Mimaki's 3DUJ-553 brings Virtual Collectibles to life

In 2020, Alexander Schlicher founded Fansea, a company at the intersection of 3D asset creation, web3, and metaverse consultancy. Operating predominantly in the digital domain, Fansea enables sports enthusiasts and gamers to own digital replicas of iconic artifacts. These digital treasures can be kept, worn by virtual avatars, or traded on NFT marketplaces. More recently, Fansea extended this experience into the physical world, allowing customers to own 3D-printed models of their digital collectibles.

Fansea boasts a diverse collection of 3D assets commemorating pivotal moments in the sports and gaming realms. Examples include recreations of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning jerseys and German Olympian Sabrina Mockenhaupt's running shoes. Beyond 3D asset creation, Fansea offers metaverse consulting services, helping organisations establish a digital presence for an increasingly digital future.

Recognising the need to bridge the virtual and physical realms, Fansea turned to the Mimaki 3DUJ-553; this 3D printer offers a palette of over 10 million colours for highly detailed and complex models of varying sizes. Schlicher explained, "We sought something akin to Star Trek's replicator. While other 3D printers were considered, Mimaki's unmatched quality won us. We focus on crafting bespoke, high-quality collectibles, and Mimaki excels in delivering that quality."

Unlike traditional methods, Fansea's choice of Mimaki eliminates the laborious and often inaccurate hand-painting process. The 3DUJ-553 precisely translates the digital asset's unique features to the physical model, capturing every detail, from tears and wrinkles to dirt spots on sports jerseys or historic shoes.

Fansea is required to secure licenses for sports or gaming intellectual properties, such as the Argentinian National Football team or AC Milan. The chosen item, be it a boot or a medal, undergoes scanning to create a digital 3D asset, which is then sent to their in-house 3DUJ-553 for printing.

The 3DUJ-553 empowers Fansea to create highly detailed and vibrant models, with the ability to mix clear and coloured inks for desired transparency. Each model is printed with water-soluble support material, ensuring exceptional detail without concerns about breakage. After printing, each model receives treatment with pigmented photo-polymer resin and protective lacquer, resulting in a durable and high-quality finish. Customers also receive a blockchain-protected certificate of authenticity and their limited-edition virtual and physical items.