VisionLab has taken a significant step in the optical sector by presenting Custom Lab, a proprietary system that allows for the manufacture of frames using 3D printing in just over an hour directly in-store.With this approach, the Spanish chain brings production closer to the point of sale and places the consumer at the center of the process, with mounts created practically on the spot and on demand.
This new solution, developed entirely in Spain, makes VisionLab the first company in the country to incorporate the volumetric printing in a way specific to the manufacturing process of prescription glasses in retailThe company thus seeks to democratize a technology that until now was restricted to highly specialized environments and high prices, opening the door to customized frames at a more accessible cost.
Custom Lab: glasses made in store in just over an hour
The heart of the project is Custom Lab, a technology that integrates two printing systems and a digital modeling tool to create, right there in the store, the physical frame onto which the prescription lenses are then mounted. The process begins with the customer's selection in the store and ends with the glasses ready in just over an hour.
In this first phase, the deployment includes twelve models of frames and multiple finishes in solid and translucent colorsdesigned to cover different styles and needs. The user selects the shape, approximate size, and color, and from that information VisionLab generates a digital file that is sent to the volumetric printing system installed at the point of sale.
This file combines 3D modeling and advanced printing technologies to create the final mount. Once the structure is manufactured, The corresponding prescription lenses are incorporatedWhile maintaining the chain's usual quality standards, the company had already pioneered the production of prescription glasses in one hour using traditional methods, and now takes that concept a step further by also producing the frames in the same timeframe.
According to the company, the goal is not only to reduce delivery times, but also to offer a more flexible shopping experience tailored to each individualThe customer participates in the aesthetic decisions of the frame and, as technology advances, will also be able to have more influence on the ergonomic fit and other design details.
The company's plan is to progressively expand the catalog options, incorporating new finishes, prints and decorative elementsas well as more specific models for different face shapes. At a later stage, VisionLab aims for the system to allow for fully customized glasses based on the ergonomics, features, and preferences of each user.
Proprietary volumetric printing and alliance with Zefrict AM
Custom Lab's technology is the result of more than two years of joint work between VisionLab and the Spanish startup Zefrict AMThis collaboration has made it possible to adapt volumetric printing, common in industrial environments, to the context of optical retail, with specific requirements in ergonomics, resistance and precision.
With this move, VisionLab positions itself as First Spanish retailer to implement its own 3D printing of prescription frames in storewithout relying on third parties for the most critical part of the process. The solution is part of a broader innovation strategy that the company has been pursuing for some time, supported by its own ophthalmic lens factory located in Madrid.
Having its own production facilities already allowed the chain internally control a large part of the value chainFrom lens manufacturing to final assembly, this control extends to the design and manufacture of the eyeglass structure itself, bringing the process closer to the end consumer, thanks to the addition of volumetric printing for frames.
The General Manager of VisionLab in Spain, Anne Delmas, has emphasized on several occasions that Technology has been part of the company's DNA since its founding.In their view, Custom Lab is not just a one-off launch, but the start of a broader R&D program aimed at rethinking the production model for frames in the medium and long term.
For his part, Gonzalo Lanchas, technical director of systems and data at VisionLab, describes the initiative as a “disruptive” project for the optical sector. In his opinion, volumetric printing applied to retail is still today a niche technology with prices that usually hover around 300 euros per mount, and the company's ambition is to make it accessible to a much wider audience.
Democratizing 3D printing: price and customization
One of the core principles of Custom Lab is the Democratization of volumetric printing of framesWhile the solutions available until now were geared towards very specific segments and with high prices, VisionLab aims to make this type of glasses a viable option for anyone in their regular shopping.
In this sense, the company places the The estimated price of frames produced with this technology is around 99 euros.This figure is significantly lower than that of many similar products on the international market. The idea is that the technological factor and customization will not drive up the final cost, so that they are not reserved only for a very specific user profile.
The customer can choose between one a dozen base models and a wide palette of solid and translucent colorsThe company plans to incorporate variations in size, thickness, and decorative details. As new features are developed, the system will allow for finer adjustments, such as the fit to the bridge of the nose, the curvature of the temples, and the support around the ears, with the aim of improving everyday comfort.
The CEO of VisionLab has emphasized the possibility of offering both iconic and enduring collections as unique piecesThese items would be produced on demand based on each customer's in-store requests. The combination of standard and exclusive models aims to cater to both those who prioritize safety and those who value differentiation.
This approach translates into a scenario where the user, in addition to choosing the frame and color, actively participates in the design of almost a single-unit pair of glasses. The company envisions that, over time, each consumer can configure their own model and receive it in very short periods, without having to wait weeks for it to arrive from a distant production center.
On-demand manufacturing, efficiency and sustainability
Beyond the impact on customer experience, the integration of volumetric printing in stores has direct consequences on the efficiency of the production process and sustainabilityBy manufacturing frames only when they have been ordered, VisionLab reduces the need to anticipate large production volumes and accumulate stock in warehouses.
The company points out that traditional processes can waste up to 30% of the material used in the manufacture of frameswhile with on-demand production and the reuse of surplus That figure could decrease significantly. Materials not consumed in each cycle are reused in new models, which helps to reduce waste generation.
This model also allows better adjust supply to actual demandInstead of producing large batches in advance, the company combines established product lines with parts manufactured according to user preferences in real time. This aims to reduce the risk of excess inventory, minimize stockouts, and gain flexibility to react to emerging market trends.
For the retail sector, which has experienced challenging periods in logistics and supply in recent years, these types of solutions represent a way to Gain flexibility and autonomy from external providersVisionLab highlights that, by concentrating more phases of the process in Spain and Portugal, it can respond more quickly to changes in demand or supply chains.
Volumetric in-store printing also opens the door to hybrid collections where permanent models coexist with limited series or experimental designsBy not depending on large production runs, the company can test new proposals with less risk, withdraw them if they don't work, or expand them quickly if they are well received by customers.
An increasingly technological optical sector
The launch of Custom Lab is part of a context of transformation of the optical sector towards more technological and personalized solutionsOptical chains in Spain and other European countries are incorporating artificial intelligence, smart glasses, and new materials to elevate their status and differentiate themselves beyond the basic product.
In recent years, initiatives using AI in both frame design and user experienceFrom automated recommendations to systems that analyze facial features to suggest more suitable shapes, technology is advancing. Meanwhile, glasses with connected functionalities are also developing, capable of integrating audio, capturing images, or interacting with a mobile phone without taking it out of your pocket.
In this environment, VisionLab combines Advanced manufacturing, customization, and production process control to strengthen its positioning. The commitment to in-store volumetric printing complements other innovation projects that the company has been developing in recent years, always with a focus on customer proximity.
A few months ago, the company presented some glasses with artificial intelligence integrated into the templesThese glasses, capable of capturing photos, recording video, answering calls, playing music, or translating conversations with a simple touch, allowed the brand to enter the smart glasses category, aligning itself with the market trend toward more connected devices.
The chain's history also includes previous milestones in speed of service, such as Prescription glasses delivered in one hourwhich established it as a benchmark in the Spanish market. The introduction of Custom Lab fits into that same logic, but expands its scope from the lenses to the frame structure itself, now generated in record time and with more customization options.
Impact on the store network and VisionLab strategy
Custom Lab will initially be implemented in a selection of establishments from the chainAs a first phase, the company will evaluate user reception and in-store operations before considering a possible expansion to more points of sale in Spain and Portugal, where it currently has 109 of its own stores and a team of more than 600 professionals.
The company insists that this project is part of a continuous innovation strategy, with a focus on R&D and local technologyThe choice of Spanish partners for development, such as Zefrict AM, and the importance of the glass factory in Madrid reinforce a model in which a large part of the production chain remains in national territory.
For Anne Delmas, the possibility of designing and manufacturing collections with much shorter deadlines represents a significant change: Previously, collections had to be planned months in advance.assuming the risk of producing too much or too little. With Custom Lab, the company can maintain its most recognizable lines and, at the same time, create specific models in a matter of days or even hours.
From the user's perspective, the company anticipates that the combination of speed, moderate personalization, and affordable price will make this proposal an attractive option, especially for those who They are looking for something different without going out of a mid-range price bracket.In a market where differentiation is becoming increasingly complex, the ability to produce almost custom-made glasses in-store can become a distinguishing feature.
Overall, the integration of 3D printing in-store places VisionLab in a unique position within the Spanish and European optical landscape, by combining on-demand manufacturing, value chain control, and a commitment to technologyIf the model becomes established, it could serve as a benchmark for other chains seeking to bring production closer to the consumer and reduce their dependence on distant manufacturing centers.
With Custom Lab, the company is making a significant change to the way glasses are produced and sold: It brings the factory to the point of sale, reduces delivery times, expands customization options, and improves the use of materials., maintaining a focus on affordable prices and a network of stores that continues to concentrate its activity in Spain and Portugal.
