# Hot Customized Branding DIY 3D Printed Branding Irons from Shapeways By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-11-30 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-branding-irons References: [boingboing.net](http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/25/3d-printed-branding-.html) & [shapeways](http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/331-Customizable-3D-printed-BrandingIron.html) Shapeways, the 3D printing company, has a new co-creator for making mini-branding irons that work with a lighter. Users type in text or provide a logo and the Shapeways folks model and 3D print the information into a [mini branding iron](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brandest). It’s designed to click into a [disposable lighter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moneylighter) which heats it to branding temperature in about half a minute. Using a plastic lighter for the heat and branding handle sounds a little dangerous, but it seems that putting an actual metal handle with a heat-safe grip on the little branding iron then heating it over an open flame might solve the safety concern. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 55% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Customized Branding Irons:** Opportunity for businesses to offer personalized branding irons through 3D printing technology. - **DIY Personalization:** Growing demand for DIY customization options in branding tools. - **Lightweight Heating Solutions:** Potential for innovative lightweight heating solutions to enhance safety in branding irons. ### Where This Applies - **3D Printing:** The 3D printing industry can capitalize on the demand for personalized branding irons. - **Branding and Marketing:** Branding and marketing companies can integrate 3D printing technology to offer customized branding solutions. - **Consumer Products:** Innovations in lightweight heating solutions can disrupt the consumer products industry, particularly in the realm of branding tools. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Embossed Ice Stamp Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clear-ice-embosser.md) - [Vacuum-Heat Smartphone Case Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/htvront-h17.md) - [Craft-Focused Mini Heat Presses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-heat-press.md) - [Ice-Embossing Barware Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stamptitude-clear-ice-embosser.md) - [Witty Workshop Lighter Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bic-shop-talk-lighter-series.md) - [DIY-Targeted Product Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-enthusiasts.md) - [3D-Printed Organization Stationary](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-hopkins.md) - [Economical Laser Engraver Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-laser-engraver.md) - [3D-Printed Fire Pits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-fire-pit.md)