Related: Watch a video about Staples Easy 3D

What’s different about Mcor‘s process is that it’s machines print on a stock of paper rather than extrude plastic. Each layer, therefore, is the resolution of a single piece of paper and can be any color.

To promote its new service, Staples has teamed up with 3D model marketplace CGTrader to host a competition looking for the best designs that can be 3D printed by Staples.

Link: Staples 3D printing challenge website.

“The models should be specially made for MCor Iris True Color 3D printer,” said CGTrader. “This amazing printer uses standard copy paper to print 3D models – it prints 3D object layer by layer on paper sheets. Colored ink is being deposited on both sides of the paper sheet in the printing process – forget about the single color, you can use more than 1 million of them in your design.”

Related: Mcor 3D Printing on Paper Creates Photo-Realistic Objects

The competition is running now through October 21, 2013. The winner will get 1000 EUR, 12 months free Designer subscription on Staples MyEasy3D, valued at 900 EUR, and a CGTrader t-shirt.

“The best models will be made available for buyers in Staples MyEasy3D store,” added CGTrader. Maybe something like this photo-realistic orange.

Competition entrants can check a model’s printability via Staples My Easy 3D by creating a free store. Uploading your models for printability review is required to participate.

You can find more information how to meet the requirements on CGTrader, or go to the competition website.

Will Tesco Introduce 3D Printing?

Retail giant Tesco is giving hints about its potential entrance into 3D printing.

In a blog post by Tesco Innovation Ambassador Paul Wilkinson, he shared his enthusiasm for 3D printing technology and hinted at how it could be introduced at Tesco.

So what does this all mean for Tesco then? Well I’m making no promises, but there are a few things I can predict for the future. We already print photos and posters in many of our larger stores, so why not other gifts and personalised items? How about letting kids design their own toys and then actually being able to get them made. What if we had a digital catalogue of spare parts for items that you’d bought? They could be printed on demand and ready for you by the time you’d finished your shopping. You could even take a broken item in to store; we could scan it in 3D, repair it digitally and make you a new one. The potential for 3D technology to revolutionise the way we view stores and what we can get from them is vast.

We’re pretty excited about 3D printing and we’ll be working hard to see how we might be able use it to make things better for customers. We won’t stop there though and as always we’re constantly seeking out the genuinely ‘next big thing.’ Up next I’ve got a trip to Silicon Valley – the heart of the technology industry, where as well as meeting some of the big names I’ll also be getting together with lots of start-ups and trying to find that idea or product that might just change the retail world. Watch this space to find out more about what I get up to.

With Staples already embracing 3D printing and many other retail shops introducing 3D printers and 3D printed goods on their shelves, will Tesco be the next to join the movement?

Photo of Paul Wilkinson’s desk from his blog post.

A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from December 4 to December 9.

Earlier this month, Irish 3D printing company Mcor Technologies secured a massive deal with retail giant Staples to develop a new service called Staples Easy 3D in Europe.

The video below shows how this service will enable consumers to order a 3D print as easily as photo prints are ordered today.