3DCentral’s license comes in three tiers: Supporter ($19.99 CAD/month, personal use only), Commercial ($49.99 CAD/month, adds the right to sell) and Premium ($89.99 CAD/month, Commercial with 100 design unlocks a month instead of 30). This post compares Supporter and Commercial, which serve fundamentally different purposes. Choosing the right plan depends on one question: are you printing for yourself, or are you printing to sell?
This comparison breaks down the features, rights, pricing, and ideal use cases for each plan so you can make an informed decision.
Plan Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Supporter ($19.99/mo) | Commercial ($49.99/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Design Unlocks a Month | Up to 10 | Up to 30 |
| Personal Printing Rights | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Commercial Selling Rights | No | Yes — unlimited volume |
| Selling on Any Channel | No | Yes |
| Convention/Craft Fair Sales | No | Yes |
| Commissioned Prints | No | Yes |
| License Certificate | No | Yes — unique license ID |
The Supporter Plan: $19.99/Month
Who It Is For
The Supporter plan is designed for 3D printing enthusiasts who own a printer and want to print our original designs for personal use. This is the right plan if you:
- Print figurines, dragons, and collectibles for your own collection
- Want to print gifts for friends and family
- Enjoy having a library of premium designs to print at your leisure
- Want to support the artists whose work you admire
What You Get
Supporters can unlock up to 10 original 3DCentral designs a month in the member library, where files are added as they are prepared. New original designs are added as they release.
What You Cannot Do
The Supporter plan does not include commercial rights. You cannot sell prints made under the Supporter plan. This restriction covers all forms of commercial activity: online marketplaces, conventions, craft fairs, commissioned work, and resale of any kind.
If you start a Supporter subscription and later decide to sell prints commercially, you can move to the Commercial License at any time: cancel Supporter from My Account → Subscriptions, then subscribe to Commercial.
The Value Proposition
The cost of a professionally printed figurine from the 3DCentral shop typically ranges from $15 to $60+. The plan unlocks up to 10 original designs each month for printing at home.
The Commercial License: $49.99/Month
Who It Is For
The Commercial License exists for people who sell 3D prints as a business. This is the right plan if you:
- Sell on any channel, including your own store
- Operate a print farm producing inventory for sale
- Sell at conventions, craft fairs, or farmer’s markets
- Accept commissions to print our original designs for paying customers
- Run a 3D printing service that produces our original designs for customers
If any revenue touches your 3D printing output from original 3DCentral designs, you need the Commercial License. See our complete guide to legally selling 3D prints for background on why proper licensing matters.
What You Get
Everything in the Supporter plan, plus:
- Unlimited commercial production rights for the original 3DCentral designs you unlock
- A license certificate with a unique license ID for marketplace compliance and dispute resolution
The Commercial License covers original 3DCentral designs only. Designs by community artists such as Flexi Factory, McGybeer and Cinderwing3D are not included; for commercial rights to those, contact the artist directly. One subscription, one monthly payment, commercial rights to the original 3DCentral designs you unlock.
Covering the Fee
At $25 profit per sale, two sales cover the $49.99 Commercial fee. Your own prices and costs decide the rest.
The articulated figurines and figurines categories contain some of the highest-margin and best-selling designs for commercial operators.
Making the Switch
Upgrading from Supporter to Commercial
If you start as a Supporter and your printing evolves into a side business, moving up is simple. Each tier is a monthly subscription: cancel Supporter from My Account → Subscriptions, then subscribe to Commercial. Rights follow the active subscription.
Downgrading from Commercial to Supporter
If you close your selling operation and want to continue printing for personal use, you can downgrade to the Supporter plan. Commercial rights continue until the end of the period you have paid for, then end.
Cancellation
Both plans can be cancelled at any time. There are no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. Your rights continue until the end of the period you have paid for, then end.
FAQ
Can I upgrade mid-month?
Yes. Each tier is a monthly subscription: cancel Supporter from My Account → Subscriptions, then subscribe to Commercial, whose billing starts the day you subscribe. Rights follow the active subscription.
What happens to my prints if I cancel?
If you cancel, your rights continue until the end of the period you have paid for, then end.
Do I need a Commercial License to print items as gifts?
No. Gifts for friends and family fall under personal use and are covered by the Supporter plan. If you receive payment or trade value for prints, that constitutes commercial activity and requires the Commercial License.
Is there a team or enterprise plan for larger operations?
The largest published plan is Premium ($89.99 CAD/month): everything in Commercial, with up to 100 design unlocks a month instead of 30. For anything beyond it, contact 3DCentral directly.
Can I share my membership with other people?
No. Both Supporter and Commercial License subscriptions are tied to a single account. Sharing design files with others, even within the same household, is not permitted. Each person who prints from the library needs their own subscription.
