ZVerse Finding Big Success with 3D Printing Selfie Kiosks in Stadiums, Williams-Brice Next

3D printing has offered a lot to the wide world of sports–from allowing a versatile range of equipment to be 3D printed to unleashing enormous opportunity in retail markets for figurines, trophies, and more–not to mention offering companies a way to expand marketing and branding broadly. To enjoy the benefits of 3D printing, generally the starting point is creativity.

Now, sports fans can mix both their fun and creative spirit, while walking away with a memento after an event at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC where there will be a 3D printing kiosk that should be a big hit considering the energy levels produced at sporting events, and often the desire to remember the day or night spent having a great time with friends and families, while in attendance watching favorite teams. Home to the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, this stadium holds a capacity of over 80,000 fans.

While 3D printing may be new to some of the fans, selfies are certainly not–and this technology, sitting front and center, should draw a crowd for sure. Made by 3D printing solution company ZVerse, the 3D printing selfie kiosk will allow fans to pop in for a headshot which can then be integrated into the 3D printed figurine of their choice, allowing them to mix and match and choose:

• Home, away, alternate uniforms
• Name and number of jersey, pants, gloves, accessories
• Body skin tone
• Three different poses, including quarterback

Each figurine costs $69 and arrives to the purchaser in around a week. ZVerse offers the keepsakes online as well, allowing users to upload a picture in 2D.

“The photo booth is about as ultimate and instant customization as it gets,” ZVerse co-founder & CRO Kevin Maloney said. “It’s kind of like you’re playing PlayStation.”

Speaking of gaming, this is one of the other areas in which companies have really caught on to the idea of using 3D printing as a branding tool as the progressive technology is one readily accepted by consumers who are either curious about learning what it is about or already know and are on board. The younger generations need little convincing as digital design and the 3D printer are part of their creative paradigm already with gaming teams using their own 3D printers to make trophies, medals, and more.

Sports teams are also able to take the same creative license, whether in formal marketing situations or in allowing schools and groups to take on the self-sustainability angle and benefit of making motivational items on their own at much less expense and without having to wait for a middle-man to manufacture customized team items.

“We believe the in-venue photo booths, along with the online component, are going to be a huge five-year opportunity outside of the traction we’ve already seen with the 3D printing of stadiums,” said Maloney. “It’s all about branding. The schools love it because we’re helping to modernize their brand.”

Likening the 3D scanning process to a game most certainly would be a good selling point for this target market too, which joins 36 other collegiate licenses being held by ZVerse for their kiosks, including Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, and Penn State.

Maloney and his team have had the greatest success so far with their kiosks in the stadium atmosphere, but they plan to keep expanding, with plans to work with professional sports and college organizations to run 3D printing websites. Maloney said that concept will be developed within the next 24 months. In the meantime, Gamecocks fans will have a new element of excitement and fun–as well as exposure to the technology and power of 3D printing–during and around game times.

Have you seen 3D kiosks at any recent sports venues you’ve visited? Discuss your thoughts on this new trend in the 3D Printing Selfie Kiosks in Stadiums forum thread over at 3DPB.com.