People often ask us what actually happens between a digital 3D model and the thing that arrives in their letterbox. It's a fair question — because the gap between "file on a computer" and "creature on your desk" is bigger and more hands-on than most people expect.
Here's how a Wiggly gets made.
It Starts With a Design
Every figurine we make starts as a 3D model designed by an independent artist. We license these designs directly from their creators — which is part of how we keep our range diverse and interesting, and part of why supporting Wiggly Stuff means supporting the broader community of people making extraordinary things with 3D modelling software.
We don't just download whatever's trending. We look for designs with personality — things that have a story, a face, a character. That's why every creature in our range has a name and a vibe, not just a SKU.
Then It Goes to the Printers
Our Bambu Lab printers run out of our Melbourne studio, and this is where the magic happens — slowly, layer by layer.
A single figurine can take anywhere from one to several hours to print depending on its size and complexity. The printer lays down fine layers of PLA filament, building up the shape from the bottom up. The joints and articulation points are printed directly into the design — no assembly required, which is one of the things that makes this kind of printing genuinely impressive.
PLA (polylactic acid) is the main material we use for our 3D-printed figurines. It is a plastic commonly made using plant-derived sugars and is well suited to detailed, colourful printing. PLA is not home-compostable and should be disposed of responsibly.
Hand-Finishing Is Where the Care Shows
After it comes off the printer, every Wiggly goes through a hand-finishing process. This involves checking joints, clearing any fine stringing, inspecting the articulation, and making sure the movement is smooth and satisfying.
This step is not optional. 3D printing is precise, but it's not perfect — and the difference between a figurine that feels like it was made with care and one that doesn't is almost always in what happens after the print ends.
It's also why no two Wigglies are exactly alike. The colours shift slightly between prints, the joints settle differently, and the finish has that handmade quality that you can feel when you hold one.
Then It Finds You
Once it passes the quality check, it gets packed by hand and prepared for shipping across Australia. Current dispatch estimates are shown on the store when you order.
We ship in boxes where possible so each order can be packed securely. Like any detailed figurine, a Wiggly should still be handled with care.
Why We Do This in Melbourne
We get asked sometimes whether we'd be cheaper if we had the figurines made overseas. Yes, probably. But a lot of what makes a Wiggly a Wiggly is the control we have over every step of the process — the choice of designs, the filament quality, the finishing, the care taken with each piece.
Printing locally means we can turn new designs around quickly. It means we can catch a print quality issue before it reaches a hundred customers. It means that when something goes wrong (which occasionally it does — hence the Oopsies Pack), we know about it and can fix it.
It also means every figurine you buy is one that someone in Melbourne personally held, checked, and packed.
That's the bit we're proudest of.
