Avoid missing out on a booming 3D printing market and the revenue it’s generating. Knowing how to produce, market, and sell your 3D printed materials will help you make money and significantly grow your business.
atlantagraphicsandprinting.com gathered the following information about 3D printing, what you can make, how to advertise your products, and how to make money using 3D printing.
Is 3D Printing Worth the Investment?
3D printers are, without-a-doubt a worthy investment if you are willing and able to take the time to thoroughly learn the process and act on your newly acquired skill. Have a plan, and you can make money with 3D printing. With the right knowledge, supplies, and equipment, everyone has the potential to make 3D printing a worthy investment.
Is There a Market for 3D Printed Items?
There is a global market for nearly any type of 3D print you can create, so select the types of items you enjoy making. After you have selected them, figure out where the customers for those items like to shop so you can offer your products directly to them.
What Can I Make and Sell with a 3D Printer?
Now that you’ve decided to design, print, and sell your own 3D printed items, here are a few ways to make money with a 3d printer. You’ll need to determine if you want to produce a line of specific/unique designs or if you want to work on commission.
Unique or custom items mean you will have to make a new 3D model for every order. Offering pre-designed items permits you to make items ahead of time and ship them as needed.
There is a viable market for nearly any type of 3D print you can manufacture, so choose the types of items you enjoy making. After you have determined that, research where potential customers are shopping for those items and list your products there.
The things to 3D print and sell can be anything from planters, phone cases, accessories, stationary, and home décor items. Ideally, the products you sell should be ones you are passionate about and in high demand from your target audience. Some of these items may include:
Cosplay – Creating and selling cosplay items can be a profitable endeavor. 3D printing helmets, armor, and other props are good ways of making fast money with a 3D printer.
Planters – Attractive self-watering planters aren’t always easy to find in garden and retail stores. That is one of the reasons they are popular to 3D print.
Toys – Toys are easy to make on 3D printers and barely need any post-processing.
Game Miniatures – 3D printed game miniatures are very popular. Unlike store-bought miniatures, these can be fully customized to your customer’s preferences. You can also paint the miniatures before shipping them out, but many customers will choose to paint them themselves or just leave them unpainted.
Jewelry – 3D printed jewelry can be marketed at a higher mark-up, but there is a lot of competition for such items.
Some other marketable 3D printed items include:
- Survival Whistles
- Phone Stands
- Earbud Cases
- USB & SD Card Holders
- Cable Clips or Holders
- Pen and Pencil Holders
- Bag Clips
- Bowls
If there is demand for a product you can easily produce, it is worth considering and marketing it.
Where Can I Sell My 3D Prints?
You can use several platforms to sell your custom 3D printed items. Most sellers choose multiple platforms to reach a larger volume and variety of markets and audiences. It is crucial to avoid limiting yourself to one channel. Likewise, you should be cautious not to spread yourself too thin.
Offline Options – You have multiple options for selling your 3D printed items in person. Events like craft bazaars, trade shows, garage sales, and seasonal festivals can allow you to display your 3D prints, market your business, and gain new customers. Whenever you have access to electricity at an event, you should set up your printer to attract curious people to your table.
You can place items in consignment shops or set up displays in local businesses. This way, you can get local exposure without committing to a storefront.
Online Options – To reach a global market with your 3D printed items, you should market them online. You should have or create your own online store at some point. Meanwhile, there are multiple eCommerce platforms that can get you started:
- Amazon
- Fiverr
- Etsy
- eBay
Tip: Hire someone to work exclusively on your search engine optimization (SEO) to amplify your business and product exposure to those searching for it.
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a computer-aided design (CAD) model or a digital 3D model. 3D printing can be done in various processes in which material is deposited, joined, and solidified under computer guidance and control, with the selected material being added together in layers.
Making Money with 3D Printing
In this article, you discovered 3D printing information and possibilities, how to advertise your products, and how to make money with them.
Using 3D printing as supplemental income can significantly increase your available revenue, allowing you to substantially grow your business.
Don’t miss the financial potential or continue struggling in ways to make money in 3D printing.
Sources:
sharingknowledge.world.edu/how-to-make-money-using-a-3d-printer-five-best-methods/
libguides.utk.edu/AVM3D_Print_Lib_Guide
clevercreations.org/how-to-make-money-with-3d-printer/