A 3D model's license controls what you may do with it: print for yourself, sell prints, or modify and share. Most community models use Creative Commons variants; 'NC' means no commercial sale, 'ND' means no derivatives, 'SA' means share-alike. Always read the license before you print for money.
Why licensing matters
Downloading a model is not the same as owning the right to sell prints of it. Designers set terms, and printing commercially against those terms is a real infringement — the kind that gets shops taken down. Getting this right protects you and respects the maker.
The Creative Commons letters
- CC0 / Public Domain — do anything, no attribution needed.
- BY — free to use, including commercially, if you credit the designer.
- NC (NonCommercial) — personal use only; you may not sell prints.
- ND (NoDerivatives) — print as-is; no modifying and redistributing.
- SA (ShareAlike) — derivatives must carry the same license.
Where 3D3D stands
We only print models whose license permits it. When you send us a link from Printables, Thangs, or anywhere else, we check the terms before quoting — and we never reproduce weapons or clearly illicit content. If a license is unclear, we ask the designer or decline.