Shapeways has announced the early access launch of a print-on-demand (PoD) feature on the 3D modeling platform Thangs. The platform was acquired by Shapeways in December 2024 and now serves as the basis for a modernized infrastructure for monetizing 3D designs. The PoD system allows selected designers to offer physical products directly through Thangs, which are produced and shipped via Shapeways’ industrial manufacturing infrastructure.
In the current phase, the activation is being carried out specifically for a small user group. The aim is to optimize onboarding and improve the user experience in the run-up to a broader opening. Production is carried out using established additive manufacturing processes such as selective laser sintering (SLS), multi-jet fusion (MJF) or metal casting. These technologies are usually cost-intensive and therefore difficult to access for individual creatives. Shapeways acts as a manufacturing service provider in the background, while Thangs acts as the interface to customers.
“We’re really happy to be launching the Print on Demand feature within Thangs already and make good on the ambitions we had from the very start of the journey. We are always mindful that the progress we want to see will take time, and we strive to put our customers first while driving developments forwards,” said Marleen Vogelaar, CEO of Shapeways. “This initial iteration of the Print on Demand button lets us prove out the system, learn from the implementation and ensure that we successfully reach the ultimate goal for this part of the journey: to bring back the full Shapeways Shop experience and strengthen the Thangs community by offering additional means to monetize on their designs and products.”
The merger of Thangs and Shapeways is intended to enable sustainable monetization for designers. Thangs already offers functions such as IP protection and structured model management, while Shapeways provides the manufacturing capacities. In later phases, a fully automated self-service model is planned.
“Shapeways gives creators the infrastructure they need to turn ideas into real-world products,” said Vogelaar. “We’re combining cutting-edge manufacturing with the dynamic community of Thangs to build something truly new for the 3D design economy.”
Further development is being carried out in close consultation with the design community and a specially established Shop Owner Council. The feedback from the early access program will flow directly into the technical and strategic design of the platform. In the long term, the aim is to create a scalable marketplace for professional 3D printed products.
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