The work behind the things you make

Know what's
on your plate.

From first idea to final handoff.
Keep designs, customer approvals, orders, and print production connected—so you know what’s ready, what’s waiting, and what to do next.

Explore the workflow See the customer view

In development · Public signups are not open.

BuildPlateMy Plate / illustrative view

What’s next?

Sample workshop
Finish & check · Desk trays
6 of 6 pieces made · Inspection next
Next action
Personalised nameplate
Proof 2 · Awaiting customer approval
Waiting
Cable clips · Batch 2
4 of 12 good pieces made
Printing

Illustrative product view · Sample data, not a live workshop

Built from the daily work at Great Bend Creations.

↗ Custom work↗ Repeat designs↗ Small production runs
One connected workflow

Every design has a history.
Every order has a next step.

Keep reusable designs, customer work, and physical production distinct—then connect them where it matters.

01 / KEEP

Library

Capture an idea. Keep its references, concepts, model revisions, and product files together as it becomes ready for print.

Ideas → In development → Ready for print
02 / CONNECT

Orders

Bring the customer, quantities, due date, and fulfilment together. Link each item to the model or custom proof it will use.

Customer orders & stock runs
03 / MAKE

The Plate

Record print attempts, good pieces, and finishing. Confirm the inspection, then record pickup, shipping, or delivery.

Queue → Print → Check → Hand off
04 / FOCUS

My Plate

See the next actions, work in progress, and what is waiting. Bring overdue work into view without opening every order.

A clear place to start
From “looks good” to the right file

Know which version
got the yes.

A concept is a direction. A proof is a specific version. A ready-for-print model is a production decision. BuildPlate keeps those decisions separate.

  1. 01
    Review the idea first

    Share a concept direction before the model is ready. Keep comments and revisions with it.

  2. 02
    Get a clear customer decision

    Share a private proof link. The customer approves or requests changes without creating an account.

  3. 03
    Carry the right file into production

    Track the exact revision or approved custom proof used for each print attempt.

GB CreationsCustomer proof · Example
Design review

Personalised nameplate

Proof 2 · Rev03-C01

Review the spelling, layout, and finish shown in this proof.

Proof approvedDecision recorded for Proof 2
Illustrative view · Sample proof and decision
PROOF 2EXACT 3MFPRINT ATTEMPT
GB Creations
ORDER 1042 · EXAMPLE

Your order is printing.

A clear view of your pieces, from preparation to handoff.

ReceivedPreparingProductionFinishingReady

Desk tray

Quantity 6 · Preview

Printing4 of 6 made

We’ll check each piece before it’s ready for pickup.

Illustrative customer view · Sample order

Progress comes from recorded work—not printer telemetry.

A calmer customer handoff

Let customers follow
their order.

A private tracker gives customers a simple view of their items and progress, built from the same production records your team uses.

  • Clear stages from preparation through handoff
  • Product previews and progress photos you choose to share
  • A customer note, separate from internal notes
  • No customer account to create

Staff share the link. BuildPlate currently records email notifications without sending them.

Keep the source in sight

Store creator originals, attribution, and licence-review notes separately from your production model.

Keep “ready” honest

See print-test results and release decisions separately. A new draft doesn’t silently replace a released model.

Keep the history

Follow revisions, proof decisions, print attempts, and handoffs with a record of what changed.

Before you ask

A focused tool.
A work in progress.

Built around the practical work of a small maker business.

Who is BuildPlate for?

Small maker businesses managing custom 3D-printed work, repeat designs, and short production runs. It is being developed around the day-to-day work at Great Bend Creations.

Can I sign up today?

Public signups are not open. BuildPlate is in development; public availability, onboarding, and pricing have not been announced. If you’re curious about the project, connect with Mike on LinkedIn.

Does it control printers or replace a slicer?

No. BuildPlate keeps the model file and production record connected. Your team uses its existing modelling and slicing tools, starts the printer, and records the result.

What connects to BuildPlate?

The current code includes permission-scoped agent tools and an optional Square invoice-notice receiver that creates proposals for human review. These require setup. There is no automatic Square catalogue or invoice-item sync, and email sending is still planned.

What does a customer see?

A proof link shows the selected watermarked proof images and asks for a decision. A separate tracker shows order progress, customer notes, and photos staff choose to share. Internal notes and production files stay out of these customer views.

Built one real workflow at a time

Made for the work
behind the things we make.

BuildPlate is used at Great Bend Creations and is being developed with other small maker businesses in mind. Public signups are not open, but if you’re curious about the project, we’d welcome a conversation.

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn