Great creations deserve the spotlight.
A featured model is more than a badge of recognition—it highlights outstanding work and helps it reach a wider audience. Through the Featured program, we aim to showcase models that combine creativity, usability, and a great printing experience. More importantly, we want to celebrate creators who put genuine thought and craftsmanship into their work, inspiring others along the way.
Being selected as a Featured Model opens the door to additional exposure and opportunities across the Snapmaker ecosystem.
Your model may be:
Outstanding creators may also have opportunities to:
Exceptional models may be displayed at exhibitions and events where Snapmaker is present.
Featured isn't the only path to success.
Every thoughtfully designed model has the opportunity to find its audience. Even if your work isn't selected right away, you can still build visibility by improving your designs, engaging with the community, and participating in official events or contests.
Models that fall into any of the following categories are not eligible to become Featured Models.
Models that violate the Community Guidelines—including content involving pornography, violence, hate speech, copyright infringement, or misleading content—will not be considered for featuring and may also be removed from the platform.
Featured Models should be your own original creations. Remixes are welcome, provided that they:
Unauthorized reuploads, copied designs, scans of others' work, or any other form of plagiarism are not eligible and may result in further action under the Community Guidelines.
We welcome AI as a creative tool—but not as a replacement for creativity.
✅What We Accept
AI can assist with brainstorming, concept sketches, parametric scripting, rendering, image enhancement, among other parts of the design process.
🚫What Won't Be Featured
AI is a powerful tool—but the creator should always remain at the center of the creative process. When evaluating Featured Models, we care most about the decisions you've made, the problems you've solved, and the time you've invested in refining and validating your design. That's what makes a model truly stand out.
Rather than relying on a single metric such as downloads or likes, we evaluate each model based on its overall quality, user experience, and long-term value. Apart from the basic requirements, our review also focuses on the following aspects:
Great models aren't necessarily the most complex—they're the ones that strike the right balance between creativity, functionality, and printability. Here's what we look for:
We appreciate models that bring something new to the community, whether it's an original idea, a fresh perspective, an innovative solution, or a strong sense of personal creativity.
The best models solve real problems.
Designs that make the most of what 3D printing does best—such as custom accessories, DIY tools, organizers, or solutions for niche use cases—are especially encouraged.
A well-designed model should look as good as it functions. Strong proportions, thoughtful details, pleasing color combinations, and a distinctive design style all contribute to a better overall presentation.
Good engineering serves a purpose.
Complex mechanisms or a high part count don't automatically make a model better. We value designs where every structural decision improves functionality, usability, or the overall printing experience.
A great design should also be practical to print.
Whenever possible, optimize your model to maximize print success while keeping print time and material usage reasonable. Designs that require excessive supports, include overly thin walls, or rely on difficult overhangs are less likely to provide a great experience for other makers.
A great model deserves an equally great printing experience.
Models should be designed for Snapmaker U1 and verified through successful real-world prints to ensure they work as intended.
Provide everything users need to achieve consistent results, including recommended filament, key print settings and support configuration.
The easier it is for others to reproduce your results, the better the overall experience.
With your recommended settings, most users should be able to print the model successfully without extensive tuning or trial and error.
For multi-part models, verify that all components fit together correctly.
Check dimensions, tolerances, and the complete assembly process to ensure the finished model can be assembled smoothly and functions as intended.
Great presentation helps users understand your model at a glance—and often determines whether they'll click Download.
Different types of models benefit from different kinds of presentation.
Decorative Models
Show the model in a real-world setting so users can better understand its size, style, and how it fits into everyday spaces.
Functional Models
Demonstrate how the model works through photos, GIFs, or short videos. A clear demonstration helps users quickly understand its purpose and functionality.
Multi-Part Models
Include assembly guides, GIFs, or videos that walk users through the key assembly steps.
For more complex designs, exploded views or labeled parts can make assembly much easier.
Models That Require Additional Hardware
If your design uses non-printed components—such as screws, bearings, magnets, springs, or electronic parts—clearly list the required specifications, sizes, quantities, and part numbers so users can source them easily.
A well-documented model creates a better experience for everyone. Clear instructions and complete information reduce repeated questions and help more users print and use your model successfully. We recommend including the following:
Publishing your model is only the beginning. The best creators continue to refine their work, engage with the community, and improve the experience for everyone. Here's what we value most:
Models that are no longer maintained or consistently leave user questions unanswered may be removed from the Featured program over time, even if they performed well initially.
Once your model meets the Featured Model criteria, we're especially excited to showcase creations that make the most of what the Snapmaker ecosystem has to offer. When two models are of comparable quality, the following characteristics may give your work an edge during the review process.
Take full advantage of the U1's multi-material and multi-color capabilities. Use color and material as part of your design language—not just for appearance, but to enhance both functionality and visual impact.
Use Full Spectrum as a creative medium rather than simply a printing feature. Virtual colors, smooth gradients, and seamless color transitions can add a new layer of expression to your designs.
Instead of relying on generic default settings, we encourage you to provide print profiles that have been tested and optimized in Snapmaker Orca. Well-tuned profiles help other users achieve reliable, consistent printing results.
Priority Review for Founding Creators
High-quality models submitted by Founding Creators receive priority access to the Featured review queue, allowing them to be reviewed sooner. That said, priority review doesn't guarantee selection. Every model is evaluated using the same standards, and final decisions are based solely on its design quality, printing experience, and overall merit.