What 3DAPI is, how the channels work, and how to get started.
10 articles3DAPI is a distributed 3D print-on-demand service that handles the entire fulfillment side for sellers and designers. This is achieved through a global network of manufacturing nodes, and includes manufacturing, logistics and shipping services.
You connect your store or sell through our website, and 3DAPI routes production to the manufacturing node closest to each of your customers, then manages fulfillment and shipping. So you can focus on your store, while we handle fulfillment.
Channel A is B2B manufacturing and fulfillment for your own external store (Shopify, Etsy, your own site): you keep your brand, storefront, and customer relationship, and 3DAPI just handles production and shipping behind the scenes.
Channel B is a direct storefront hosted on 3DAPI itself, where the customer pays 3DAPI directly and we take care of the finances and hosting.
Choose Channel A if you already have (or want) your own storefront and brand. Choose Channel B if you want to sell without building your own store.
Yes. Many sellers run both simultaneously, using Channel A for their existing store and routing some customers to Channel B to skip listing costs and commissions from other platforms, or to offer much cheaper shipping.
You can switch or add a channel at any time from your account settings. Note that Channel B requires the additional identity and business verification described under Policies, Legal & Trust.
Designers, sellers, and brands who want:
Sign up at dapi.digital as a designer, and complete the onboarding form.
At minimum: contact and business details. Optionally, a tax ID or VAT number (if applicable in your jurisdiction), and payout/bank information.
Channel B sellers must additionally complete the manufacturer details and, if selling in Europe, the GPSR form found under the Store tab.
Channel A has a light-touch review focused on basic identity. Channel B requires business verification, and optionally the GPSR data.
Not required for Channel A, only for Channel B, as a registered business entity is required for tax compliance.
Worldwide. Most 3DAPI sellers primarily reside in the US and EU, but there is no limitation.