3D printing for Investor Samples

3D printed investor samples — presentation-quality parts that look and feel like the final product.

Investor meetings are won with tangible products, not slide decks. Our 3D printing service produces presentation-quality samples that demonstrate your product vision in physical form — the weight, the finish, the mechanism, the feel. When an investor picks up your prototype and it feels like a finished product, your credibility multiplies.

2 days
Fastest lead time
2 Ra μm
Surface finish
1 part
Min order
Full service
Post-processing
Siemens logo — Makelab clientToyota Research logo — Makelab clientAramco logo — Makelab clientPeloton logo — Makelab clientQuip logo — Makelab clientAerofarms logo — Makelab clientCelestica logo — Makelab clientLIXIL logo — Makelab client

Challenges we solve

What investor samples teams need from a 3D printing service

Making a prototype look like a finished product

Investors evaluate your product — and your judgment — based on what you put in their hands. SLA resin parts with post-processing deliver surfaces that rival injection molding. We sand, prime, and paint to your brand spec so the sample represents the product, not the manufacturing process.

Producing samples on pitch timelines

Investor meetings get confirmed with days of notice. We produce presentation samples in 2–5 business days. For NYC-based founders, same-day pickup is available for files approved before 3:30 PM. Your pitch should never be held up by parts.

Demonstrating functional mechanisms

A static model tells one story. A working mechanism tells a better one. We produce multi-part assemblies with functioning hinges, snap-fits, buttons, and moving components so you can demonstrate how the product actually works.

Producing multiple samples for different meetings

You may need 5–10 identical samples for parallel meetings, accelerator events, and leave-behinds. We produce multiple units with consistent quality so every investor sees the same product.

Materials

Materials for investor samples

Standard Resin on SLA delivers the smoothest surface finish (2 Ra μm) — ideal for samples that will be handled, photographed, and scrutinized up close. MJF Nylon PA12 produces a professional matte finish for products targeting injection-molded nylon. For painted or branded samples, we recommend SLA followed by sanding, priming, and painting to your brand colors.

Browse all 23 materials →

Common parts

What we build for investor samples

Pitch meeting product samples
Demo day prototypes
Accelerator showcase models
Leave-behind samples
Branded product mockups
Working mechanism demos
Multi-color product samples
Packaging insert prototypes
Product family displays
Investor update samples
Makelab production facility

Built in our factory

Brooklyn, NY

How it works

Your project, step by step

01

Upload files

Send your CAD files with notes on finish, color, and presentation requirements. Include photos or renders of the intended final product.

02

Material & finish

We recommend the material and post-processing that will best represent your production intent — surface finish, color, weight, and feel.

03

Print & finish

Parts are printed, then sanded, primed, and painted as needed to presentation quality. Working mechanisms are assembled and tested.

04

QA

Every sample is inspected for surface quality, fit, finish, and function before shipping.

05

Ship

Samples packed for safe transit and shipped on your timeline. NYC founders get same-day pickup.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can you paint or brand the samples?

Yes. We sand, prime, and paint to your brand colors. We can also apply decals, logos, and surface textures to match your production intent.

How many samples should I order?

We recommend 3–5 samples minimum: one for your primary pitch, one or two for parallel meetings, and one as a backup. For demo days and accelerators, order 5–10.

Can the samples include working mechanisms?

Yes. We regularly produce multi-part assemblies with functioning hinges, buttons, snap-fits, and sliding mechanisms. If the product moves, the sample should move.

How fast can I get samples for an unexpected meeting?

FDM parts ship in as fast as 1 business day. SLA in 2–3 business days. For NYC founders, same-day pickup is available for files approved before 3:30 PM ET.

Other applications

Rapid Prototyping

Functional prototypes in 2–3 business days. Test form, fit, and function before committing to tooling.

Production Parts

Production-grade 3D printed parts at volume — without tooling investment.

Hardware Development

One vendor from first prototype to production parts — no retooling, no requalifying.

Large Format 3D Printing

Single pieces up to 1200mm — or seamless multi-part assemblies at any scale.

Tooling & Fixtures

Custom jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids — delivered in days, not weeks.

Bridge Manufacturing

Ship real product now. Transition to injection molding when you are ready.

Replacement & Spare Parts

Reproduce legacy parts, replace obsolete components, and eliminate spare parts inventory.

Custom Enclosures

Custom enclosures with snap-fits, bosses, and ventilation — production-grade, no tooling.

Low Volume Manufacturing

Manufacture 10 to 5,000 parts without tooling — scale up or down order by order.

Presentation Models & Props

Presentation-quality models, trade show props, and display pieces — finished and delivered on time.

Casting Patterns

3D printed casting patterns — clean burnout, fine detail, no traditional pattern tooling.

Medical & Anatomical Models

Anatomical models, surgical planning aids, and medical training tools — dimensionally accurate.

End-Use Consumer Products

Ship real products to real customers — without injection mold tooling.

Design Verification & Testing

DVT and EVT builds in production-representative materials — validate before you tool.

Product Design Validation

Test form, fit, and function with production-grade materials before committing to tooling.

Pre-Production Testing

Validate tolerances, material behavior, and assembly flow at low volume before committing to production.

Jigs and Fixtures

Custom tooling for your production line — printed and delivered in days, not weeks.

End-Use Production Parts

Parts that go directly into products your customers buy and use — not prototypes, not samples.

Supply Chain Supplementation

Fill gaps in your supply chain without retooling or waiting months for overseas shipments.

Low-Volume Serial Production

Hundreds to thousands of identical parts — no MOQ from a mold shop, no tooling investment.

Replacement Parts Programs

On-demand spares for legacy and current products — without warehousing inventory.

Architectural Models

Site models, facade studies, and presentation pieces at true scale — printed whole or assembled seamless.

Trade Show Builds

Oversized displays and product replicas built to withstand transport and handling — show-ready finish.

Industrial Housings and Enclosures

Full-size prototypes of panels, covers, and housings — validate before committing to sheet metal or tooling.

Tooling and Molds

Large-format mold masters and lay-up tools — printed faster than machined.

Props and Set Pieces

Camera-ready props for film, TV, and commercial production — on tight timelines.

Wind Tunnel Models

Dimensionally accurate aerodynamic test models at scale — smooth surfaces, tight tolerances.

Legacy Part Replacement

Reverse-engineer and reproduce discontinued parts from scans or drawings — no original tooling needed.

Part Consolidation

Combine multi-part assemblies into single printed components — fewer parts, fewer failure points.

Lightweighting

Topology optimization and lattice structures — cut weight without cutting strength.

Manufacturability Analysis

Evaluate your design for printability before committing to a production run.

Scan-to-CAD

Point cloud in, watertight solid out — production-ready CAD from any 3D scan.

Tooling Design

Custom jigs, fixtures, and mold masters — designed from scratch for additive manufacturing.

Fixture Optimization

Redesign production fixtures to reduce weight, improve ergonomics, and speed up assembly.

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Plan Your Project

Tools to plan your build

Check shipping transit times, estimate lead times by technology, and review design guidelines before you upload — so your parts print right the first time.

Check Transit Time

Enter your zip code to see how fast parts arrive from our Brooklyn facility.

Ready to start your investor samples project?

Upload your CAD file and get a quote in minutes — or talk to our engineers about your next production run.