objekto vs Shapeways: which should you use?
Updated 5 November 2026 · 3 min read
In short
Shapeways is a manufacturing service: you send a print-ready 3D file, get a quote and receive industrial parts. objekto starts earlier: it designs the object from your description, then has it made. If you already have a file, Shapeways (or a price-comparison service) is all you need; if all you have is an idea, objekto does the design for you.
- Shapeways: a 3D file goes in, parts come out. A business-focused platform since September 2025.
- objekto: a description goes in; a designed, checked and manufactured object comes out.
- Shapeways has a broader catalogue (PA11, carbon-filled PA12, machined metals, more colours).
- objekto has parts made by an industrial partner workshop.
What Shapeways does
Shapeways is one of the pioneers of on-demand 3D printing. After its US parent company went bankrupt in July 2024, its European assets were bought and the brand was relaunched in December 2024 by its co-founders, with a production site in Eindhoven (Netherlands). In December 2024, Shapeways also took control of Thangs, its consumer brand.
Since September 2025, Shapeways has positioned itself as a B2B manufacturing platform: instant quotes on uploaded files, no consumer shopping cart, and e-commerce integrations via API (with a stated 5% transaction fee). Its catalogue covers PA12 and PA11 nylon (SLS, MJF), carbon- or glass-bead-filled PA12, TPU, SLA resins, full colour, lost-wax casting (brass, bronze, silver, gold) and CNC machining.
What objekto does
objekto starts from a description, a photo or a sketch: its AI designs the object as parametric CAD, part by part, checks it's print-ready, provides an exploded view and an assembly guide, then has it made by an industrial 3D-printing workshop and delivered in France. A simple part costs 950 credits to design, and new accounts get 2,000 credits free at signup.
The differences, point by point
| Shapeways | objekto | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A print-ready 3D file | A description, photo, sketch or file |
| Design | Up to you (or a contractor) | Done by the AI, as parametric CAD |
| Printability check | When the file is quoted | During design, part by part |
| Multi-part objects | One file per part, prepared by you | Splitting, clearances, exploded view and guide included |
| Audience | Businesses (B2B) | Individuals and makers |
| Catalogue | Very broad, machined metals included | A curated set of materials for everyday objects |
| Payment | Depends on the account (quote, API) | Design in credits, printing in US dollars incl. VAT |
When to pick Shapeways
- You already have a print-ready STL, 3MF or STEP file.
- You're ordering for a business, in volume, or need a material objekto doesn't offer (PA11, carbon-filled PA12, machined aluminium or stainless steel).
- You want to plug manufacturing into your online shop via an API.
When to pick objekto
- You have an idea, a broken part or a sketch, but no 3D file.
- The object has several parts that need to fit together, with standard hardware.
- You want to see the object in 3D, tweak it with sliders and know the delivered price before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Is objekto a Shapeways reseller?
objekto has parts made by a partner workshop; its job is designing the object and preparing the order.
Can I order an objekto design from Shapeways?
Yes: on paid plans you can download the STL, 3MF and STEP files and have them printed wherever you like.
Does Shapeways still sell to consumers?
Since September 2025, Shapeways has presented itself as a B2B platform and points consumers to Thangs, its consumer brand.
Sources
- Shapeways — Instant Quoting (blog, 25/09/2025)
- Shapeways — materials
- Shapeways — e-commerce integrations
- Voxel Matters — Shapeways is back (12/2024)
- 3D Printing Industry — Shapeways acquires Thangs (12/2024)
Public information read on 3 November 2026 from the sites listed; it may have changed since. Spotted a mistake? Write to bonjour@objekto.io.