Tsukulus
Tsukulus Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based private 3D data services company founded in 2007 that operates a portfolio spanning proprietary 3D photo software (GuruGuru Photo Maker!), multi-material 3D printing and scanning services, a 50,000+ SKU endmill e-commerce marketplace (CutMill), and 3D printer resale, serving Japanese design, manufacturing, and web/ecommerce customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Tsukulus does
Tsukulus Co., Ltd. (株式会社ツクルス) is a Tokyo-based private 3D data services company founded in August 2007 and headquartered in Akihabara (Taito-ku, Ueno). The company operates across the 3D shape data value chain, offering proprietary software, on-demand 3D printing and scanning services, a multi-manufacturer endmill e-commerce marketplace, and 3D printer resale with selection consulting. Its core technology assets include GuruGuru Photo Maker! shareware that converts photographs into 360-degree rotatable Flash outputs, multi-material 3D printing capacity (ProJet HD3000 Plus, Dimension uPrint ABS, Objet24, acrylic resin), and a hole-free STL 3D scanning service for plastics, resins, aluminum, and magnesium.
The company generates revenue through six distinct streams: transactional 3D printing output services (quote-based by mode, material, and build volume), one-time software licenses (GuruGuru Photo Maker at ¥2,880), flat-rate 3D scanning (¥84,000), hardware resale of 3D printers, marketplace commissions on the CutMill endmill platform (50,000+ SKUs from seven Japanese manufacturers), and brokerage fees from the TCI regional partnership initiative. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the company's own websites (tkls.co.jp, cutmill.com), with supplementary distribution through the Vector shareware portal and trade show participation (INTERMOLD).
Tsukulus also operates the secretariat for 3D-GAN, a non-profit industry association founded March 2008 that bridges Japan's manufacturing (CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM) and content (CG/entertainment) sectors around shared 3D shape data. The company's named enterprise client references span financial services, banking, security, printing, electronics, medical devices, and IT systems integration, though all customers listed are Japanese. The company remains privately held with no disclosed funding, parent, subsidiary, or headcount.
Tsukulus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tsukulus
- Legal name
- 株式会社ツクルス
- Website
- https://tkls.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Tsukulus Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based private 3D data services company founded in 2007 that operates a portfolio spanning proprietary 3D photo software (GuruGuru Photo Maker!), multi-material 3D printing and scanning services, a 50,000+ SKU endmill e-commerce marketplace (CutMill), and 3D printer resale, serving Japanese design, manufacturing, and web/ecommerce customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tsukulus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- 3D Printing Services
- NAICS
- Printing and Related Support Activities (323), Support Activities for Printing (323120)
- SIC
- Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790), Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts) (IMAAADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- 3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing) (HDACAEAH)
Keywords
Where Tsukulus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tsukulus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 3D Printing/Output Services: Fee-for-service 3D printing where customers submit 3D CAD/CG data and pay per print job. Pricing varies by machine mode, build volume, material type, support dissolution, and model interior structure (solid/hollow).
- GuruGuru Photo Maker Software Sales: One-time license fee for shareware software. Free trial with watermark; paid license removes watermark. Campaign pricing available through referral.
- CutMill Endmill E-commerce: Online marketplace for endmill tools from multiple manufacturers (Nissei Tool, Union, ATOM, Kyowa Seiko, Okazaki, Sanko, Dijet). Customers purchase endmills directly through the site.
- 3D Scanning Services: Fixed-price scanning service at ¥84,000 for objects up to φ200×200mm. Includes scanning, STL data delivery, and return shipping.
- 3D Printer (RP Machine) Sales: Resale of 3D printers and rapid prototyping equipment, including pre-purchase consultation and trial benchmarking outputs.
- TCI Regional Partnership Services: Brokerage and matching services connecting technology-seeking companies with Tsukuba-area tech ventures. Revenue derived from TCI regional partnership initiative.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | One time | GuruGuru Photo Maker — Free Trial |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | GuruGuru Photo Maker — Standard License |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time | GuruGuru Photo Maker — Referral Campaign |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 3D Scanning Service — Standard Scan |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | HD3000 Output Service — By Mode |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ABS Output Service — Tiered by Structure |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Tsukulus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tsukulus delivers 3D data services across software, services, and marketplace. It operates fee-for-service 3D printing using ProJet HD3000 Plus (VisiJet EX200, 16–40μ layers) and Dimension uPrint (ABS plus resin), plus fixed-price 3D scanning producing hole-free STL data for objects up to ø200×200mm. The company also sells GuruGuru Photo Maker shareware that turns 2–12 photographs into rotatable 3D-style Flash .swf files, and runs the CutMill cross-manufacturer endmill e-commerce platform aggregating 50,000+ SKUs from seven Japanese manufacturers.
Product overview
Tsukulus is a 3D data services company offering a portfolio of software tools, 3D printing/scanning services, and e-commerce platforms. Core products include グルグル写真Maker! (rotating photo software), CutMill (end mill e-commerce), and 3D printing services using HD3000, ABS, acrylic resin, and Objet technologies. Additional services include 3D scanning, 3D printer sales consulting, and regional technology venture support through TCI. The company also serves as secretariat for 3D-GAN industry association. Services span e-commerce, manufacturing, and content industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HD3000 3D Printing Output Service (HD3000立体出力サービス) 3D printing service using ProJet HD3000 Plus with three modes (rough 40μ, normal 32μ, fine 16μ), maximum build size 298×185×203mm, using VisiJet EX200 material with wax support dissolution available. Targets designers, engineers, and manufacturers requiring high-precision output.
- ABS 3D Printing Output Service (ABS立体出力サービス) 3D printing service using Dimension uPrint with ABS plus resin in ivory color, 0.254mm layer pitch, maximum build size 203×152×152mm, with three internal structure options (solid, hollow high-density, hollow low-density) and optional support dissolution.
- 3D Scanning Service (3Dスキャンサービス) 3D scanning service that delivers hole-free closed STL mesh data for objects up to ø200×200mm at a flat fee of ¥84,000 (tax included). Capable of scanning plastics, resins, aluminum, and magnesium; cannot scan iron, copper, or heavy metals.
- GuruGuru Photo Maker! (グルグル写真Maker！) Shareware software that converts 2–12 photographs into interactive 360-degree rotatable 3D-style Flash (.swf) photos in approximately three clicks. Available as free trial with watermark, standard license at ¥2,880, or referral campaign license at ¥2,310. Used by EC site operators, web designers, and photographers for product visualization and panoramas.
- CutMill (カッテミル) Endmill E-commerce Marketplace Endmill comparison and purchase website aggregating over 50,000 items from seven manufacturers (Nissei Tool, Union, ATOM, Kyowa Seiko, Okazaki, Sanko, Dijet). Supports search by manufacturer, size, specifications, and features for cross-brand comparison without membership requirement.
- 3D Printer (RP Machine) Sales Consulting Service (3Dプリンター販売事業) Vendor-neutral 3D printer (RP machine) sales consulting service that supports equipment selection with pre-purchase benchmarking and trial printing outputs. Resells 3D printers and rapid prototyping equipment from multiple manufacturers without bias.
- TCI Tsukuba Research Center Regional Partnership Service (TCIつくば研究支援センター 地域力連携拠点事業) Brokerage and matching services connecting technology-seeking companies with Tsukuba-area tech ventures as part of TCI's Regional Power Partnership Initiative. Supports sales expansion for Tsukuba-originated technology development ventures.
Companies that use Tsukulus
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tsukulus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Tsukulus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Tsukuba Research Center / TCI (株式会社つくば研究支援センター)coreTsukulus participates in TCI's Regional Power Partnership Initiative as a partner supporting sales expansion for Tsukuba-originated tech development venture companies and matching technology-seeking enterprises with local ventures. Tsukulus serves as a bridge for technology commercialization in the Tsukuba region.
- 3D-GAN (３次元形状を活用する会)coreTsukulus operates the secretariat for 3D-GAN, a non-profit industry organization founded to connect the manufacturing (CAD/CAM/CAE/PLM) and content (CG/gaming/entertainment) industries around shared 3D shape data. Founded March 13, 2008. Tsukulus drives the association's activities, events, and industry振兴 initiatives.
- Endmill Manufacturers (Nissei Tool, Union, ATOM, Kyowa Seiko, Okazaki, Sanko, Dijet)coreCutMill platform aggregates endmill products from seven Japanese manufacturers: Nissei Tool (日進工具), Union, ATOM, Kyowa Seiko (協和精工), Okazaki (岡崎精工), Sanko (三興製作所), and Dijet. These manufacturers' full catalogs are indexed in the CutMill search platform enabling cross-brand comparison.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tsukulus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- i.materialise: Materialise's consumer-facing 3D printing service for designers, artists, and small businesses — closest analog to Tsukulus's SMB/individual-focused on-demand printing service bureau model.
- Materialise: Global leader in on-demand 3D printing services and software, offering industrial 3D printing across multiple materials and post-processing — directly comparable to Tsukulus's bureau model for industrial/functional parts.
- MISUMI: Japan-headquartered industrial components e-commerce platform offering factory automation, tooling, and consumables with same-day shipping — directly comparable to CutMill's endmill marketplace aggregation model.
- Sculpteo: Online 3D printing service bureau offering on-demand manufacturing in plastics and metals for prototyping and small-batch production — directly mirrors Tsukulus's bureau offering for design and manufacturing customers.
- Shapeways: Online 3D printing service bureau and marketplace serving designers, SMBs, and enterprise customers with on-demand manufacturing and prototyping services across multiple materials — comparable in business model to Tsukulus's printing bureau.
- Hubs (formerly 3D Hubs): Distributed manufacturing marketplace that aggregates 3D printing and CNC capacity from partner bureaus globally — comparable in that it provides an online platform connecting customers with on-demand 3D printing services.
Broad incumbents
- Protolabs: Large-scale on-demand digital manufacturer offering CNC, 3D printing, injection molding, and sheet metal — broader scope but overlapping with Tsukulus's rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing customers.
- 3D Systems On-Demand Manufacturing: Service bureau arm of 3D Systems, a major 3D printer OEM offering prototyping and low-volume production services — overlaps with Tsukulus's bureau offering and competes for similar enterprise prototyping customers.
- Stratasys Direct Manufacturing: Service bureau arm of Stratasys, one of the largest 3D printer OEMs, offering professional 3D printing services using its own FDM and PolyJet systems — overlaps with Tsukulus's ProJet HD3000 and Objet24 service lines.
- MonotaRO: Japan's largest MRO (maintenance, repair, operations) e-commerce platform selling consumables, tools, and indirect materials to industrial customers — adjacent comparison for CutMill's tool aggregation play.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tsukulus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tsukulus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Tsukulus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tsukulus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tsukulus
What does Tsukulus do?
Tsukulus delivers 3D data services across software, services, and marketplace. It operates fee-for-service 3D printing using ProJet HD3000 Plus (VisiJet EX200, 16–40μ layers) and Dimension uPrint (ABS plus resin), plus fixed-price 3D scanning producing hole-free STL data for objects up to ø200×200mm. The company also sells GuruGuru Photo Maker shareware that turns 2–12 photographs into rotatable 3D-style Flash .swf files, and runs the CutMill cross-manufacturer endmill e-commerce platform aggregating 50,000+ SKUs from seven Japanese manufacturers.
Is Tsukulus a public or private company?
Tsukulus is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tsukulus founded?
Tsukulus was founded in 2007.
Where is Tsukulus based?
Tsukulus is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Tsukulus make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. 3D Printing/Output Services are the primary driver. The others are guruGuru Photo Maker Software Sales, cutMill Endmill E-commerce, 3D Scanning Services, 3D Printer (RP Machine) Sales and TCI Regional Partnership Services.
Who are Tsukulus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are i.materialise, Materialise, MISUMI, Sculpteo, Shapeways and Hubs (formerly 3D Hubs). Broad incumbents are Protolabs, 3D Systems On-Demand Manufacturing, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing and MonotaRO.
Does Tsukulus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tsukulus.
What industry is Tsukulus in?
Tsukulus's product category is 3D Printing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAADAL, Electronics & Industrial Component 3D Printing Services (enclosures, fixtures, functional parts), with a secondary code of HDACAEAH, 3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing). Its NAICS code is 323 and its SIC code is 2790.