But Shapeways, a part of Philips Electronics, is for individual users.
The service charges less than $3 per cubic centimeter for materials. That means you can get your model bookends printed for less than $200, even much less than that if you make it very, very, tiny.
If you are short on ideas or skills, the site offers a growing library of free templates from designers.
With the downloadable Java tool Sideways Creator, you can personalize gifts with custom etchings.
I expect Shapeways' "light poem" tea light holder will be a hit. The Sideways Creator tool has a window into which you can punch in your salute to the Red Sox, or birthday greetings for your mom.
The tool then shows you a 3D rendering of the product, as it has been shaped by your words.