If you are a creator on MakerWorld or a Bambu Lab enthusiast, it’s time to audit your profile. In a major move to boost platform quality, MakerWorld has officially declared war on misleading model pages. The era of uploading unverified digital renders is over.

As of February 5, 2026, new transparency rules are in effect. Here is the breakdown of what has changed and how to avoid getting your models restricted.

The Core Requirement: Prove It Prints

Based on user feedback regarding unmet expectations, MakerWorld is enforcing a strict new policy: Authenticity. From now on, every model page and print profile must include at least one real photo of the actual printed object.

  • Digital renders alone are no longer sufficient.

  • The photo must clearly and accurately show the final printed object.

  • This applies to both the model entry and the print profiles attached to it.

The Timeline: Act Now

The rules apply differently depending on when the model was uploaded:

  1. New Uploads (From Feb 5, 2026): Any model uploaded from now on without a real photo of the print may be restricted from visibility immediately. If you haven’t printed it, you can’t share it.

  2. Existing Models (90-Day Grace Period): For your older catalog, you have time to catch up. MakerWorld is offering a self-review period ending on May 5, 2026. After this deadline, legacy models that still lack real photos will be handled according to platform guidelines (likely hidden from search/feeds).

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid

MakerWorld highlighted specific “red flags” that will get flagged under the new rules:

  • Incomplete Display: Don’t just show a close-up texture shot. Users need to see the entire object to understand the geometry and scale.

  • Cover Image Discrepancies: While you can still use a render as a cover, it is risky. If the render promises a structure or proportion that the real print doesn’t deliver, it’s a violation. The platform highly recommends using a real photo as the cover.

  • File Mismatch: Do not show a photo of a full assembled kit if the downloadable files only contain one part. The image must match the actual downloadable content.

A Win for the Community

While this adds an extra step for designers, it’s a massive win for users. This update ensures that “what you see is what you print,” bridging the gap between digital design and physical reality. It rewards creators who actually test their work and protects users from wasting filament on unprintable models.

Fonte: makerworld.com