How It Works

Get Your Ideas Printed

3D Print Bounty is a marketplace connecting people who need 3D prints with skilled printers. Whether you have a ready-to-print STL file or just an idea, our community of makers can bring it to life.

01

For Buyers

Need something 3D printed? Here's how to get started.

Step 1

Post Your Project

Upload your 3D model files (STL, OBJ, 3MF) or describe what you need designed. Specify quantity, material preferences, colors, and deadline.

Step 2

Receive Bids

Verified printers submit competitive bids with detailed cost breakdowns. Review their ratings, past work, and choose the best fit.

Step 3

Secure Payment

Accept a bid and pay securely. Your funds are held in escrow until you confirm delivery and approve the quality of your print.

Step 4

Get It Delivered

Track your order from print to delivery. Once you receive and approve your print, the printer gets paid and you can leave a review.

02

For Printers

Have a 3D printer? Turn it into income by helping others bring their ideas to life.

Step 1

Create Profile

Sign up and set up your printer profile. List your equipment, materials you work with, and your location for shipping estimates.

Step 2

Browse & Bid

Browse available projects and submit competitive bids. Include a breakdown of material, printing, and shipping costs.

Step 3

Print & Ship

Once your bid is accepted, download the files and start printing. Upload progress photos and ship when complete.

Step 4

Get Paid

Once the buyer approves delivery, funds are released to your account. Build your reputation with positive reviews.

03

Trust & Safety

We've built protections to ensure a safe experience for everyone.

Escrow Protection

Payments are held securely until you confirm receipt and approve quality. Never worry about paying for work that doesn't meet expectations.

Reviews & Ratings

Every completed project can be reviewed. Build trust through transparent ratings and feedback from real transactions.

Direct Communication

Message printers directly to discuss details, ask questions, and get updates throughout the printing process.

04

Fees & Pricing

Transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Know exactly what you're paying for.

Platform Fee

We charge a 10% platform fee (minimum $2) on completed transactions. This fee covers payment processing, escrow protection, and platform maintenance.

  • Secure payment processing
  • Escrow protection until delivery
  • Dispute resolution support

What's Included

When you accept a bid, the price includes the print cost. Shipping is calculated and paid separately when the printer creates your shipping label.

  • Material and printing costs
  • Post-processing as specified
  • Shipping paid at label creation
05

Shipping

Integrated shipping with real-time tracking. We handle the logistics so you don't have to.

Label Generation

Once the print is ready, the printer generates a shipping label through our platform. We use EasyPost to find the best rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

Buyer Pays Shipping

Shipping costs are charged to the buyer when the label is created. This ensures you only pay for the exact shipping cost with no markup.

Real-Time Tracking

Track your package every step of the way. Get automatic updates when your print ships and when it's delivered.

Note: For local pickups or special shipping arrangements, you can coordinate directly with your printer through the messaging system.

06

Quality Control

Review your print before it ships. Our quality control process ensures you get exactly what you ordered.

Step 1

Photo Submission

Once printing is complete, the printer uploads photos and/or videos of your finished print for your review.

Step 2

Your Approval

Review the photos and either approve the work or request revisions if something doesn't look right.

Step 3

Request Revisions

Not satisfied? Request revisions and explain what needs to be fixed. Most projects allow up to 2 revision rounds.

Step 4

Ready to Ship

Once you approve, the printer creates your shipping label and sends your print on its way.

Auto-Approval: If you don't respond within 7 days of the printer submitting QC photos, the work is automatically approved to keep projects moving.

07

Issue Resolution

Things don't always go as planned. Here's how we help resolve issues after delivery.

7-Day Grace Period

After delivery confirmation, you have 7 days to inspect your print and report any issues. During this time, payment is held in escrow.

If everything looks good, the printer receives payment automatically after the grace period, or immediately when you confirm satisfaction.

Reporting Problems

If your print arrives damaged, doesn't match the QC photos, or has quality issues, you can open a dispute through your project page.

Provide photos of the issue and our team will review the case to determine the best resolution, which may include a refund or reprint.

Damaged in Transit

If your print arrives damaged, document it with photos. We'll work with the carrier and printer to resolve the issue.

Quality Issues

Print quality differs from QC photos? Report it within the 7-day window and we'll help mediate a solution.

Wrong Item

Received something different from what you ordered? Contact support immediately for a quick resolution.

Ready to Get Started?

Join thousands of makers and customers on 3D Print Bounty.

Free Materials Comparison Guide

Get our comprehensive guide comparing PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Nylon, and Resin. Make informed material choices for your 3D printing projects.

  • Material properties & best uses
  • Print settings recommendations
  • Cost comparison breakdown

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