r/3DprintEntrepreneurs

• 15-25% in income taxes
• 5-10% in Returns
• The rent for the space. (Yes, even if you are using spare room in the house)
• Your salary plus the salary of employees (If you don't have this priced in from the start then you can't grow)
• The time you spend on customer support that has nothing to do with the making of the part.

There are tons of other things too. But these are the sneakier ones that nearly no one ever puts into the price of their products. You cost is not $0.50 of PLA

She started with 3D Printed polymer earring cutters (2018). Expanded to laser cutting. And then refocused to 3D Printed Clickers.

• 1500 order per month
• $5-$30 dollars per item
• 2 People working full time.

I sell prints at local markets/festivals, and two things were quietly eating my time:

1. Finding files. Hundreds of models across folders and drives, all identical gray icons. Reprinting a bestseller meant digging through a slicer to figure out which "final_v3" was the right one.

2. Knowing what stock I actually have. Packing for a festival meant physically going through shelves and bins, because nothing tracked what was printed and where it lives.

So I've been building Meshory, a desktop app for the file side: point it at your folders and it renders a real thumbnail for every STL/3MF, with search, collections (I organize mine by product line), and duplicate detection. Built-in 3D viewer too, including multi-plate Bambu projects, so you can check a model without opening the slicer. Everything stays local on your machine — no cloud, no uploading your paid files anywhere.

The stock side is what I'm working toward next: print lists (production queue), filament inventory, and a finished-prints inventory — quantities by location (shelf, storage bin, market box) with an export, so packing for an event is a checklist instead of a scavenger hunt.

https://preview.redd.it/hemtv8m4afbh1.png?width=2545&format=png&auto=webp&s=8e3dd2e91ec164c22a9c42c62b7239c4bbdaa7e0

Before I build further: how are you handling this today? Spreadsheets? Nothing? Would a file library + stock tracker in one place actually fit your workflow, or do you keep those separate on purpose? Early-access users are voting on what ships first, so this thread genuinely steers it.

Anybody going or have been to past events? What kind of vendors are there?

Feel like anything is missing?

I’m considering going but need to know if there is variety and nuance beyond a local maker fair.

I am currently optimizing a part that will be printed with a .6 (maybe .8 eventually) nozzle and i am created designed support for it. I watched the great video about best practices but there is one part i am having doubts on.
Do we design the tines to touch the part directly?

Or do we add an air gap of .2 like slicers come in default?

Surface scarring isn't too big of an issue but the parts are printed in PA6 if that makes any difference.

Also I would love some advice or examples on handling required overhangs with designed support!

hey guys,

i’m setting up a 3D printing business out of (x) currently, there’s basically no one doing this locally on a commercial level.

i want to produce:

cheap, customized phone covers

personalized miniatures of real people (gifts, wedding cake toppers, etc.) home/office decor, toys,

hard-to-find or expensive mechanical spare parts and car components. And i will eventually be making social media content out of it (for marketing).

later i want to turn this into a hub that offers hands-on tech internships for local students.

since everything (filament, parts, machines) has to be imported and shipping takes weeks, i can't afford to buy the wrong gear.

I am looking for any advice from guys running commercial 3d print shops:

hardware: what specific, reliable commercial printers can handle this mix of flexible stuff (for phone cases), high-detail (for miniatures), and tough materials (for car parts)?

operations: what did you wish you knew before trying to sell 3D printed parts to actual paying customers?

any brutal feedback or operational advice you can spare is highly appreciated.

ust curious how everyone organizes their filament and locates rolls when there are many to be found.

I had AI write an app for me to help assist me so I’m curious if anyone else would be interested if I turned it into a mobile app…currently just a web app for myself.

App features:
Brand/color/material of filament
Database of known empty spool weights
Enter current weight and spool weight is deducted to give remaining filament weight
QR codes can be generated and read to pull up and locate spools faster…I bought a $25 Nelko printer from Amazon and use the app
Project section for tracking costs of waste and filament usage
Duplicate button to locate duplicate spools
Sorting function to sort by color/brand/material
Depletion button to remove spools from inventory
Ability to customize…light/dark mode, update outdated empty spool weights, label your storage area bins/cabinets/shelves/etc
Links to repurchase filament based on brand
Reorder reminders with the low threshold set by the user

This has worked very well for me with over 100 spools and 8 bins. I created QR codes for each bin, each , and the dryer. I can locate spools very quickly now

The plan is to make the app free to use. Is this something you think you may use? Are there other things you’d like to see in the app?

TIA

Hi everyone,

i am fully blind, and I am about to launch my 3d business.

For that, I have built my website, and i now need some sighted people to look at it.

I am particualrly interested in:

-How is the visual flow?

-How is the flow with the images?

-How does the 3d viewer work?

-How well is the webshop organized?

If you could take some time to look at it, I would really be greatful.

The link is here: staging.accessible3d.io

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Edis

So hey guys!!!!

I have started my 3d printing business (Craftverse3d) and I would like to share with you guys about this…

So do support my business and share with your friends, family and colleagues who are looking on 3d printed products….

I would like to share few links do follow and support

Follow us for more updates and 3D printed products

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/craftverse\_3d?igsh=ejRoaHE1eW51MWRi&utm\_source=qr

YouTube channel link: https://youtube.com/@craftverse3d?si=EncNiRcEAoAb49w5

WhatsApp group link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/E3MlfbxgM001H5xU24W3z1?s=cl&p=i&mlu=0

Finally, someone made a video explaining what the hell is going on. Cool to see real arguments and evidence being presented.

Hi,

I really want to learn how to 3D print and I feel like attending a physical class would be more stress free and help me learn better. I no absolutely nothing about it. I was searching for courses and a lot of them are only meeting for a day or two. I found a course at a university for 1.5k for 3hrs a week, 9 weeks total. I know it’s a lot of money, is it worth it? Or can I find something better?

This is the course outline:
3D Modeling Fundamentals
Navigating in ZBrush
Using Primitive Shapes
Sculpting in ZBrush
Developing Good Workflow
Designing a Chess Set
Rendering and Presentation
Final Assignment to Challenge your Creativity and Develop your Skill
Organic Sculpting Techniques
Industry Tips and Tricks
Overview of 3D Printing/Rapid Prototyping
Optimizing your Sculpts
Have Your Work 3D Printed

Hello

I’m someone who is interested in making stuff with artistic/practical uses(sculptures, toolmaking etc.) With the intent of eventually making it into a side gig

I am currently looking for advices, thoughts and opinions on whether or not to follow through and buy a printer by sharing the plans I have for the purchase listing out the potential problems I might face, and ask everyone here what I might be missing.

My biggest concern is I am way over my head as a potential newcomer to this hobby with no prior experiences so I'm just gonna make a General list for what I have planned and ask is this he now planning or if I'm still missing something

Context: 

I live in a touristy part of my country where I see a lot of people selling those cheap 3-D printed toy dragons people make all the time and I feel like it could be quite easy for anyone to design, make and sell something that is both better in terms of quality and practicality.

To be frank if it's possible I don't just want to make money, but also contribute more to the community I live in.

Right now I am considering purchasing a FDM printer as a starter in the hopes it could help me make a few projects. (most likely Bambu Lab cuz it’s easier to start)

And here are some of the things that I would like to make both for personal use and potentially selling them.

Tools and machineries:

Creating parts for making DIY milling machine, Mini-Lathe for woodworking or any type of hobbyist machines. (For my personal use)

To make another 3-D printer for bigger projects. (I plan on starting with a plug and play machine first before moving on to more challenging printers)

Cheap Woodworking jigs and measuring tools. (Using and or selling)

Molds:

Molds to for soap and candle making. (Selling)

The master-mold for making plaster molds used in ceramic slip casting. (Selling)

Making metal casting molds using the Lost PLA method, (selling, I always wanted to try out some metal casting)

Modeling

Making models for myself or rent my printer out to students, other hobbyists etc

I know there is a lot of potential in 3-D printing and most of my planned projects will be revolving around making tools that makes more stuff with the occasional art, with a focus on being more eco-friendly.

Some of my more out there ideas includes

Recycling waste plastics into filaments so I can save up on filaments and help reduce waste in my part of town.

Making a printer big enough that it can be used to make furnitures

Start using filaments that are even more biodegradable than PLA for projects

My specific problems and concerns are the following

Experience:

My university degree(Spanish) is mostly irrelevant to these projects, and I don't have much DIY experiences with all these crafts mentioned outside of assembling pre made furnitures, watching YouTube videos and a few projects making plastic hooks with the help of a soldering iron.

The only CAD program I am familiar with is SketchUp, one that I hope is sufficient for now, and I am planning on learning blender so I can make some more complex/artistic sculptures

The relevance:

Some of these projects doesn't necessarily require a 3-D printer to start Like candle making and woodworking.

The space and clean up:

I live with family, and while the house is big and everyone have a personal room, the rest of the space are shared spaces, and I don't think the family will appreciate having the constant stink of plastic fumes in a room even if they rarely stayed in. Let alone how messy some of the projects can get, slip casting for example will almost guarantee having clay and plaster all across the floor.

A lot of these project also demands a huge working space, of which I’m not sure if I will have access of.

The cost:

Buying a printer itself is not really a big deal for me, I have enough money to buy the cheaper printers and filaments, but it will be yet another wasted purchase if things didn't work out.

What the bigger problem I have is what will happen if any of the projects failed and the money that I sank into all those extra materials.

Practicality and feasibility:

A lot of the projects I mentioned people have already done before where other people, my biggest worries are whether or not my inexperienced hands can replicate meaningful results in a safe manner. (I like my body parts intact and lungs healthy)

And even if I did made any of these projects work, what's stopping other people from doing the same? And how do I avoid infringing upon someone's intellectual property?

Thank you for everyone who read all of it, I really hope there is some feasibility to my plans, but I am not sure about it even after watching so many YouTube videos and reading through so many discussion pages.

Please let me know your thoughts and opinions and the feasibility of the my plans

I’ve been designing and printing polymer clay cutters, embossers, and texture tools for a while now, and I wanted to share a bit of my experience with others who are growing their 3D printing businesses.

One thing I’ve learned is that the product itself is only half the battle. Clean photos, consistent branding, and understanding what makers actually need has made a bigger difference than any printer upgrade. I’ve also found that creating designs that solve small problems for creators (like crisp edges, consistent thickness, or unique shapes) gets way more traction than trying to compete on price.

I’m still improving every day, but I’m proud of the progress so far. If anyone else here is building a shop or selling printed tools, I’d love to hear what’s been working for you.

Happy printing and creating!

Hi everyone,

I've been working on a problem that I think many people with 3D printers face.

A lot of us have printers that sit idle for a good part of the day, but getting consistent print requests isn't easy. Most jobs come from word of mouth, Facebook groups, Reddit, Discord, or friends. They're scattered, hard to manage, and often don't lead to repeat customers.

I'm building a platform focused on helping printer owners connect with people who need parts printed while making it easier to showcase their work and build a reputation over time.

Before I build too much, I want to hear directly from the people who would actually use it.

If you own a printer and occasionally (or regularly) print for others:

• What information would you want to show customers?
• What would make you trust a customer?
• What tools would save you the most time?
• What problems do you face when taking print jobs today?
• What's missing from existing platforms?

Some ideas I've been thinking about include:

• A portfolio/gallery of previous prints
• Verified reviews from completed jobs
• Printer, material, and color listings
• Instant quote requests
• Availability/status (accepting jobs or not)
• Messaging and file sharing
• Order tracking
• Customer request board where makers can pick jobs they want
• Tips for packaging and shipping
• Local search so nearby customers can find you

I'm not planning to take a commission on every print, because I don't think that's the best incentive for either side. My goal is to build something that printer owners actually enjoy using instead of feeling like just another marketplace.

I'd really appreciate any honest feedback—even if it's "I'd never use this." Knowing why is just as valuable.

Thanks!