Licensing & Print Requests
Behind every 3D model there is a designer — and a licence that decides what may be done with it. We take those licences seriously. Here is a plain-language guide to the licence types you'll come across, what we're allowed to print for you, and what happens when a model is marked non-commercial.
In short: Found a model we don't carry yet? Send us the link. If the licence allows print-on-demand, we'll print it. If it doesn't, we'll personally ask the designer for permission — and we only print once we have it.
Why licences matter
A 3D model is a creative work, just like a photograph or a piece of music. The designer decides whether others may only print it privately, whether it may be modified, and whether anyone may earn money from it. That decision is published as a licence alongside the model on the platforms where designers share their work.
For a printing service like us that means we can't simply print and sell any file we like. And we wouldn't want to. Designers are the reason this shop exists at all — you can see the ones we already work with on our designers page.
Where the models live
These are the platforms our customers send us links from. Each one shows the licence directly on the model page, usually near the download button or in the sidebar.
- MakerWorldBambu Lab's platform
- Printablesby Prusa
- Thingiversethe original library
- Cults3Dindependent designers
- MyMiniFactorycommercial licences available
- CGTraderprofessional marketplace
The licence types at a glance
Most models carry a Creative Commons licence. The name is a combination of building blocks — click any licence below to read the official text.
CC0 — Public domain
The designer waives all rights. The model may be printed, modified and sold freely. No restrictions.
CC BY — Attribution
Commercial use is allowed as long as the designer is credited. We credit them on every product, always.
CC BY-SA — Share alike
Same as CC BY. If we modify the model, the modified version has to carry the same licence.
CC BY-ND — No derivatives
Printing and selling is fine, but only unmodified. We adjust print settings, never the geometry.
CC …-NC — Non-commercial
The designer allows private printing but no selling. We can't print it as-is — but we can ask.
Platform standard licence
On Cults3D, MyMiniFactory or CGTrader this is often "personal use only". Selling requires a commercial licence — which we can buy.
Commercial licence
Sold or granted by the designer, explicitly covering the sale of printed objects. Sometimes capped by unit count.
No licence stated
No licence means all rights reserved. Without written permission from the designer, we don't print.
What this means for your order
| Licence on the model | Can we print it? | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| CC0 | Yes, right away | Straight into production |
| CC BY / BY-SA / BY-ND | Yes, right away | Designer credited on the product |
| CC BY-NC and all NC variants | Only with permission | We contact the designer for you |
| Platform standard licence (personal) | Only with an upgrade | We purchase the commercial licence |
| Designer's own licence / EULA | Depends on the terms | We read them and clarify |
| No licence stated | Not without asking | We approach the designer directly |
Non-commercial? Write to us anyway.
A "non-commercial" tag on a model page isn't a final no — it's a default many designers set without ever having been asked. In our experience, plenty of them say yes when someone asks politely and respects their work.
- You send us the linkTo the model on MakerWorld, Printables, Cults3D, Thingiverse or wherever you found it.
- We check the licenceWe read the exact terms — including the fine print in the description, where designers often grant additional permissions.
- We contact the designerPersonally, with your specific request. We ask for clearance to print on demand — against a share, a licence fee, or whatever the designer considers fair.
- You get a clear answerA yes with price and lead time, or an honest no. We don't print anything we're not allowed to print.
This is how our catalogue was built
Every designer on our shelves went through exactly this process: we asked, we agreed on terms, they said yes. Their work is grouped by name so you can browse a maker rather than a category.
Frequently asked
I already bought the model myself. Can you print it for me?
Not automatically. Your purchase usually gives you the right to print the file yourself — not to hand it to a service provider. Send us the link to the model and we'll clarify whether a printing service is covered or whether we need a separate licence.
How long does a designer enquiry take?
Usually a few days to two weeks, depending on how quickly the designer replies. We get back to you as soon as we hear something — and also if we hear nothing.
Does the print cost more if a licence has to be bought?
It can. If a commercial licence or a designer share applies, you'll see it transparently in the quote before you order. We don't add hidden surcharges.
I'm a designer myself. How does my model get into the shop?
We'd love that. Get in touch — we'll discuss compensation, credit and whatever terms matter to you. You stay in control of your work, and you'll join the makers on our designers page.
Can you modify a model for me?
That depends on the licence. Under ND licences (no derivatives) we may not alter the geometry. Under other licences smaller adjustments are often possible — just ask.
Found a model? We'll handle the rest.
Send us the link — we check the licence, obtain the designer's clearance if needed, and come back to you with a concrete quote.
Request a model