If you’ve experimented with 3D printing and decided to turn it into a profitable business, here’s what you need to know to make it a success.
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Avoid beginner mistakes
It’s normal to make mistakes when you’re starting a new business in an industry you’re not familiar with, but many are easy to avoid. For example, don’t try to sell everything you can print. Focus on what people actually want. And don’t underprice your products. Make sure you factor in time, the cost of materials, and the finishing process. Most people don’t have access to a 3D printer, so they know they’ll need to pay for a quality product.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting a 3D printing business is trying to create products designed to move or bear weight with cheap materials. You might be able to get away with that for low-quality trinkets, but if your products will be used to hold weight, it’s crucial to use quality materials.
For example, printing with MOWITAL based filaments makes it possible to create functional parts that can withstand high mechanical loads by increasing the strength and rigidity of the final product. This is important because accidents can bring on expensive lawsuits that can impact your ability to stay in business.
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Choose the right niche
Before you start printing anything, choose a niche because general items won’t bring you consistent sales. Some popular niches include tabletop gaming, cosplay, replacement parts, home décor, jewelry, and custom tools. Research trends on Etsy and Reddit to see what people like and match your output to the most profitable, underserved markets. It helps to run a small test or preorder campaign to validate the demand for the niche you’ve chosen.
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Get all the legal stuff out of the way
First things first. Register your business either as an LLC, a corporation, or a sole proprietorship with a DBA. Each option has different tax implications so you’ll want to talk to an attorney to determine which structure is best for you.
If you’re going to print from your house, you’ll need to make sure that’s allowed by both the city’s zoning laws and your landlord if you’re a renter. You’ll also need a business license and resale certificate to sell products online.
Most importantly, be hyper-aware of intellectual property laws. Plenty of people sell 3D printed items that violate other people’s trademarks, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay. It just means they haven’t been caught yet. You need permission to make fan art or branded models. You also need to have a commercial license to sell products made using someone else’s design file.
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Don’t sell on Etsy if you don’t create your own designs
Etsy is one of the most popular platforms for sellers to list 3D printed items, but don’t count on this as a source of revenue unless you create your own designs from scratch. Etsy has announced many changes to their policies in the last couple of years, and the latest change says that 3D printed products can only be sold if the seller created the design. In other words, you can’t buy your designs from someone else, print them, and sell them on Etsy. The same goes for things like stickers, t-shirts, mugs, and anything else that utilizes a design file.
Stick with other online marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, and specialized 3D printing marketplaces like Cults, MyMiniFactory, and Shapeways.
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Build a professional brand
There’s no shame in DIY, but your products will sell better if your entire brand looks polished and professional. Design a name and logo that reflects your niche and looks clean. Create consistent branding across your website, packaging, and social media posts to generate a seamless experience for your market.
It helps to hire a product photographer to get high-quality photos and hire a copywriter to create clear product descriptions. Just like any other business, be clear about what makes you different from the thousands of other sellers out there. Give people a good reason to buy from you instead of them.
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Think long-term
Naturally, you’ll want to scale at some point but don’t move too fast. Reinvest profits into better equipment, software, and filament stock. Automate your process wherever possible and start collaborating with designers to expand your reach. Once you start turning a profit with high-quality equipment, then it’s time to scale.
3D printing can be profitable
Running a successful 3D printing business requires good branding and hard work, but if you focus on quality and give people what they want, you can turn your hobby into a serious income stream.
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