News: office supply brand Staples has become the first major US retailer to sell desktop 3D printers for the consumer market.
Staples announced it's stocking the Cube 3D Printer by American firm 3D Systems online from Friday and it will be available in stores by the end of June.
The machines cost £834 and print plastic objects up to 14x14x14 centimetres in 16 different colours.
The Cube comes with 25 free templates plus a WiFi connection to download more and software so consumers can design their own. Staples will also stock accessories and replacement plastic cartridges.
Earlier today we reported that the first 3D-printed gun has been successfully fired in Texas and earlier this year Nokia became the first major manufacturer to give consumers access to its 3D design files, so Lumia 820 smartphone users 3D print their own customised case.
Read more about 3D printing in our recently launched print-on-demand publication Print Shift, which looks at how the technology is being adapted to architecture, design, food, fashion and other fields.