Staples and Mcor Partner to Bring 3D Printing Systems to Copy Centers

  • Currently, 3D printing is far from mainstream adoption, but a new partnership between retailer Staples and Mcor, the maker of the IRIS color 3D printing system, could make the technology more available to consumers.
  • The Staples Printing Division will roll out 3D printing first in Belgium and the Netherlands during Q1 2013 and then “quickly” expand to other countries, the company said. Fabbaloo suggests that the printers will likely only be located at central print shops initially, but eventually every Staples print center will have the equipment.
  • “Those with printable 3D models can merely upload them to Staples’ website, where they will be transformed into full color 3D objects with Mcor’s new IRIS paper-based 3D printers,” the post explains. “Printed models will be sent to your local Staples or directly to your address.”
  • “One issue facing Staples will be the influx of customers attempting to 3D print models that are in fact, unprintable,” the post continues. “Staples and Mcor should develop some process or filter that ensures the success rate of printing is high, otherwise the service could be in jeopardy.”
  • The Mcor IRIS device is based on paper printing and as Staples is a paper company, “it’s a totally natural fit,” the post suggests.
  • “The implications of this move are truly enormous, as it will go a very long way to opening up 3D printing for all. Staples is a massive brand with an astonishing capacity for advertising compared to any 3D printing company,” Fabbaloo writes. “Many more people will know about 3D printing as a result of this deal.”

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