If you design earrings in Blender, knowing how to create clean, precise holes for ear wires or jump rings is essential. A well-designed hole affects not only the look of the piece, but also its durability and comfort when worn.
In this tutorial, I show a simple and repeatable workflow for creating earring holes in Blender – perfect for jewelry designers working with 3D printing or polymer clay.
Watch the tutorial – How to Make Earring Holes in Blender
In this video, step by step, you’ll learn how to:
- plan the correct hole placement,
- choose the right diameter for ear wires and jump rings,
- create clean and precise holes,
- prepare your model for STL export and 3D printing.
Why earring holes matter in 3D jewelry design
A hole in an earring is more than just a visual detail. Poorly designed holes can lead to:
- cracking after printing or baking,
- difficulty attaching findings,
- earrings hanging at an awkward angle,
- rough or uneven edges.
That’s why it’s best to design holes directly in Blender, instead of drilling them later.
Process overview: making earring holes in Blender
1. Preparing the earring model
Start with a finished earring shape. Make sure the model:
- is manifold (fully closed),
- uses correct scale (millimeters),
- has enough thickness around the hole area.
2. Creating a hole guide
I usually use a simple cylinder as a 3D “drill.” This allows you to:
- control the hole diameter precisely,
- position the hole accurately,
- keep the hole perfectly round.
3. Precise hole placement
In the tutorial, I show how to position the cylinder:
- centrally and symmetrically,
- at the correct height,
- with enough material above the hole.
4. Cutting the hole
This step removes material and creates the actual hole. After this:
- the model becomes fully functional,
- the hole fits metal findings perfectly,
- the design is still ready for 3D printing.
5. Final checks and export
Before exporting, make sure:
- the hole edges are smooth,
- wall thickness is safe,
- the file exports cleanly as an STL.
Practical tips
- Hole diameter: usually 1.4–2 mm, depending on the findings.
- Avoid placing holes too close to the edge – the material may break.
- Design holes in Blender instead of drilling them after printing.
- This workflow works for polymer clay earrings and cutter designs as well.
Learning how to create proper earring holes in Blender is a fundamental skill in 3D jewelry design. Once you master it, your pieces will be cleaner, stronger, and ready for real-world use.
Watch the tutorial, test the workflow on your own designs, and see how one small detail can significantly improve the quality of your jewelry.