From the Maker’s Bench
Insights from our network of 3d print operators and designers.
Every Intagly order follows the same path: accept it, print it exactly as ordered, photograph it, pass the final checklist, then ship it (direct orders) or drop it off (library orders). Marking it Dropped Off or Delivered is what makes it count toward your monthly payout.
You can do everything in the Intagly app, or on the web at the maker dashboard (app.intagly.com/OperatorDashboard).
When an order is offered to you, you have 15 minutes to accept it. Makers with prestige status get 24 hours (see Getting more orders). After you accept, you get an email from printbot@intagly.com with the STL files, the customer’s options and any special instructions.
Slice the STL yourself and print it in the material, color and quantity on the order. Check the order details for:
Don’t scale the model unless the customer asked for it. See Intagly’s quality standards for what a finished part must look like.
On the Orders page, open the order and press Start. Take 2 photos of every part in every color: the app won’t let you continue until each part-color combination has two. Add notes if you need to:
Press Continue.
Confirm all 8 checks:
Pressing I Agree means you’ll reprint at your cost if any of these turn out to be wrong. For direct orders, it also buys the shipping label.
The shipping guide covers labels, packaging and drop-off for both.
Open the menu (top right) > Pending Deliveries (on the web: Deliveries) and press Dropped Off for a shipped order or Delivered for a library order. This is the step that makes the order payable; an order you haven’t marked doesn’t count toward your payout.
Payouts are monthly, 5 business days after the first of the month, for the orders you marked Dropped Off or Delivered the month before. There is no minimum. Your Earnings page shows your balance. Add your bank details under Settings > Payment Information and your tax ID (SSN or EIN) under Settings > Account > Edit SSN so your payout isn’t held.
Act early: the sooner you say something, the sooner the order reaches another maker.
| Situation | Use | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Printer down, out of filament, no time, traveling | Cancel (pick a reason, add details) | The order goes back to the queue and won’t be offered to you again. If it’s due within 72 hours, the customer’s date moves out 3 days and they’re emailed. |
| The file can’t be printed (broken model, impossible geometry) | Unprintable (at least 200 characters explaining why) | Intagly reviews it before refunding the customer. Marking a printable file as unprintable can get you removed. |
| You need a little more time | Request Extension | Adds 3 days, once per order. Available when an order is due within 24 hours, near a federal holiday, or overdue. |
| The item looks illegal or prohibited | Contact Intagly through Support | Don’t print it. |
New makers can’t cancel until their account is verified. Going away? Turn yourself offline first so you aren’t sent orders you can’t take.
Prestige status: after 10 on-time orders with no customer complaints, you get 24 hours to accept an order instead of 15 minutes. You lose it after 3 late orders or 3 customer complaints.
Orders are offered in turn to makers who are online, opted in to the order’s organization, and have the material and color. Your location and the number of printers you own don’t change how many orders you get.
Use Support in the app menu. It goes straight to the Intagly team.
15 minutes, or 24 hours with prestige status.
No. You get the STL and slice it yourself.
Monthly, 5 business days after the first of the month, for orders marked Dropped Off or Delivered. There’s no minimum.
Use Unprintable and explain the problem; Intagly reviews it.
Yes, once your account is verified. Cancel early, and use Request Extension if you only need a few more days.
Support in the app.