Behind the Curtain
How Our 3D Printed Jewelry Is Made
Every Aloha Atomic relic is drawn, sculpted, printed and hand-painted by Tim and Annie in Florida. Here is the whole journey.
How each piece of jewelry at Aloha Atomic is made
From Sketch to Relic, Step by Step
- 1
First Comes the Sketch
Every design begins as an original drawing, made by hand on an iPad in Photoshop and Procreate. This is where a relic's face, pose and personality are born.
- 2
Then It Is Modeled in 3D
We translate that 2D sketch into a detailed 3D sculpt in 3DS Max, rotating the model all the way around to get every curve and carved detail right.
- 3
Then It Is Printed
Each piece is printed in-house on our Anycubic resin printers in high-definition resin. Up to 30 small pieces can be printed at once, and the crisp detail comes straight off the build plate.
- 4
Foundational Basecoat
A smooth basecoat is applied to create a solid foundation for depth and color.
- 5
And Finally, Hand Painted
Depending on the collection, we hand-paint each piece with a fine-tipped brush, using multi-layered acrylic dry-brushing or rich full color to look like aged volcanic stone, weathered wood or vintage flash art.
- 6
Protective Clear Coat
A durable protective clear coat seals in the paint and keeps the finish safe from the elements.
- 7
Mounted by Hand
Next, each relic is mounted on the materials it needs: hypoallergenic hooks for earrings, flowers for hair clips, and the right hardware for keychains and wine charms.
- 8
Packaged by Hand
Every piece is packaged by hand too. When an order ships, it goes out in a shipping box with loving care.
Handcrafted Resin Jewelry, Made in Florida
Aloha Atomic is a two-person studio. Tim and Annie make every earring, wine charm, keychain and hair clip themselves, in a small workshop in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Most pieces are around 1.5 inches tall and weigh less than an ounce, thanks to lightweight resin that holds crisp, carved-looking detail.
Because everything is made in small batches, quality control is personal: each piece is inspected by the same hands that painted it. Ready to see the results? Visit one of our five islands below.
Good to Know
- Is Aloha Atomic jewelry really 3D printed?
- Yes. Every design is sculpted digitally and printed in high-definition resin. Then it is hand-painted with acrylics, sealed with a clear coat and assembled by hand, so each piece is a mix of technology and handwork.
- How long does it take to make an order?
- Each piece goes through drawing, sculpting, printing, painting and boxing. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for your jewelry to ship.
- Are the earrings safe for sensitive ears?
- Our earrings use hypoallergenic, fade-resistant hooks with soft silicone backs.
- Do you take custom orders?
- No. Every Aloha Atomic design is an original relic from our own universe, and we do not take custom orders.
