MakerBot Adds UglyDoll Collectibles to Their Digital Store

Last month when Makerbot introduced the Mr. Snuffleupagus design to their digital store, it marked the very first licensed brand, Seasame Street, to partner with the consumer 3D printer brand. It was clear, however, that this was a major stepping stone towards integrating brand names and designs into their 3D printing business model. We all knew it was coming, a time when companies could monetize their brands by selling digital files, rather than tangible objects.

Today Makerbot has announced yet another major additional to their Digital Store. This time it’s the UglyDoll brand. The company, Pretty Ugly LLC, which was launched in 2001, after co-founder David Horvath wrote a love letter to his friend Sun-Min Kim, when her Student Visa had expired and she had to move back home. In the letter David wrote, “Working hard to make our dreams come true so we can be together again soon,” and next to the writing he drew a cartoon character of ‘Wage’, the very first Uglydoll. Kim in turn sewed her own doll, to the likeness of the ‘Wage’ character that David had drawn, and sent it David as a surprise. This launched what is now a major brand, with well over 200 different dolls available to fans.

The 4 UglyDoll Characters Available

“We are so excited to offer Uglydoll 3D printed content in the MakerBot Digital Store,” said Makerbot’s President, Jenny Lawton. “The story behind the creation of the Uglydoll characters by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim showcases how creativity can positively impact lives.”

Inititally four dolls will be made available for download in the Makerbot Digital Store. These include Babo, OX, Wage, and Ice-Bat, with additional environments, such as the Uglydoll tour bus, coming later this summer.

“Sun-Min and I have been fans of 3D printing for a while,” stated David Hovarth. “Taking Uglydoll into the world of 3D printing seems like a natural extension for our Uglydoll characters.”

All four dolls are available via download for a price of just $1.99 a piece, or $4.99 for all four files. Makerbot states that the files are compaitble with all Makerbot Replicate 2 printers, as well as the new Makerbot Mini and fifth edition Replicators. The dolls will each take approximately three to four hours to print, and are all around 9-11cm in height.

It will certainly be interesting to see what other companies Makerbot teams with to introduce new designs to their Digital Store. Do you plan to purchase any of these latest designs? If you do please take some photos and post them in the UglyDoll forum thread at 3DPB.com