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3D print subscription box


Subscription Boxes for 3D Printing

Table of Contents

  • Subscription Boxes for 3D Printing: A Risky Bet
  • Alien3D
  • Protopasta
  • 3D Printing Gear
  • FilamentOne
  • Maker Box

Subscription boxes for 3D printing, such as the Maker Box and Alien3D’s UFO, are a fun way to keep your 3D printing supplies topped up. Continue reading to see our top picks.

Subscription boxes for 3D printing usually include some filament samples (Source: Cratejoy)

Subscription Boxes for 3D Printing: A Risky Bet

Subscription boxes have gained popularity in a range of categories in recent years, ranging from makeup to drones, and now 3D printers!

A subscription box is a box of supplies that arrives once every one, two, or three months and is typically related to a specific interest. Subscription boxes are special in that they always contain a random variety of supplies, so you have no idea what you’ll get before you open them.

Although some people believe these boxes aren’t a good value because the business that organizes them makes a profit, many people love the excitement and surprise of opening one. For example, 3D printing subscription boxes also include filament samples or spools, as well as an attachment (such as thermal paste) or stickers.

We’ll look at a few fantastic 3D printing subscription boxes in this post. Since each box contains unique objects, it’s difficult to say exactly what’s inside, but we’ll go over what each one might contain (guaranteed). We’ll also send you a rundown of each package, including the cost, frequency, and supplies included.

We curated a list of the best and most exclusive choices for you. Unreleased filaments and 3D printing accessories are included in some shipments, while larger filament samples are included in others. Choose a box that represents your desires while still being used for your 3D printer.
When your subscription arrives, revel in the surprise!

The UFO box includes a fun project using the included filament (Source: Alien3D via MyMiniFactory)

Alien3D is an online store that offers 3D printing supplies from brands such as Filamentum, BMG, Slice Engineering, and others. Alien3D has a monthly subscription box called the UFO (unidentified filament object) that contains more than just filament.

The box is available in a variety of sizes, including 1.75- and 3.00-mm options. Four 20-meter filament samples from well-known and high-end brands are included in the UFO case. The filament samples are usually PLA or a PLA variant (such as silk PLA), but they may also be PETG or HIPS. The filaments in each UFO box are humorously themed for each month, according to BV3D on YouTube.

A component (e.g. a nozzle) or a tool for your 3D printer is also included in this package (e.g. a file blade). A UFO box will include swag such as stickers and possibly even coupon codes for some brands. There are also plans for a project that uses the electronic components included in the package, as well as some pieces that will need 3D printing.

If you don’t want the filament samples, Alien3D also sells a monthly package that contains only the swag, codes, project, and accessory for around half the price of the complete box.

  • Price: ~$35
  • Frequency: Every month
  • Included supplies: Filament, accessory, swag, discount codes, project (with electronic components)
  • Included filament: Four 0.06-kg (20-m) samples
  • Website: https://www.alien3d.us/

Protopasta

The Pastabilities box includes unreleased filaments in fun colors (Source: Brent H. via Protopasta)

Protoplant is a well-known 3D printing filament manufacturer that produces a wide range of filaments under the Protopasta brand, ranging from PETG to conductive PLA. The Endless Pastabilities filament subscription package, which is sent every two months and includes a variety of popular Protopasta filaments, is one of their most popular offerings.

Each box contains three samples of 1.75-mm filament. You can also choose the amount of filament you want for each of the three samples with Protoplant (50 grams, 100 grams, or 500 grams). If you choose the above choice, each sample will arrive wrapped around a spool rather than in a bag, making printing much easier.

The Pastabilities box is special in that it contains unreleased HTPLA, Protoplant’s “hella tough” and “heat-treated” PLA rows. This means you’ll get PLA samples that have never been seen before and are only available to a select few. Pastabilities is said to have fun filaments in odd colors, according to customers.

Each box has a theme, according to Protoplant, so all of the filaments will be identical (texture, transparency, etc.). The company has previously developed several innovative filaments. What makes you think it’s so special? Bacon filament is different from other filaments.

  • Price: ~$15
  • Frequency: Every two months
  • Included supplies: Filament
  • Included filament: Three 0.05-, 0.1-, or 0.5-kg samples
  • Website: https://www. proto-pasta.com/products/endless-pastabilities

3D Printing Gear

The Mondo box includes a laser-cut spool for small amounts of filament (Source: Just Vlad via YouTube)

Another online retailer of 3D printing supplies is 3D Printing Gear, which sells Pallete, Flashforge, and MakerGear items. The Mondo box from 3DPG is a filament subscription box that includes a few filaments, swag, and other goodies.

3D Printing Gear claims that their Mondo box comes with five 20-meter filament samples, while other subscription boxes for the same price only come with four. One of the five samples would always be an exclusive filament, according to 3DPG, which may be a filament made of a substance other than PLA, such as PETG.

A laser-cut filament spool is included in the Mondo box for holding one of your samples for easier printing. The included laser-cut spool, according to Just Vlad on YouTube, looks really cool and would be perfect for spooling samples. He also thinks this box is a good option for people who want to try out various filaments.

The box comes with discount codes (when available), swag, and access to monthly giveaways, according to 3DPG. You’ll also have the chance to suggest what should be included in potential Mondo boxes to 3D Printing Gear.

  • Price: ~$25
  • Frequency: Every month
  • Included supplies: Filament, laser-cut filament spool, discount codes, swag, monthly giveaways
  • Included filament: Five 0.06-kg (20-m) samples

FilamentOne

The Profi box could have some of FilamentOne’s Glint PLA (Source: crussty via Twitter)

FilamentOne is another filament company that sells its own filaments as well as 3D printers from companies including Flashforge and Artillery. Their Profi box is a monthly subscription box that contains 3D printer filament and parts.

FilamentOne filaments, including their Pro PLA, Glint series PLA, special edition filaments, and even unreleased filaments, are guaranteed to be present in each package. The Profi box comes with a 3D printer accessory, which may be a component, an upgrade, or something else, similar to Alien3D’s UFO box. Customers have confirmed that both of their 1-kilogram spools of filament were of high-quality PLA and that the package is ideal for those who primarily print in PLA.

In addition to discount codes, the package includes swag such as stickers, a magnet, and a coaster. FilamentOne sells the Profi box in 1.75 and 2.85-mm filament options, as well as a Profi Mini box that contains samples rather than full spools.

  • Price: ~$45
  • Frequency: Every month
  • Included supplies: Filament, printer accessory, swag, discount codes
  • Included filament: Two 1-kg spools

Maker Box

You can get a variety of different material filaments in the Maker Box (Source: twhite101 via Instructables)

Box Mountain LLC offers three subscription boxes, including the Maker Box, which was one of the first 3D printing supplies subscription boxes. A variety of 1.75-mm filaments is usually included in the Maker Box.

Easy plan, Explorer plan, and Everything plan are the three different plans available for the package. We’ll go into the All strategy because it’s a hybrid of the other two.

Eight separate 50-gram filament samples come with the Maker Box All plan. Four of the eight samples are different color PLA filaments (or PLA-like materials) manufactured by the same company (the contents of the Easy plan box).

The remaining four are made up of various materials filaments from various manufacturers (the contents of the Explorer plan box). PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, polycarbonate, or other materials could make up these four filament samples. Some customers have remarked that the Maker Box offers a diverse range of filaments, which distinguishes it from the majority of PLA-based options available.

Other goodies, such as sweets, stickers, or a voucher for a complete version of one of the filaments included, may be included in this package. These products appear in almost every Maker Package, even though they aren’t guaranteed.

  • Price: ~$30
  • Frequency: Every one or two (for international orders) months
  • Included supplies: Filament, candy, stickers, discount codes
  • Included filament: Four 0.05-kg samples

Monthly 3D Printer Filament Subscription Box – FILABOX

Monthly 3D Printer Filament Subscription Box – FILABOX Skip to content

FIRST BOX SHIPS FOR FREE! USE CODE "FREESH" AT CHECKOUT!

Get your monthly
3D filament fix!

Unique Colour Combinations
Premium Quality
Canadian Made
Food Grade Materials
No Commitment

A spool of filament delivered to your door each month for a fraction of the price.

No two spools are alike.
Freshly produced batch every month.

Made in Canada!

How Does it Work?

1.

Choose your material and size.

We currently offer both PLA and PETG materials. Choose between our standard 1KG spool or the budget friendly 0.5kg coil option. We're always playing with colours and no two spools are alike. We strive to include only the more unique and non basic colours in this subscription package.; The colours you will receive can include rainbow/gradient, glitter, silk/satin, marble and more.

2. Automatic Monthly Deliveries

Your Filabox will be shipped on a monthly basis corresponding to the date on which you initially signed up. You can login at anytime and have full control over your subscription, including change your address, see upcoming delivery schedule, reconfigure your box and even skip a shipment! And of course, there is no commitment, you can cancel at anytime.

3. Feed your printer & curiosity!

Our hand picked colours are sure to keep you guessing! Open up your box, peek at the new colour you recevied and get printing! Filabox is comprised of quality filaments made in Canada by Filaments. ca - With thousands of spools sold every month, it's Canada's tried and tested 3D filament brand since 2013! Happy Prinitng!

See more details on our FAQ page.

FILABOX

Filabox Unique Colour Monthly Filament Subscription Box

$19.95

MATERIAL PLA 1.75mm PETG 1.75mm

SIZE 1x 1 KG Spool 2x 1 KG Spools 1x 0.5 KG Coil (Requires a 3D Printed Master Spool)

PLA 1.75mm / 1x 1 KG Spool - $19. 95 PLA 1.75mm / 2x 1 KG Spools - $39.90 PLA 1.75mm / 1x 0.5 KG Coil (Requires a 3D Printed Master Spool) - $13.95 PETG 1.75mm / 1x 1 KG Spool - $19.95 PETG 1.75mm / 2x 1 KG Spools - $39.90 PETG 1.75mm / 1x 0.5 KG Coil (Requires a 3D Printed Master Spool) - $13.95 Quantity

View product details

Filabox is a monthly subscription box for uniquely coloured 3D printer filament. We're always playing with colours and no two spool are alike. The colours you will receive can include rainbow/gradient, glitter, silk/satin, marble etc. Every month we automatically ship you a box with 3D filament based on your chosen subscription package. We also keep things interesting by occasionaly including extra goodies such as STL files, stickers, snacks etc. Your subscription package can be changed at anytime directly from your online account.

Purchasing filament through a Filabox subscription gives you one of the lowest prices per spool compared to traditional online retailers!

See our frequently asked questions below for more information.

Frequently asked questions

What is Filabox?

Filabox is a monthly subscription box for 3D printer filament. Every month we automatically ship you a box with 3D filaments based on your subscription package. Purchasing filament through a Filabox subscription gives you one of the lowest prices per spool compared to other online retailers.

What's included in the Filabox?

You will receive filament spools based on your selection of material and size combinations at time of joining. We also may sometimes include extra goodies such as STL files, stickers, snack, discount codes and more. We give you the flexibility of changing your subscription options at anytime.

Material variant options:

PLA = Easy to print, non-toxic and food safe.

PETG = Tough and heat resistant.

Size variant options:

1 KG SPOOL = 1 KG of filament on our standard cardboard spool. Ready to use.

0.5 KG COIL = This is a 0.5kg filament coil without a spool. To use this coil you will need to 3D print our mini spool which can be downloaded for free from the links below. The spool is only 148mm in diameter and can easily fit even small 3D printers.

Printables.com - CLICK HERE

Thingiverse.com - CLICK HERE

Instruction on how to use the spool can be seen on this video: https://youtu. be/CxAp_qev1IA

Can I choose the colours I want in the unique colour subscription?

In short, no... We're always playing with colours and no two spool are alike. The colours you will receive can include rainbow/gradient, glitter, silk/satin, marble etc. We strive to include only the more unique and non basic colours in this subscription package. This means that each filament batch is produced specifically for Filabox and the colour combinations used are usually one of a kind and cannot be replicated or purchased anywhere else. Many spools will show a colour transition (rainbow/gradient) between 2 or more colours while others will be more solid but yet unique/non-standard colours.

When is the box shipped?

Filaboxes are shipped approximately 3-5 days following your monthly subscription charge/anniversary date.

Can I modify my subscription?

Yes. After you join Filabox for the first time, you will receive a "Subscription Management Link" in your email which you can use to access your membership account (Please save the email for future reference). When you access your online account you will be able to modify and reconfigure many of your subscription options including changing/adding subscription packages, skipping/rescheduling a delivery, changing your shipping address, cancelling and more. The changes will take effect on your next shipment.

Where is the box shipped from?

Filaboxes are shipped from our warehouse in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Where is the filament made?

The filament is completely MADE IN CANADA by Filaments.ca

Where do you ship to?

Filaboxes are currently shipped to Canada and USA (48 contiguous states) only. Shipping Filaboxes to other countries is possible with additional shipping charges. Please contact us for details.

What about shipping charges?

Filabox prices exclude shipping. Shipping and taxes are calculated automatically on the checkout page based on your chosen subscription configuration. showStaticTooltip}}

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50 3D Printing Ideas

It looks like we'll soon be drowning in useless stuff made for 3D printing projects. But you can do something that will really be useful! If you're running out of ideas, here's a list of 50 3D printable items you're unlikely to throw away.

Bag clip with screw cap

Now the bag clip will have a new feature - a hole with a lid for quick access, as in the photo. This clip is easy to print and convenient to use. Strange that no one thought of this before.

Author: Minkix

Download: Thingiverse

Modular furniture connector

This connector allows you to quickly assemble modular furniture. The default model is designed for 17x17 mm wood, but the size and material can be changed to suit your needs using a parametric file for customization.

Creator: LeFabShop

Where to download: Cults

Sealant Cap

No more throwing open sealant tubes away. The screw cap for the nozzle presses the o-ring tightly against the body of the tube and closes the access of air to the solvents inside.

Author: The-Mechanic

Where to download: Thingiverse

Laptop niche

Now the laptop will always be at hand, but hidden from prying eyes in a special niche that is attached to the bottom of any coffee table.

Author: Too Snide

Download: Thingiverse

Phone holder - Candice

Elegant and simple, perhaps the easiest thing you can print on a 3D printer.

Author: Clem.C2

Where to download: Cults

Polypanels

The idea for Polypanels came from Devin Montes. A polypanel is a series of three-dimensional building blocks. The individual elements of a Polypanel look simple, but if you print a lot of them and different types, you can create all sorts of complex designs. Something like LEGO where you can design each brick.

Author: MakeAnything

Where to download: MyMiniFactory

Coat Hook

This coat hook is designed as an E3D attachment and can be printed multiple times to fit all your clothes.

Author: Filar3D

Where to download: Cults

Plant Pot

This anatomical brain flower pot is easier to print than it looks, creator DrFemPop says. For assembly, it is only necessary to glue the parts after printing. It turns out an original house for plants.

Author: DrFemPop

Where to download: Cults

Door Holder

This is a simple solution for holding a door. Double-sided adhesive tape is sufficient for surface mounting.

Author: Akiraraiser

Where to download: Thingiverse

Piggy bank

A simple piggy bank for beginners, no complicated settings.

Author: lecaramel

Where to download: Thingiverse

Cable ties

This tie is perhaps the simplest and most ingenious of all devices. Clips are printed as a whole sheet at once, and then the required amount can be cut off from it.

Author: Sunshine

Where to download: Cults

Roller ruler

An indispensable device if you need to measure the length of something non-linear: a piece of rope, a curved line, a perimeter with bends, etc. The ruler is called Geneva and has step 5 mm.

Author: MechEngineerMike

Where to download: Thingiverse

Pliers

This small, solid piece of plastic can easily replace your pliers / pliers. These forceps take the force to the handles and redistribute it at the end of the grip. It's definitely pliers. Just smarter.

Author: BYU CMR

Where to download: Thingiverse

Cylindrical textured box

Beautiful tube from Syboulette decorated with hexagons. Well suited as a kitchen utensil for storing oatmeal, rice and other crumbly substances.

Author: Syboulette

Where to download: Cults

Door stopper

This stopper is modeled after the Guyer Anderson cat statue in the British Museum. The design is hollow, which allows you to fill the limiter with something for additional weight.

Author: Duaneindeed

Where to download: Cults

Plague Doctor Mask

Not exactly the most useful item on the list since bubonic plague is a thing of the past. But a mask can come in handy, for example, when you need to clean up after your pet. And you can also go to the carnival in it.

Author: Odrivious

Download: Cults

Universal Spool Holder

This adjustable spool holder uses a spring and an adjustable rewind clutch. It's the perfect place to store those pesky wires.

Who made it: Vincent Goenhuis

Where to download: Thingiverse

Sturdy waterproof box

This tight-fitting box will keep things from getting wet. Print it in PLA or PETG, add a flexible TPU seal and M3 screws for the spring hinge, and you're done.

Author: ZX82

Where to download: Cults

Dice

This dice is suitable for flat 3D printing and has a face size of 16mm.

Author: Devin Montes (MakeAnything)

Where to download: MyMiniFactory

Collapsible Coat Rack

Really cool coat rack. That's all there is to say about her.

Author: Komaru

Where to download: Thingiverse

Business Card Holder

Great for showing off your new business cards to your Wall Street friends. What could be more delightful than this Zippo card holder with flip-top lid.

Author: PentlandDesigns

Where to download: Cults

Pencil and pen holder

Iceberg or melting beehive? Be that as it may, this is a handy pen and pencil holder that is cheaper to print than to buy.

Author: BeeVeryCreative

Where to download: Cults

Groovi Monster Audio Amplifier

This is a passive smartphone audio amplifier that looks stylish and does the job well. It's called Groovi Monster for a reason.

Author: 3DShook

Where to download: Cults

Cup holder

Can be used not only as a cup holder, but also as a coaster for hot dishes. The dimensions of the template are easily adjusted to suit any size cookware.

Author: jmdbcool

Where to download: Thingiverse

Clamp

Designed for fixing various materials, including the ends of the wire in the coil. Also great as a clothespin replacement.

Author: Med

Where to download: Cults

Pencil Box

Suitable for storing all your desk trivia and trinkets (memory cards, rubber bands, pencils, paper clips, etc.).

Author: Monkey3D

Where to download: Cults

Headphone holder

This is a duck. Yes, you can hang headphones on it.

Author: Toshi_TNE

Download: Thingiverse

Polyhedral Succulent Pot

Unusual geometric pots for your growing succulent collection. These small pots can be configured to be connected together.

Author: PrintFutura

Download: Cults

Survival Whistle

This is a survival whistle with original design. It is durable, easy to make and very loud (118 dB is more than enough to be heard in an emergency).

Author: Joe Zisa

Where to download: Thingiverse

Measuring Cube

Simple and original measuring cube for the kitchen. On each side there are recesses for measuring the volume of ingredients (in cups - according to the American system, and in metric units for everyone else). It is best to print with PETG material, it is the safest for products.

Author: iomaa

Download: Thingiverse

Hinge

This is a parametric hinge that can be sized to fit your needs.

Written by Rohin Gosling

Download: Thingiverse

Car Eyeglass Holder

Attaches to your car's sun visor. Glasses will always be at hand.

Author: Trevor Long

Download: Thingiverse

Opener

The simplest things are usually the most useful. Convenient and easy to print opener. Covers the sharp edges of the cork as much as possible, protecting you from injury.

Author: Jeremy Peterson

Download: Thingiverse

Superhero Keychains

Sometimes you need to remind yourself of your hidden superpowers. Stylish and cool keyrings are well suited as a small gift.

Author: Formbyte

Where to download: Cults

Headphone stand

It will be useful for music lovers and gamers who use headphones a lot and often. After all, now they will no longer roll around anywhere.

Author: MakerBot

Where to download: Thingiverse

Bag Clip

The model consists of two printed parts. Allows you to keep packages closed and keep food fresh longer.

Author: Walter Hsiao

Download: Thingiverse

Plastic wrench

Handy wrench, but don't choose soft plastic to make it.

Author: Daniel Noree

Where to download: Cults

Sliding Decal

No more worrying about whether cups are clean or dirty right now in the dishwasher! With the help of a special mechanism, the slider easily changes the inscription on the plate.

Who made it: MiddleFingerBoss

Where to download: Thingiverse

Collapsible basket

Cool picnic item. A folding square basket with five sections is printed from several parts and then glued together. For product safety, it is recommended to use PETG plastic.

Author: PatternToPrint

Where to download: Cults

Self-watering plant pot

Houseplants are dying from your forgetfulness? This will not happen again! This pot will water them by itself, and your conscience will be clear.

Author: Parallel Goods

Where to download: Cults

Maze Gift Box

Cash is not the most original gift. But if you present them in such a gift box, your friend will surely like it. The lucky recipient will have to work hard to get to the prize, because there is only one right way.

Author: Robert

Download: Thingiverse

Wired headphone holder

The headphones will now be protected from tangling and breakage.

Author: Robert

Where to download: Thingiverse

Tube Squeezer

Will help squeeze out the contents of the tube to the last drop. Wide enough to fit most tubes on the market. Printed in three separate parts.

Author: Justin Otten

Where to download: Thingiverse

Webcam Shutter

The best thing for the paranoid and just for those who are uncomfortable being under the gun of a webcam. Instead of sticking tape or sticky tape over the lens, attach a slider shutter to the body and open it when you need a video call.

Author: Horizon Lab

Where to download: Cults

Hexagonal Prefabricated Drawers

Useful to free your desk from the noodles of cables, wires and just every little thing. The design can be easily expanded if necessary.

Created by Dan O'Connell

Where to download: Cults

Wall Phone Shelf

Attach the shelf to a power outlet and place your phone on it while charging. The model also has a corner slot that holds your smartphone or tablet upright for watching videos.

Author: Tosh Sayama

Where to download: Cults

Card Shuffle Machine

Awesome item for poker lovers. This device will help to shuffle the cards and deal them during the game.

Author: LarsRb

Where to download: MyMiniFactory

Box with a secret lock

Box for storing things in a place inaccessible to prying eyes with a secret multi-stage opening mechanism.

Author: 3DPrintingWorld

Where to download: Thingiverse

Digital Sundial

Yes, your eyes don't deceive you. This is a digital sundial and it really works. They are designed to pass only the right beams at the right time and at the right angle to display the actual time in 20-minute intervals. Only works during daylight hours, of course.

Author: Mojoptix

Where to download: Thingiverse

Keyring

Designed in the shape of a stylish Swiss Army knife, it looks amazing. Printed from two plates and the keys are held in place with standard hex nuts and bolts.

Author: Craig Blanchette

Where to download: Thingiverse

Translation of the article "50 Cool Things to 3D Print in June 2019" . And why does he no longer have "work time"

Victor tells how he turned his hobby into a profitable business. And why does he no longer have "working time"

Victor

On YouDo
since October 2016

Victor prints everything (almost) on the printer - from a machine gun to dental crowns. And on YouDo he finds couriers who deliver all this. We decided to ask him what kind of business it is - 3D printing, how it works and whether it is profitable to do it.

Victor

On YouDo
from October 2016

Victor prints everything (almost) on the printer - from a machine gun to dental crowns. And on YouDo he finds couriers who deliver all this. We decided to ask him what kind of business it is - 3D printing, how it works and whether it is profitable to do it.

How I got hooked

Four years ago I realized that the office is not about me. I try in life to do only what is interesting. Something to create, organize, be creative. My hobbies have always been something like this.

Manufacturers say: “I brought it home, pulled it out of the box — voila, print it!” But this is all marketing

3D printing was in full view then. It seemed to me that it was just about creation and creativity, so I got hooked. I bought a printer, installed it at home, and began to find orders via the Internet.

Manufacturers say: “I brought it home, pulled it out of the box - voila, print it!” But this is all marketing, you need at least elementary training. You will have to spend at least a day to understand how the printer is refueled and a special slicer program works, which converts a 3D model into a special G-code. By reading this code, the printer understands what and how to print.

Four years ago, Victor decided to turn his hobby into a business

What you need to know at the start

A 3D printer is used in the jewelry industry, in the automotive industry, and in instrument making.

Even rocket parts and photopolymer dental crowns have been printed on it! That's why I love 3D printing so much: you cover a wide range of issues, you can communicate with specialists from completely different fields. It broadens your horizons!

3D printers are different. There are capricious samples, but there are user-friendly ones. These cost from 50,000 ₽. 80,000 ₽ will be enough to start your business.

Calculation for launch

-Printer-50 000 ₽
-plastic (1 kg)-from 800 ₽
-10 000 ₽
-Internet advertising-20 000 ₽

9000 ₽

starting budget

There are no complex algorithms in the production process itself, I quickly figured it out. But to improve the level of skill, it takes time. Only after working on several printers and performing hundreds of diverse tasks did I understand how, for example, to increase the speed of printing without losing its quality.

I'll show you how it all happens using the YouDo logo as an example.

Draw a drawing

I do rendering and 3D visualization of

I choose plastic

I load the coil in the printer

I put the thread to the extruder

so plastic is supplied, the smiley of

is printed first and let it print

Packed in a box

What we left and what we came to

My first product was a prototype of a mouse for a computer. It turned out so badly that I thought they wouldn't accept it - miraculously it worked. At that time, I did everything myself: I posted ads on the Internet, took orders, did modeling - I created a 3D model in a special program and printed it.

The first order turned out so badly that I thought they wouldn’t accept it - it miraculously worked

The number of orders began to grow over time, I began to hire freelance assistants. Until now, a significant part of our team are freelance modelers who create 3D models.

Two people work in the office:

  • a full-time modeler,
  • a project manager responsible for receiving applications and printing parts.

There is also an accountant, but he works remotely. We also do not need a regular courier, because on average we have one delivery per day. We arrange delivery through YouDo. I know that you can find cheaper delivery options, but YouDo is more reliable: you look at the rating, reviews - it’s immediately clear who you are working with. Our main requirement for the courier is to be careful, especially when some unusual things need to be delivered.

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Submit what is possible and that it is possible and that it is possible and that it is possible to 9,0003,

the tasks of our company I divide into creative, engineering, production and scientific:

  • Creative -Figules of the Machine, Working Models, Work with Jews. Most often it is souvenir products, the creative process.
  • Engineering is the creation of elements of device cases, a copy of parts. The latter is especially relevant. If some part is broken, it is not for sale, or you can only buy it complete with a mechanism - we come to the rescue.
  • Scientific - any experimental samples that are used by scientists for research. For example, for graduate students in dentistry, we made dentures, metal crowns, special samples of dental polymer, which they tested for strength.

Souvenirs made of plastic, photopolymers, which are stored in Victor's workshop

The largest order in size is a copy of a two-meter machine gun

Often there is something adjacent. Once they made a souvenir for a large oil company: they printed typewriters that they actually operate at their facilities. They also made hands for robots. The robots themselves are funny: they ride on caterpillars, there is a display on their stomach. We printed their hands, now some of them work as waiters in a cafe.

The largest order in terms of size is a copy of a Russian-made two-meter machine gun for a military-patriotic camp. On May 9, they attached it to an UAZ with a cut-off roof, drove it to a performance.

What now?

Once upon a time, 3D printing was just my hobby. Gradually, it grew into a profitable business. So far not so profitable that my salary was much more than the office one. But I realized how cool it is when a hobby brings money.

One printer was enough for a hobby, now four is not enough

I don't have to rush between work and free time. I am basically free. I plan my day the way I want. And each of my days can be completely unique and not like the next or the previous one.

In the morning I work on one project, and in the afternoon I discuss another, and so on. And I can generally take it and go for a ride on a scooter in the middle of the day.

I no longer have such a thing as "working time". Or "non-working". There is just time, and I use it the way I want.

How do you know when it's time to leave your office and start your own business?

  • Drives a hobby, but there is not enough time for it.
  • There are several business ideas with at least approximate business plans, and not an abstract desire to "do something of your own."
  • You are ready to take almost all the work on yourself at the beginning and do not expect a crowd of professional altruists to run into your startup.
  • You have grown to a level of responsibility where "quitting office work" means for you to work for two weeks under the contract and close all unfinished tasks.
  • You understand that your income may not exceed the average office salary for a long time.

Have you also made your hobby your business? Tell us how it was: blog@youdo.

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