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Return to shopMaltese Heritage, Design & 3D Printing
At Malta Prints, we create authentic Maltese 3D printed décor and gifts inspired by the everyday beauty of our islands—our limestone streets, our colourful doorways, our iconic balconies, and our unmistakable fishing boats. This page is our way of sharing the story behind the designs: the heritage that shaped them, and how modern 3D printing in Malta helps us preserve and celebrate what makes Malta special.
If you’re new here, start by exploring our core collections: Maltese Balconies, Maltese Doors, Luzzu & Maltese Fishing Boats, and our functional Key Holders & Key Hangers.
What Is 3D Printing (and Why We Use It at Malta Prints)
3D printing is a modern manufacturing method where an object is created layer by layer from a digital design. Instead of mass-producing thousands of identical items, 3D printing allows us to produce pieces in small batches or on order—keeping production local, consistent, and flexible.
For us, this is the perfect match for Maltese-inspired design. It lets us capture fine details—like the timber lines of a gallarija, the character of a traditional Maltese doorway, or the curved silhouette of a luzzu—and turn them into décor that you can display or gift with pride. It also allows us to offer multiple colour options and made-on-order items while maintaining quality control in Malta.
We manufacture our products through Sunshine Labs, our local 3D printing workshop that supports Malta Prints with production, quality checks, and continuous refinement of our models and finishing. Malta Prints is the brand and design story; Sunshine Labs is the manufacturing engine that helps make it real—locally.
The Maltese Balcony “Gallarija”
The enclosed wooden Maltese balcony—known as the gallarija—is one of the most recognisable features of Maltese streets. Beyond its beauty, the gallarija reflects a uniquely Mediterranean blend of function, climate, and culture. Enclosed balconies help manage sun and airflow while allowing people to observe street life with privacy—an idea often linked to earlier Mediterranean and North African enclosed balcony traditions (such as mashrabiya-style forms), later evolving into the distinct Maltese gallarija we recognise today.
Over time, the gallarija became a symbol of identity. Every street seems to carry a different “rhythm” of balconies—some simple and elegant, some richly detailed, some newly restored, others proudly weathered by decades of sea air. Today, many balconies are protected and preserved as part of Malta’s architectural character, because they’re not just decoration—they’re part of our living heritage.
Explore our balcony-inspired collection here: Maltese Balconies.
Maltese Doors
Maltese doors are famous for their bold colours, strong presence, and individuality. From quiet village streets to historic town cores, doors often reflect personal taste, family pride, and practical needs—such as protecting wood from intense sun and coastal conditions. Many locals also attach meanings to colours and details, which adds to the mystique and charm of Maltese doorways.
You’ll often notice details that feel uniquely Maltese: strong frames, decorative knockers, house names or numbers, and the occasional religious symbol nearby. The result is a visual language—doors that communicate identity, tradition, and local life without a single word.
Discover our door-inspired collection here: Maltese Doors.
The Luzzu and the “Eye” Tradition
The luzzu is Malta’s most iconic traditional fishing boat—brightly painted and instantly recognisable by the pair of eyes painted on the bow. The luzzu as we commonly recognise it developed more recently, but it resembles older Maltese boat forms and draws from long Mediterranean seafaring traditions.
Those painted eyes—often described locally and in popular tradition as protective eyes—are part of the luzzu’s identity. Many people connect them to ancient Mediterranean symbolism and beliefs about protection at sea. Whether you see them as tradition, faith, or folklore, the eyes are a reminder that Maltese life has always been shaped by the sea.
Explore our collection here: Luzzu & Maltese Fishing Boats.
A Quick Guide to Traditional Maltese Boats
Malta has a rich boatbuilding tradition, with several distinct boat types used historically for fishing, harbour transport, and coastal work. Below is a simplified guide to some well-known traditional Maltese boats (names may vary by locality and era).
- Luzzu – A traditional Maltese fishing boat, typically brightly coloured and often featuring painted eyes on the bow.
- Dgħajsa (harbour boat) – A traditional boat associated with Malta’s harbours, historically used for transport and water taxi services.
- Kajjikk – A traditional working boat form historically associated with harbour and coastal use.
- Ferilla – An older traditional boat type often referenced in Maltese boat heritage.
- Xprunara – A historic Mediterranean-style sailing vessel linked with older Maltese coastal trade and travel traditions.
- Frejgatina – A small boat type; the name relates to “little frigate” and is often discussed in Maltese traditional boatbuilding context.
- Tal-Latini (Gozo boat) – A boat associated with Gozo, evolving from earlier forms and used historically for coastal transport and work.
This list is meant as a heritage overview rather than a strict technical classification. Malta’s maritime history is deep, and boat names and designs have evolved over time depending on region, purpose, and builder traditions.
Malta Prints and Sunshine Labs
Malta Prints exists to celebrate Maltese identity through design—turning familiar cultural icons into objects you can own, display, and gift. We’re inspired by architecture, village life, seafaring culture, and the small details that make Malta feel like home.
Our products are manufactured locally through Sunshine Labs, our 3D printing workshop. This keeps production in Malta, supports quality control, and allows us to continuously improve our models and finishes without outsourcing what makes the work authentic.
If you’d like to explore our full range, visit the Shop or browse the main collections:
Maltese Balconies,
Maltese Doors,
Maltese Fishing Boats,
and Key Hangers.
Collaborate With Malta Prints
At Malta Prints, we believe Maltese creativity extends far beyond our own designs. Our islands are full of talented artists, designers, illustrators, and makers with ideas rooted in local culture, tradition, and contemporary Maltese life.
We actively welcome collaborations with local artists and creatives who would like to turn their ideas into tangible products. Whether you have a concept inspired by Maltese heritage, modern island life, or a completely new perspective, Malta Prints can help you bring it to life through design development, local 3D printing, and commercial distribution.
Through our production partner Sunshine Labs, we offer technical support, prototyping, and small-batch manufacturing, while Malta Prints provides the platform, branding, and online storefront to showcase and sell collaborative collections.
If you are a local artist or designer interested in collaborating, we invite you to get in touch. Share your idea, sketches, or concept with us, and let’s explore how we can transform it into a product that celebrates Maltese creativity and reaches a wider audience.
To start a conversation, please contact us through the Contact page, and simply mention that you are a local artist interested in working with Malta Prints. Or even quicker chat with us on whatsAPP by clicking here
Made in Malta, Made with Meaning
Malta is small, but our heritage is powerful. Every balcony, every doorway, every boat in the harbour carries a story. Our mission is to honour those stories with modern craftsmanship—creating décor and gifts that feel personal, local, and unmistakably Maltese.
If you have a question, visit our FAQ or Contact Us. If you’re ready to explore, start here: Shop Malta Prints.
- Email: info@maltaprints.mt
- Phone: (356) 9931 3155
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