Updated October 24, 2026
Trying to print Uncommon ingredients in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 DMZ but cannot find the recipes in your 3D Printer? You may have unlocked the printer itself without purchasing the separate Uncommon Ingredient Printing upgrade.
This permanent Forward Operating Base (FOB) upgrade allows you to manufacture six Uncommon crafting ingredients using basic resources. However, unlocking it requires a significant investment, including five Comms Modules that can be difficult to collect early in your progression.
There is also an important difference between unlocking ingredient printing and unlocking finished-equipment recipes. Purchasing the upgrade does not automatically make every Medkit, armor vest, backpack, or other piece of equipment available to craft.
This guide covers the upgrade requirements, how to collect the necessary materials, which ingredients become printable, and what to check when recipes are missing.
📋 Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: How to Unlock It
- Uncommon Ingredient Printing Requirements
- How to Unlock the Upgrade
- Where to Get the Required Materials
- Why Comms Modules Are the Bottleneck
- What Can You Print After Unlocking It?
- Why Can't I Print Uncommon Ingredients?
- Why Are My Recipes Still Missing?
- Can You Print Blue or Rare Ingredients?
- Is It Worth Unlocking?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Tips
Quick Answer: How to Unlock Uncommon Ingredient Printing
To unlock Uncommon Ingredient Printing in MW4 DMZ, first reach DMZ Player Level 2 to unlock the FOB 3D Printer.
Then purchase the Uncommon Ingredient Printing upgrade using:
- ₭50,000 DMZ Cash
- 20 Biomaterials
- 10 High-Tenacity Fibers
- 5 Comms Modules
Once purchased, the upgrade enables printing six Uncommon ingredients: Biomaterials, Reactive Metals, Electronic Sensors, Rigid Synthetics, Control Units, and Detonators.
Important: Uncommon Ingredient Printing cannot manufacture the five Comms Modules needed for its own unlock. If you have not separately unlocked Epic Ingredient Printing, you must obtain Comms Modules through looting or another available source.
The upgrade also does not automatically unlock finished-equipment recipes, which have their own progression requirements.
Uncommon Ingredient Printing Requirements
Uncommon Ingredient Printing is a permanent upgrade for the 3D Printer station in your Forward Operating Base.
It is separate from the initial printer unlock and requires both cash and extracted crafting materials.
Full Upgrade Cost
| Requirement | Amount |
|---|---|
| DMZ Player Level | 2 to unlock the printer |
| DMZ Cash | ₭50,000 |
| Biomaterials | 20 |
| High-Tenacity Fibers | 10 |
| Comms Modules | 5 |
These requirements are listed in current community-maintained crafting databases. Check the upgrade card in your version of the game before purchasing, since requirements may change with updates.
Unlike crafting a consumable, purchasing this upgrade permanently expands the printer's ingredient-manufacturing capabilities.
However, you must still supply the resources required for each ingredient you print afterward.
How to Unlock the Upgrade
Step 1: Reach DMZ Player Level 2
The FOB 3D Printer becomes available at DMZ Player Level 2.
If you are still beginning your DMZ progression, complete early activities and increase your level until the station becomes accessible.
The FOB printer is used between deployments, so you do not need to locate a physical printer during a match to purchase this upgrade.
Step 2: Open the FOB 3D Printer
Return to the Forward Operating Base and open the 3D Printer.
Navigate to the Upgrades category and locate Uncommon Ingredient Printing.
Inspect the upgrade card to see the required cash and crafting ingredients.
Do not confuse this permanent upgrade with an individual ingredient recipe.
Step 3: Collect the Required Materials
You need 20 Biomaterials, 10 High-Tenacity Fibers, five Comms Modules, and ₭50,000.
Extract successfully with the required loot and retain it in your Stash rather than selling or using it for unrelated crafts.
Check your available quantities at the printer to identify any remaining shortages.
Step 4: Purchase Uncommon Ingredient Printing
Once you have all the required materials and cash, purchase the upgrade through the FOB 3D Printer.
After purchasing it, return to the ingredient-printing category and check the newly available Uncommon recipes.
Remember that the upgrade unlocks manufacturing access. It does not provide unlimited free ingredients.
Where to Get the Required Materials
The upgrade requires three different crafting ingredients, and some are harder to obtain than others.
Biomaterials — 20 Required
Biomaterials are an Uncommon ingredient used in medical crafting recipes, including Medkits and Self-Revive Kits.
They can be valuable for preparing survival equipment, which makes them tempting to spend before completing the printer upgrade.
In our analyzed gameplay footage, Biomaterials appeared inside a Duffel Bag in Leader's Secure Bunker.
That confirms one obtainable loot example, but it does not establish a guaranteed spawn or repeatable farming location.
Farming tip: Search loot containers during deployments and prioritize extracting safely with any Biomaterials you find. Reserve 20 for the printer upgrade before spending additional stock on consumables.
High-Tenacity Fibers — 10 Required
High-Tenacity Fibers are a Rare crafting ingredient used in certain equipment and backpack recipes.
Unlike basic resources such as Synthetics or Metals, they must be collected as specific crafting materials.
Inspect the ingredient's location recommendations in the 3D Printer, then prioritize relevant loot areas during deployments.
Loot availability can vary, so do not assume that every container in a recommended area will contain High-Tenacity Fibers.
Comms Modules — 5 Required
Comms Modules are one of the most important materials to save for this upgrade.
You need five, but they belong to a higher crafting tier than the Uncommon ingredients you are trying to unlock.
Technology-related loot locations, computers, and server areas are useful places to investigate, although individual drops are not guaranteed.
For specific farming locations and practical routes, see our MW4 DMZ Comms Module Locations & Farming Guide.
Why Comms Modules Are the Biggest Bottleneck
The unusual part of Uncommon Ingredient Printing is that it requires five Comms Modules even though those modules are not included among the six ingredients the upgrade allows you to manufacture.
Comms Modules belong to the separate Epic Ingredient Printing tier.
This creates a progression bottleneck for players who want to unlock Uncommon crafting first.
Can You Print Comms Modules Before Unlocking Uncommon Ingredients?
Yes, but only if you have separately unlocked the necessary Epic Ingredient Printing capability and have enough resources for its recipe.
Current community crafting data lists the following Comms Module printing cost:
- 100 Electronics
- 3 CPUs
Epic Ingredient Printing has its own upgrade requirements, so it may not be available when you first start collecting materials for Uncommon Ingredient Printing.
For players who have not unlocked Epic Ingredient Printing, collecting Comms Modules during deployments is the more direct option.
Do not spend your first five Comms Modules on unrelated crafts if Uncommon Ingredient Printing is your immediate priority.
Comms Modules also have other equipment and FOB upgrade uses, so spending them early can delay this unlock.
What Can You Print After Unlocking It?
Uncommon Ingredient Printing allows you to manufacture six ingredients that you would otherwise need to obtain through looting.
| Ingredient | Example Crafting Use |
|---|---|
| Biomaterials | Medkit, Self-Revive Kit |
| Reactive Metals | Armor Box, 2-Plate Armor Vest |
| Electronic Sensors | Equipment and FOB upgrades |
| Rigid Synthetics | Backpacks and FOB upgrades |
| Control Units | Equipment and FOB upgrades |
| Detonators | Explosive-related recipes |
These are examples of ingredient uses, not a guarantee that every associated finished-equipment recipe will automatically become available.
How Much Does Printing an Ingredient Cost?
Current community crafting databases list the following resource requirements for several Uncommon ingredients.
| Ingredient | Resource Requirements |
|---|---|
| Biomaterials | 20 Synthetics, 20 Chemicals |
| Reactive Metals | 20 Chemicals, 20 Metals |
| Rigid Synthetics | 20 Synthetics, 20 Metals |
| Control Units | 20 Electronics, 20 Metals |
Check the individual recipe card in your game before spending resources, since crafting requirements can change with updates.
For Electronic Sensors and Detonators, inspect their specific printer recipes rather than assuming they use the same resource combinations.
Why This Upgrade Matters
The main advantage is reducing your dependence on finding every Uncommon ingredient as random loot.
Instead, you can gather basic resources and convert them into the specific ingredient needed for your next craft.
For example, Reactive Metals are used in armor-related recipes, while Biomaterials support medical crafting.
If you regularly prepare armor or healing supplies before deployment, this upgrade can make your equipment preparation more predictable.
Why Can't I Print Uncommon Ingredients?
If your Uncommon ingredient recipes are missing or unavailable, check these possible causes before assuming the printer is bugged.
1. You Have Only Unlocked the 3D Printer
Reaching DMZ Player Level 2 unlocks the printer station.
It does not automatically purchase Uncommon Ingredient Printing.
Open the Upgrades category and confirm whether you own the separate upgrade.
2. You Have Not Purchased the Upgrade
Having the required materials in your Stash does not mean the upgrade has been activated.
Check whether Uncommon Ingredient Printing still appears as an available purchase.
If it does, review the required inputs and complete the purchase.
3. You Are Missing Basic Resources
Even after unlocking the upgrade, each ingredient has its own crafting cost.
For example, Reactive Metals require Chemicals and Metals according to current recipe listings.
Check the recipe card and compare its requirements with your available resources.
4. You Are Looking in the Wrong Category
Uncommon Ingredient Printing unlocks ingredient-manufacturing options, not a complete set of finished equipment.
Check the ingredient-printing category for Biomaterials, Reactive Metals, Rigid Synthetics, and the other Uncommon materials.
5. The Recipe Is Visible but Cannot Be Crafted
A recipe may be available while you lack the resources required to manufacture it.
Inspect the recipe card for missing materials or any additional requirements.
If you have purchased the upgrade and the correct ingredient recipe still does not appear, verify the current progression requirements before treating it as a confirmed bug.
Why Are My 3D Printer Recipes Still Missing?
One of the easiest mistakes in MW4 DMZ is assuming that every printer unlock belongs to the same progression system.
In reality, different crafting options can have separate requirements.
DMZ Player Level
Certain printer features and recipes become available as you increase your DMZ Player Level.
DMZ Orders
Some completed Orders award specific crafting recipes.
Extracted Recipe Items
Recipe items can appear during deployments.
Successfully extracting with a Recipe item unlocks its associated crafting option at the FOB printer.
Ingredient Printing Upgrades
These upgrades enable the manufacture of particular crafting ingredients.
Owning Uncommon Ingredient Printing does not automatically unlock every Medkit, armor vest, backpack, or other finished-equipment recipe.
If an equipment recipe remains missing, inspect that recipe's own unlock requirements instead of repeatedly checking the Uncommon ingredient upgrade.
Weapons also follow separate acquisition and Gunsmith progression systems rather than being manufactured as ordinary 3D Printer equipment recipes.
Can You Print Blue or Rare Ingredients?
Uncommon Ingredient Printing does not unlock blue or Rare ingredients.
Players have reported seeing progression notifications involving Rare materials such as CPUs or Printed Circuit Boards without finding a corresponding Rare ingredient-printing option.
Current community data does not establish a working Rare Ingredient Printing upgrade for these materials.
Do not assume that purchasing Uncommon Ingredient Printing will make CPUs, Printed Circuit Boards, or other Rare ingredients printable.
Likewise, the absence of those recipes is not enough to establish that your save or printer is bugged.
Until a separate printing method is confirmed, obtain Rare ingredients through available loot sources.
Is Uncommon Ingredient Printing Worth Unlocking?
For players who regularly craft equipment, Uncommon Ingredient Printing is a useful long-term FOB upgrade.
Its main advantage is allowing you to manufacture frequently needed ingredients from basic resources instead of depending entirely on finding them during deployments.
However, it may not be the best immediate purchase for every player.
Prioritize It If:
- You regularly craft armor, medical supplies, or backpacks.
- You have already collected most of the required materials.
- You want a more reliable source of Uncommon ingredients.
- You frequently use the FOB printer between deployments.
Consider Delaying It If:
- You are still struggling to collect five Comms Modules.
- Your cash reserve is limited.
- You rarely craft equipment.
- You have more urgent survival or storage upgrades to complete.
Before spending ₭50,000, consider how often you will use the printer and whether other upgrades would help your current progression more.
If your Stash is filling up while you save materials, see our MW4 DMZ Stash Full guide for inventory-management advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unlock Uncommon Ingredient Printing in MW4 DMZ?
Reach DMZ Player Level 2 to unlock the FOB 3D Printer, then purchase Uncommon Ingredient Printing using ₭50,000, 20 Biomaterials, 10 High-Tenacity Fibers, and five Comms Modules.
Is Uncommon Ingredient Printing a permanent upgrade?
Yes. It permanently expands the FOB 3D Printer's ingredient-manufacturing capabilities rather than providing a single-use craft.
What ingredients does it unlock?
Biomaterials, Reactive Metals, Electronic Sensors, Rigid Synthetics, Control Units, and Detonators.
Can I print Comms Modules with the Uncommon upgrade?
No. Comms Modules belong to the separate Epic Ingredient Printing tier.
Why can't I print Uncommon ingredients after reaching Level 2?
Level 2 unlocks the 3D Printer station, but you still need to purchase Uncommon Ingredient Printing separately.
Does the upgrade unlock Medkit and armor recipes?
Not automatically. Finished-equipment recipes can have separate level, Order, or extraction requirements.
Can I print CPUs or Printed Circuit Boards?
The current community data does not confirm a working Rare ingredient-printing tier for those materials. The Uncommon upgrade does not make them printable.
Do I need a blueprint for Uncommon Ingredient Printing?
The upgrade is purchased through the FOB 3D Printer using its listed materials and cash. Individual finished-equipment recipes may require separate unlocks.
Where should I farm Comms Modules?
Technology-related loot locations, computers, and server areas are useful places to investigate. For more specific locations, follow our MW4 DMZ Comms Module Farming Guide.
Why is an ingredient recipe unavailable after purchasing the upgrade?
Check that you are viewing the correct ingredient category and have enough basic resources to complete the craft. Purchasing the upgrade does not eliminate individual recipe costs.
Final Tips
Uncommon Ingredient Printing is a valuable long-term crafting upgrade in MW4 DMZ, but its progression requirements can be confusing.
The most important distinction is that unlocking the 3D Printer, unlocking ingredient printing, and unlocking finished-equipment recipes are separate steps.
Save your first five Comms Modules if this upgrade is your priority, collect the required Biomaterials and High-Tenacity Fibers, and purchase it once you can afford the ₭50,000 cost.
After unlocking it, use basic resources to manufacture the Uncommon ingredients needed for your preferred equipment recipes.
If blue or Rare ingredients remain unavailable, treat that as a separate progression question rather than assuming Uncommon Ingredient Printing has failed.
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