrier to entry has dropped. With reliable materials like ours, it’s easier than ever to bring your ideas to life.
Awesome Con 2025 proved one thing: cosplay isn’t just about fabric and foam anymore. 3D printing has become a core part of the ecosystem, and we’re proud to be fueling the movement.
Want to see more from the show? Check out Dylan’s full recap on Instagram and TikTok. Some of the builds really have to be seen to be believed!
