In 2013, Staples became the first major U.S. retailer to sell 3D printers. The office-supply chain began offering the Cube 3D Printer, made by 3D Systems, through Staples.com and later in a limited number of stores.
The move helped bring additive manufacturing into the consumer marketplace. Instead of printing documents with ink or toner, a 3D printer builds physical objects layer by layer from digital designs, typically using plastic filament or other materials. The Cube was marketed as a relatively accessible machine for homes, schools, designers, and small businesses.
Staples announced the product in May 2013, with the printer priced at $1,299.99. The retailer’s role was significant because 3D printers had previously been associated mainly with specialist suppliers, engineering firms, and industrial research. The distinction is “first major U.S. retailer,” not the first company anywhere to sell a 3D printer; manufacturers and niche technology sellers had offered them earlier.