This week’s headlines start close to home. 3Dnatives is launching a new video series, Between Layers, which steps away from spec sheets to spotlight the makers, engineers, and storytellers shaping the future of additive manufacturing. The first episode features Joel Telling, The 3D Printing Nerd, so be sure to check it out. Elsewhere in the industry, we highlight a teen entrepreneur who built a six-figure business selling 3D printed cup holders, a festive Christmas tree made entirely from 3D printed ice, and PrintPal, an AI-driven 3D modeling platform that has just surpassed 100,000 users.
3Dnatives Presents Between Layers, A New Video Series
In the premiere episode of Between Layers, we sit down with Joel Telling, better known as The 3D Printing Nerd, to explore the story behind one of the most recognizable voices in additive manufacturing. Though he inspired millions to buy their first 3D printer, Joel reveals that for years he was afraid of breaking his own. From experimenting with a FlashForge Creator Pro in his spare bedroom to building one of the most influential YouTube channels in 3D printing, he reflects on his path from software engineer to industry figure. Along the way, Joel shares insights into his early experiences, the growth of his print farm, the printers he uses today, and the impact of the 3D printing community. Watch the video below!
Teen Entrepreneur Builds Six-Figure E-Commerce Business Using 3D Printing
An 18-year-old entrepreneur has built Cruise Cup, a six-figure e-commerce business using 3D printing, with sales reaching roughly $300,000 in November 2025 after a custom “tactical reload” can holder took off on Instagram. He began experimenting with product design in high school, using desktop 3D printers to prototype ideas and adjust them based on customer feedback. The operation quickly outgrew his bedroom setup. What started with a few printers scattered around the house has since moved into a warehouse with more than 130 machines. As order volumes continue to rise, he is now planning to add mass manufacturing while keeping 3D printing in-house.
Michael Satterlee, founder of Cruise Cup. (Photo Credit: Dylan Ethier via Business Insider)
Researchers 3D Print a Christmas Tree From Ice
Most Christmas decorations last for weeks. This one melts in minutes. Physicists at the University of Amsterdam have 3D printed a miniature Christmas tree made entirely of ice using a vacuum-based process that freezes water almost instantly. Inside a vacuum chamber, a micrometer-thin jet of water is deposited layer by layer, and as the pressure drops, the water solidifies without any external refrigeration. The team printed an 8-centimeter-tall ice tree in just 26 minutes, without support structures, although it melts quickly once removed from the vacuum. While the project has a festive twist, the researchers say the method is ultimately about understanding phase transitions, with potential applications ranging from microfluidics and tissue scaffolding to construction in low-pressure environments such as Mars.
PrintPal Surpasses 100,000 Users
Just eight months after being launched in April 2025, the AI-powered 3D design platform PrintPal has surpassed 100,000 users. The software generates 3D models from text or images, and is accessible to people without technical experience. It addresses two of the greatest barriers to entry for CAD: technical complexity and cost. The program’s AI manages model generation, mesh optimization, and print preparation automatically, allowing users to create, share, and manufacture 3D models without CAD expertise. Plus, the features are either free or affordably priced. In addition to the AI design studio, PrintPal has a community marketplace for sharing and selling designs, and an educational academy for free courses on 3D printing.
Photo Credit: PrintPal
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