How To Make Money 3D Printing (2024)

3D printers will be money-making machines. Not only do they produce intricate, unique products, but 3D printers also support a knowledge industry of designers, service technicians, and marketers.

At its current rate of growth, the 3D printing market will likely surpass $37 billion by 2026. In the event you’re trying to break into the industry yourself, consider these 3D printing business ideas.

Ways to earn cash from 3D printing

3D printing businesses require effort, investment, and skills. Many small businesses offer a mix of services and products. Use these examples to encourage your individual business:

Sell 3D-printed products

In the event you’ve bought a superb printer and CAD software, there are minimal additional upfront costs for selling products online via an ecommerce platform like Shopify.

Before you start, do some market research and see what other 3D printing businesses sell online. Consider selling products reminiscent of art, toys, cosplay accessories, cellphone cases, office gadgets, substitute parts, and jewellery. Perform a competitive evaluation to see how you’ll be able to differentiate yourself from the pack.

Offer on-demand 3D printing services

One strategy to start making money3D printing is to create customized products for clients. When you’ve chosen your area of interest, start your small business as a side hustle with a couple of potential clients, and regularly construct a sustainable business model.

This fashion, you’ll be able to get an accurate estimate of your costs and establish a profit margin that makes it worthwhile to sell prints. To draw more clients, construct your individual website and spend money on marketing your 3D printing business.

Create 3D-printing-related content

You may generate income as a 3D printing content creator via ad revenue and affiliate marketing online. Successful 3D printing content may assist you bolster other 3D printing income streams. For instance, you’ll be able to sell the printed products you feature within the videos on your individual YouTube channel.

Creating high-quality 3D printing content for enthusiasts and entrepreneurs doesn’t require probably the most advanced or expensive technology. Most individuals who devour 3D printing content are hobbyists and others trying to make extra money. In the event that they have their very own 3D printer, it’s unlikely to be state-of-the-art—so showcasing the right way to make cool products at a low price will be appealing content.

You may try product reviews, how-to videos, software walkthroughs, 3D-printed product demos, or 3D printer troubleshooting. Invest your time in creating content that appeals to your target market. The greater your audience, the extra money you’ll be able to make.

Sell your designs

By creating digital files that customers download and print themselves, you’ll be able to establish a solid source of passive income. Create designs using free, open-source software reminiscent of Blender, FreeCAD, or OpenSCAD. A few of the hottest online marketplaces for 3D printing designs are Turbosquid, MyMiniFactory, CGtrader, and Cults3D. A lot of the designs sold on these sites are STL files, although you’ll be able to upload other 3D printing file types, reminiscent of OBJ, 3MF, or FBX.

Online marketplaces take a percentage of your sales based on the extent of promoting, customer support, and other support they supply. For instance, MyMiniFactory means that you can keep the very best percentage of your sales, at 92% (excluding processing fees), whereas sellers on TurboSquid only 40% to 80% of sales with.

Sell products on Shapeways

Shapeways is a 3D printing marketplace that functions like a print-on-demand service. Shapeways means that you can create a web-based storefront inside its marketplace. It integrates with Shopify in the event you would really like to sell 3D printed products from your individual ecommerce store.

While you finalize your design with Shapeways, pick from a wide range of different 3D printing materials and finishes—including plastics, precious metals, and porcelain. The fabric determines what you pay for every item fulfilled by Shapeways. From there, you set the retail price your customers pay. Shapeways 3D prints and ships items after customers purchase them.

Dropship 3D printers, parts, and materials

Dropshipping means that you can sell 3D printing supplies online without the necessity to manage inventory or shipping. You may construct your individual online store to sell 3D printers, parts, and other materials sold by third-party manufacturers who ship the products on to your customers.

Dropshipping is straightforward to establish; you don’t should spend money on inventory and warehouse space. All you might have to do for this side hustle is attract customers and supply customer support.

Offer 3D printing design consultation

You may make good money in the event you help clients with rapid prototyping and 3D printing custom orders. Market your services to inventors, startups, and established businesses—anyone who has an idea for a brand new or improved product but doesn’t necessarily have the abilities to comprehend it. You’ll be most successful if you might have a robust foundation in engineering and computer-aided design.

Use 3D scanners for reverse engineering

3D scanners produce exact digital copies of objects, enabling businesses to copy costly or obsolete items through economical 3D printing. Goal businesses that lack 3D scanning capabilities, offering to capture 3D scans for them. This appeals to customers who may only require the raw scan data and may handle the 3D printing process on their very own.

Arrange and repair 3D printers

3D printers should be calibrated after they’re first arrange. Like all printer, 3D printers sometimes need troubleshooting and repair. Many individuals and businesses could be joyful to outsource this work. To draw probably the most clients, familiarize yourself with different 3D printers, their software, and customary issues. You should also spend money on essential tools and substitute parts for the printers you service.