How the PROTIQ Marketplace works

From your first upload to series orders: this guide shows you step by step how to get instant prices on the PROTIQ Marketplace, compare manufacturers, create quotes and place orders. Every function comes with a short video.

What is the PROTIQ Marketplace?

The PROTIQ Marketplace is an online platform for the industrial manufacturing of parts. You upload your 3D data, instantly see prices and production times from over 40 manufacturers and order directly online. PROTIQ operates the Marketplace and is one of the manufacturers itself – which manufacturer you commission is always your decision.

• 40+manufacturers with different specializations
• 160+materials – plastics, metals and more
• over 12processes – from 3D printing to CNC machining and injection molding
• 1 to seriesfrom prototype to series production

Below, each function is explained step by step, each with a short video.

All videos have subtitles.

All functions at a glance

Choose a topic – you jump straight to the guide and video.

01 · Get started

How do I create a free account?

A PROTIQ account is free and set up in just a few minutes. With an account, you can create PDF quotes, save projects and place orders.

1. Click “New Account” in the header.
2. Choose your account type: business customers see prices excluding VAT, private customers including VAT.
3. Enter your e-mail address and a secure password with at least 8 characters.
4. Add your billing address – for companies, please use the complete company name and VAT ID. A phone number is optional, but helpful for questions about your orders.
5. Accept the terms and conditions, save, and click the activation link in the confirmation e-mail.

02 · Get started

Where can I find all manufacturers on the Marketplace?

A central overview shows all manufacturers on the PROTIQ Marketplace. Each profile describes services, processes and materials – and every manufacturer can be ordered from directly with live prices.

1. In the menu, go to “Manufacturing Services” and select “Manufacturers”.
2. The overview shows all manufacturers currently on the Marketplace.
3. Click a manufacturer to open its profile: short description, services and specializations, processes and materials, gallery, certificates, ratings, contact details and legal information.
4. All manufacturers and materials listed there are also available when you order – with live prices, ready to select.

03 · Price & selection

How do I get an instant price for my part?

Upload your 3D file on the start page and choose material, process and quantity – prices and production times from the manufacturers appear instantly. No requests, no waiting.

1. Upload your 3D file on the start page – click the upload field or use drag and drop. To try it out, simply use the demo component.
2. Your data is checked automatically, for example whether the part fits into the build space of the process.
3. In the configurator, choose material, process and quantity – from over 160 materials.
4. You instantly see quantity-based prices and production times from all suitable manufacturers.
5. Add the parts to your cart and order directly online.

Upload 3D file

04 · Price & selection

Where can I find the material datasheets?

All datasheets are linked directly in the ordering process for each manufacturer. Every manufacturer provides its own datasheets, because machine, process parameters and post-processing change the properties of a material.

1. Upload your 3D model or click the demo component.
2. In the configurator, click “Choose material”. A window with all available materials opens.
3. Unfold a material to see every manufacturer that offers it.
4. If a datasheet is available, it is linked there and opens in a new tab. Your configuration stays open – so you can compare several datasheets side by side.

Datasheet guide as PDF >

05 · Price & selection

How do I compare manufacturers and offers?

Many materials are offered by several manufacturers. You see all offers in one list, sort and filter them – and choose your manufacturer yourself.

1. After choosing a material, all manufacturers that can produce your part in it appear, each with price and production time.
2. Sort the offers by price.
3. Narrow down your selection with the filters on the left, for example by finish or by certificates such as ISO 9001.
4. Each manufacturer offers up to three production time options; the middle one is preselected. Choose the option that suits you and your manufacturer.

06 · Order

What is PROTIQ Purchase?

Want to use the full range of the PROTIQ Marketplace – without dozens of suppliers in your system? With PROTIQ Purchase, you choose your manufacturer as usual, PROTIQ becomes your central contract partner, and the invoice comes from PROTIQ.

1. Choose your manufacturer in the offer comparison as usual.
2. Tick PROTIQ Purchase for this offer – directly while configuring, offer by offer.
3. Your part is made by the manufacturer you selected. PROTIQ is your contract partner and point of contact and takes care of quality assurance and delivery handling.
4. The invoice comes from PROTIQ. Your system needs just one supplier.

More about PROTIQ Purchase >

07 · Order

How do I create a PDF quote and place an order?

One click in the cart creates a binding PDF quote, issued to your stored billing address and valid for 14 days. You then order directly online via the cart.

1. Configure your parts and add them to the cart.
2. Log in with your free account.
3. In the cart, click “Generate quote”. The PDF with all items, prices and terms downloads instantly – ready for your approval process.
4. To order, go to checkout, choose shipping and payment method and submit your order.
5. You immediately receive an order number and a summary by e-mail, followed by the order confirmation with delivery date.

08 · Organize

How do I save and share my cart?

Configured carts can be saved as projects and shared with colleagues or your purchasing team. Whoever receives the project adds it to the cart in one click and orders.

1. In the cart, click “Save/Share cart” and give the project a name.
2. All projects are collected under “Saved projects” – with items, quantities and options to add them to the cart, download, share or delete them.
3. Via “Share project”, enter the e-mail address of your colleague or purchasing team and decide whether they may order and delete.
4. They find the project under “Projects shared with me” and add it to the cart in one click.

09 · Organize

How do I use saved projects as a digital warehouse?

Saved projects become your digital warehouse: spare and repeat parts are stored under clear names in your account and can be reordered at any time – in full or item by item, without a new upload.

1. Save your cart as a project and give it a clear name, for example by machine or assembly.
2. Under “Saved projects”, you see all projects at a glance.
3. Need parts again? Load the whole project or individual items back into the cart and order.

10 · Organize

How do I submit a series or project inquiry?

For series, special requirements or technical drawings, use the project inquiry: you describe your requirements in a form and receive tailored quotes.

1. Log in as a business customer and click “Start project request” in the box “Series and project inquiries” on the start page.
2. Enter process, material, quantities, target price, quote deadline and delivery date.
3. Describe special requirements such as delivery intervals, surfaces or required certificates, and upload 3D data or drawings.
4. Send your request. You receive a confirmation, and we clarify open points with you directly.
5. After a few days, you receive tailored quotes. Accept the one that fits and order directly via the PROTIQ Marketplace.

Start project request

Frequently asked questions about the PROTIQ Marketplace

Who operates the PROTIQ Marketplace?

The PROTIQ Marketplace is operated by PROTIQ GmbH, based in Blomberg, Germany, a company of the Phoenix Contact Group. PROTIQ manufactures parts itself, mainly by selective laser sintering (SLS) and selective laser melting (SLM), and is one of over 40 manufacturers on the Marketplace.

What does it cost to use the PROTIQ Marketplace?

Your account and price calculation on the PROTIQ Marketplace are free of charge. Costs only arise when you order: you pay the price you selected in the offer comparison, plus shipping. With PROTIQ Purchase, a surcharge per item applies.

Who is my contract partner?

Your contract partner is the manufacturer you select for an item. It produces the parts and issues the invoice. If you tick PROTIQ Purchase for an offer, PROTIQ is your contract partner for this item, and the invoice comes from PROTIQ.

How quickly will I receive my parts?

That depends on the manufacturer, the process and the production time you choose. In the offer comparison, each manufacturer shows up to three production time options with the corresponding price. After ordering, you receive an order confirmation with the delivery date.

Do I see net or gross prices?

Business customers see prices excluding VAT, private customers including VAT. Without logging in, you can switch the view between private and business customer in the header.

Which file formats can I upload?

The PROTIQ Marketplace processes all common 3D formats, including STL, STEP, IGES, OBJ, 3DM, Parasolid, SolidWorks and CATIA. Other formats are available on request.

How secure is my 3D data?

Your 3D data is stored encrypted on our own servers in Germany.

Can I order large quantities?

Yes. The instant calculation is designed for small and medium quantities. For series, use the series and project inquiry and receive tailored quotes.