Sip Saver: Your No-Spill Lifesaver for Drinks!

Spilling your drink when you’re relaxing by the pool or hosting a party is a total buzzkill. That’s where the Sip Saver comes to the rescue! Inspired by life rafts, this clever drink holder features five stacked lifebuoy rings with fun beach-style floaters around the edges. It’s not just practical—it’s a conversation starter!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to design and create your own Sip Saver using Tinkercad and a 3D printer. But if designing isn’t your thing, don’t worry! At the end of this project, you’ll find the STL files ready to download, so you can jump straight to printing your very own Sip Saver.

Whether you choose to create it from scratch or use the provided files, the Sip Saver is perfect for keeping your drinks steady and safe—no more spills, just good vibes!

1. 3D printer
2. Filament (any color; white works well if you plan to paint it)
3. Paint suitable for plastic (orange is perfect for that beachy vibe!)
4. Paintbrushes
5. Glue
6. Sand or similar material (optional, to add weight and keep it extra steady)

The Sip Saver was entirely created in Tinkercad using basic shapes, making it beginner-friendly and easy to replicate. The design includes:

1. Five stacked lifebuoy-shaped rings to securely hold a large drink.
2. Eight floating “beach buoys” arranged around the perimeter for extra stability and connected with rope-like bands.

To give it a personalized touch, the letters spelling out “Sip Saver” were added directly into the design using Tinkercad’s built-in text tool. These letters will be positioned on the side of the lifebuoy rings, giving it a fun, life-raft-inspired look.

This design is sized for a large cup, but you can easily adjust the dimensions to fit your preferred drinkware. Tinkercad’s simple tools make customizing the model a breeze!

Once your design is ready, it’s time to bring it to life. Set up your 3D printer with standard settings—there’s no need for supports, which keeps the process simple. The design prints in layers, so here’s a cool tip: you can pause the print after each lifebuoy ring is completed: During these pauses, carefully fill the hollow sections of each ring with sand (or any other filler material) before resuming the print. This adds weight, making the Sip Saver sturdier and more stable—perfect for keeping your drinks upright even in the face of accidental bumps.

I’ve added a timelapse of the full printing process so you can see the magic happen layer by layer. Watching it all come together is incredibly satisfying!

To give your Sip Saver its eye-catching look, start by painting it orange (or any color you prefer). Use paint designed for plastic to ensure a smooth, durable finish. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Simply use glue to attach the letters securely to the side of the lifebuoy rings. This small detail really enhances the life-raft vibe and makes your project stand out.

Your Sip Saver is now ready to hit the poolside or your kitchen counter! Place your drink in the center, and let the lifebuoy rings and floaters do their job. No more spills, no more worries—just good times with a drink that’s safe and sound.

Don’t forget to tag me if you make your own Sip Saver! I’d love to see your custom colors and designs in action. #SipSaverChallenge