To load new filament, firstly make sure the pen is turned on and the LED light is blue. Then place the filament into the loading hole at the top of the pen (the one next to where the power cable is inserted). Make sure the end of the filament is flat across the end before inserting (cut carefully with scissors if not). Insert the filament gently until it stops. Then simply press the Start button once and you will feel the filament being gently guided into the pen. This process will then continue automatically. Wait for the filament to be pulled all the way through the pen until you see it appear from the end of the nozzle. You can speed up this process by pressing the ‘Speed Control’ button, until 3 green LED lights are showing indicating the extrusion speed is set to rapid.

You can either draw freehand—on paper, fabric, wood, or other materials—or use a stencil. The Polaroid Play Trace iOS/Android app provides a small selection of patterns to draw on. You can put the included screen protector over your device, but the protector is just large enough to fit my iPhone 11’s screen. Unless you’re skilled at tiny, intricate sketching (and can do it with a chunky 3D pen), a better approach may be to print the pattern on letter-size paper. (Screen protector or no, I'm also a bit leery of putting a superheated extruder that close to the screen of any device.) In testing, I did a few 3D constructions, but mostly drew some free-form objects or traced patterns on stencil. My experience was quite enjoyable, and the pen was easy enough to control, although I never did quite master changing the extrusion speed. Artistically, I would classify myself as a doodler, and the Play lent itself to this form of unguided creation. Good, Messy FunThe process of changing a colour is as follows. Firstly, to change the colour of the filament you are using, you need to unload any filament that is already in the pen. To do this, press and hold the Power button (marked ‘On/Off’) for a couple of seconds. You will see the LED light on the front start to flash from Red to Blue and you will hear the motor start to unload the filament. You will also see and be able to feel the filament moving as it is retracted from the pen. If you gently hold the end of the filament you will feel when it has come loose from the pen and it can then be removed completely. You may also find that this happens more with certain colours of filament than others. This is because different colours actually melt at slightly different temperatures and therefore for those melting at a slightly lower temperature you may get small amounts of filament still being extruded from the nozzle momentarily after the Print button has been pressed/released (this being the residual filament in the nozzle that had already been melted). If this happens, please either gently remove the unwanted stringy filament whilst still warm (and therefore soft) by pulling it swiftly away from the model, or wait until the filament has hardened and then remove carefully using a pair of scissors. Power Requirement: 5.0 Volt DC, 2 Amp power adapter, NOTE make sure you are using 2 Amp plug, usually the kind for smart phones or laptops Next, make sure that your filament is inserted correctly into the pen. If you already have filament loaded please unload completely from the pen (by pressing and holding the Power button for a couple of seconds and waiting for the filament to be completely retracted). Once removed, please ensure that the end of the filament is flat across the end (cut carefully with scissors if not) before re-inserting into the Loading Point in the top of the pen (next to where the power cable is inserted).

simply place underneath a standard sheet of greaseproof paper or baking paper/parchment paper and trace your design to easily create your very own edible Candies. You can also try slowing down your extrusion speed slightly as this means the melting temperature is slightly lower, which in turn may mean you see less of the ‘stringiness’. Please re-load the filament by simply pressing the Print button once and you will feel the filament being gently guided into the pen automatically (you can increase the speed at which the filament is pulled through by pressing the + button). This time, gently apply a small amount of pressure by pushing the filament slightly as it feeds into the top of the pen. Wait for the filament to be pulled all the way through the pen and this time you should see it appear through the end of the nozzle and the pen will be ready to use.

Limitless Possibilities and Simple to Use

You can draw or sketch your designs onto paper and trace them using greaseproof or baking paper/ parchment. You’ll then have your unique design drawn in candy! The process of changing a colour is as follows. Firstly, to change the colour of the filament you are using, you need to unload any filament that is already in the pen. To do this, press and hold the Power button for a couple of seconds. You will see the LED light on the front start to flash from red to blue and you will hear the motor start to unload the filament. You will also see and be able to feel the filament moving as it is retracted from the pen. If you gently hold the end of the filament you will feel when it has come loose from the pen and it can then be removed completely. If you are trying to load or unload filament and this is taking some time then you can speed up this process by pressing the ‘Speed Control’ button, until 3 green LED lights are showing indicating the extrusion speed is set to rapid. If you’ve managed to get to grips with the above techniques, why not become an expert Candy maker, by using the CandyPlay Pen to create three-dimensional models, treats or gifts!