Cambodia’s Bong’s Design Launches Platform 2.0, Focuses on Cultural Heritage Digitization

Custom merchandise provider pivots to cultural heritage digitization platform

Phnom Penh-based 3D printing startup Bong’s Design announced the launch of bongs.design 2.0 on January 5. Nominated for Cambodia’s New Startup at the 2026 3D Printing Industry Awards, the company is transforming from a custom merchandise provider into what it calls a “Future of Creation” ecosystem, combining Khmer cultural heritage digitization with on-demand manufacturing. Live demonstrations for the public are scheduled at its concept store in SORYA Center Point Mall.

Platform Evolution: From Merchandise to “Future of Creation Engine”

Bong’s Design has been a fixture in Phnom Penh’s creative scene since around 2020, known for Khmer-inspired 3D printed products including lithophanes (a technique where images appear when backlit) and monuments. Version 2.0 significantly enhances platform capabilities with the following key features:

The Future of Creation Engine is an upgraded online design studio offering 3D modeling capabilities for personalized Khmer heritage items. Under Sustainable Innovation, the company is expanding its Recycled Lampshades line using eco-friendly materials. The Creator-First Ecosystem provides zero-upfront-cost print-on-demand services tailored for local influencers, skateboarders, and tattoo artists.

Product offerings span custom t-shirts, tote bags, caps, mugs, pet tags, keychains, skateboards, and wall canvas options. A Telegram-based EZ-Order feature streamlines the process from design studio upload to order placement.

Business Model: Democratizing AM Access in Emerging Markets

Bong’s Design’s business model enables local creators to leverage AM technology without owning expensive 3D printing equipment. The company operates machines including Anycubic Photon Mono X2 (resin), Zonestar z9v5 Pro (PLA), and Tronxy Gemini S (PLA), providing on-demand manufacturing services. Its physical store is located on the 4th floor (B4-A06) of SORYA Center Point Mall, offering in-person consultations and order intake.

Founder kbat states: “We aren’t just selling products; we are providing the tools for every Cambodian artist, musician, and entrepreneur to bring their own unique stories to life through cutting-edge technology like 3D printing and on-demand production. Tradition should evolve, not fade.”

AM Insight Asia Analysis: Digital Archiving as Core Value

Essential Value of 3D Data Creation: Bong’s Design’s true value lies not in selling 3D printed products, but in the process of digitizing and archiving Khmer cultural heritage as 3D data. While physical artifacts face risks from aging, disasters, and conflicts, digital data can be preserved indefinitely. Global recognition of 3D scanning and digital archiving of cultural properties has grown following events like the 2019 Notre-Dame Cathedral fire, ISIS’s destruction of Palmyra ruins, and the 2019 Shuri Castle fire. For Cambodia, which possesses World Heritage sites like Angkor Wat but also carries a history of civil conflict, cultural property protection remains a national priority.

Multi-Purpose Application of 3D Data: Once digitized, cultural heritage data extends beyond 3D printing (tourism souvenirs, educational models, replicas) to VR/AR experiences, metaverse exhibitions, academic research, and architectural restoration. Bong’s Design can be viewed as building a commercial “3D data library of Khmer culture,” which holds social significance across three dimensions: tourism (Angkor Wat-related souvenir markets), education, and cultural preservation.

AM Adoption Model in Emerging Markets: In Southeast Asian emerging markets like Cambodia, individuals and small-to-medium enterprises face challenges in owning expensive 3D printing equipment. Bureau service business models like Bong’s Design lower capital investment barriers and democratize AM technology access for local creators. This represents a different approach from turnkey solutions offered by major manufacturers like China’s Eplus3D or UnionTech, promoting grassroots-level technology adoption.

Future Outlook

The company plans to expand public education activities through 3D printing demonstrations at its physical store. Considering the growth trajectory of Southeast Asia’s AM market, such grassroots technology dissemination activities and digital cultural heritage archive construction could play significant roles in both long-term market development and social value creation.