Pen plotter for Anet A8, and a simple way to print pictures on pieces of paper

This youtube video describes the process very well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP3jkoEJSa4

Here is my Video

https://youtu.be/Z1OPxMJlRos

Download 2D image to STL Converter (windows) http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:66115

open image inside program

Target Size (custom to the size of the image you want)

Target Height: 0.2 (or the layer height you have set in cura for your printer)

Add Base: 0

Spike filter and Anti Spike filter all the way to the left

Create STL

Now time for Cura settings. Open up Cura and save your previous profile by going to file, save profile.

settings on cura:
enable retraction, set minimum extrusion before retraction (mm) to 0 and z hop when retracting (mm) to 1

Printing temperature :0, bed temperature: 0

my print speed is set to 50mm/s

open up expert settings and remove the skirt by setting the line count under skirt to 0

now to to G Code and replace everything with these commands :

;Sliced at: {day} {date} {time}
;Basic settings: Layer height: {layer_height} Walls: {wall_thickness} Fill: {fill_density}
;Print time: {print_time}
;Filament used: {filament_amount}m {filament_weight}g
;Filament cost: {filament_cost}
;M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own bed temperature line
;M109 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
G21 ;metric values
G90 ;absolute positioning
M82 ;set extruder to absolute mode
M107 ;start with the fan off
G28 X0 Y0 ;move X/Y to min endstops
G28 Z0 ;move Z to min endstops
G1 Z15.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform down 15mm
G92 Z14
G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length
G1 F200 E3 ;extrude 3mm of feed stock
G92 E0 ;zero the extruded length again
G1 F{travel_speed}
;Put printing message on LCD screen
M117 Printing...

now your ready to print, save to SD card or upload to Octoprint, use some binder clips or tape to hold down a piece of paper and 2D print with your 3D printer.

Some recommendations, the pen is offset from the extruder so move everything up on Cura so the pen doesn't start drawing off the platform. Also save this profile when your done creating it so you don't need to change the settings all the time. Also start the printer and insert the pen once it starts printing so you don't get a line across your print and also this sets the pen to the proper height for printing.