Remember the days of printed photographs and personalized albums? Pictures narrate the world on a two-dimensional surface. But times have changed with the introduction of 3D selfie figurines, aka 3D printed selfies. More than just movable objects, they serve as mementos that capture and represent a person’s likeness in a physical, three-dimensional form. In this blog, we will take you through some of the best websites where you can have 3D selfie figurines of yourself and others created & delivered, hassle-free. Get ready to be amazed!

Best Websites to Buy 3D Selfie Figurines - 1
  • Best Websites to Buy 3D Selfie Figurines
    1. 3DIMAGINE
    1. Shapify
    1. 3DHQ
    1. MY 3D TOY
    1. TheBobbleShop
    1. 3DLIRIOUS
    1. HOLODECK 3D STUDIOS
    1. 3DIFY.ME
    1. My 3D Selfie
    1. MyMiniFactory

Best Websites to Buy 3D Selfie Figurines

Over time, the popularity of 3D selfie figurines has steadily grown, as they are often sought as creative gifts for special occasions. For a brief idea, these models are created using materials such as plastic, resin, or even metal based on a detailed scan or photograph of the individual. Multiple 3D printing techniques such as stereolithography (SLA) or selective laser sintering (SLS) are involved, depending on the materials used. As they also consider the subject’s facial features, body proportions, and even clothing details, the results are completely personalized.

1.3DIMAGINE

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3D Imagine specializes in life-like figurines. What they do is capture your special moments in time and present them with a model using 3D software. Their 3D scanner takes 100 pictures of the subject simultaneously, compiles them, and prints a model out of it.

  • You can create any type of 3D replica be it an object, a cartoon character, or your superhero.
  • You can also send them photographs, in case you cannot get scanned live.
  • After you upload pictures on their website for pricing, they’ll send you all the details including cost via email.

2.Shapify

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Shapify is here to put those selfies and live photos in the past as it can easily create a mini-me or 3D selfie figurine of your full body. Its services or scanning booths are available in multiple countries where you can make a 3D model of yourself within 12 seconds and take it home. Their files are in .obj format such as plus texture in .png which can be easily transformed into 3D formats like .ply or .stl.

3.3DHQ

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3DHQ believes in fulfilling their customers’ dreams by printing their ideas in 3D. All you need to do is share your thoughts with the 3DHQ designers, who will draft them into STL files, which can be printed later. You can get a mini statue of a memorialization of your pet, a wedding cake topper, yourself as an action figure, or whatever you imagine, 3DHQ will print it.

4.MY 3D TOY

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Specialized in realistic 3D miniature art, MY 3D TOY prints mini statues instead of 2D pictures as they keep a special moment alive for your friends and family The company believes that art should be accessible to everyone, and for the same reason they offer their services at affordable prices. Additionally, they use the best materials and equipment types to ensure you get exactly what you asked for.

5.TheBobbleShop

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TheBobbleShop creates 3D figurines with all levels of customization. It offers an online technology that is a ONE-PHOTO solution to create your 3D figurine , where you can upload your image on any website to print your miniature. This way you can use even third-party apps with 3D scanning capability to scan yourself, upload the picture, and make a 3D model of yourself free in no time.

You can install their 3D scanners anywhere and sell printed figurines at whatever price you want. Moreover, you do not even have to buy a 3D printer for it. Options for customizations include different standard sizes such as 2″, 3″, and 4″, or whatever you prefer plus custom material, colors, logo, style, thickness, and many more.

6.3DLIRIOUS

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3DLirious is a 3D Scanning, designing, and printing studio located in Dallas that combines art and engineering through cutting-edge technologies. Starting from CAD to digital sculpting, to reverse engineering, they create 3D models from scratch and deliver them to you with love. Additionally, they offer services like 3D scanning for enlargement or reduction, cultural preservation, 3D printed foundry patterns, and more to support artists and museums.

7.HOLODECK 3D STUDIOS

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Holodeck is a blend of 3D photography and print studio that creates cute and funny 3D keepsakes of your special moments. Their work for wedding cake toppers is amazing which you can get without even visiting their store, send your favorite pictures and your work is done. Moreover, their personalized Holodeck heads can fit on any LEGO body which is quite impressive for the Lego fans.

8.3DIFY.ME

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3DIFY.ME offers a full-body 3D figurine to individual customers and the commercial market in New Zealand. Their state-of-the-art digital capturing technology provides them with much more realistic 3D- models of the customers which include their pets too, so if you want the same mini doll of your squirrel, they will get it to you.

9.My 3D Selfie

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My3dselfe design and create 3D personalized figurines and printed miniatures from the normal 2D picture that can be your full body photo, a headshot photograph, or an object. They make a variety of custom figurines from bust sculptures, full body figurines, family portraits, bobblehead statues, and many more that you can choose from, and they do customizations on top of it as per your specific requirements.

10.MyMiniFactory

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MyMiniFactory offers digital designs that you can download and 3D print by yourself. They offer thousands of action figures from games to movies to cartoons, you name it and they have it. So, you don’t have to browse or spend hours to make a 3D model of your favorite character as you can easily find them on MyMiniFactory.

This wraps our recommendations for the best 3D selfie figurine websites and we hope that you find them helpful. If you have any queries or suggestions for us, feel free to let us know in the comment section. Stay tuned to TechCult for more such informative blogs.

MSLA is the abbreviation of Masked Stereo Lithography Apparatus. It is a 3D printing machine that is an advanced form of Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA) in which resins are cured when exposed to ultraviolet lights. The MSLA printers carry out the 3D printing employing a huge UV light source and mask it with an LED screen, whereas the SLA printers trace the shape of each layer with the help of a UV laser. MSLA printing is used for various purposes as they can produce good quality products in large quantities in a short period. This article is a complete guide for you to understand what MSLA 3D printing is and difference between MSLA and SLA printing techniques.

What is MSLA Printing? Pros and Cons - 12
  • What is MSLA Printing?
  • How Does it Work?
  • Why to Choose MSLA Printing?
  • MSLA Printing in Jewelry Designing
  • MSLA Printing in the Medical Field
  • Materials Used in MSLA Printing
  • Pros and Cons of MSLA Printing
  • 3D Printing Basics
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • How to Print in 3D?
  • 3D Printing for Beginners
  • Types of 3D Printers
  • Difference Between MSLA and SLA Printing

What is MSLA Printing?

MSLA printing is a 3D printing technique that uses successive layers of cured photosensitive resins for three-dimensional objects. This technique is used to mass produce quality products at a relatively low price precisely and quickly compared to other 3D printing techniques. However, due to the high cost of capital, MSLA printers are only used by selective people. MSLA printers are also capable of creating large and intricate products. High-volume printers can be used for small-batch production runs and prototyping. One example of an MSLA printer is the Peopoly Phenom L 3D printer.

How Does it Work?

In MSLA printing, a photosensitive resin is placed over LCD and LED arrangement split by a fine layer of Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) plastic. The LCD is primarily used to control the exposure of the light on the resin placed above. The LCD is made up of pixels that determine the shape of the layer. These pixels control the passage when turned on and off accordingly. The contrasting patterns of pixels enable the printing process. It creates a layer in 3–8 seconds and then moves to the next layer.

Why to Choose MSLA Printing?

You can pick MSLA for the following reasons:

  • You can easily afford printers and resins .
  • It gives a smooth surface finish .
  • It can print complex structures .
  • It has an array of materials like flexible, transparent, ceramic, impact resistance , and much more.
  • It provides a commendable print resolution .
  • MSLA printers allow batch printing in a short time .

MSLA Printing in Jewelry Designing

MSLA printing has turned out to be a major boon for the jewelry industry as the wax resins that burn out cleanly during casting . The otherwise used low-wax casting methods that jewelers using had to go through a tough time to cut the hard way in complex designs. Here with MSLA, these designs can be printed easily and accurately. The only thing required is the CAD file of the jewelry beforehand.

MSLA Printing in the Medical Field

MSLA 3D printing in the medical field is used for the process of bioengineering tissues . This process is called bioprinting . It involves creating models with living cells. It can be used for bone and teeth implants, artificial vascular supports, and organ scaffolds.

Materials Used in MSLA Printing

The material used in MSLA 3D printing is unique photopolymer resins that get cured under intense UV light. The most commonly used resins for 3D printing are acrylate or epoxy based. Let’s have a look at all the types of resins:

  • Durable Resin : It is a pliable and strong material with mechanisms similar to polypropylene (PP) . It comes in use for prototyping products like snap fits and ball joints.
  • Tough Resin : These were made to tolerate high pressure for a short period. These resins are very stiff and are often compared to ABS thermoplastic.
  • Standard Resin : These resins are used for prints that require high resolution and sharpness .
  • Clear Resin : Clear resins are similar to standard resins with some more mechanical properties. These resins can be made fully transparent with some post-processing.

Pros and Cons of MSLA Printing

Let’s dig into the pros and cons of MSLA 3D printing.

The following are the pros of MSLA printing:

  • MSLA printers cure a layer all at once without taking into consideration the thickness of the layer.
  • The print bed of the MSLA printer moves on the Z axis , unlike SLA printers that do not incorporate moving parts in the machine.
  • It consists of mono-chromatic LCD lights that display greyscale along the edges. As a result, you get smoothly printed surfaces .
  • It provides high print resolution .

The following are the cons of MSLA printing:

  • These printing machines are not affordable .
  • It requires a warm ambience with temperatures maintained from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.
  • MSLA printing is carried out in a dim light or dark environment , resulting in frequent damage and pre-mature curing of the delicate resins.
  • The post-printing procedure is complex and hazardous to health . Uncured resins and newly printed products require the users to handle while wearing gloves.
  • The printed material is supposed to be washed in an alcohol solution and then placed under extreme UV light for 10–15 minutes to be cured completely.

3D Printing Basics

Now that you have understood what MSLA printing is, we are here to give a brief description of 3D printing basics.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing is known as part of additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing is the term used to describe the technique of printing where a part is obtained by adding material. For 3D printing, a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is used by the printer to make three-dimensional products . Plenty of 3D technologies and an array of materials are available to carry out a 3D printing process.

How to Print in 3D?

3D printing is an easy and computerized procedure. You can read the steps mentioned below to have a clear understanding of 3d printing basics.

  1. Create a CAD file using software like Autodesk Fusion , Onshape , and many others.
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  1. Export the CAD file in the universal input file type of a 3D printer, an STL file.

  2. Upload the STL file in the slicing software of the printer.

  3. Make the required orientation changes, material selection, and print settings . The software will automatically start slicing the file in layers.

  4. Press the print button, and the printing procedure will begin with the layers one after another.

3D Printing for Beginners

Some 3D printing basics that beginners must know are the details about the printing mechanism. A 3D printer operates basically on three axes, that is:

  • X-axis: Left to right movement
  • Y-axis: Front to back movement
  • Z-axis: Upward and downward movement

An extruder is equipped on the X-axis, providing material to the print bed.

Types of 3D Printers

The most common types of printers used in 3D printing based on different technologies are:

  1. Extrusion

Based on this technology, there are two types of printers:

  • Fusion Filament Fabrication (FFF)
  • Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR)
  • Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (ADAM)
  1. Laser Fusion

Based on laser fusion technology, there are a few types of printers. It uses high-powered lasers to fuse powdered media. The following are the types of printers:

  • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
  • Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
  • Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
  1. Light Curing

This technology uses light curing to create layers. The following are the types of printers using light curing technologies:

  • Stereolithography (SLA)
  • Direct Light Processing (DLP)
  1. Power Adhesion

It is one rapidly growing 3D printing technology. Both plastic and metal are used in this printing method. The only printer under this technology is Binder jetting .

Difference Between MSLA and SLA Printing

As we have already read, MSLA is the advanced version of SLA 3D printing. While they somewhat function in the same way. They still have differences that we have listed below.

MSLA PrintingSLA Printing
MSLA printing depends only on the printing number of layers .SLA printing depends on the number of layers as well as the amount of material in each layer .
It has a speed advantage on each layer.It does not have a speed advantage on each layer.
The printing resolution is based on the resolution of the LCD screen .The printing resolution is based on the diameter of the laser beam .
MSLA uses UV light to cure the resin.SLA uses a mirror and a laser to cure the resin.
Printing speed is faster .Printing speed is slower .
Print resolution is relatively low .Print resolution is high .
Example: Sonic Mini 4kExample: XYZPrinting Nobel 1.0 A

Q1. How much do MSLA printers and resin cost?

Ans . MSLA printers vary in cost, size, and weight according to their functions. These printers range from $200 to $1100 . Resins cost from $25–40 per kilogram to $40–150 per kilogram . Other additional yet necessary equipment can cost up to $200-400.

Q2. What is the additional equipment required with a resin printer?

Ans . These are the necessary equipment required with the resin printer and post-printing process:

  • STLs and slicing software
  • Ultrasonic cleaner
  • Nitrile gloves
  • Respirator
  • UV lamp
  • Metal funnel

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The above-mentioned was a guide on MSLA 3D printing and 3D printing basics. Reading this might have cleared all your doubts regarding difference between MSLA and SLA printing techniques. We hope this guide helped you understand how MSLA printing works. Please share your queries or suggestions in the comment section below. Also, let us know what you want to learn next.