Necklace offered as part of Celestial collection.
Shapeways has been at the forefront of consumer 3D printing, growing the become the largest provider of its kind. Over a million creators have used the print services to produce 10 million products ranging from bobble heads to mechanical components. Offering the ability to print in more than 40 different materials and finishes, their services have become known for the variety of products and ease of use.
Building on that, Shapeways also offers products of their own design. These products have proven popular time and again because they combine quality design with mass customization options. In that vein, Shapeways has just released its latest offering in the form of a jewelry line named Spring & Wonder, initially announced in April.
This line is comprised of three different collections: Signature, Celestial, and Geometric, each of which offers a variety of customization options, including the ability to print in silver, 14K gold, 14K rose gold, brass and bronze.
The Spring & Wonder line builds upon the fascination that the modern public has for the personalization made possible through 3D printing. The Celestial collection presents a series of pieces based on symbolic shapes of stars, moons, and planets each of which can be inscribed with initials or zodiac signs at the discretion of the buyer. The Geometric collection provides the same ability to personalize but in geometric forms, while the Signature collection is all about the individual with a necklace, earrings, and a signet ring whose design is based on the letters of the purchaser’s choice, their own name for example.
Necklace as part of Signature collection.
Much like the fascination with monogramming used to be, 3D printing services with customization options are providing people with the ability to exercise some control over what they purchase, making it their own, but without having to design a piece from the ground up. What has made Shapeways so popular is not just that they offer this type of product interaction, but that it is a simple one touch system that allows people to easily participate. The Spring & Wonder line demonstrates how Shapeways enables accessible, customizable, and consumer-facing capabilities via 3D modeling and printing. As Greg Kress, CEO of Shapeways, explained:
“Shapeways has developed a sophisticated back-end of production, distribution, and supply chain fulfillment network, so we’re eager to expand our software services to brands looking to take advantage of mass personalization via 3D modeling and printing technology. With this simple software extension, we’re offering brands the opportunity to empower their customers to create truly one-of-a-kind products at affordable prices.”
Rings from Spring & Wonder line printed in a variety of different materials.
It is this niche between off the rack and bespoke that is being so successfully filled and at prices ranging from $45 USD to $350, making it accessible to a large portion of the public.
These designs, simple and elegant with a touch of the individual, will appeal to a broad audience and promise to be just the beginning of Shapeways’ in-house showcase brands to be released in the coming months.
Discuss Shapeways, jewelry, and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your comments below.
[Images provided by Shapeways]