Recently, Etsy quietly changed its creative policy to eliminate most 3D-printed objects on the platform. The policy change dictates that all 3D-printed goods must be created and designed by the person selling them. This would remove a vast majority of 3D printed merchandise sold by makers and print farms alike, who typically buy files from professional artists. Despite our attempts to contact Etsy and a flood of content creators making YouTube videos on the subject, Etsy has not addressed the topic.
Concerned Etsy shop owners have submitted support tickets – the company does not list a phone number or email address – and have posted the results to online forums. These responses take both sides, some saying that non-original 3D prints are fine, others saying that they are banned. After nearly a month, Etsy has yet to clarify the policy with either customers or its own staff.
