"Hey, Print This!" Rules

As a fun gesture to say thanks and familiarize people with 3D models and 3D printing, I'm holding a contest that anyone can enter. Even if you don't know anything about 3D printing, I want you to look around on the internet, find an awesome 3D model (it can be any kind of thing), and send me a link. If your entry is chosen as the winner, I'll print it (or at least give it my best shot), I'll feature the printing process in an upcoming post on littleplasticthings.com, and then I'll give the finished print over to the winner for keeps!

I want to know what kinds of things y'all like! You can submit a model of a decorative statue or figure, tool, organizer, plaque, basically anything you think is awesome and would enjoy having printed for you (or maybe someone else!) Entries don't have to be visually impressive to win (but it probably gives the model a competitive edge).

Where to start? I suggest searching for models on these popular 3D search sites:

thingiverse.com
thangs.com
cults3d.com (I'll only allow models that are free to download)

If you've never searched for models before, why don't you check out my super-dee duper quick guide: Micro-Tutorial: Finding a 3D Thing to Print with Thingiverse.

You can also browse the photos in my Gallery to see a few of the things I've printed in the past for possible inspiration.

When you find something you like, email your name and the url (web address) to me at

heyprintthis@littleplasticthings.com.

Let it be known that I do solemnly swear that I will not use your email for any purpose other than communicating about the contest. This isn't a marketing trick. Email just seemed like the easiest way to track submissions.

If you have special requests like color, size, or finishing technique (dying, painting, epoxy sealing, etc...) put those in the email and I will consider them, but ultimately I'll keep the right to make the print in the way I think will give the best result or be the most practical.

Winners, contest updates, and any other announcements regarding the contest will be made on the Little Plastic Things Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/littleplasticthings3d) so follow the page to stay updated.

Submission Deadline is Sunday, December 12, 2021, 5PM Central Standard Time. Any submissions received after that will not be considered. The winner will be chosen shortly after. There is no set timeline on making the print, but I will try to be timely about it.

Some rules

Here are the main guidelines

Anyone can enter. Entrants younger than 18 need to have parental consent for any submissions they make.
One submission per person please
There's no limit on the type of items that can be submitted
I will pre-screen entries to make sure they are legally and realistically printable by me. this means
1. nothing nasty or inappropriate for my family friendly site
2. nothing illegal for me to print
3. no models that cost money to download
The judge's decision will be final.
If 2 people happen to submit the same model, the first one gets the entry, and the latter submitters will be informed that they can pick something else.
I will try to cover reasonable shipping costs if the winner isn't local to me (San Antonio, TX). If the location of the winner is somewhere where the shipping costs are too high(which I get to determine) the winner may need to contribute to the shipping cost if they want me to ship the print to them. Otherwise, they will forfeit the print (but they never have to forfeit the honor of winning.)
I'll do my best job on the winner's print, but I can't guarantee it's quality or usefulness for any purpose.

The one major rule goes like this: I'm just a guy running this contest for fun and not getting financial compensation from it so if a situation becomes un-fun or financially dumb, I reserve the right to make reasonable rules as I see fit. I want this contest to work and I'll play along with pretty much anything within reason, but at the end of the day, I am free to disqualify entries I find inappropriate, along with any entries that I don't see how I can successfully print, based on my skills, equipment, or resources. (or any other reason if it comes down to it.) Finally, if something truly uncool happens, I have the right to cancel the whole contest and not owe anything to anyone.

If you have questions or comments, please send them via the Contact Form.