Plenty of 3D printing marketplaces have cropped up over the past couple of years, some attempting to compete with large service bureaus like Shapeways, Sculpteo, and i.materialise and others offering their own unique approach to the printable e-commerce. The biggest trend to hit 3D printing marketplaces this year is 3D printed branding, with sites like Things3D and Source3 focusing on big brands looking to sell 3D printable characters from movies, TV, and video games. A new Finnish site called Launzer.com has jumped into the branding scene, hoping to put the Finnishing touch on the concept.
After competing in the Slush 2014 pitch competition, Launzer has launched its beta site. Though it didn’t make it to the finals, Launzer is already on a roll with its 3D printing marketplace, allowing you “to Launz* [launch/3D print] your favourite items from games, TV and design into your home.” Billing itself as a “3D printed fan merchandise”, the startup behind Launzer, 3D Online Factory Ltd, has already made partnerships with 3D printing designers Salokannel and Colors of Birch. Their biggest partnership might be MTV3’s The Dibidogs, a cartoon that has over 50 million viewers worldwide.
Looking at items sold by those brands, you’ll see customizable jewelry, full-color toys, and other goods that can either be 3D printed for you via a printing service or you can download them and 3D print them yourself. By using their services, you’re opened up to a wide variety of print processes and materials, including full-color sandstone and ceramics.
Less exposed to the brands in the Finnish part of the world, I’m not sure how Launzer will fair against Things3D and Source3, but given that those cartoon doggies are aired in 28 different countries, mostly in Asia, I wouldn’t be surprised if they can establish themselves as a leading marketplace in Asia.
