What started out as a passion for Jordan turned into a full-fledged business when he opened his brick-and-mortar shop, The 3D Print Stop, in Bellevue, Nebraska. Jordan went from selling his prints and designs online to selling filaments and other supplies at his storefront, building a local community where makers can come to ask questions, see different materials in person before buying them, and talk to experts about their 3D printing projects.
Below, we’re highlighting a few ways you can build an income stream through 3D printing, and some tips from Jordan on how to go from print to profit.
3D printing business ideas
1. Sell 3D printed objects
This may be one of the most common ways to earn money with your 3D printer, and one of the easiest. You don’t even have to be a designer to do it. Simply find a few 3D printable files online on sites like Printables or MakerWorld and send them to your printer (just make sure you have permission to use the design for commercial purposes — more on that below). You can get a vendor booth at local events if you want to sell things in person, or list them online.
Jordan started out selling 3D printed objects on Etsy and on his own personal website. He found a market creating light boxes and other decorative items.
A few important things to note for this option:
- If you choose a design online instead of using a model you created, make sure the license on the design allows you to use it for commercial purposes. This means you can make money off the design.
- Follow any restrictions or rules when using designs created by other people; some creators, for example, might request that you ask for permission or credit them in some way.
- Selling objects based on movies, TV shows, or other trademarked property is usually prohibited without a formal license or permission.
- Some sites, like Etsy, require you to sell objects created from original designs only. So you wouldn’t be able to sell something you printed from another person’s design, but you would be able to sell 3D printed objects if you designed the model yourself.
2. Sell your 3D print design files
If you love designing your own models to 3D print, you can try your hand at selling your design files online with relatively low risk. After all, you already have the design file, and most marketplace sites like Printables or Thangs don’t charge a listing fee. All you have to do is upload your design and pay a small platform fee on any sales you make. Check out our guide on selling your 3D print files online for more info on getting started.
In addition to selling individual designs, many platforms also allow you to create memberships or subscription offerings. Subscriptions are a great way to secure a steady income stream, so think about how you can provide added value, like commercial licenses or monthly design releases, to those who are willing to pay you a monthly fee.
3. Design custom models by commission
Creating 3D models in CAD is a specialized skill. If you enjoy designing, you can offer your services to help others develop their own ideas into models. You might want to focus on a specific niche you know well, like figurines, or take commissions for any type of work, from functional tools to decorative objects.
If you sell design files or 3D prints on Etsy, Printables, or other sites, add to your profile that you take commissions as a way to get the word out.
4. 3D print other people’s models
Some people may want something made but don’t have access to a 3D printer, so they look for someone who can print it for them. Offering 3D printing services may be a viable option for you if you have multiple 3D printers, are good at getting high-quality prints on a consistent basis, and don’t mind some of the administrative work like packing and shipping objects (if you choose to offer that service).
5. Repair 3D printers
If you’re a tinkerer who loves to manually calibrate your bed and replace parts on your printer when they wear out, repairing 3D printers may be in your wheelhouse. You don’t need any special certifications to become a repair technician — just experience and knowledge about how 3D printers work and how to install or repair their various parts. Visit your local maker space to see if they offer courses or opportunities to learn about printer maintenance.
6. Sell 3D print supplies
This requires more business knowledge and investment than the other options, but if you have a lot of expertise in filaments and printer parts, consider whether there’s a market in your area for selling these items. Note that you’ll be up against major ecommerce competitors, from large printer brands to Amazon, but if you can find a supplier for specialized filaments or offer other services in conjunction, you can do what Jordan did and open your own shop. Check out his “day in the life” videos on YouTube documenting his experience as a shop owner if this idea appeals to you.
Tips from a 3D printing business owner
Read on for Jordan’s tips and insights on starting and maintaining a business:
1. Find a need or gap you can address
Jordan saw that there were a lot of people with 3D printers in his community, but no physical storefront for people to buy filaments and other supplies in person. “We were at a tipping point, where I felt like everyone I knew either had a 3D printer or knew someone who had one,” he says. This led him to open the first 3D print shop in town.
2. Learn the tools of your trade
Jordan isn’t a designer or an engineer by trade, but when he got into 3D printing, he realized he needed to learn how to use CAD software to design his own models. To hone your skills, Jordan recommends practicing on objects around you. “Take an object you have in the real world and model it,” he says. “The more you play around with these tools, the easier they become.”
3. Let your passions guide you
It can be easy to follow trends and try to hop on the bandwagon for whatever the latest craze is. But Jordan cautions against this. If everyone’s selling multicolor dragons, yours will have trouble standing out. You might get bored or discouraged if your sales plateau.
Instead, he recommends making things you like. If you design for yourself first, you’ll create things that are truly useful and can’t be found anywhere else. “Make something you enjoy, and you’ll never get sick of it,” he says.
Once you’ve found your niche, search for your community. For example, if you like making tabletop miniatures, MyMiniFactory is your go-to site for selling designs, and you’ll probably find an eager market at local gaming conventions.
4. Try different things, and don’t be afraid to pivot
Before Jordan started The 3D Print Stop, he tried his hand at different online businesses. When his brick-and-mortar shop first opened, he offered many different services, from printer repair to design commissions. Now, he says he’s paring down the services he offers to focus on selling filament and supplies, which is the biggest part of his business.
If you decide an idea isn’t working, or simply want to focus your time and effort on something else, don’t be afraid to take the leap.
Final thoughts
Going from hobby to side hustle takes time, and it doesn’t always lead to a lot of money. Keep designing and making things you love, testing new ideas, and putting your creations out there, and you may find new customers where you least expect them.
In the meantime, check out our collection of articles on 3D printing to help grow your skills:
