3D Printing Goes Mainstream Retail

Rebecca J. Rosen | The Atlantic | August 20, 2013

Just another day at UPS: Photocopy the ol' resume, ship back shoes to Zappos, print a car part.

About a month ago, a UPS store in eastern San Diego started offering a new service: 3D printing. Six weeks ago, store owner Burke Jones says, "I didn't know anything about 3D printing."

"I'd love to take credit for the idea because it's been really successful, but the truth is UPS came up with it," he adds. "They wanted to test the market." Last week, UPS rolled out another 3D printer, at a shop in Northwest DC, and it plans to open up four more over the next few months, at locations that have yet to be finalized.