Etsy Seller Interview with Ismael of auplaza3D

How auplaza3D got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

Hi! I'm Ismael, the creator behind auplaza3D, a shop where I fuse creativity, geek culture, and technology through 3D printed pieces. My store focuses on collectible figures and decorative wall art, inspired by classic films, retro video games, and legendary pop culture icons.

It all started with printing models for my personal collection. Friends and family showed growing interest in my pieces, so I opened an Etsy shop to share them with a wider audience.

I work with specialized designers who model characters and themes from various fandoms. Then I adapt those models to my own preferred size, finish, and visual style, making each item unique. I print everything using high-quality PLA and Silk PLA, with great care put into detail, finish, and presentation.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

My shop is kind of a secret lair for collectors, and there are several items that I truly enjoy making and displaying:

20" Darth Vader Figure – A fully articulated Sith Lord with an LED lightsaber and sound effects. It’s one of my most complete and powerful designs, with a strong display presence.

C-3PO with LED Eyes + Remote – This golden protocol droid not only has a premium finish, but its LED eyes, controlled by remote, give it an expressive, lifelike quality. He’s interactive, shiny, and a perfect tribute to the Star Wars universe.

20" Stormtrooper Figure with E-11 Blaster – One of the most visited and favorite items in my shop. It was also my second sale, back in my shop’s second month. The figure includes an E-11 blaster, and its clean, solid design makes it a must-have for any Empire fan.

Iron Man with LED Eyes – Straight out of Stark Industries! This articulated Iron Man comes with remote-controlled LED eyes, a shiny red-and-gold finish, and that signature Tony Stark energy.

Space Invaders 3D Shadow Box – A colorful tribute to arcade history. Printed with gold and silver silk PLA, it’s perfect for gaming rooms, geeky offices, or retro decor lovers. These items reflect the spirit of Auplaza3D: fan-made tributes, crafted with care, precision, and the kind of passion only true geeks understand. They’re not mass-produced; they’re personal pieces made by a fan, for fans.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

I made my first sale during the first week, which was incredibly motivating. I focused early on improving my listings with strong titles, clear photos, multilingual tags, and detailed descriptions. Tools like Alura really helped boost my visibility and understand Etsy SEO better.

Now, I attract customers mostly through organic Etsy search and social media content. I also use tools to schedule and analyze my posts, which helps me understand what kind of content brings in more traffic and engagement.

Managing auplaza3D

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

Yes — I manage auplaza3D completely on my own. From selecting and adapting models, to printing, post-processing, customer service, photography, video, packaging and shipping — I handle every step of the process.

Here are the main tools I use:

Photoshop for product photo editing
Final Cut Pro X (FCPX) for short promotional videos and reels
Alura for listing optimization and SEO tracking
Social media tools for post scheduling and analytics
Envia.com, a shipping platform integrated with Etsy that lets me compare carriers, generate shipping labels, and offer tracking to customers
Each order is carefully packed with protective wrap and includes a thank-you card to create a premium unboxing experience.

The future of auplaza3D

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

In the short term, I want to continue adding new characters and expanding the catalog, especially with lesser-known or cult-favorite figures that fans truly appreciate. I’m also working on creating more video content to show the printing process, finishing details, and how the pieces look when displayed.

In the mid-term, I’d love to launch limited edition bundles, character packs, and maybe even collaborate with other digital sculptors. I want auplaza3D to become a go-to place for fans looking for standout, personalized collectibles with a geek soul.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Just start. Upload your products, learn from the experience, and improve over time. Consistency matters more than perfection.

Use great photos, write clear descriptions, and provide excellent customer care. Tools like Alura can help a lot with visibility and keyword research, but what really sets your shop apart is your personal touch and attention to detail.

Listen to your buyers, stay active on social media, and be patient. If you put passion into what you do, your audience will feel it — and success will come naturally.