Whenever we read about 3D printing, our minds are blown. And that’s just as much the case with Makies Doll Factory, an iPad app that was released today.

It’s the work of UK-based company Makielab, based on its Makies toys – “customisable 3D-printed action figures” that people have previously been able to create and order on its website.

Now there’s an app for that. You use it to tweak hair, eye, clothing and colours to make your perfect doll (male or female), and can then order a real-world version using a credit card – so no accidental in-app purchases when you let your kids loose on the app.

In truth, kids will have fun just using the app to make their own virtual dolls. If you want to order one, pricing starts at £59.99 – something we expect to come down over time as 3D printing gets more mainstream.

We’re fascinated by this kind of technology, anyway, so the app is well worth a look whether you’re ready to pay 60 quid for a doll or not. It won’t be the last you’ll hear of MakieLab either: the company says it’s working on a full mobile game for release this summer.

Makies Doll Factory is a free download from the App Store, for iPad only. Here’s a video demo: