How It Works

Step 1: Order Your Impression Kit or Piece It Together on Your Own

Use our shop to order a pre-made impression mold kit. It will include everything you need to make the impression mold of your specimen. Alternatively, you can assemble your own kit: you’ll need Kinetic Sand (we recommend the beach-sand color), plus a bin to hold the sand (avoid transparent or glossy containers—solid white, gray, patterned bins, or even Lego blocks will work).

A set of four objects: a white box labeled 'Elemental Fit' with a green check mark, a clear plastic or glass tray with a red prohibition sign, a cardboard tray with a green check mark, and a square frame made of multicolored Lego bricks with a green check mark.

Check the shop

Assorted colored building blocks, including yellow, green, white, gray, red, pink, and blue, surrounding a label that reads "500 PCS, Radom parts & 12 colors."

Amazon Blocks

A purple package labeled 'Kinetic Sand' with an image of sandcastles on it and a pile of kinetic sand in front, intended for creating sand sculptures.

Amazon Sand

Step 2: Prepare the Impression Mold

Follow our How-To Guide for step-by-step instructions on creating the impression mold. Make sure the sand surface is perfectly flat before you press your specimen in, and remember to “seal” the mold once you’re done so it holds every detail. You’ll need a ruler as well, if you don’t have one you can print one HERE.

A piece of rough, natural mineral or rock, a dark crystalline mineral cluster, a white rectangular foam tray, and another mineral specimen are placed on black textured paper.

A small rectangular white container filled with sand, with a measuring ruler placed diagonally across it, and rocks surrounding it on a black surface.

A collection of geological samples includes a fuzzy rock, a white box filled with fine sand, and a dark mineral rock, all placed on black fabric. A ruler is also visible for scale.

A dark mineral specimen with purple crystals on top, placed on a white foam block with a ruler for scale, against a black fabric background.

Step 3: Photogrammetry Time

Time to learn a new skill! We will be using photogrammetry to turn your impression into a 3D model. Don’t worry—we handle all of the heavy lifting. You simply need to take about 30–45 photos from various angles and distances. Check the How-To Guide for more tips on lighting, overlap, and camera positioning.

A person holding a large, dark, shiny mineral specimen over a square container filled with sand. The container sits on a black surface with a measuring ruler below it.

Diagram showing multiple cameras arranged in a 360-degree circle around a bone, with two cameras oriented approximately 30 degrees above the horizontal plane.

Step 4: Upload Your Files

Once you’ve taken your photos, it’s time to place your order. We offer a simple upload form for Dropbox located on the Order Form, or feel free to share your images via your preferred platform—Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. Just be sure to include a link so we can access and download your photo set.

Screenshot of an online form titled 'Elemental Fit sent you this request' for submitting mineral photos. It includes a box for uploading files via 'Add Files' button or drag-and-drop, with a Dropbox icon below, and notes about secure uploading to Dropbox.

Example Photographs to Upload

Step 5: Pick Your Options and Submit Your Order

This is the final step: fill out the order form, select any customization options you like, and hit submit. We’ll process your photogrammetry files, create your custom 3D model, and reach out to confirm that everything looks perfect. Once you approve, we’ll send an invoice and ship your new custom base right to your door!

Order Now!