Amazon has always been an etailer that sets standards for the other players n the industry with innovations like one click purchases to one day deliveries.Now, it is all set to take the term “on –demand” to another level by starting a 3D printing store where the user can select and customize products that are then 3D printed and delivered to the customer. As per the announcements made by Amazon, the company says, “The new store will feature fun and easy-to-use design templates for customers to put their individual style on an item they create and 3D preview capability to enhance the customer experience. With the 3D product preview function, customers will be able to 360 degree rotate a virtual model of a product to tailor the item from every angle. After an item is personalized and the customer has finished the checkout process, the item is 3D printed on-demand by a manufacturing provider and shipped directly to the customer.”
Amazon is collaborating with several 3D printing companies such as Mixee, Sculpteo and 3DLT that would make cool, unique and customizable products for the company which would later sell these products in the new online store. The most hip part of this website is that customers can edit the products according to their needs. These changes can be brought about in the color, size and in some cases the designs of the product. The store covers a wide range of items such as jewelry and trinkets, iPhone cases, bobblehead dolls (even ones that, with a little customization, can look like you), home decor and accessories, toys and art pieces. But not all things on the catalogue is being made available to the customer is via 3D printing. The good news is that most of the products that have been flaunted on this site cost less than $40 whereas the jewelry often retails for $100 or more.
The Director of Marketplace Sales in Amazon, Petra Schindler-Carter says, “The introduction of our 3D printed products store suggests the beginnings of a shift in online retail — that manufacturing can be more nimble to provide an immersive customer experience. Sellers, in alignment with designers and manufacturers, can offer more dynamic inventory for customers to personalize and truly make their own.”
The Mixee Labs which is one of the companies that would be outsourcing their 3D items to Amazon pointed that the customization as a key feature for the 3D printed marketplace has a lot of potential to change the way people shop and also would boost the present trend of acquiring personalized items. The co – founder of Mixee Labs Nancy Liang says, “The personalization widget empowers customers to make something unique in seconds without knowing how to 3D model. Customization gives customers the power to remix their world, and we want to change the way people shop online. It also makes the shopping experience more fun, creative and personal.”
Amazon has not only opened the way for new entrepreneurs but has also unlocked the creative bend of mind of the customers by making the product ready for customization.
Image Credit: Amazon.com/3dp