Staples to offer instore 3d printing service

[Chunkford]

http://www.wired.com/design/2012/11/staples-goes-3-d/

A new service called "Staples Easy 3D" will allow customers to upload their designs to Staples' website, then pick up the printed objects at their local office supply megastore, or have them shipped to their home or business — not unlike the photo- and document-printing service the company already offers.

Still, the move by an established corporation to offer 3-D printing further legitimizes the adoption of the rapidly growing field by the mass market. Similar services currently exist, being offered by companies like Shapeways and Sculpteo, but this is the first to be made available from a chain retailer.

Staples Easy 3D will launch in the Netherlands and Belgium in the first quarter of 2013, and will be rolled out to other countries shortly afterword. No word yet on pricing or when it will reach the United States.

Be interesting to see how popular it will be.

[grnidone]

I wonder if they are doing this to show people that this sort of thing exists.....sort of to wet the appetite so people will buy the printers..

[grnidone]

A store in London printing 3D dolls that people can design themselves.  Just in time for Christmas...

http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/business/2012/12/06/mclaughlin-uk-digital-dolls.cnn