Whether you're a hobbyist, a designer, or simply a curious explorer in the vast world of 3D printing, Intagly provides a user-friendly platform that caters to both unique and common printing needs. Understanding the difference between a custom print and a catalog item is crucial to utilizing the platform effectively. This blog post aims to highlight these differences and guide you on how best to utilize each option.
Intagly's catalog is populated with 3D models created and uploaded by various operators within the Intagly community. Each item has been meticulously designed and built by an operator, ready to be selected and customized according to your preferences.
For instance, consider the Android keychain listed on the site. An operator, after signing up on Intagly.com, designed this item and uploaded it to the catalog for the community to access. As a user, you can choose the quantity, select your preferred color, and simply add it to your cart to proceed to checkout.
Custom prints on Intagly.com offer a different kind of flexibility. This option is based on the assumption that you already have a specific 3D file that you wish to print.
Perhaps what you're looking for isn't listed in the catalog, or you have sourced a particular design online or had one custom-made by a designer. In such instances, you can take your .STL file, upload it to Intagly, customize it as you please, and Intagly will handle the rest, printing your design and shipping it right to your doorstep.
The decision between a custom print and a catalog item depends largely on your specific needs. If you're seeking a unique design that is not available in the catalog, the custom print option is your go-to. However, if you're looking for a tried and tested design and wish to avoid the hassle of sourcing or creating a 3D model, the catalog offers a plethora of options.
Remember, before downloading files online, it's crucial to ensure the file is in .STL format as Intagly's slicing technology currently supports only this format. Furthermore, be careful to download only copyright-free files that don't contain copyrighted material you don't own.