How do you actually win a MakerWorld contest?

MakerWorld
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Hi everyone,

I’ve been participating in MakerWorld contests for quite some time now, and I always try to submit high-quality, technically refined models. Despite this, I’ve never placed, not even in the Top 16.

Most recently, I entered with a fully 3D-printed wind-up Benchy, which – despite its tiny size (32x22x15mm) – can travel over 1 meter using nothing but a plastic spring and five precisely printed gears. No glue, no screws, no external parts – just functional FDM mechanics.

Still, it barely got any attention and currently sits at just 9 likes.

Earlier, I submitted a vault model in a different contest, which reached the Top 3 trending designs before jury evaluation. Yet again, it didn’t make the final list of winners – while some very simple designs (like a basic pen holder) were awarded.

So I’d like to ask openly:

  • How does the contest jury actually evaluate submissions?
  • Are there clear criteria – like technical complexity, creativity, printability, or documentation?
  • Does popularity (likes/downloads) affect the results – or is it completely separate from the judging process?
  • What can makers focus on to realistically improve their chances of winning?

I’m not here to disrespect anyone else’s work – there are lots of great entries every time. But I think many creators would appreciate more transparency on how decisions are made. It would help us all grow and contribute better work if we better understood what really matters in these contests.

If anyone from the MakerWorld team (or past winners) could shed some light on this, I’d be very grateful.

:paperclip: Here’s my current entry, the wind-up Benchy:
Wind-up Benchy

:paperclip: And here’s the vault model that was trending before jury review:
MINI VAULT

Thanks for reading – and for any honest feedback or insights from the community!

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Common question without real answers. I have placed in the top something a couple of times but I can’t pinpoint why. Popularity of course is a major one, but that doesn’t guarantee it. So presentation, novelty and ‘wow’ factor.

For the jury they most likely look at least at the most popular ones but then originality and creativity becomes much more of a factor. I know some simple models do get through as well but that is just luck of the draw. In the end, there are sooo many entries, that I think luck of the draw applies either case. Just design stuff you like, use contests to get a bit more traction if they apply and consider winning a nice bonus if it ever happens

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Your designs look really nice - I hope you keep participating in the contests!

To echo what @Rossero said above, if you’re enjoying what you’re making (and hopefully learning new things along the way) then I think it’s time well spent.

One thing that can have an impact on your chances is the popularity of the contest. For example, the Benchy contest had over 2,000 entries but the recent Music Box contest had only a little over 100. Better odds in a smaller pond :slight_smile:

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Didnt there used to be a little disclaimer / article about how the judging is determined ? im sure i read something once

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While the information on how they decide a winner is a bit scant, it definitely isn’t based on how many likes/downloads you have, thankfully - I hate competitions like that, it only matters how many followers you have on social sites and the same people across all the sites that do it like that always win - creality cloud, thangs, etc - always the same winners

I’ve seen a couple of winners that only had a few downloads/ likes

I think they genuinely judge it/reward people with good models

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Yeah, Judging criteria doesn’t always make sense but most of the winners tend to be high quality high effort models.

Particularly for the contests where the theme is very open ended or lower on the effort scale, expect a lot of entries. In those cases I think all a model’s popularity can guarantee is that the model will be seen by the judges.

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I have 2 second place wins and 2 honorable mentions. The two second place wins took a lot of time and effort and were unique. They need to stand out from the crowd in some way. Make sure your files are and instructions are clear and easy to follow. Presentation is a big factor as well. Spend time taking great photos. Edit them to improve color and crop them to improve composition. Although you can’t directly add video, you can make an animated gif like I see you did with your benchy. Add some text or a logo to your primary image if necessary. Number of likes/downloads/prints isn’t the biggest factor as many low-attention models have placed in contests, but it is an indicator of how well your model is received and if it stands out from the crowd.

You did a good job on your wind-up benchy, but think about what could elevate it to the next level. Maybe show it in a few different bold color schemes. Maybe lean into a racing theme and add some stripes, flames, numbers, engine parts, etc to bring a hot-rod style. Have a few variations that you can print and race them side by side. Maybe have it fly over stunts, through obstacles, over jumps, etc. Think about a dad wanting to make a few for his kids to race and play with together. What will get someone to stop and say “whoa-that looks fun! I’m going to make a bunch of those”. Just a few thoughts on taking a good design to the next level.

Same thing on the vault. You have a well-designed fault that probably functions as advertised. But it is very plain and straightforward. What could really elevate it and give it that wow-factor? Something unexpected that stands out. Maybe a sci-fi or futuristic industrial theme. Maybe cater to a design aesthetic with various options that looks great on a shelf. Maybe the outer shell looks like a different object to keep the vault hiding in plain sight. Perhaps make it a fun and kid-themed so kids can keep their siblings away from their treasure. Photos should show the vault in use in its environment, on a shelf with some money or other valuables inside. Show it’s “life.”

Just a few ideas. You have a good set of skills and are on your way to build some good stuff. Just take some time to think about elevating your design and presentation to the next level.

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I received a placement, so feel free to take my spot ^^
I’ve withdrawn my model and explained everything in the community post.

I hope MakerWorld doesn’t let the spot go to waste and can give the placement to someone else :sunglasses::+1:
Great work on your wind-up Benchy!

IMG_5545
IMG_55451920×1920 178 KB

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It’s hard to say what drives the judges. But I think they prefer models which are unique in it’s way. Think outside the Box.

I had one contest winning model which I had never seen like this before. I had it in mind for a long time and the contest was the perfect oportunity to make it a thing. It didn’t get much attention until the contest ends. So I think the judges are not too influenced by downloads and boosts.

One of my other model won in the excellent participation award. It was a flying objects contest and it was a micro sailplane that flies very well. Here my model was trending in downloads and likes but maybe for the judges too simple for podium.

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I printed you model, and Id like to say, it is really good design. but I think it is little bit "normal". There is no "special" than the toy they could buy in store or on amazon. I think you need more special idea to show people and let people feel they can show it to friends for fun. My idea is that, You dont need to participate to the contest if you dont have good enough special idea. I did not waste my time on it because I have no any good idea to build a special Benchy model to win this contest. So I give up this contest. I always did like this way because I dont like to made model as the subject that someone gives me, except when I just have an idea to match with the subject.
To win a contest in MW is not a easy thing, and i was like you last year, I complained to BAMBU LAB s people again and again. but now I can peacefully accept any result if you dont expect things happen. and just to make the model which you really want to build. follow your heart…

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You can’t just tell people that a spot is open. It’s not up to you. Removing a winning entry is a violation of the terms and conditions of contests. It has to stay on MW for one year. You may also be violating the terms of the exclusive program, but I’m not certain about that because the wording used is ambiguous.

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I think this might affect their future eligibility for a contest win, and MakerWorld can replace the file themselves I believe as part of the conditions

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A short description/motivation for their picks would be nice!

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They do this since half a year or so :wink:

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Thanks for your note.:+1: Of course, it’s not in my hands, which is why I also asked in my community post for MW to give the spot to someone else. ^^

I believe that declining a prize and shouldn’t be against the rules :sweat_smile:.

I just want to remove my model from the exclusive program, but unfortunately, the only options are either to wait 90 days or take it offline. :thinking:

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I also joined one contest, but without already thinking to win anything. It was the easter egg contest. As the winners where announced I was pretty suprised. The last one had lesser likes than the majority of the paticipants. But what sticks out to me, this winner had many followers and uploaded many models - of course a lot of his work had already been printed.

I don’t want to deny the winner anything. His design may have convinced the jury. But it’s in line with what gets the most exposure on Makerworld. Models from designers who have already uploaded a lot of models, with lots of followers, etc. It seems as if Makerworld is pushing, to make sure that they continue their work on Makerworld.

Mostly unknown designers, also with great models usually don’t get enough attention. That´s a pity.

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Which model do you mean? From what I’ve seen, some of the featured ones don’t have many likes/prints (but I think that’s good because it shows that likes have no influence on the jury’s choice).

I’ve been following the contests for some time now and I have a slightly different opinion. Many times cool models from bigger designers get participation award at most (and sometimes they are not noticed at all). As if Makerworld was afraid of rewarding the same people over and over again.

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Okay, thats just how I feel these days. I didnt watched many contests. So could be like you said.
But on the overall featured models on makerworld its more like it.

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I got third place in the Musical Instruments contest, here’s what I did: I spent an entire year and hundreds of dollars of filament prototyping and designing a 3D printable modular guitar with a focus on being easily extensible by other users. I created over two dozen prototype guitars and scrapped more than half of them. I sanded necks until my fingers bled. I designed 9 different wing sets to go on this system, three cores, and 5 neck options. I put together over 20 pages of documentation complete with 3D renders of all assembly steps for all options. I also had and still have a discord available where users can come ask me for assistance with their builds. And after all of that I sat on releasing the Acoustic Core for 2 months after finishing it in hopes that a Musical Instrument Contest would happen; and it did!

And I came in behind someone who just made a single guitar body very similar to the Prusacaster, cut a hole out of it to put a pair of speakers inside, didn’t provide links to the items in the BOM, and misspelled the word “Two” in their thumbnail. They also had less Prints, Downloads, Likes, and Boosts than mine at the time of the contest ending. The worst part is that I wanted to put speakers into mine but I couldn’t figure out how to do it - without just gutting a mini-amp and putting it inside the guitar - before the contest! I guess I can go look at how they did it and take some notes and put out a speaker wing set now tho!

The first place, on the other hand, was beautiful. A fully 3D printed violin with built in printed tuners.

That being said; these aren’t contests that are judged by any set criteria. These are contests where the Judge’s opinion determines the outcome. And participating in them is fun, and can bring a huge spotlight to you as a designer and your work.

As for your Vault model, it’s fantastic and functional, and also well documented, but I don’t think it meets the Criteria for the “Aesthetics” portion of the contest.

Aesthetics: The vault should be visually appealing and reflect a distinct style, whether it’s classic, modern, futuristic, or fantasy-themed.

I would argue that had you taken your vault and then applied some Art-Deco styled lines to it, or maybe some gold filigree, or made it look like something out of Cyberpunk 2077, you would’ve met that criteria. But as it stands, it looks very plain. Both the main theme of the contest spells out that they want visually stunning entries and then they back that up later on with a set of tips specifically about aesthetics.

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