First 3d printer available on high street

By Jonathan O'Connor on Wednesday, July 10, 2013

I’m sure this is but the first of many pieces of coverage and stunts we’ll see using 3d printers, obviously they’re ripe for creating good publicity.

Electronics retailer Maplin has become the first UK high street retailer to start selling a 3d printer and is selling the Velleman K8200 for just £700. And their PR team have made great news from this by featuring in all of the national newspapers, thereby getting extra publicity for the company.

They also coined the term Maplineers to describe their store staff.

Oliver Meakin, the Commercial Director at Maplin, had this to say: ‘We have been excited about 3D printing technology for a long time, as its principles of innovation and creation sit perfectly with what Maplin has been doing for over 40 years. Until now, the cost of 3D printers limited their use to the professional market. However, the Velleman K8200 kit has enabled us to introduce 3D printing to the mass market.Our in-store Maplineers are technical experts in this field and therefore we are in a great position to assist our customers in understanding this product, which for many will be completely new. This is only a first step for Maplin into the world of 3D printing and we look forward to developing this category further in the future.”