Frequently Asked Questions

Youblob is an online makerspace and marketplace where makers, creators, and innovators collaborate to build the future. It's for anyone who creates - from hobbyists and students to professional makers, businesses, and makerspaces. Whether you're sharing blueprints, selling products, or looking for prototyping services, Youblob connects you with a global community of creators.

A Blueprint is a comprehensive guide for creating something - it can include component lists, assembly instructions, code, 3D designs, and more. To create one, simply sign up, click 'Create Blueprint' from your dashboard, and follow the step-by-step process. You can combine elements from any field - electronics, mechanics, biology, chemistry, and more - all in one Blueprint!

When you create a Blueprint, you can convert it into an NFT on the Cardano blockchain. This Blueprint NFT represents ownership of your Blueprint, and allows you to sell your ideas online. The smart contract ensures you always remain the original Author and receive 5% royalties on every resale. If someone buys your Blueprint NFT, the new owner will get the revenue stream that your recipie creates. Meaning revenue from the products sold through that Blueprint. Note: Converting a Blueprint to an NFT requires a Lace wallet transaction as this is blockchain related stuff.

All Blueprints are published under CC0 license, meaning anyone can use, modify, and build upon them. However, you remain the original Author forever and will always receive compensation through our smart contract system. Even if someone copies your Blueprint, the blockchain ensures you get credit and revenue!

Tinker Tokens are earned by publishing content on Youblob. These tokens are needed to convert a Blueprint into a Blueprint NFT. It's our way of rewarding active creators and ensuring quality content on the platform. The conversion process requires a Lace wallet transaction to mint the NFT on the blockchain.

Manufacturers can set an incentive percentage on their products. When a Maker uses these products in a Blueprint that generates sales, the Maker automatically receives the set percentage as revenue. Some manufacturers even set incentives up to 200% for new product launches to encourage innovation and usage. This creates a win-win situation where manufacturers get product exposure and valuable use-case data, while Makers earn from their creativity.

When creating a Blueprint as a team, the initiator can allocate percentage shares to each team member. All revenues are automatically split according to these percentages through our blockchain smart contract system. This ensures fair and transparent compensation for all contributors.

When you purchase products through a Blueprint, you get the exact same components used in the original build from various suppliers on Youblob. You can choose to buy components only or include the tools needed. If the Blueprint Author offers it as a finished product, you can purchase the completed item directly. Every purchase through a Blueprint generates revenue for the Blueprint Owner.

Youblob charges a 5% fee on all sales made through our platform, including product sales, service bookings, and event tickets. For vendors and manufacturers, we also offer a 95% revenue share, meaning you keep the vast majority of your earnings.

Yes! Our API supports integration with Adobe Commerce (Magento 2), Shopify, Squarespace, WooCommerce, and more. This allows you to port your products into our marketplace while still handling orders through your original e-commerce site. You'll also need to set the incentive model for Makers using your products in Blueprints.

When you register your Makerspace on Youblob, it automatically appears on our global map based on your geolocation. This makes it easy for local Makers to discover you and join as members. You can showcase your equipment, services, and specialties right on the map listing. Members can sign up and pay membership fees directly through Youblob, streamlining your administration. Once they're active members, you'll have access to all their Blueprints and can track how much innovation your space is fostering both locally and globally.

Makerspaces add their available equipment (3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, etc.) to the booking system. Members can then schedule time slots for specific equipment through Youblob. You can set hourly rates for equipment usage and require specific certificates for certain machines. This prevents wasted trips and ensures efficient resource utilization.

Youblob tracks all innovations and creations by your members, providing data on the actual value generated by your Makerspace. This includes Blueprint creation, product sales, and collaboration metrics. You can see both local community impact and global contributions from your members' work. These reports are invaluable when applying for subsidies or funding from local municipalities, as they demonstrate tangible community impact with real numbers and achievements.

We use blockchain to ensure that everyone, everywhere can participate in Industry 5.0. Many talented creators in developing countries lack access to traditional banking, don't have government IDs, or can't receive international payments. The Cardano blockchain allows anyone with internet access to create, earn, and receive payments for their ideas - no bank account or ID required. This isn't just about technology; it's about global inclusion. Every person deserves the opportunity to share their creativity and be compensated fairly, regardless of where they were born or their economic circumstances. The blockchain also provides transparent authorship records, automated royalty payments, and ensures creators always get paid through smart contracts.

Not at all! While Youblob uses blockchain technology behind the scenes, the platform is designed to be user-friendly. For most purchases (physical products, services, event tickets), you can use your regular credit card through Stripe. You only need a Lace wallet for specific blockchain transactions like purchasing Blueprint NFTs or converting your Blueprints to NFTs.

Every feature we build is evaluated through the lens of UN SDGs. Through our treasury system, inactive accounts automatically contribute to funding SDG initiatives, Makerspaces, and Maker projects in developing countries. By using Youblob, you're contributing to a global movement towards a more sustainable, equitable, and innovative future.