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Most of the more than 200 items available on the
company's new 3D printed products store, which launched on
Monday, can be customized using a new feature that allows users
to rotate and change the item they are viewing.
Before it is printed by one of Amazon's sellers, users can
customize a product like as a bobble head figure by changing its
skin and eye color, hair style and outfit, Amazon said.
"The customization is something we're keenly interested in,"
said Petra Schindler-Carter, director for Amazon marketplace
sales, speaking in an interview. "We'll always look for new
applications for that."
Amazon, which has more than 240 million users, has expanded its
marketplaces division to include new areas such as fine art and
wine. It is part of Amazon's larger investment into new areas
like mobile services and original content that led to its
larger-than-expected second-quarter loss last week.
The new printing option taps into a broader "Maker movement"
among tech entrepreneurs in northern California, and to some
extent Europe, that is focused on customizing 3D objects rather
than development software or mobile applications.
3D printers have gained in popularity on Amazon Supply, a
wholesale site for businesses. That interest led Amazon to offer
customers an 3D print option, Schindler-Carter said.
(Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
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