Team-Stuff: a 3D configurator for bucket hats and scarves

Team-Stuff wanted its customers to design fan merchandise online and turn those designs into specific inquiries. The first 3D bucket hat model was ready six days after the project started. By day 20, the entire 3D Designer had been set up and adapted for Team-Stuff, ready for integration into its website.

The configurator from 3ddesigner.io lets customers design bucket hats and scarves directly on a 3D product. For Team-Stuff, a key goal was to let customers make their ideas visible before sending an inquiry.

Team-Stuff: custom fan merchandise since 2013

Team-Stuff↗ (Opens in a new tab) was founded in 2013 out of a passion for football. It produces custom fan merchandise, clothing and accessories for clubs, fan groups and companies. Its range includes shirts, hats and scarves.

Almost every order is different: different club colors, a new slogan or an individual graphic. To prepare a suitable quote, Team-Stuff needs a clear picture of the product the customer has in mind.

The challenge: concrete designs instead of vague inquiries

The managing director wanted a configurator that would help Team-Stuff receive high-quality inquiries. More inquiries are of limited value if each one needs several rounds of clarification.

Many custom merchandise manufacturers know the pattern: a customer describes an idea, someone prepares an initial design, and changes and questions follow by email. A considerable amount of work can accumulate before an order is confirmed.

For small quantities, that work weighs particularly heavily. Once the design is agreed, it also has to become a finished print file. Creating that file manually in a graphics application adds hours of work to each order, regardless of how many units are produced. Higher minimum order quantities may then be necessary to make the handling effort worthwhile.

The configurator from 3ddesigner.io handles this step: the customer designs their product online, and the designer generates the finished print file within seconds, ready to send to production. Team-Stuff does not have to create the file manually in a graphics application. This removes a manual task for each individual design that makes small orders particularly time-consuming. It helps make small quantities more economical to handle, while manufacturing costs remain part of the calculation.

Starting again after six months without the expected progress

According to the managing director's account, Team-Stuff first worked with another provider from Italy specializing in 3D configurators. The company cancelled the project after half a year, but remained committed to the idea and was willing to start again.

The managing director contacted us to learn about the 3D Designer. We showed him the configurator and how products could be customized in it. Team-Stuff then chose to work with us.

Day 6: the first bucket hat model

Six days after the project started, Team-Stuff received the first 3D model of the bucket hat. We were particularly pleased with the managing director's feedback:

Day 20: the entire designer was ready

By day 20, the entire 3D Designer had been set up and adapted for Team-Stuff. The bucket hat and scarf were configured as customizable products. The designer was ready to use and could be integrated into the Team-Stuff website.

The 20 days covered setup and adaptation for Team-Stuff, including its products. The software itself is ready to use; the work involved in creating product models and meeting special requirements depends on the project.

A practical requirement: curved lettering on hats

Team-Stuff wanted customers to be able to curve text, especially on hats. We added this feature to the designer.

We also saw its value for other customers and products, so Team-Stuff paid no additional charge for the extension. Curved text became part of the designer's customization options and can be enabled in product configuration.

It is an example of customer feedback guiding development: a specific project requirement can improve the tool for other applications too.

From the customer's design to the finished print file

The 3D Designer is an interactive product configurator in the browser. Depending on the product configuration, customers can choose colors and patterns and place text and logos. Their design appears directly on a 3D model. Online designer, product configurator and 3D customizer describe different aspects of this tool.

The operator controls the options available for each product. For Team-Stuff, the initial implementation covered the bucket hat and scarf; this does not imply that its entire product range is available in the designer.

The customer's design gives the inquiry a concrete starting point. The designer automatically generates the production-ready file from that same design. Automatic print file generation connects customization in the browser with preparation for production. There is no need to create the print file manually in a graphics application.

What Team-Stuff says about working with us

The feedback on the first model was a good beginning. Team-Stuff's customer review also describes how the tool and the collaboration work in practice:

Looking for a configurator like Team-Stuff?

Team-Stuff shows how the 3D Designer can be used for custom fan merchandise: customers design their product online, giving their inquiry a concrete starting point and providing the design from which the print file is automatically generated.

The configurator from 3ddesigner.io is ready to use and supports customization and the subsequent inquiry or ordering process. You manage your products and options in the admin dashboard. If you have special requirements, we can discuss those with you. Get to know the 3D Designer or explore our 3D configurator for your own products.

Questions about the project

Which 3D configurator does Team-Stuff use?

Team-Stuff uses the 3D Designer by Newbeemountain GmbH, available through 3ddesigner.io. This project made bucket hats and scarves available for online customization.

How can I get a configurator or customizer like Team-Stuff?

The 3D Designer from 3ddesigner.io is ready-to-use software for product customization and the subsequent inquiry or ordering process. You manage your products and design options in the admin dashboard. Additional consultation is only needed if you have special requirements.

Is a 3D designer suitable for fan merchandise and club supplies?

Yes. Team-Stuff provides a real example using bucket hats and scarves. The 3D Designer supports colors, patterns, text and logos, among other options. The available tools are configured for each product.

How long did the Team-Stuff project take?

The first bucket hat model was ready six days after the project started. By day 20, the entire 3D Designer had been set up and adapted for Team-Stuff, including the bucket hat and scarf. It was ready to use and could be integrated into the Team-Stuff website. The 20 days describe the setup of this project.

Can a configurator help generate more specific customer inquiries?

Yes. Customers can design their product before making an inquiry. A visible design provides a more concrete starting point than a written idea alone. That was Team-Stuff's goal. This case study does not claim measured time savings or a reduction in minimum order quantities.

How does the 3D Designer make small-quantity orders easier to handle?

The 3D Designer from 3ddesigner.io generates the finished print file from the customer's design within seconds, ready to send to production. You do not have to create it yourself in a graphics application. This removes a manual task for each individual design, an overhead that weighs particularly heavily on small orders.

Can customers curve text on a bucket hat?

Yes. We added curved text for Team-Stuff. Because the feature was also useful for other customers and products, Team-Stuff paid no extra charge for it. This does not mean that all custom development is free.