At GotStuffUK, every 3D printed collectible starts with a digital design. It then goes through a detailed production process before becoming a finished display piece. The process involves preparing the model, setting up the 3D printer, cleaning and preparing the print, and hand painting. There is much more involved than simply pressing print. In this behind-the-scenes look, we’ll show you how our 3D printed collectibles go from digital design to finished display pieces.
How 3D Printed Collectibles Are Made: From Digital Design to Print
Every collectible begins as a carefully selected 3D digital model. Before printing starts, we prepare the model for our printers. This includes choosing the correct size, orientation and print settings. Depending on the design, we may print the collectible as one piece or several individual parts. We then assemble the separate parts to create the complete model.
We use our own 3D printers to produce our collectibles. This allows us to control the printing process from start to finish. For example, larger and more detailed pieces can take many hours to print. During this time, the printer builds the model layer by layer until the physical piece is complete.
One of our 3D printers at work producing new pieces at GotStuffUK.
From the Printer to Preparation
Once a print is complete, the work is far from finished. We remove each piece from the printer and carefully check it before preparation begins. Depending on the model, we may remove supports, clean the print and assemble separate parts. We then prepare the surface for finishing and painting.
This stage is particularly important for detailed collectibles. For this reason, we carefully check small features, textures and intricate areas. This helps preserve the character and detail of the original design before we apply any paint.
From Preparation to Hand Painting
Once the model has been cleaned, checked and prepared, it is ready for the painting process. This is where the plain 3D print begins to develop its finished appearance and individual character.
Depending on the collectible, we use different colours, shades and finishing techniques to bring out the details. Rather than applying one flat colour, we can gradually build up the paint. This helps highlight features, create contrast and make smaller details stand out.
In particular, hand painting is important on detailed pieces. Faces, armour, clothing, mechanical parts and textured surfaces can all contain a large amount of detail.
We work on each piece individually. As a result, the painting and finishing process can vary considerably from one model to another.
After preparation and hand painting, the details and character of the finished collectible really begin to stand out.
The Difference Hand Painting Makes
Hand painting transforms the appearance of a 3D printed model. Some details can be difficult to notice on the original unpainted print. Adding colour, shading and highlights makes these details much more prominent.
In addition, we can pick out different areas of the model individually. This helps armour panels, facial details, mechanical components and textured surfaces stand apart from one another.
We finish our painted collectibles individually by hand. The process involves much more than simply reproducing a model from a 3D printer. We spend time bringing out the details of each piece to create a finished collectible ready for display.
The amount of painting required depends on the size and complexity of the model. Some pieces use relatively simple colour schemes. Others require much more detailed work and several stages of painting and finishing.
How Our 3D Printed Collectibles Are Made
What begins as a digital design gradually becomes a physical display piece through printing, preparation and finishing. Every stage plays an important part. We aim for a clean, detailed print before preparing the surface and bringing the model to life with colour.
At GotStuffUK, we produce a wide variety of 3D printed collectibles. These range from character-inspired pieces and detailed busts to gothic, horror and unusual display ornaments. We supply some pieces in their printed finish. We individually hand paint many others to create the finished appearance you see across our collection.
Because we produce our collectibles ourselves, we can also offer Print on Demand for many designs. If something you like is currently out of stock, we may still be able to print another one. This means it doesn’t necessarily disappear permanently from the range.
“This means it doesn’t necessarily disappear permanently from the range.”
Selling Your Own 3D Printed Products?
If you also sell your own 3D printed products, product safety and technical documentation are important parts of the manufacturing process. We’ve put together a practical guide covering UKCA and CE marking, toy safety, risk assessments and technical files for 3D printing businesses and makers.
Read our guide: Selling 3D Printed Products in the UK: UKCA, CE & Toy Safety Guide →
Discover Our 3D Printed Collectibles
If you’ve enjoyed seeing how we make our 3D printed collectibles, take a look through the GotStuffUK collection. You’ll find more of our finished pieces there.
For example, our collection includes unusual display ornaments, gothic designs and character-inspired collectibles.We’re regularly printing, painting and adding new pieces to the collection.