'Contour' by Slickwraps will 3D print a second skin onto your iPhone...or will it?

Apr 18, 2017 | By Benedict

Slickwraps, a smartphone case company based in Andover, Kansas, claims to have developed a product called “Contour,” a $300 3D printer that can create customized 3D printed “skins” for smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices. Unfortunately, there’s a caveat.

There are many reasons why you might want to protect your smartphone from physical damage. For starters, these things are expensive: even though relatively basic mobile phones cost hundreds of dollars a decade ago, these newer, fancier models are almost like computers—and their price tag reflects that.

Moreover, smartphones these days are all about their giant screens. This is great for watching Snapchat videos on the go, but for durability? One little accident and your phone (and dreams) could be shattered.

The increasing fragility of expensive smartphones therefore remains a constant worry for the consumer, but it has at least ensured that smartphone cases and skins continue to be a popular product. Cases are, after all, a lot cheaper than insurance.

But more importantly, having a protective case on your smartphone is no longer the nerdy taboo it once was. With so much at stake when you carry an iPhone around in your pocket, it’s simply common sense to have the thing wrapped up in cotton wool—or silicone, I suppose.

Kansas company Slickwraps has been capitalizing on the interest in protective consumer electronics cases for several years, producing a multitude of designs to suit individual products as well as individual tastes.

Its latest product, however, takes customization to a whole new level…or at least it would, if it were real. The company recently unveiled Contour, a 3D printer whose sole purpose is to 3D print customized, durable vinyl skins directly onto "iPhones, Androids and other mobile electronic devices."

It sounds cool, but there's a pretty big caveat here: the product was "launched" on March 31, right on the brink of… yep.

Here's the thing: for an April Fool's joke, it hasn't exactly panned out in the usual way. For one, Slickwraps is yet to own up that the 3D printer is indeed fake—they even created a whole website and marketing campaign for it, which hasn't been taken down or modified at all in the weeks since April 1. It's also not the most outrageous idea for a product, either: sure, calibrating a printer to hit the exact edge of a smartphone would be difficult, but surely someone could do it…

"Through the meticulous sourcing and re-use of existing technologies, we have worked with Mongolian engineer Edward Nara to create a product which can spray a durable yet safely removable skin made from 3M materials," Slickwraps says. "Proudly, we are able to recreate our entire catalog of textures and appearances such as wood, glow, carbon fiber, and more."

Unfortunately, there are a couple of good reasons to think that the actually very useful-sounding Contour 3D printer is in fact a hoax. Firstly, Slickwraps has previous: last year, the company claimed it was branching out into customized condoms, apparently fooling many customers. And second, the $299.99 "product" on the company web store has been "out of stock" since its launch—this despite no customers claiming to have bought the thing. Thirdly, as has been kindly pointed out by readers, the "Contour" is just a Robox 3D printer with stickers on it.

Overall, we're a little disappointed that the Slickwraps Contour won't be printing vinyl skins onto our smartphones anytime soon. But hey, it's a pretty cool idea.

For those who just want a cool smartphone skin without any tomfoolery, have a look at Slickwraps' online skin customizer instead.

Posted in 3D Printer

Maybe you also like:

Zack Hanini wrote at 2/4/2018 8:16:02 PM:

I would like to purchase for commercial use, please email with details on purchasing at zackhanini@yahoo.com

Reid wrote at 11/28/2017 1:27:46 AM:

I want to buy this product, if anyone can help me please contact me- email: reid.friedenberg@gmail.com

kim soon hyuk wrote at 10/15/2017 9:15:01 AM:

i want to know detail of this product. please contact my mail that ssoon6579@gamil.com

Maged M. El sayeh wrote at 9/25/2017 2:55:55 PM:

I want to buy this product anyone can help me where i can find it email: maged.elsayeh@gmail.com What'sapp: 00201062680002

Luciano wrote at 6/30/2017 7:42:59 AM:

Hi. I'm interested to buy this product. I would like to know details. luciano@brillantestore.com

Sergio wrote at 6/27/2017 7:17:36 AM:

I am interesed to vuy thiw proeuct sergiobrusisi@gmail.com

Imran bikaner wrote at 6/8/2017 10:58:08 AM:

I eant to buy please give me link where i can buy

Vince wrote at 6/6/2017 1:49:14 AM:

Please interested to buy the product. Here is my email please contact me on vkml_8@yahoo.com

Mehul lakhani wrote at 5/18/2017 5:59:30 PM:

Hey I want this printer.. Can you help me please?

sugiarto wrote at 5/17/2017 9:09:16 AM:

i want buy it.. please send my details to my email.. corrrsss@gmail.com

neny wrote at 5/17/2017 6:31:28 AM:

I want to buy one of the machine, please price details to nenyphang15@gmail.com

Harish D wrote at 5/16/2017 9:38:52 AM:

I am intrested to buy this product! ASAP Contanct me on this Mail: harishb.tech0000@gmail.com

YUSIF BASIRU wrote at 5/15/2017 11:55:30 PM:

Am interested

Harish D wrote at 5/14/2017 4:00:42 PM:

I am intrested to buy this product! Contanct me on this Mail: harishb.tech0000@gmail.com

YUSIF BASIRU wrote at 5/14/2017 1:55:27 AM:

Please interested to buy the product. Here is my gmail please contact me on yusifalbasir@gmail.com

Ho Trong Nhan wrote at 5/13/2017 6:09:00 AM:

I want to buy it, please contact htnhan125@gmail.com Thanks 3oder

Marko Stojanović wrote at 5/10/2017 10:37:28 PM:

I am intrested to buy this product! Contanct me on this Mail: istoja@hotmail.com

Misha wrote at 5/5/2017 12:39:12 AM:

I am interested to buy the product. Mehr. Sm11@ gmail.com

aravind wrote at 4/28/2017 4:28:40 AM:

i need this machine to buy . cont me aravindtraders.aravind@gmail.com

eric jeong wrote at 4/26/2017 4:49:00 AM:

I am interested to buy this product please contact eric13083@gmail.com send price and details

Hugo Rolim wrote at 4/24/2017 2:16:04 PM:

Good morning I need to buy a printer of this for my business in Brazil.

Hugo Rolim wrote at 4/24/2017 1:29:04 PM:

am interested to buy this product price details pls send hugorolim@hotmail.com

Daniel wrote at 4/23/2017 2:36:01 AM:

Interested to buy danielchia23@gmail.com

Faqan Asadov wrote at 4/22/2017 9:50:42 PM:

Hello, i want to buy that beauty please contact with me Faqan@live.com +994552060007

Chad gladney wrote at 4/22/2017 3:58:27 PM:

I want to buy one as soon as possiable. My email is chadgladney@yahoo.com

Chad gladney wrote at 4/22/2017 3:53:57 PM:

I would love to but this machine.

VISHAL wrote at 4/22/2017 6:08:34 AM:

I M INTERESTED IN THIS PRODUCT . CAN ANY ONE SUGGEST ME WHERE CAN I GET IT PLEASE CONTACT ME ON VKASADIA@GMAIL.COM

Daniel wrote at 4/22/2017 12:18:00 AM:

I want buy that , pls contact to hsuleead@hotmail.com

Salah amazon wrote at 4/21/2017 10:09:48 AM:

I need this my phone 009647701331742

Hoang Van Thu wrote at 4/21/2017 7:34:20 AM:

I am interested to buy this product price details pls send thuvufo@gmail.com

Alex wrote at 4/20/2017 10:48:34 PM:

I would like to but this too my email is alexanderhp42@yahoo.com

Marc wrote at 4/20/2017 10:42:49 PM:

I would like to buy this

Nadeem Waez wrote at 4/20/2017 7:49:11 PM:

I am interested to buy this product price details please share the price details to alk0nt@live.com

kurt wrote at 4/20/2017 5:12:59 PM:

I love it ! i want that machine badly. where can i buy it? please email me. kurtrusselquitalig@gmail.com

Obadah Obaid wrote at 4/20/2017 4:03:03 PM:

I want to buy 10 units Obadah1990@icloud.com

Hassan Mikati wrote at 4/20/2017 3:50:23 PM:

when it will be available to purchase it.

kaynic wrote at 4/20/2017 3:39:33 PM:

loved!! how to get the printer? please contact me mierulsyamson94@gmail.com

kaynic wrote at 4/20/2017 3:38:15 PM:

loved!! how to get the printer? serious

GG wrote at 4/20/2017 3:33:58 PM:

How much does it cost? Send details plz :) thx usb218321@gmail.com

Sridhar wrote at 4/20/2017 2:43:05 PM:

Iam interested in buying this machine please share ur details to sadasridhar369@gmail.com

Dashnim wrote at 4/20/2017 10:25:15 AM:

I would like to know about toners price?

Jenishlilawala wrote at 4/20/2017 10:21:29 AM:

I am intrested to buy this product plz contanct me on this number 9925532454 email jenishlilawala@gmail.com

Azril aminur rashid wrote at 4/20/2017 4:33:51 AM:

Im interested to buy this product. Can anyone tell me how can i get 1. Email me on. azrilaminurrashid@gmail.com. tq

Tarek diab wrote at 4/20/2017 1:31:36 AM:

Please contact me at anytime.travel.lb@gmail.com for sure iwant to buy

Milla wrote at 4/20/2017 12:54:41 AM:

Did you guys Not read the article?@ It's a hoax..there is no machine! Forget it! It did sound too good to be true anyway..

H. Al Musawi wrote at 4/19/2017 11:19:26 PM:

Want to buy this printer. Send more info to H-almusawi@hotmail.com

Rishwan wrote at 4/19/2017 10:55:46 PM:

I wanna buy /./ please send me a quote to mrishwan@gmail.com

Luis Miguel Padilla de la Torre wrote at 4/19/2017 8:19:13 PM:

Hello My name is Luis Padilla I live in Mexico City I am interested in purchasing multiple Contour printers. I even look for the distribution and marketing of it in my country I keep track and I leave my contact details Thank you luism.padilla@yahoo.com.mx

Luis Miguel Padilla de la Torre wrote at 4/19/2017 8:16:29 PM:

Hola Mi nombre es Luis Padilla Vivo en la Ciudad de México Estoy interesado en adquirir varias impresoras Contour. Incluso busco la distribución y comercialización de ella en mi país Quedo al pendiente y les dejo mis datos de contacto Gracias luism.padilla@yahoo.com.mx

Adnan jumani wrote at 4/19/2017 8:15:44 PM:

I'm interested in this product would like to know details... jumaniadnan@gmail.com

TKTraykov wrote at 4/19/2017 8:09:49 PM:

Hi, I want to buy it. Where to find it and how to buy? please email me on tktraykov@gmail.com

Lakshmi narayana wrote at 4/19/2017 8:02:19 PM:

I want to buy dat printer price details to my mail I'd is lachi.9001@gmail.com

Saul wrote at 4/19/2017 6:49:21 PM:

How can I buy it?

AKBAR ROSTAMI wrote at 4/19/2017 6:46:08 PM:

nilay7777@yahoo.com Want to buy soon

Oussama wrote at 4/19/2017 6:41:46 PM:

I want to buy it email ajmi_oussema@live.com

haroon wrote at 4/19/2017 1:30:13 PM:

Plz contact @ harun789654@gmail.com Loved this product wants to buy that.....

Vlada wrote at 4/19/2017 1:28:21 PM:

i want to buy, my mail widanovic@gmail.com

rajasekhar wrote at 4/19/2017 1:25:01 PM:

i am interested to buy this machine, can someone suggest whom to contact or whom to approach. please share the price details to rajasekhar04.reddy@gmail.com

Sofia Chuang wrote at 4/19/2017 11:12:57 AM:

For fun !

Mike wrote at 4/19/2017 7:43:42 AM:

I am trying to buy one of those machines, can somebudy tell me how ?

Chandersingh wrote at 4/19/2017 7:25:22 AM:

I am interested to buy this product price details pls send chandersingh941984@gmail.com

Lalith wrote at 4/19/2017 6:56:46 AM:

I want to buy it

www.3ders.org

3D printer and 3D printing news

'Contour' by Slickwraps will 3D print a second skin onto your iPhone...or will it?

Subscribe us to

About 3Ders.org

Resources

News Archive

Categories