3D printed candy made in customers’ image

FabCafe in Japan hosted an event that enabled visitors to create gummy men - jelly sweets that look like the customers that made them.

Regular readers of Springwise may remember FabCafe, the Tokyo-based diner that enables designers to 3D print while they wait. Demonstrating its enthusiasm for marrying food and 3D printing, the company has now hosted an event to enable visitors to create gummy men – jelly sweets that are in the likeness of the customers who made them. In Japan, Valentine’s Day is usually observed by women who offer gifts to their husbands or boyfriends. However, a month later on 14 March is White Day when men are expected to return the favor. FabCafe invited a group of customers to attend a workshop at the beginning of March to have their body scanned to create a 3D file of their likeness. Upon returning at the next session, the café had the files turned into plastic moulds ready to pour in the jelly. After they had set, the customers were left with a unique gift to give to their partners in time for White Day. The workshops were open to the first nine men signing up and cost JPY 6,000 per person. The project reflects a similar scheme carried out by Maynards Canada a couple of years back, while also engaging customers with the café’s 3D printing facilities. We’ll definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for further unusual offerings from this innovative company! Spotted by: Murtaza Patel