TL;DR
- The 3D Printer is located at your FOB and lets you craft gear, equipment, and upgrades using materials looted in the Hajin Exclusion Zone.
- Basic items use Synthetics, Chemicals, Metals, and Electronics — hoard these first.
- High-tier recipes need rare processed ingredients like Binding Catalysts, Power Regulators, and Military Composites.
- Some recipes are locked behind progression milestones and must be unlocked before they appear.
- Upgrade recipes permanently improve your FOB — they are a long-term investment worth doing early.
What Is the 3D Printer in MW4 DMZ?
The 3D Printer is one of the most important stations at your Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Modern Warfare 4 DMZ. It lets you take raw materials you loot from the Hajin Exclusion Zone and turn them into usable gear — armor vests, backpacks, grenades, field upgrades, and even permanent FOB upgrades.
You do not start with every recipe available. Certain high-tier recipes are locked behind DMZ progression milestones. As you level up and complete story missions, more recipes will become available. Once you have the right materials, find a 3D Printer in the FOB, browse the category you need, and press print. The printer takes the materials straight from your stash and drops the item into your inventory.
Want to know more about how the FOB works overall? Check out our guide on all FOB stations in MW4 DMZ and how to unlock them.
How to Get 3D Printer Recipes in MW4 DMZ
Some recipes are available automatically as you level up in DMZ. Others must be found as physical recipe cards during your raids in Hajin. Recipe cards can drop from enemy operator backpacks, first aid kits, filing cabinets, blue duffel bags, footlockers, and medicine cabinets in buildings like barracks and military outposts.
When you find a recipe card, you need to successfully exfil with it. Once you extract, the recipe is permanently unlocked at your 3D Printer. Recipe cards are worth $5,000 DMZ cash if you sell them, but unlocking them is almost always the better long-term choice.
For a deeper look at how this works in the field, read our guide on how to get weapon manuals and recipes in MW4 DMZ.
All 3D Printer Recipes in MW4 DMZ
Below is the complete list of every known craftable item in MW4 DMZ, organized by category. Ingredients listed are taken from the looted materials in the Hajin Exclusion Zone.
Upgrade Recipes
Upgrades are permanent improvements to your FOB and account. They boost your bank, stash capacity, ingredient printing options, and more. These cost the most but pay off across every future raid you run.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Bank Upgrades I | $20,000 DMZ Cash |
| Bank Upgrades II | $50,000 DMZ Cash |
| Stash Item Upgrade I | $10,000 DMZ Cash, 10 Rigid Synthetics, 10 Electronic Sensors |
| MIA Recovery Discount I | 5 Regional Combat Notes, 10 Control Units, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
| Uncommon Ingredient Printing | $50,000 DMZ Cash, 20 Biomaterials, 10 High-Tenacity Fibers, 5 Comms Modules |
| Stash Weapon Upgrade I | $50,000 DMZ Cash, 20 Reactive Metals, 10 Stock Rods, 5 Comms Modules |
| Epic Ingredient Printing | $100,000 DMZ Cash, 10 Binding Catalysts, 10 Printed Circuit Boards, 5 Military Composites |
| Dog Tag Case Upgrade I | $10,000 DMZ Cash, 10 Rigid Synthetics, 10 Biomaterials |
| Gunsmith Upgrade I | $50,000 DMZ Cash, 20 Reactive Metals, 10 CPUs, 5 Power Regulators |
| Vendor Item Upgrade I | 20 Electronic Sensors, 10 CPUs, 10 Printed Circuit Boards, 2 Prototype RF Modules |
Tip: Bank Upgrades I is the best first craft if you regularly carry large amounts of cash. The Dog Tag Case Upgrade I is worth doing early too — it helps you hold more dog tags between extractions. Read more about how dog tags work in MW4 DMZ.
Consumable Recipes
Consumables keep you alive mid-raid. These are the most frequently crafted items because you burn through them fast in hard fights or radiation zones.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Bandage | 15 Synthetics, 15 Chemicals |
| Medkit | 30 Chemicals, 1 Binding Catalyst, 5 Biomaterials |
| Energy Drink | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Pain Killers | 15 Electronics, 15 Chemicals |
| Sedative Inhaler | 15 Synthetics, 15 Chemicals |
| Radiation Blockers | 30 Chemicals, 3 Biomaterials |
| Smelling Salts | 30 Chemicals, 3 Detonators |
| Self Revive Kit | 1 Stabilized Reagent, 5 Biomaterials, 3 Binding Catalysts |
| Door Breacher Charge | 1 Experimental Compound, 5 Stock Rods, 3 Volatile Explosives |
Tip: The Medkit is one of the best things you can craft. It restores full health and lets you use the tourniquet to revive from Last Stand. Keep Binding Catalysts stocked specifically for this. The Self Revive Kit is expensive to craft but invaluable when playing solo or if your squad goes down. The Radiation Blockers become essential once you start pushing irradiated areas of the map — read our guide on the DMZ radio tower locations to understand which areas carry radiation risk.
Plate Carrier Recipes
Plate carriers determine how much damage you can soak before going down. Crafting a better vest before a dangerous run can be the difference between a clean exfil and losing everything.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| 1-Plate Armor Vest | 25 Synthetics, 25 Metals |
| 2-Plate Armor Vest | 50 Synthetics, 5 Reactive Metals |
| 2-Plate Ballistic Gel Vest | 50 Synthetics, 3 Binding Catalysts, 10 Reactive Metals |
| 2-Plate Helmet Armor Vest | 50 Synthetics, 3 Structural Alloys, 10 Reactive Metals |
| 3-Plate Armor Vest | 2 Ballistic Fabrics, 5 Nylon Cloths, 10 Reactive Metals |
| 3-Plate Ballistic Gel Vest | 2 Experimental Compounds, 4 Stabilized Reagents, 10 Biomaterials |
| 3-Plate Helmet Armor Vest | 2 Nano-Structured Alloys, 4 Alloyed Platings, 10 Reactive Metals |
| Tempered Armor Vest | 2 Military Composites, 4 Ballistic Fabrics, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
Tip: The 2-Plate Armor Vest is the sweet spot early on — cheap to craft and a big upgrade over starting without a vest. The Tempered Armor Vest is the endgame chest piece but requires Military Composites, which are Legendary rarity and hard to find. Save those for when you are consistently running late-game content.
If you are pushing hazardous areas or boss encounters, equip the best vest you can afford before deploying. Check out our legendary hazmat suit locations in DMZ for another layer of protection when things get dangerous.
Backpack Recipes
More backpack space means more loot per raid. Bigger and specialized backpacks can hold weapons, secure your most valuable items, or increase scavenging efficiency significantly.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Small Backpack | 25 Synthetics, 25 Metals |
| Medium Backpack | 50 Synthetics, 5 Rigid Synthetics |
| Medium Scavenger Backpack | 50 Metals, 3 Nylon Cloths, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
| Medium Weapon Backpack | 50 Synthetics, 3 High-Tenacity Fibers, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
| Small Secure Backpack | 50 Metals, 3 Structural Alloys, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
| Large Backpack | 2 Nylon Laminates, 5 Structural Alloys, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
| Large Scavenger Backpack | 2 Nylon Laminates, 5 High-Tenacity Fibers, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
| Medium Secure Backpack | 2 Alloyed Platings, 5 Nylon Cloths, 10 Reactive Metals |
| Large Secure Backpack | 2 Prototype RF Modules, 4 Alloyed Platings, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
| Secure Scavenger Backpack | 2 Military Composites, 4 Nylon Laminates, 10 Reactive Metals |
Tip: Secure backpacks protect the items inside even if you die. If you are carrying high-value keys or rare ingredients, a secure backpack is worth the crafting cost. The Large Scavenger Backpack is the go-to for looting runs — it maximizes how much you pick up per raid.
Tactical Equipment Recipes
Tactical equipment helps you control fights, reveal enemies, and survive engagements where raw gunplay alone is not enough.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Concussion Grenade | 10 Synthetics, 10 Chemicals |
| Snapshot Grenade | 10 Synthetics, 10 Chemicals |
| Smoke Grenade | 10 Synthetics, 10 Chemicals |
| Shock Stick | 10 Synthetics, 10 Chemicals |
| Screamer Mine | 10 Synthetics, 10 Chemicals |
| Flash Grenade | 10 Synthetics, 10 Chemicals |
| Decoy Grenade | 10 Synthetics, 10 Chemicals |
| Stim | 15 Synthetics, 15 Chemicals |
| Heartbeat Sensor | 25 Synthetics, 25 Chemicals |
| Spotter Scope | 50 Synthetics, 5 Electronic Sensors |
Tip: The Heartbeat Sensor is a huge advantage when clearing buildings or compounds — it spots enemy operators through walls. The Stim is great for aggressive pushes and escaping bad situations quickly. Most basic tacticals cost the same amount, so the choice comes down entirely to your playstyle.
Lethal Equipment Recipes
Lethals are your offensive throwables. They are great for clearing rooms, finishing downed enemies, breaching buildings, and handling armored targets.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| C4 | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Claymore | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Frag Grenade | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Molotov Cocktail | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Zip Gun | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Proximity Mine | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Semtex | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Thermite | 10 Chemicals, 10 Metals |
| Drill Charge | 15 Chemicals, 15 Metals |
| Trip Wire | 15 Chemicals, 15 Metals |
| Throwing Knife | 25 Chemicals, 25 Metals |
Tip: The Claymore and Proximity Mine are excellent for covering exfil routes or protecting your back while looting. The Drill Charge is useful for breaching locked rooms and vaults. If you are pushing compounds regularly, bring a few Frag Grenades — they are cheap to craft and make clearing buildings much easier.
Field Upgrade Recipes
Field upgrades give you utility tools in the field. Some provide support and survival, others give you offensive advantages or mobility options during difficult runs.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Inflatable Decoy | 15 Synthetics, 15 Electronics |
| Ammo Box | 15 Synthetics, 15 Metals |
| Portable Radar | 15 Synthetics, 15 Electronics |
| Razor Wire Trap | 15 Electronics, 15 Metals |
| Rebreather | 15 Synthetics, 15 Chemicals |
| Riot Shield | 15 Synthetics, 15 Metals |
| Seeker Drone | 15 Synthetics, 15 Electronics |
| Smoke Wall | 15 Electronics, 15 Chemicals |
| Trophy System | 15 Electronics, 3 Control Units |
| Armor Box | 30 Metals, 3 Reactive Metals |
| Defibrillator | 30 Electronics, 3 Control Units |
| DDOS | 30 Electronics, 30 Detonators |
| Recon Drone | 30 Metals, 3 Electronic Sensors |
| SAM Airburst Turret | 30 Metals, 3 Detonators |
| Revive Pistol | 2 Power Regulators, 3 Binding Catalysts, 5 Detonators |
| Fulton Drop Marker | 1 Prototype RF Module, 3 Comms Modules, 5 Control Units |
Tip: The Recon Drone is great for scouting areas before you push in. The Trophy System is a solid defensive pick when holding a position. The Revive Pistol is expensive but worth it in squad play — you can revive teammates without exposing yourself. The DDOS is useful when dealing with automated turrets and security systems inside buildings and compounds. Read our guide on how to power lab doors and robot cores in DMZ for more on navigating locked areas.
Fire Support Recipes
Fire Support recipes let you call in serious backup during tough situations. These are higher-cost crafts but they can completely flip a losing fight or help you hold an area for extraction.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Care Package | 20 Electronics, 2 Control Units, 2 Rigid Synthetics |
| Bombing Run | 30 Chemicals, 2 Nitro Compounds, 5 Control Units |
| Combat Drone | 30 Electronics, 2 CPUs, 5 Control Units |
| Bomb Glider | 30 Chemicals, 2 Stock Rods, 5 Control Units |
| UAV | 30 Electronics, 2 Structural Alloys, 5 Electronic Sensors |
| Artillery Beacon | 2 Volatile Explosives, 3 Nitro Compounds, 5 Detonators |
| Advanced UAV | 2 Comms Modules, 3 Nitro Compounds, 5 Electronic Sensors |
| Impact Warhead | 2 Turned Components, 3 Nitro Compounds, 5 Detonators |
| Railgun Sentry | 2 Power Regulators, 3 Nitro Compounds, 5 Control Units |
| Crossfire | 2 Prototype RF Modules, 3 Volatile Explosives, 5 Electronic Sensors |
Tip: The UAV is one of the best crafts you can bring into a raid. Real-time map coverage of enemy operators makes every engagement safer. The Advanced UAV upgrades this by showing enemy direction too — extremely powerful when you are getting hunted. If you are being hunted and need to understand the threat system, check out our guide on the MW4 DMZ Wanted Hunter system.
Tactical Gear Recipes
Tactical Gear helps you operate in dark buildings, survive gas and radiation zones, and navigate the map more safely. These items are especially useful as you push deeper into contested areas.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Weak Night Vision Goggles | 25 Metals, 5 Control Units |
| Gas Mask | 30 Chemicals, 3 Rigid Synthetics |
| Disposable Parachute | 30 Chemicals, 3 Rigid Synthetics |
| Night Vision Goggles | 50 Metals, 3 Printed Circuit Boards, 10 Control Units |
| Durable Gas Mask | 30 Chemicals, 1 High-Tenacity Fiber, 5 Biomaterials |
| Elite Night Vision Goggles | 2 Power Regulators, 3 CPUs, 5 Electronic Sensors |
| Parachute | 2 Turned Components, 5 Nylon Cloths, 10 Rigid Synthetics |
Tip: The Gas Mask is a must-craft before pushing into any area with active gas or chemical hazards. The Night Vision Goggles give you a massive advantage when raiding buildings at night — enemies without NVGs are essentially fighting blind. The Disposable Parachute is surprisingly useful for escaping rooftops, jumping from high ground during exfil pressure, or repositioning fast.
Base Ingredients and Refined Component Recipes
If you are short on processed ingredients for a high-tier craft, you can sometimes produce them directly in the 3D Printer using raw base materials. This is useful when a rare ingredient is stopping you from finishing an important recipe.
| Item | Required Materials |
|---|---|
| Biomaterials | 20 Synthetics, 20 Chemicals |
| Control Unit | 20 Electronics, 20 Metals |
| Detonators | 20 Electronics, 20 Chemicals |
| Electronic Sensors | 20 Synthetics, 20 Electronics |
| Reactive Metals | 20 Chemicals, 20 Metals |
| Rigid Synthetics | 20 Synthetics, 20 Metals |
| Alloyed Plating | 100 Metals, 3 Structural Alloys |
| Ballistic Fabric | 100 Synthetics, 3 High-Tenacity Fibers |
| Comms Module | 100 Electronics, 3 CPUs |
| Nylon Laminate | 100 Synthetics, 3 Nylon Cloths |
| Power Regulator | 100 Electronics, 3 Printed Circuit Boards |
| Stabilized Reagents | 100 Chemicals, 3 Binding Catalysts |
| Turned Components | 100 Metals, 3 Stock Rods |
| Volatile Explosive | 100 Chemicals, 3 Nitro Compounds |
Tip: Basic ingredients like Rigid Synthetics, Reactive Metals, and Biomaterials appear frequently as Uncommon loot across Hajin. But if you are farming toward an Epic or Legendary recipe and need Alloyed Plating, Power Regulators, or Volatile Explosives, crafting them from base materials is a reliable way to avoid being stuck waiting for rare drops.
Most Important Crafting Priorities in MW4 DMZ
With so many recipes available, it helps to have a plan. Here is what to focus on depending on where you are in your DMZ progression.
Early Game Priority Crafts
- 1-Plate Armor Vest — Cheap and available from the start. Never deploy without one.
- Bandage — Easiest heal to craft. Keep a stack ready at all times.
- Bank Upgrades I — Invest early so you can hold more DMZ cash safely.
- Medium Backpack — More loot per raid immediately pays for itself.
Mid Game Priority Crafts
- 2-Plate Armor Vest — Major durability upgrade once you have Reactive Metals.
- Medkit — Full health restore changes how you play fights. Worth the Binding Catalyst cost.
- UAV — Real-time map intel dramatically improves survival rate.
- Dog Tag Case Upgrade I — If you are pushing DMZ Prestige content, this becomes essential.
Late Game Priority Crafts
- 3-Plate Armor Vest or Tempered Armor Vest — Maximum protection for boss fights and contested exfils.
- Self Revive Kit — Non-negotiable for solo runs.
- Epic Ingredient Printing upgrade — Unlocks the ability to print Epic-tier ingredients, which massively speeds up endgame crafting.
- Revive Pistol — Game-changing in squads.
Where to Find Raw Materials in Hajin
Every crafting recipe depends on materials you loot during raids. Here is a quick overview of where to find the most important ones.
- Synthetics, Chemicals, Metals, Electronics — Common drops from crates, shelves, drawers, and ground loot across the entire map. Focus on civilian buildings, warehouses, and outposts.
- Rigid Synthetics, Reactive Metals, Biomaterials, Detonators, Electronic Sensors — Uncommon rarity. Drop from supply crates, locked rooms, and military structures. Sell value is $200–$800 per item, so prioritize these over common loot.
- Stock Rods, Binding Catalysts, CPUs, High-Tenacity Fibers, Printed Circuit Boards — Rare rarity. Found in named locations, boss drops, and locked containers. Check key-locked rooms like the weapons locker for better ingredient drops.
- Military Composites — Legendary rarity, worth $3,500 in the market. These are rare and should be saved for endgame recipes like the Tempered Armor Vest or Epic Ingredient Printing upgrade.
Running compounds is one of the best ways to farm materials efficiently. Learn more with our guide on all DMZ compound locations and how to clear them.
More MW4 DMZ Guides
Mastering the 3D Printer is just one part of succeeding in DMZ. Here are more guides to help you get the most out of every raid.
- Best traits in MW4 DMZ
- DMZ deployment bonus explained
- DMZ Prestige requirements and rewards
- All DMZ story missions and rewards
- All DMZ operator traits and how to unlock them
- All DMZ radio tower locations
- All DMZ boss locations
- DMZ XP and all level unlocks
- How to get Possum in DMZ
- Best meta Kastov 762 loadout for DMZ and multiplayer
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