3D Printing Suddenly Becoming Mainstream? Amazon Opens Online 3D Printing Store

It was just this past autumn that MakerBot opened a 3D printing retail outlet, and the New York store was a first of its kind (a novelty, or a marvel) for those who are into this emerging technology. Staples also recently added Cube 3D printers to its inventory, and suddenly, things have gotten significantly more mainstream for 3D printing, as Amazon opened up a 3D printing section of its online megastore.

The “3D Printers and Supplies”page is actually nestled under the Industrial & Scientific--> Additive Manufacturing Products subsection, but the whole area is dedicated to 3D printers, their parts and accessories, and print media.

Amazon 3D printing

There are 29 printers in the stable as of now, including the familiar MakerBot Replicator 2 ($2,479.49). The priciest unit is the drool-worthy fabbster 3D Printer Model 11-1 ($3,000, fully assembled), and the Cubify Cube 3D Printer (2nd-gen) has been deeply discounted from $1,399 to $1,099.99, if you’re looking for a deal. At least one product, from Afinia, can be purchased in a bundle with print media and shaping tools.

MakerBot 2
MakerBot Replicator 2

And of course, there’s a variety of accessories such as tape, printing plates, shaping tools, and loads of filament.

Amazon sells pretty much everything under the sun, so the fact that it offers 3D printers and supplies doesn’t mean that the technology is as commonplace as paper printers and supplies, but it is a major step forward.