Partnership with iMakr will allow customers to have items such as keychains to mini postboxes “printed” and posted from its delivery office

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Royal Mail will offer to 3D print and ship a range of objects from a delivery office in the latest bid to retool the company for the 21st century.

A trial will involve 3D-printing company iMakr installing printers in Royal Mail’s New Cavendish Street delivery office in London to offer both custom designs and ready-to-print objects.

Customers can order online or collect items from the delivery office.

“3D printing is an emerging technology that has many applications and offers an innovative way to create unique or personalised objects,” said Mike Newnham, chief customer officer for Royal Mail. “It can be prohibitively expensive for consumers or small businesses to invest in a 3D printer, so we are launching a pilot to gauge interest in 3D printing.”

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Home 3D printing ‘years off’

Royal Mail is using the trial to gauge demand for manufacturing services, which could be rolled out nationwide to put 3D printers within reach of millions.

Home 3D printers are available, but cost about £1,000 before the added expense of the filament needed for printing.

Analysts predict that they are unlikely to become a household item within the next five years, limited only to enthusiasts.

However, the market for 3D-printing services that make items and ship them to customers is expected to expand over the next five years, which Royal Mail could capitalise on with the new partnership.

Romain Kidd, chief executive of iMakr, said the deal would introduce people to 3D printing.

It remains to be seen what level of demand exists for 3D printed trinkets and knickknacks such as business card holders, iPhone cases and miniature replicas of the Shard.

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