The Thangs Designer Contest is a recurring opportunity for designers to share their work, gain visibility, and earn real-world rewards from trusted partners. Whether you’re an experienced designer or just getting started, this is your chance to push your ideas further, get your work recognized, and have fun!
Thangs.com
The challenge is back, redesigned to better showcase your creativity and reward great design.
What You Can Win
Contests on Thangs are designed to reward both creativity and craft.
Prizes include but are not limited to:
Vouchers toward 3D printers (across a range of brands and 3D printer types)
Filament and accessories
Gift cards from partners such as MatterHackers or 3DJake (depending on region)
Additional partner rewards and promotions
How to Enter
Participating is easy!
Design a model that fits the contest theme
Create an original model that aligns with the challenge
Models must be printable on FDM/FFF or SLA printers unless specific contest guidelines state otherwise
2. Upload your model to Thangs, including:
A .STL or .3MF file
At least one image (photo of printed model)
A clear and informative description & instructions
3. Submit your model to the contest
Click the “Enter Now” button on your model page
Select the appropriate model(s) from your library
You may submit up to five models per contest. Both free and paid models are allowed to be entered into the contest, but we recommend making it available for free while the contest is open.
We encourage you to share your model on social platforms (make sure to tag us!) to help increase your visibility and engagement and invite others to join in the fun.
How Entries Are Judged
Winning entries are selected based on a combination of creativity, quality, and usability.
Judges will evaluate:
Originality and innovation of your concept
Functionality and real-world usefulness
Visual appeal and overall presentation
Completeness, including instructions where needed
Relevance to the contest theme
Additional considerations include printability, ease of assembly, quality of images, and overall clarity of the model page.
Contest Guidelines
To ensure your submission qualifies:
Upload new & original models only
Models must be printable and complete
Include clear images and a detailed description
Submit your models within the contest period
Assign your model to the correct category
Models that do not meet the theme or guidelines may be removed from the contest.
During the contest, all submitted models must be available for free download. Once the contest ends, you’re welcome to make your models paid if you’d like.
Key Rules & Requirements
You must be the original creator of your model and images
Misleading titles, thumbnails, or excessive promotional tactics may result in disqualification
Models must be placed in an appropriate category
Entries must be new designs: No models published more than 30 days before the contest opening are eligible.
Use of multiple accounts or artificial engagement is prohibited
Repeated violations may result in disqualification or temporary suspension from contests.
Regions & Eligibility
Participation is open globally
Rewards are distributed through partners such as MatterHackers and 3DJake
If your country is not currently supported for prize fulfillment, you may still participate, but rewards may not be available
We are continuing to expand regional support.
Prizes will be delivered by partners such as MatterHackers or 3DJake, depending on your region. While shipping costs are typically covered, winners may be responsible for any applicable import duties, taxes, or fees required by their country.
Winner Notifications & Prize Delivery
If you are selected as a winner:
You will receive an email notification within 5–7 days
To claim your prize, you must complete the following within 72 hours:
Select your country of residence
Allow Thangs to share your email with fulfillment partners (in your account settings)
Ensure your email address is accurate and up to date
Failure to complete these steps may result in forfeiture of the prize.
Prizes will be delivered by partners such as MatterHackers or 3DJake, depending on your region.
Tips for Creating a Strong Entry
To improve your chances:
Focus on originality and thoughtful design
Ensure your model prints successfully and reliably
Provide clear instructions for assembly if needed
Use high-quality images
Present your model clearly and professionally
Final Notes
Only models uploaded during the open contest time are eligible
Winning models must remain on Thangs for at least one year
Judges’ decisions are final
Thangs reserves the right to modify contest conditions, remove entries, or disqualify participants to maintain fairness and quality.
Terms & Conditions
Participation in the Thangs Designer Contest is subject to the following terms:
Eligibility
No purchase is necessary to enter
Participants must be at least 13 years old (or have parental permission where required)
The contest is not open to Thangs employees, contest sponsors, contractors, or their immediate families
Account Requirements
Participants must maintain a valid and up-to-date email address
Participants must select their country of residence in their profile
Participants must agree to allow Thangs to share their email with fulfillment partners for prize delivery
Prize Claim Requirements
Winners must complete all required account steps within 72 hours of notification
Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the prize
Submissions
All entries must be original works created by the participant
AI-generated content is not permitted
Reposting or copying models from other platforms is prohibited
Entries must be submitted during the official contest period
Each participant may submit up to five entries per contest
Content & Conduct
All submissions must be family-friendly and comply with community guidelines
Models must be placed in appropriate categories
Misleading or sensational thumbnails or titles may result in disqualification
Manipulation of engagement, including coordinated voting or downvoting, is prohibited
Use of multiple accounts is prohibited
Contest Integrity
Thangs reserves the right to remove entries or participants at its discretion, including for:
Community reports
Inaccurate or misleading content
Excessive promotional behavior
Technical issues that create unfair advantages
Thangs may disqualify entries without prior notice to preserve fairness
Judging & Results
All judging decisions are final
Thangs reserves the right to modify or terminate the contest at any time
Prizes & Fulfillment
Prizes are fulfilled by third-party partners such as MatterHackers or 3DJake
Prize availability may vary by region
Shipping and handling may not be included in certain locations
Thangs is not responsible for delays, delivery failures, or issues caused by third-party partners
Shipping costs are generally covered by Thangs or its partners; however, winners may be responsible for any import duties, taxes, or additional fees required by their country
Thangs reserves the right to modify or revoke prizes in cases of technical or fulfillment issues
Regional Limitations
Participation is open globally, but prize fulfillment may be limited by region
Participants in unsupported regions may not be eligible to receive rewards
Model Usage
By entering, participants agree to keep submitted models on Thangs for the duration of the contest and review period
Winning models must remain on the platform for at least one year
Thangs may use submitted models and creator names for promotional purposes
For contest moderation appeals or questions, contact: support@thangs.com
Join our Thangs Discord community to connect and share your feedback!
Also, remember to include @Thangs3D in your social media posts. Posts with this tag receive an automatic boost from Thangs Marketing, enhancing your engagement at no extra cost.