After teasing us since last year about their imminent partnership, the office supply giant Staples, and the only manufacturer of 3D printers that use paper, Mcor, has finally, formally launched the Staples ‘myeasy3d’ service at the Inside 3d Printing Expo in San Jose.
Just in case you’ve never heard of Mcor Technologies, the company is the world’s only 3D printer manufacturer producing full-colour 3D printers using ordinary business letter paper as the build material.
Speaking about the service, Mcor Technologies co-founder and CEO Dr. Conor MacCormack said, “Although 3D printing is evolving on a similar path to 2D printing, there are no safe, full-colour, low-cost, high-quality 3D printers available on the market today that are suitable for true consumer in-home use. Until that time, consumers will look to service bureaux.”
A sentiment I completely agree with, actually. Many potential 3D printing users/customers will never buy their own printer. I still haven’t, but I have used other 3D print services (which I’d never heard of before finding them online), and I do think this service, with the strong and reputable brand attached, may well tip consumers over the 3D printing precipice and get them joining the party.
Wouter Van Dijk, president of the Staples Printing Systems Division in Europe adds: “Given our market leadership in commercial print, why would we ever stop at two dimensions?” But of course it’s not just consumers that are being targeted, “Customised parts, prototypes, art objects, architectural models, medical models and 3D maps are items customers need today, in a more affordable and more accessible manner. Mcor will help us to keep prices low, quality high and colour brilliant as we meet the demand.”
The service appears simple enough to use. Go to myeasy3D and one finds a clean modern site, allowing the customer to choose from a selection of 3D objects to print or the ability to upload their own in STL. OBJ and WRL formats. (NB. they must be zipped). Then just follow the instructions and wait for notification that your design has been printed…
Another interesting twist is that content creators can create their own store within Myeasy3d where you can upload and sell your own models to Staples customers. With monthly fees starting at completely free, and the chance to get your work in front of potentially thousands of credit card holding browsers daily(?) It’s certainly worth a look.
Staples Myeasy3d has is initially available in the Netherlands and Belgium and is expected to be rolled out quickly to other European countries.
Given Staples huge market share in print and supplies plus not forgetting their enormous bricks and mortar stores/warehouses all over the world, ‘myeasy3D’ has the potential to be the de-facto choice for consumers to get objects printed.
