This tutorial describes details about shops at shapeways.com. For information about our E-commerce integrations, check out our E-commerce Integrations help section.
How do I make money?
To sell your models in your shop, you can set the price of a model per-material by adding a markup on top of the initial production costs calculated when the model was uploaded.
SW BASE PRICE + MARKUP = TOTAL PRICE TO CUSTOMER (Excludes shipping. EUR prices are displayed with VAT)
Shapeways will pay out the total of your markup fees to your PayPal account on the 15th of each month. Also note that we only make the payment if you have $30 or more. If you have a balance of less than $30, the total will rollover to the next month until the minimum payout threshold has been reached.
You can learn more about markups here.
How do I track my sales?
On your 'My Sales' page you can see a list of all your sales, including pending and confirmed sales. Every time you sell a product you will receive an email. On the 15th of each month, an invoice is sent out to you which lists all the markups you have earned and that Shapeways will pay (i.e. the confirmed sales), provided that they total at least $30 before markup fee and before VAT, if applicable.
Can I buy items from my own shop?
Yes you can buy items from your own shop. You will NOT have to pay a markup to yourself.
Can I buy at Shapeways and pay with my accrued markups?
At this time you cannot pay for new orders with your accrued markups.
What happens if a customer is unsatisfied?
Shapeways will handle all customer service. If an issue in your design is raised by a customer, we will inform you and work with you to improve it.
If there are recurring returns and/or refunds on your product, we will reserve the right to remove it from sale until the issue is resolved.
If a customer cancels their order before it has been printed, Shapeways will refund them and markup will not be paid out to you. On your "My Sales" page, you will see this in pending sales, but the status would not change to "confirmed sales." Once the item is shipped, Shapeways will note your markup amount for your next payout.
Can I upload a Nike Swoosh, a nice design I found somewhere etc.?
You can only upload your own original work or work that you have the rights to. As a designer, you warrant that your content is your original creation and has not been copied from any other third party and/or entity. If you are not the designer, you warrant that you have the right to upload, promote, sell, transmit or otherwise distribute the content via the Shapeways Shops.
Who owns my model's copyright?
The rights of the model will always remain with you, you only give Shapeways permission to fulfill customer orders, manufacture the product, and payout your markup. However, Shapeways reserves the right to use the content that you have uploaded for promotional purposes. You can remove your product from Shapeways whenever you want to. This will terminate all the licenses granted to us.
How do I handle VAT/tax?
This depends whether you are part of the EU or not. If not, payments to you will not include VAT. If you are located in the EU payments to you will only include VAT if you are a registered Dutch business. Private persons and non-Dutch European companies will not charge VAT to Shapeways for their earnings. Please make sure that is it your responsibility to collect, report and remit the correct tax to the appropriate tax authority.
How do I income tax?
You will need to declare any income as income on your tax statement. The legal situation will vary in different countries, we highly recommend that you consult with an accountant or lawyer to learn about your jurisdiction's laws surrounding reporting income earned through selling with Shapeways. Shapeways is not able to provide legal or tax advice in lieu of a tax professional.
What happens when I give Shapeways permission to use photographs or renderings for their marketing?
We may use those photographs for our website, posters and other marketing materials. Whenever possible we will attribute you by crediting the product and design to you This does not alter your rights to the underlying design, it just gives us permission to use photographs to promote Shapeways and you.
How do I close a shop?
You close a shop by using the "Delete Shop" button at the bottom of your shop settings page.
If you or we terminate your account and/or close your shop, and you have less than US$30 in accrued but unpaid markups, contact Customer Service to request a payout.