Both plug into your store and dropship 3D printed products to your customers. They lean towards different products: everyday FDM goods at consumer prices versus jewellery and specialist materials.
Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Both are store-connected print on demand. 3DAPI is the fit for everyday FDM products at consumer prices, made near your buyers in 10+ regions; Shop3D for jewellery, precious metals, resin and specialist materials.
| 3DAPI | Shop3D | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Online sellers fulfilling consumer products to buyers in many countries | Jewellery, miniatures and premium-material products |
| Model | Print on demand fulfillment, every store order made and shipped automatically | Print on demand plugin for online stores |
| Where orders are made | 30+ production centers in 10+ regions, the one nearest your buyer | Not publicly listed; says it manufactures locally and fulfills worldwide |
| Store integrations | Shopify connects through ShipStation for now, and a direct Shopify connection is coming soon. Etsy, Amazon, eBay and WooCommerce connect through ShipStation, plus an API. | Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce |
| Processes | FDM 3D printing | Metal casting (gold, platinum, silver), steel, resin, SLS nylon; 200+ materials |
| Inventory and minimums | None and no minimums, with optional regional Stock for bestsellers | None and no minimums |
| Pricing | Pay per order: production price plus shipping. Free plan available | No sign-up or monthly fees, pay per order |
Shop3D is a print on demand plugin run by 3DC Ltd in London. It connects to Shopify, Etsy and WooCommerce: you upload a 3D model (.stl or .obj), offer it in your store, and Shop3D manufactures and dropships each order to your customer, with no sign-up or monthly fees.
Its range leans towards high-value and specialist materials, including jewellery cast in gold, platinum and sterling silver, plus resin, SLS nylon and steel. It says it offers over 200 materials and targets jewellery, tabletop miniatures, museums and games merchandise.
A direct competitor in the store-connected lane: no inventory, no minimums, and orders dropshipped to your customer automatically.
3DAPI is built for everyday consumer products made with FDM at consumer prices: toys, decor, props, organizers and accessories. Each order is made in the production center nearest the buyer, across 10+ regions, and ships locally.
It also adds tools for running a larger plastic catalog: optional regional Stock so bestsellers ship faster and cost less per unit.
If your product is jewellery, or needs precious metals, steel, fine resin detail or any of a wide range of specialist materials, Shop3D covers ground 3DAPI does not. 3DAPI does not offer metal casting or resin printing.
For jewellery brands, miniature makers and museum or games merchandise in premium materials, Shop3D is the better fit.
No. 3DAPI focuses on FDM 3D printing for consumer products. For precious metals, steel or resin, a service like Shop3D is the better choice.
Yes. Shop3D connects to Shopify, Etsy and WooCommerce. With 3DAPI, Shopify connects through ShipStation for now, and a direct Shopify connection is coming soon. Etsy, Amazon, eBay and WooCommerce connect through ShipStation.
3DAPI is built for them: FDM production at consumer prices, made near your buyer in 10+ regions, with bulk catalog import and optional regional Stock for bestsellers.
Details about Shop3D come from its public website and industry coverage, last reviewed September 2026. Services and prices change; check with Shop3D before deciding. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.
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