Cocoa Press Hires Former Prusa Executive as CEO to Scale Chocolate 3D Printing

Chocolate 3D printing startup Cocoa Press has appointed David Randolph, former CEO of Printed Solid, as its new chief executive officer, marking a significant step in the company's growth strategy. Randolph brings a decade of experience in the 3D printing industry, most recently scaling Printed Solid from a small supplier to a manufacturer of Prusa MK4s and CORE One 3D printers.

Randolph's appointment comes as Cocoa Press founder Ellie Rose transitions to chief technology officer, allowing her to focus on product development while the new CEO oversees both Cocoa Press and the recently acquired Print Kits subscription service.

Building a Team of Industry Veterans

The executive hires at Cocoa Press reflect the company's aggressive growth strategy. Matt Stultz joins as Chief Operating Officer, bringing experience from Prusa, MakerBot, and LightBurn. Caleb Kraft, former editor of Make Magazine, takes on the role of Box Manager for Print Kits.

These additions follow Cocoa Press's acquisition of Print Kits from Alien3D last year, a subscription service that provides 3D printing plans, hardware, and filament samples for mystery projects.

From Engineering Student to Chocolate 3D Printing Pioneer

Cocoa Press represents Rose's journey from engineering student to full-time entrepreneur. The company created the first consumer 3D printer capable of extruding edible chocolate treats without requiring a refrigerated chamber - a significant technical achievement in food-safe 3D printing.

"David has an uncanny ability to take an idea to market that expresses a personal experience for not only the consumers but for the DIY and maker communities at large," Rose said. "As we scale Cocoa Press and expand our ecosystem, David's experience in domestic manufacturing and customer-first leadership is exactly what we need to bring 3D chocolate printing to kitchens, education and makerspaces everywhere."

Manufacturing Experience and Domestic Production Goals

Randolph's background at Printed Solid included working toward the coveted "MADE in the USA" designation for European printers, demonstrating his expertise in domestic manufacturing and supply chain management. His experience will be crucial as Cocoa Press aims to scale production and distribution.

The connection between Randolph and Rose extends beyond professional collaboration. Printed Solid has replicated Cocoa Press's signature colors in PETG filament and uses them to print parts for Voron-style printers, indicating an existing relationship within the 3D printing community.

Product and Market Positioning

Cocoa Press currently retails for $1,499 as a DIY kit, positioning it as a premium consumer product. The printer can handle nearly any chocolate loaded into its heated chamber, though the company recommends specially prepared "cocoa cores" in milk, white, or dark chocolate varieties, sold at $49 each.

In our review, we awarded the Cocoa Press 4.5 stars and an Editor's Choice designation, recognizing its ingenuity as one of the best 3D printers produced that year. The printer's ability to create complex chocolate designs without specialized cooling infrastructure sets it apart from traditional food 3D printing approaches.

Vision for Mainstream Adoption

Randolph views the combination of Cocoa Press and Print Kits as "the next evolution" of his 3D printing journey. "I've spent the last nine years building a foundation for 3D printing in the U.S.," he said. "Cocoa Press and Print Kits represent the next evolution of that journey, taking the 'joy of making' and applying it to entirely new mediums."

His vision extends beyond hobbyist markets to education, commercial kitchens, and makerspaces. The goal is to make 3D chocolate printing as accessible and mainstream as plastic 3D printing has become over the past decade.

Industry Context and Future Implications

The hiring of Randolph signals Cocoa Press's transition from a niche engineering project to a serious manufacturing company. His experience with Prusa's supply chain, quality control, and scaling production will be essential as the company moves beyond its current DIY kit model.

For the 3D printing industry, Cocoa Press represents an interesting case study in vertical integration and market expansion. By combining hardware manufacturing with content creation through Print Kits, the company is building an ecosystem that could support long-term growth.

The success of Cocoa Press could also validate the market for specialized food 3D printers, potentially encouraging other companies to explore edible printing applications beyond chocolate, including other confections, savory foods, or even pharmaceuticals.

As Randolph takes the helm, the challenge will be maintaining the innovative spirit that led to Cocoa Press's creation while building the operational infrastructure needed for mainstream success. The combination of Rose's technical expertise and Randolph's manufacturing experience creates a balanced leadership team positioned to navigate this transition.