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Make money using 3d printer


How To Make Money With 3D Printing In 2022

Above: The build size of the 3D printer will determine the size of the print/Source: Manufactur3D

Did you know that to make money with 3D printing in 2022 you don’t need to pursue it full-time, instead it can also be a side hustle while you pursue other earning opportunities.

In one of our previous articles, we discussed the various 3D printing business opportunities you can pursue. However, these were full-time businesses, and the level of expertise, investment, time, and effort required for those ideas was prohibitively high.

We understand that not everyone wants to run a full-time 3D printing business, and you may be looking for side hustle opportunities. Side hustles are ideal for students, stay-at-home moms, working professionals, and even small businesses looking to add a new revenue stream.

So, in this article, we focus solely on side hustle ideas that help you make money with 3D printing.

Contents

  • 1 Can you really make money with a 3D Printer?
  • 2 Guide on how to make money with 3D printing in 2022
    • 2.1 Sell Educational Models to Schools
    • 2.2 3D Printer Reviewer
    • 2.3 3D Printing YouTube Channel
    • 2.4 Invest in 3D Printing Stocks
    • 2.5 Consultancy
    • 2.6 3D Scanning
    • 2.7 Rent out your 3D printer or 3D Pen
    • 2.8 Sell digital 3D models
    • 2.9 Sell Personalised Products
  • 3 How to Get Started?
  • 4 Full-time Business Ideas

Can you really make money with a 3D Printer?

The straightforward answer is Yes! You can undoubtedly make money with a 3D printer or operating in the 3D printing industry in 2022.

How much money you ask? Well, that will depend on your level of knowledge and expertise in technology, as well as how much time you devote to this side hustle.

You can check out our list of some popular and some yet-to-be-popular ideas to make money and decide which one suits your routine.

Guide on how to make money with 3D printing in 2022

Sell Educational Models to Schools

Above: 3D printed educational models/Source: ZMorph

One of the best ways to make money with 3D printing in 2022 is to sell educational models to schools. It is now widely accepted that 3D printing is an excellent learning tool that is widely used in STEM education. But not all schools have the funds to purchase 3D printers, or have trained educators who can teach 3D printing to students. Instead of selling them 3D printers – which already most businesses are pursuing – you can persuade schools to purchase educational models.

All schools use standard medical or science models to teach students, and these are mostly outdated and even loosely mended together to keep from breaking apart. So, replacing their existing models and more interestingly, offering them new and unique 3D printed models to enhance the students’ understanding of concepts, ideas and topics, is significantly interesting to schools.

You will have to develop conceptual models and either design them yourself or get them designed and 3D printed. Once you have the sample models, you just need to go on a selling spree. If you secure an order, get them manufactured on-demand and deliver it to the school.

You can create 3D printed models of all human body bones, conceptual models to explain science, math, geography, history, and literally any subject that can be explained substantially well with models. Focus on developing products that not only help students but can also reduce the effort of educators to teach those concepts.

3D Printer Reviewer

You can become a 3D printer reviewer if you are an expert in handling and using a 3D printer. You can contact manufacturers to obtain a 3D printer and write an exciting review of the 3D printer. This review can be posted on third-party blogs or even on your own YouTube channel. You can earn money from the manufacturer who wants his product reviewed by a third party or from the blog that will publish your content. This is one of the most straightforward ways to make money with 3D printing in 2022.

3D Printing YouTube Channel

This idea is closely related to the previous one about reviewing 3D printers. In addition to 3D printers, you can also review materials and software suites. No doubt a YouTube channel will require a considerable time to monetise, but as this is a side hustle, you won’t mind. All you have to do is post one video per 7 to 10 days. You may take a year to generate ad revenue but this idea certainly has a great long-term potential.

Invest in 3D Printing Stocks

Above: 3D printing stock trends/Source: Motley Fool

If you are a stock trader, you should look into 3D printing stocks. The market is undoubtedly young, but if you enjoy taking risks, you can certainly take a look at the stocks. Many companies have gone public in recent years, and if you want to take a chance, consider this option.

(Please keep in mind that this is not investment advice, and readers should make their own decisions about whether or not to invest. We are not responsible for any investment decisions made by reading this article.)

Consultancy

If you are a technology expert, why not put it to good use. You can start a consultancy business. This can easily be a side hustle, but with this idea, you can make a lot of money with 3D printing.

Globally, the rate of adoption of 3D printing technology remains slow. MSMEs believe that the capital investment is prohibitively expensive to even consider the technology. Though this is true to some extent, investing in 3D printers will provide benefits across the entire supply chain, as opposed to traditional machines, which only provide benefits in certain parts of the production.

This is where the consultant can assist businesses in making better decisions about adopting 3D printing. You, as a consultant, can assist in answering questions like the need of the 3D printing technology for the business, whether the business really needs the technology, and, if so, how to implement the technology and more. Having someone at their side, will certainly help the MSMEs deal with technology sellers.

3D Scanning

Above: 3D scanning a high precision part for reverse engineering with a portable scanner/Source: Manufactur3D

With the introduction of 3D printing, reverse engineering has gained renewed interest and momentum. Because of the ease with which any type of object can be 3D printed, many industries are now scanning obsolete or old machine parts and having them 3D printed.

There are several ways to profit from 3D scanning. All you need is a scanner, which will undoubtedly be an investment, but you can also purchase smaller handheld scanners and provide scanning services.

Finding work through online freelancing jobs is the best approach. Several websites list available jobs, and you can also inquire directly with companies about contracting work. Once you’ve identified a few potential clients, you can start scanning and creating digital files.

Rent out your 3D printer or 3D Pen

In 2022, this is the best way to make money with 3D printing. If you have a 3D printer and/or a 3D Pen that you are not using, consider renting it out. Connecting with schools can earn you a quick buck by renting it to them during their science fairs, lab days, or any other special day. You can also rent it out to an engineering student for his academic project or to a local manufacturer. Additionally, you can even get resourceful and look for unique customers, such as families who want to have fun on weekends, parents that home-school their kids, and so on.

Sell digital 3D models

Above: You can buy and sell 3D models on sites like Gambody/Source: Gambody

This is a great online side hustle and easy way to make money with 3D printing. The only prerequisite is that you need to be proficient in designing for 3D printing. If you are, then you can try to search for trends and cash in on them by creating relevant 3D models.

You can also unique create models for household or office products like home décor. You can sell them on online 3D model repositories. Some designers also create designs for household parts that regularly break and can be replaced with 3D printed spare parts But this has to be done carefully to ensure you are not infringing on any copyrighted/trademarked designs.

Sell Personalised Products

The world is approaching a time when people are more inclined to purchase personalised products. Most customers are tired of mass-produced products that do not reflect their individuality. So, for such customers, you can design and 3D print personalised one-of-a-kind products that make them feel special. You can take user input on shape, size, texture, colour, geometry, and much more in account while creating such a unique product.

Selling such personalized products can help you make money with 3D printing, and it does not have to be a full-time job. It’s a great side hustle.

How to Get Started?

The answer on how to get started will depend on what you wish to accomplish. To get started you will need a CAD designing software (Read: Best CAD software for 3D printing), a 3D printer to print parts (Read: Factors to Consider When Buying a 3D Printer), 3D Scanner, registration on e-commerce sites or your very own website to sell online, and intrinsic knowledge of the technology. You may not necessarily need all the equipmentIn some cases, you may need all the equipment.

Once you choose which idea you want to pursue, you can buy the equipment and start your side hustle right away.

Full-time Business Ideas

If you are interested in getting into full-time 3D printing business then you can check out our dedicated article on the different 3D Printing Business Opportunities. To know the popular business ideas for providing 3D printing services, do read our article on the topic.

About Manufactur3D Magazine: Manufactur3D is an online magazine on 3D printing. which publishes the latest 3D printing news, insights and analysis from all around the world. Visit our 3D Printing Education page to read more such informative articles. To stay up-to-date about the latest happenings in the 3D printing world, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

11 Ways to Make Money 3D Printing in 2022 – Clever Creations

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Ever wondered about turning your 3D printing hobby into a profitable business venture? We’re here to tell you that there are several ways to make money with 3D printing even as a beginner.

In this guide, we’ll examine the best ways how to make money with a 3D printer, which 3D printing services are most in-demand right now, and what you need to know about running a 3D printing business before you get started.

Best ways to make money with a 3D Printer in 2022

1. Design and sell 3D prints

If you want to design, print, and sell your own 3D printed items, there are a few different ways to do it. For example, you’ll need to decide if you want to stick with a set of specific designs or if you want to work on commission.

Personalized or custom items mean you have to make a new 3D model for every order. Offering only pre-designed items allows you to make items ahead of time and ship them out as needed.

There is a market for nearly every type of 3D print you can create, so choose the types of items you enjoy making. After you have decided that, figure out where the customers for those items like to shop so that you can offer your products there.

What can I make and sell with a 3D printer?

In terms of the things to 3D print and sell, your products can be anything from planters to phone cases to home décor items. Ideally, the products you sell line up with your own passions while still being in high demand from your target audience.

Some of the most popular things to make and sell are:

  • (D&D) miniatures. 3D printed miniatures are very popular at the moment. Unlike store-bought miniatures, these can be fully customized to your customers’ liking. You can also paint the miniatures before shipping them out, but many customers don’t mind painting minis for themselves, or they leave them unpainted altogether. When doing this, we recommend you use a resin 3D printer for miniatures.
  • Jewelry. 3D printed jewelry can be sold at a high mark-up and for more money than other items, but there is a lot of competition in this niche on sites like Etsy. For 3D printing jewelry, a resin 3D printer (or even a high resolution 4K+ resin 3D printer) is ideal.

Image: xfanta via MyMiniFactory

There is a lot of demand for 3D printed jewelry
  • Cosplay items. Creating and selling cosplay items can be a profitable endeavor. 3D printing helmets, 3D printing armor, or all kinds of other props are valid ways of making money with a 3D printer.
  • Planters. Attractive self-watering planters aren’t always easy to find in retail stores. That is one of the reasons why they are popular things to 3D print.
  • Toys. Toys are easy to make on FDM printers and barely need any post-processing.

These are just a few examples, but the list is practically endless. Think key chains, customized shoes, personalized crafts, or other one-off items. You can sell designs of others (if the copyright license allows), or create your own designs and your own products.

Where to sell 3D prints?

There are many platforms you can use to sell your 3D printed items and make money with a 3D printer, both online and offline. Most sellers choose a few different platforms for selling to reach a variety of markets and audiences, as well as to bring in more money.

While it’s important to not limit yourself to one sales channel, you should also be careful not to spread yourself too thin.

Offline

You have several choices for selling your 3D printed items in person. Events like craft fairs, trade shows, garage sales, and festivals can all give you the opportunity to show off your 3D prints and gain customers. If you have access to electricity at the event, setting up your printer in your booth can be an easy way to attract people to your table.

You can also put your 3D printed items into consignment shops or set up a display in local businesses. This gives your 3D printing business local exposure without committing to a storefront.

Online

To reach a large and varied global market with your 3D printed items, you should sell online. You should ideally have your own online store at some point. In the meantime, there are several eCommerce platforms that can help you get started:

  • Etsy
  • eBay
  • Amazon
  • Fiverr

2. Start a local 3D printing business

Starting a local 3D printing business is one of the quickest ways to get customers and generate sales. You can manufacture custom parts, tools, and necessities for other local businesses. This is especially true if you live around several factories or plants. You can reach out to your local bakery about cookie cutters, or make trophies or awards for events.

Recommended:

The 5 Best 3D Printers for Making Cookie Cutters

The list goes on. You will be surprised by how much you can contribute to your local community once you just start asking. If you are wondering how to make money with a 3D printer, this option offers you lots of potential.

While opening your own business sounds complicated, it’s a rather straightforward process. You should contact your local authorities or city council to double-check the ordinances. You may find that you won’t need any permits or zoning updates to run it from your house. That depends on where you live and how your local laws are set up.

What do you need to start a 3D printing business?
3D printer

It goes without saying that if you want to start your own 3D printing business, you need a 3D printer. In this case, it should be a reliable 3D printer that you are already familiar with and have a stock of spare parts for.

You don’t want to start taking requests from customers and have to cancel their orders a week later. Things like this happen when you’re waiting on a replacement part or because something basic went wrong and you don’t know how to fix it. Be prepared with basic troubleshooting knowledge of your machine and backup components before you start.

You don’t need a top-of-the-line printer to offer your 3D printing services. However, you should aim to have a properly working and time-efficient one. Every minute that you spend re-leveling your build plate because your printer falls out of alignment is a minute that you have to account for through higher printing fees or lost maintenance costs.

Going with a 3D printer under $1000, like the reliable Prusa i3 MK3S, is a good way to save yourself time.

On the other hand, if you decide to go with a budget 3D printer, like the Ender 3 V2, you can make use of the many Ender 3 upgrades that turn it into a more time-efficient machine. One example of this is the BLtouch leveling sensor, which removes the need for manually leveling the build plate.

Business website

You need a website to inform your potential customers about your 3D printing business and to capture leads. You should have this set up by a professional web designer if possible. This will be your main touchpoint for customers to interact with your brand. As such, you want it to look good and reputable to bring in those early clients.

You should also contract a graphic designer. They will make your logo, company palette, and other branding materials. Your web designer will need them to keep your website design on-brand.

Some web designers can do both (and vice versa). Just be sure that they have a strong foundation in branding if you choose to use one person for everything.

You can go as basic or complex as you would like with your final website design. It depends on what types of services you plan to offer and how much of the pre-purchase and buying phase you want to happen online.

Premium add-ons like an online store, quote generator, appointment scheduling app, and other tools add value to your end customer. They will cost you more money in upfront design charges since they may require adding a web developer to your project as well.

3. Design and build prototypes

Using your 3D printer to design and build your own (or someone else’s) product prototypes is a great way to monetize your machine. For other people’s prototypes, you can charge them for designing and building them. For your own prototype, you can send it into production and have your own product line thanks to your 3D printer.

4. Rent out your 3D printer

Many people love the idea of 3D printing but don’t have the time, space, or money to buy their own printer. Or sometimes they just need the occasional niche print and don’t think it’s worth it to buy their own machine.

That’s where you and your 3D printer rental services come in! You can charge customers a fee for a printing service where you print their models on your printer. Doing this during your 3D printer’s usual downtime lets you make money 3D printing in moments where you don’t need to use the machine for yourself.

This seems like one of the easier options on this list to try. However, print on demand does have some complicated elements to consider. You have to be properly compensated for all time and materials involved.

That includes the cost of your time spent leveling and maintaining the printer (as well as the cost of wear and tear on your machine from additional usage). Keeping in mind the 3D printer’s electricity usage and other 3D printer costs is important too.

For your 3D printing service, you also need to consider if you will honor requests for certain colors of filament, what types of filament potential customers can order, and if you will also include services for post-processing for a fee.

Image: Mtar Einbern via MyMiniFactory

Post-processing can also include painting

5. Sell digital 3D models

If you’re a skilled modeler, sculptor, or drafter, you can forgo the necessity for physical products and sell your 3D model files online. This option is more of a passive income business model that can work beside or be independent of a physical product line.

Selling digital files like 3D models lets you make money on one product several times without having to make the item more than once. It becomes even more efficient if the digital files you sell are existing assets from another project that weren’t used anymore and would otherwise have no value.

While you won’t be making money in large sums per sale for 3D models, they can still earn a higher lifetime revenue than a print and sell option of the same model. Digital files simply sell with more regularity than physical objects and have no production cost associated with each extra copy sold.

Where to sell 3D model files

The first place you should consider selling your 3D models is on your own website. If you already have one of those for your local 3D printing business, excellent. If not, start looking for a web designer ASAP.

Third-party platforms charge fees to use their services. Having your own eCommerce site ensures that you get a larger percentage of profit from each sale and increase the money you make 3D printing. The downside to this is that you have to build your audience and website traffic yourself. Most third-party eCommerce platforms bring their audience to you.

Some of the best places to sell your 3D models are:

  • Etsy
  • MyMiniFactory
  • CGTrader
  • Cults3D

Image: DarkFigurines via MyMiniFactory

3D models are loaded into a slicer program to generate instructions for the 3D printer

6. Start a YouTube channel

You can use your 3D printing knowledge to set up your own YouTube channel. Build your audience by posting cool and helpful 3D printing YouTube videos to your channel.

It is possible for you to earn revenue from ads, donations, affiliate programs, and brand sponsorships. If you get a large enough following, companies might also send you free products to review.

You most likely won’t make a full-time living from YouTube (especially at first). However, if you grow it as one of several monetization strategies, it can be helpful. It’s a great way to push potential customers to your website or online shop. It can also help develop your name as a knowledgeable person in the industry.

7. Start a blog

You can use a blog to write 3D printer-related content and share your knowledge with others. Like YouTube, you can monetize the content on your blog through ads, affiliate programs, and paid sponsorships. Having a blog gives you more control over the creative process. You also make a lot more from ads on your website than YouTube pre-roll ads.

You can also use your blog as a way to bring readers to your website where you sell your prints, 3D model files, and other products. Your blog content acts as a verification that you know what you’re talking about on the subject of 3D printing.

It shows that you can be looked at as a trusted source. This is called brand authority, and it makes it much easier to convert an audience member into a customer when they already trust what you’re saying.

8. Repair things in your household

A 3D printer is a great tool to have around when something in your house breaks. With basic computer-aided design (CAD) knowledge and (free) 3D modeling software, you can design replacement parts for broken appliances, furniture, and so on.

Normally when something breaks, you have to order a new part from the manufacturer. You potentially have to replace the entire thing if the manufacturer can’t help you. By doing basic repairs, 3D printing your own replacement parts, and keeping your old belongings in functional shape, a 3D printer helps you save money over time.

9. Repair 3D printers for others

There is no denying that 3D printers can be a bit temperamental sometimes. They have a large number of parts to make them operate the way they should. If someone is new to 3D printing or never learned what most of those components are meant to do, they will struggle to fix it when something goes wrong.

Put your technical 3D printer knowledge to good use and offer to fix broken printers for a fee. Most people will be happy to spend money to let someone more capable deal with it. You get paid work from a person who was likely never going to use your 3D printing services or buy your products.

10. Flip broken 3D printers

If a 3D printer is broken badly enough that the owner doesn’t want to fix it, you can still salvage it by fixing it up. After you have repaired it, you can then resell it for a profit. You can also keep it for spare parts for another 3D printer and sell that one afterward.

11. Offer 3D printing courses

If you’ve been 3D printing for a while, you probably know quite a bit about the subject. Consider using that knowledge to create an online course or series of online courses that teach new 3D printing enthusiasts the basics.

It will be a big initial investment of your time to plan the course, film it, edit it, compile it, and market it. However, you can continue to sell the course for years to come while doing little to no maintenance work on it.

You can host the course through an online learning platform like:

  • Skillshare
  • Udemy
  • Domestika
  • Teachable

You can also host it through your website if you have one (and use your blog to help market it.)

Frequently asked questions

Can you make money with 3D printing?

Yes, there are many ways you can start making money with a 3D printer. Selling 3D prints (like phone cases) or offering 3D printing services are some of the most popular methods, but there are many more you can choose from.

Is it legal to sell 3D prints?

As long as you follow the copyright license on any 3D model you use, you are legally allowed to sell 3D prints of the model. For any models you design yourself, you are the license holder, so you can use the models freely.

If any of the models depict copyrighted or trademarked content, that overrules the designer’s license. For example, if someone designed a 3D model of a well-known cartoon character, they still cannot sell prints of it because the character is not their intellectual property.

Image: edoyola via MyMiniFactory

Always check whether the objects you 3D print are copyrighted or not

Is 3D printing a good side hustle?

Yes, 3D printing is a great side hustle if you already know a lot about the subject. If you are brand new to 3D printing and are trying to jump into starting a business with it from day one, it might be a frustrating experience.

Taking some time to learn your 3D printer, understand the settings, and be able to troubleshoot the most common issues are going to be very helpful in the long run. It will also ensure that you don’t guarantee your 3D printing service to someone before you are able to render it.

3D printing is also not much different than beginning any other side business. Starting a 3D print store or print-on-demand service requires niche market research, marketing, social media skills, and some understanding of business management. Those are all skills anyone can and should learn to increase how much money they make with their side business.

How long does it take to start making money with a 3D printer?

That depends on a few different factors. If you are trying a few of our suggestions on how to make money with a 3D printer, your chances of quickly connecting with new customers are higher than if you only stick to one method or sales platform.

How quickly people buy from or contract you also depends on having things like:

  • A professional-looking website
  • Clean and effective copy on your website and product listings
  • High-quality pictures of your products
  • Well-defined policies for shipping, returns, customization, etc.
  • Good pricing (that doesn’t mean fighting to be the lowest)
  • Accurate market research and a good strategy for your business

Not all of these factors have to be a slam-dunk every time. Online shops with terrible pictures make sales every day, while some with professional product photography do not. People stumble onto products by accident every day, even if their marketing strategy is abysmal. These are just some things that may color your timeline for profitability.

How long does it take to learn 3D printing?

If you have a plug-and-play 3D printer that is designed to set up and start 3D printing almost instantly (note that these are usually the more expensive machines on the market), you can start getting serviceable prints within a day.

Cheaper and more hands-on 3D printer models have a steeper learning curve and take more time to become adept with. Many of the tasks that plug-and-play printers do automatically are manual on budget printers. It will likely take you a few days to start producing quality parts. It will take a few months to have a firm understanding of all the 3D printer’s elements.

As far as being able to make your own 3D models, those skills are considerably more time-consuming to learn. You can make very basic models within a day or so by following tutorials. However, it can take months or even years to become a skilled designer who creates original and aesthetically pleasing 3D models.

Do you need a license to 3D print?

Anyone with access to a 3D printer can print 3D models for non-commercial uses. However, the rules are slightly different when you intend to sell the finished product. Any models used need to have a commercial use license.

That means only choosing ready-made models online that have the proper license. You can also contact the designer to inquire about obtaining commercial rights. Many designers are willing to charge you a licensing fee in those situations, but some will still refuse. It’s important to be respectful either way.

What software do I need?

To start 3D printing, you need a 3D modeling program and a slicer program. The 3D modeling software lets you create 3D models to print, while your slicer turns your models into lines of code that your 3D printer can read.

For help picking out a 3D modeling program, we have an in-depth comparison between the best free modeling software options.

Is 3D printing expensive?

The expenses of 3D printing depend on several factors. These include what type of material you use, what type of 3D printer you have, if you keep your printer well-maintained, and how you store your materials.

Paying attention during 3D model slicing and set up can cut down costly or wasteful mistakes. Keeping your 3D printer clean and lubricated extends the life of its parts. Storing your filaments or 3D printer resins away from moisture and light will extend its working life and help you save money.

Conclusion

There are several options to make money 3D printing, which means there is something suitable for everyone. Do you make money with a 3D printer? What do you find most challenging about running a 3D printing business or side hustle? Let us know in the comments!

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Good day to all.

Quite often I see questions about "starting a 3D printing business". Therefore, I would like to share my thoughts on this issue. The article will not have a ready-made business plan, but there will be ground for reflection on it (I hope). In order not to be unfounded, below are the Yandex search statistics. These statistics are only from Yandex, so you can safely multiply by 2.

Actually what I'm talking about. Many people buy 3D printers in the hope of additional income from the provision of 3D printing services. Often, thoughts like: "I'll post an ad on Avito and orders will go through people's heads." Many of these businessmen simply remain alone with the printer or sell it afterwards. The competition in this area is already simply colossal and is only growing. Therefore, climbing into the service sector of this format without investing in advertising seems to me not the best idea. Moreover, almost two printer costs will have to be invested in advertising in this direction. Generally not an option. There is one way out for stuffing the client base - this is price dumping with its subsequent increase. But here, let everyone decide for himself whether he is ready, filling the base, at first to print "for 0" or even in the minus. nine0003

The second option is already less common, but still relevant in this matter. 3d modeling + 3d printing. This format of the service is in great demand and you can already earn at least on modeling, and at the same time spend only time. Everyone should determine the price of their time for themselves, since we are all different. But even here there is more than enough competition.

Well, now actually what I want to talk about. At the time of purchase of the 3D printer, I already knew what I was going to do with it. For me, it was initially a tool to a greater extent, and not earnings. Noah understood that I could print, which would bring me some kind of income. Of course, I will not say what my projects are, but I want to share the logic of thought, or, if you like, the business model. nine0003

1st version

The beauty of a 3D printer is that there is no need to create a batch on it, to make molds or molds for casting parts. You can get by with a sample. And I think that a person who buys a 3D printer for business needs to know what he will do on it. At least roughly calculate the cost of production and the real demand for the product on the market. As an example, I can cite the sale of handles for a metal detector on Avito. I didn’t go deep into this issue, but I suspect that this thing is useful. In general, one of the options is to take as a basis a part that is in demand (perhaps some kind of automotive) on the market, learn how to print it at least well, and already post an ad on Avito or on specialized forums. This behavior can kill two birds with one stone. There is no need for advertising, since this product is already needed by someone, and Avito itself will give your ad on the Internet, including if you format it correctly (I advise you to watch a video on this topic), and there will also be no need to fight with competition, since with the right choice of product it will either not be, or will be in a minimal amount. The same wordstat from Yandex can help you with the choice. And the number of such goods is limited only by your busyness. nine0003

2nd option.

Here you have to turn on your imagination. We must set ourselves the task of inventing a new product and promoting it. In this matter, one must understand that there is no competition at all, but there is also no advertising. Will have to look for it. Without investment, or almost without, it's real. I'll give you an example. Suppose you want to sell mini boxes with video game symbols, why not?

Let's say something like this. This idea has not been brought to mind at all and most likely it will not come to life in my hands, so you can take this idea, bring it to mind, learn how to print, make a collapsible box (that's exactly what I wanted to do), and start promoting. As marketers say, "sow demand." As an option, send it as a gift to some streamer (s), having previously made a website with possible models. Making a website as a whole is not so long and difficult. You just have to really put in the time for it. And with due diligence, you will bring a completely new product to the market, and you will receive money for it. nine0003

Personally, my projects worked in both cases, and I don't take printing to order (although I was just asked to do it a couple of times), but I don't rely on the orders themselves and purposefully don't look for them.

In general, this is very crumpled, and I would like to describe more, but people do not like to read long articles here)

Thank you for your attention, I will not mind discussing the article in the comments)

How you can make money on 3D printing: everything possible ways

3D printing business: pros and cons, features, investments, earnings. All the obvious and non-obvious ways to make money on a 3D printer. nine0048

Let's look at any presentation of a 3D printer and it immediately becomes clear: this invention is like a panacea with which you can print literally everything in the world. And if so, is there an option to build a profitable business on 3D printing? This is what the editors of the business magazine https://lindeal.com found out today. We figured out what 3D printers are, what moments are the most important for making money, how much investment such a business requires and what real financial return you should expect from it. We also found all possible and realistic ways to make money on 3D printing. nine0003

3D printers: what is it?

3D printer - a device for printing three-dimensional models using a variety of materials. Through multi-layer printing, a three-dimensional object is created, and not an image on paper, as in a conventional printer. This opens up a wide variety of uses for the equipment, from the manufacture of accessories and toys to the production of molds, complex parts and engineering structures.

If a picture or a text document is enough for a familiar printer, then to print a three-dimensional object, the first thing to do is to create its 3D model in the appropriate editor. Alternatively, you can download for free or buy a ready-made model at a low cost on the Internet. nine0003

How much investment does a 3D printing business require?

A popular consumable for a 3D printer is plastic: 1 kg of powder costs 7-15 dollars. The affordable price of raw materials makes it possible to obtain high-quality three-dimensional products at a low cost. For the production of exclusive products, more expensive plastic is used, which imitates wood, stone, metal, etc. But at first, 20-30 kg of standard plastic powder is enough for a beginner, which will cost $ 250-500. nine0003

The main item of expenditure is the purchase of the 3D printer itself. The cost of basic high-quality reliable devices starts from $1000. There is an option to purchase a used model or self-assemble equipment, which costs about half the price. If you want to produce high-quality, expensive or rare products (auto parts, spare parts, food products), then it makes sense to purchase a professional printer, whose price is from $5,000.

Since any business needs promotion and advertising, you should not forget about attracting an intelligent marketer, ordering advertising campaigns. For these purposes, every month it is worth allocating from 500 dollars. If you are going to work not at home, but rent a separate room for a 3D studio, then you need to add the cost of rent to the listed expenses. Thus, starting a 3D printing business costs, on average, $1,700. nine0003

Pros and cons of making money from 3D printing

Business Benefits:

  1. Low threshold for entry into a niche - to start a business, it is enough to purchase one budget printer.
  2. Simple implementation of the project.
  3. Small risks at the start.
  4. Possibility at first to combine with the main activity.
  5. Simple promotion - commercial accounts in social networks are enough.
    6. nine0081

    Business weaknesses:

    1. Serious competition in developed cities.
    2. Comparatively low earnings and vague growth prospects in small towns.
    3. Even the most modern printer models are not able to print all the figures from complex sketches with high quality.
    4. Low cost devices provide single color printing only.
    5. Behind the printer, you have to refine the product: process with solvents, files, sandpaper, and also paint by hand. nine0072

    For full-fledged work, you need not only specialized software, but also skills to work with it. It will not be superfluous for an entrepreneur to complete training in 3D modeling.

    Ideas for making money on a 3D printer

    Before starting a business, a businessman should decide which direction he will choose for himself. The first option: small-scale production of complex products with a high margin - to order, for retail. The second way is mass production of simple products for wholesale. nine0003

    Printing toys and souvenirs

    The easiest and most obvious way to make money is to make toys, jewelry and souvenirs to order. A 3D printer does not limit you in the design of models - you can make even the most complex design with a high degree of detail, either from your own drawings or from mock-ups from customers

    Seal of Characters and Artifacts

    Creating figurines of heroes of fictional universes from games, books, films, comics and anime is a profitable business. Fans are ready to buy a three-dimensional incarnation of their favorite "Persian" at a retail price ten times higher than the real cost. nine0003

    Creation of architectural and engineering models, molds

    Based on the finished drawing, using the printer, you can quickly create a three-dimensional model of a house, apartment, car, equipment, mold. In this case, you do not have to work with private retail customers - your customers will be manufacturing plants, engineering departments and developers. The only difficulty is to form a sufficient customer base for stable earnings.

    nine0004 Manufacture of auto parts The

    3D printer allows you to quickly create complex small parts for a variety of equipment. Auto parts are very popular these days. However, remember that in this case expensive plastic powder is required - raw materials will quickly pay off due to the high retail cost of products.

    The next difficulty is that you will have to work on an individual order - that is, to design 3D models on your own. Please note that those parts that are difficult to find in retail will be in high demand - headlight washers, three-dimensional emblems, cases for mirrors and radio tape recorders, door handles, dashboard parts. nine0003

    Printing copies of museum exhibits

    A rather non-trivial way is to make 3D copies of museum exhibits, sculptures or architectural landmarks. The difficulty will be only with the formation of a permanent client base.

    Creation of orthopedic products

    In this niche, small-scale local production for individual requests is especially valuable - insoles and orthoses made of rubber and plastic require personal settings and a level of rigidity. nine0003

    Jewelry printing

    3D printing significantly speeds up the production of custom-made jewelry. This is what the market lacks - personalized gold and silver products, bijouterie.

    Getting 3D copies of people

    Giving picturesque objects or photo shoots is a thing of the past. More and more people are attracted by the opportunity to present a three-dimensional small copy of a friend for a celebration. However, this option is not suitable for all businessmen, because the figurine will have to be painted manually, which requires both time and skills. nine0003

    Food stamp

    Among the most promising emerging trends is 3D food printing. In this case, instead of a plastic powder, hydrocolloids and a hydrogel are required that can reproduce bakery, dairy products, sugar and chocolates. There are printers working with frosting, chocolate, fruit paste and hummus to create figurines, lollipops and even pasta.

    Beautiful 3D confectionery products, personalized sweet figurines as a gift, edible souvenirs of brands are very popular. In many countries, this attractive niche is not yet occupied - many are stopped by the high cost and rarity of raw materials. nine0003

    Non-obvious ideas for making money on 3D printing

    Consider other business options for 3D printing:

    1. Working as a 3D designer. Create custom 3D mockups at the right price.
    2. Manufacture of 3D printers. The idea is to design an author's model of equipment to sell it under his own brand. The idea, however, is quite difficult to implement, costly in terms of finances and time, because you need to develop something that the craftsmen from China did not think of. nine0072
    3. Manufacture of consumables for 3D printing and. The production of 3D printing filament is a fairly profitable, simple and quickly payback business. You will only need a Chinese machine and plastic powder.
    4. Sale of 3D printers . The obvious option is to open an online store, purchase machines from the manufacturer at dealer cost and sell at market value.
    5. Printer rental . If you do not want to learn all the intricacies of 3D printing and modeling, then you can earn money by renting the device. nine0072
    6. 3D printing training. To earn extra money from 3D printing, you can start educating beginners.
    7. Repair shop for 3D printers. Troubleshooters for 3D hardware will always be needed as long as it is in use - everything breaks down.
    8. 3D printing vlog . If you have a 3D printer and a good camera, this is enough to keep an educational blog on the same YouTube, earn money from training videos. To do this, of course, you already need to be a pro in 3D printing. Another option for the channel is a review of 3D printers. nine0072
    9. Investment in shares of printer manufacturers. This refers to earnings on the securities of joint-stock companies that produce 3D printing machines.

    Since 3D printing is one of the promising and promising industries, it should be seriously considered for investment.

    How much can you earn from 3D printing?

    Net income from a 3D printing business starts at $1,000. However, in small towns and regions that are not closely familiar with technology, earnings can be reduced by almost half. In general, the business does not have an upper bar for profit - its size depends on the constituent factors:

    • chosen niche;
    • cost of raw materials used;
    • technical capabilities of printers;
    • number of clients;
    • ability to develop complex layouts to order;
    • design skills for hand painting figurines.

    As real experience shows, this business idea fully pays off within 1 year.

    The editors of https://lindeal.com find the 3D printer to be a versatile piece of business equipment. The easiest and most obvious way to make money is to print unique things: fashion accessories, movie characters, jewelry, smartphone cases, souvenirs. You can also turn to such non-trivial methods as making copies of museum exhibits, human figures, or even three-dimensional edible products.

    Learn more