Valve shares official 3D print files to let users build their own Steam Machine e-ink faceplate

The Steam Machine was released a few days ago, and one of its standout features is its customizable front faceplate. Users can easily swap it out for different designs, and we're already starting to see third-party manufacturers release custom faceplates. However, if you own a 3D printer and would rather build your own e-ink faceplate, we've got some good news.

Valve has officially uploaded the complete project to GitLab, giving the community everything needed to build an e-ink faceplate from scratch. This includes the 3D printable files, firmware, assembly instructions, and software setup guides. For those unfamiliar, Valve first showed off the e-ink faceplate, called the Inkterface, alongside its Steam hardware announcement last year. At the time, it appeared to be an experimental accessory, and the company never confirmed when it would become available to users.

The GitLab page walks users through every step of the process. It includes printable CAD files for the faceplate, a list of required hardware components, assembly guides in both PDF and video formats, firmware instructions, and setup documentation. Valve also explains how to flash the firmware onto the supported ESP32 board after the hardware has been assembled.

As for connectivity, Valve says it plans to release an official app on Steam in the future. Until then, users can build their own AppImage by following the instructions provided on GitLab. Once connected to the Steam Machine over Bluetooth, users can configure the e-ink faceplate to show real-time hardware statistics, custom images, and more.