Amazon Steps Up Innovation With 3D Printed Products
By Megan Zielinski, contributing writer
Amazon introduced its new 3D Printed Products store, enabling customers to create customized products from over 200 designs including jewelry, dog tags, miniature swords, decorative vases, and replica bobble head figures. The new store is one of the largest online 3D sites featuring easy search tools, engaging 3D performances, and a unique personalization widget.
The newly-launched store includes the customer in the complete crafting process of their product with the 3D preview function, allowing customers to make modifications at every angle with an immersive 360 degree rotation preview of their product. Customers can choose the materials, size, colors, styles, and include further personalization with image imprints and text. Once the product is perfected and purchased, the 3D manufacturer prints and ships the product to the creator’s doorstep. “Amazon’s deep understanding of customers coupled with Sculpteo’s fast, high-quality manufacturing process offers an unprecedented level of product possibilities for customers. With 3D printing, a customer’s wants are no longer limited to what is in stock but instead by what they can imagine,” said Clément Moreau, CEO and co-founder of Sculpteo, a partnering manufacturer with Amazon.
At the Amazon 3D Products store, customers can choose from a wide selection of templates to add their own twist. For around $40, customers can find items, including the diamond-designed iPhone 5 case, 3D Miniature Bulldog model, and ‘Create Your Own’ 3D printed bobble heads. More elaborate pieces such as the exclusive 3D printed metal bracelet “Circles,” in smooth gold-plated matte is available for $175, and the Minishake lamp pendant priced at $299. John Hauer, Co-Founder and CEO of 3DLT states, “Amazon has a history of valuing innovation and 3D printing has the potential to evolve manufacturing in general and consumer products specifically. By embracing this opportunity and offering a diverse catalog of 3D printed products, Amazon has positioned itself to be one of the first mainstream retailers in this growing and exciting space.”
The new Amazon 3D Products store opens up future prospects for sellers, manufacturers, and designers worldwide. “The 3D Printed Products store allows us to help sellers, designers and manufacturers reach millions of customers while providing a fun and creative customer experience to personalize a potentially infinite number of products at great prices across many product categories,” said Petra Schindler-Carter, Amazon.