The Right One
The rise in popularity surrounding 3D printing in recent decades has resulted in various developments, including more affordable desktop printers and online stores selling exclusively 3D printed items.
These stores that print and sell 3D objects offer a huge range of products, from jewelry to functional items, customized gifts to gaming parts.
Note that this article focuses on sites that have a store where you can buy the physical object, not the files to 3D print that object. If you’re interested in files, you can check out our 50 best free sites for 3D models. There are also articles specific to tabletop (game) models, low-poly models, action figures, and many more.
Alternatively, if you’d like to get something 3D printed but can’t, consider outsourcing your production to a 3D printing service. With Craftcloud, you’ll see the full spectrum of available materials and finishes!
Now, before we get into the best stores for all things 3D printed, we’ll need to go over how we chose the cream of the crop.
What to Look For
When searching for 3D printing stores, there are some things to look out for:
- Specialization: What kinds of items does the store primarily sell?
- Pricing: Are the products affordable or reasonably priced?
- Purchasing: How easy is this process? Do you need to create an account? What methods of payment are accepted?
- Shipping and delivery times: Is the shipping and delivery times reasonable? Is shipping available globally?
Now that we know what’s important, let’s get to the list!
i.Materialise
i.Materialise sells a range of 3D printed jewelry, gadgets, and home decor, plus a smaller selection of scale models, fashion accessories, and games.
Their products are high quality, and this tends to come with higher prices compared to other stores, as most items are metal-based.
When ordering, you can see both shipping and delivery times. The standard delivery time for purchases is between 8 and 20 business days, while transit shipping for objects is 1-5 days.
Factors such as location can impact overall delivery time. Furthermore, because the company is located in Europe, it may be longer for customers in other countries. However, with UPS My Choice, customers are able to track and manage their orders. For those in Europe, the company also offers in-store pick-ups (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, France, and Luxembourg).
To order from their website, customers can, but aren’t required, to create an account. You can pay using Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal.
- Products: Gadgets, jewelry, home decor, fashion, games, art, DIY, and models
- Price: Expensive
- Ease of ordering: Easy
- Shipping: Fast
Shapeways
Shapeways mainly sells parts, game-related objects, and miniatures (like ships and trains). There’s a more limited selection for objects in categories like jewelry, art, home decor, and accessories.
With Shapeways’ variety of high-quality products available, there’s a wide range of prices.
Based in New York, Shapeways offers customers different manufacturing and shipping options. Depending on what’s chosen, delivery time varies. For example, with priority options selected, manufacturing time is reduced. Additionally, customers can expedite shipping to one to two days for a higher price.
To check out and purchase objects, customers can sign up with email or continue as a guest. You have the option to pay with a credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer.
- Products: Home decor, jewelry, tech, miniatures, accessories, and games
- Price: Average
- Ease of ordering: Easy
- Shipping: Varies depending on service selection
Etsy
Etsy provides users with many choices, as there are several stores that sell their own 3D printed objects. Many are focused on selling art and accessories or props and cosplay products.
Prices on Etsy vary widely depending on the seller and the products they sell. Fortunately, many vendors sell their products at reasonable prices with the exception of a few objects. Additionally, shipping is free for many of the objects.
Shipping on Etsy is comparably faster than other companies, though it depends on the vendor. Thankfully, deliveries aren’t attached to burdensome shipping costs.
Customers have the flexibility to pay with a number of credit and debit cards or PayPal. Additionally, customers are not required to register with Etsy and can make purchases as a guest.
Below, we’ve highlighted five stores that are exceptional, though it’s not an exhaustive list, by any means.
3D Central
- Website: 3DCentral
- Products: Cosplay props, toys, and games
- Price: Expensive
- Ease of ordering: Easy
- Shipping: Fast
I am Foss Custom Prints
- Website: I am Foss
- Products: 3D printer parts and wands
- Price: Average
- Ease of ordering: Easy
- Shipping: Fast
Quick Prints 3D
- Website: QuickPrints3D
- Products: Woodworking tools and random accessories
- Price: Expensive
- Ease of ordering: Easy
- Shipping: Average
Cammy 3D Prints
- Website: Cammy3DPrints
- Products: Miniatures (from series like Pokémon, Marvel, and Star Wars)
- Price: Average
- Ease of ordering: Easy
- Shipping: Slow
Dungeon Miniatures 3D
- Website: DungeonMiniatures3D
- Products: Mythical creature miniatures
- Price: Inexpensive
- Ease of ordering: Easy
- Shipping: Slow
Kraftwurx
Primarily known for its 3D printed artwork, home decor, and jewelry, KraftWurx offers a variety of options to purchase. The company also sells several gadgets.
Kraftwurx’s products tend to have higher prices in comparison to other 3D stores. However, customers have the flexibility to choose what material their purchase is printed in. Depending on the material, the prices of the product can drastically change. For example, choosing to purchase a plastic product instead of a metal one has the potential to cut the price in half.
According to its website, Kraftwurx works to save their customers money on shipping and tariffs. Their website describes how the company makes sure to produce objects as close to its customers as possible, possibly reducing shipping time by up to 10 days.
To purchase, you can pay through several methods, including PayPal, debit and credit cards, and Apple Pay. Like other stores, customers aren’t required to create an account to purchase a product but do have the option to.
- Products: Artwork, home decor, jewelry, automotive parts, and gadgets
- Price: Expensive
- Ease of ordering: Decent
- Shipping: Fast
Manubim
Manubim is another company that sells custom 3D printed gifts. Using templates on their site, customers can personalize, customize, and purchase products like keychains, phone holders, and cookie cutters.
Manubim offers affordable prices for their products. However, depending on how customers personalize their purchases, prices can increase or decrease. Also, shipping prices can largely impact the final amount of the purchase. For example, purchasing from the United States is far more expensive than purchasing from Hungary (where Manubim is based).
Customers can pay through their bank and credit cards (MasterCard and Visa), PayPal, or bank transfer. Manubin also doesn’t require customers to create any accounts to purchase products.
- Products: Home decor, phone accessories, lithophane photos, and keychains
- Price: Expensive
- Ease of ordering: Decent
- Shipping: Slow
Lead image source: 3D Central via Etsy