UPS offer 3D Printing
UPS to offer 3D Printing as a service in store
In a move that echoes that of the Color Company in the UK, UPS the international postal service are to offer 3D printing in a handful of their US stores. Mirroring the UK high street chain UPS have installed a Stratasys uPrint SE Plus, which is the same printer as used by the Color Company, though theirs is the rebadged HP Printer.
The UPS stores are the first nationwide retailer in the US to offer and instore 3D printing service, beginning in their San Diego store, the ‘Big Brown’ hope to roll the service out across the country.
The installation of the printer comes after a survey of small business owners conducted by the firm suggested there was high-interest in trying the services, particularly for those needing to create prototypes, artistic renderings or promotional materials.
"Start-ups, entrepreneurs and small business owners may not have the capital to purchase a 3D printer on their own, but they may have a need to show prototypes to their current and potential customers," said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and small business solutions at The UPS Store. "By offering 3D printing capabilities in-center, we're able to help further our small business customers' opportunities for success."
UPS say that with this Stratasys printer they will be equipped to produce items like engineering parts, functional prototypes, acting props, architectural models, fixtures for cameras, lights and cables.
The Color Company are yet to expand into other stores, so it will be interesting to see how quickly the shipping giants, UPS, do roll this out to other stores. It will also be interesting to compare the two’s pricing structure – UPS are yet to release details of their prices.
