r/3Dprintingbusiness

So how many people here tried to sell on Etsy and closed? Those selling cookie cutters, etc.

How do you find clients for 3D modeling?

I’m new to 3D modeling and want to start making money by creating custom/on-demand 3D models.

For people with experience, how did you find your first clients? Which platforms worked best for you—Fiverr, Upwork, social media, or something else?

I’d really appreciate any advice on how to get started and find genuine clients.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a small aesthetic display clock that I’m planning to sell as a premium-looking product.

The BOM alone is around ₹3,000, and I’m targeting a selling price of ₹5,000+. The electronics are mostly sorted, but I’m struggling with the enclosure/packaging.

Since this is a small-batch product, I can’t really justify injection moulding yet.

I’ve considered a few options:

FDM 3D printing – inexpensive, but the layer lines are visible and the parts can feel somewhat brittle/cheap.

Resin printing – much better finish, but the cost becomes quite high.

Injection moulding – ideal for production, but the tooling cost doesn’t make sense at my current volume.

I’m looking for a way to get a clean, premium-looking enclosure at low volume and reasonable cost, preferably something that doesn’t scream “3D printed prototype.”

What techniques/materials would you recommend for this?

For example, would SLA/resin + sanding/painting, CNC-cut acrylic/wood, vacuum forming, laser-cut sheet material, 3D-printed parts with post-processing, or something else work well?

If you’ve actually manufactured small-batch consumer electronics/products, I’d really appreciate hearing what worked for you and roughly what it cost.
Thanks!

I want to start a small business creating 3D-printed models, mainly small items for events and special occasions. The printer I’m currently considering buying is the Creality K2 Pro.

I’d like to hear from people with experience in the 3D printing industry about how they price their products. What factors should I take into account to set a price that is both competitive and profitable?

For example, should I calculate things like the amount of filament used, printing time, electricity consumption per hour, maintenance costs, profit margin, and so on?

I’d really appreciate any advice or examples of pricing methods you use.

Hi everyone! I’m taking a startup class and testing a small business idea called Magnet My Pet.

The idea is simple: you upload a photo of your pet, and it gets turned into a custom 3D-printed fridge magnet. 🐶🐱🧲

I’m still in the early validation stage, so I’m looking for genuine feedback rather than just promoting it.

Would you buy something like this? What would you expect to pay? Is there anything you would change about the concept or website?

Website:
https://pratikkarkhanis997.wixsite.com/magnetmypet

Any honest feedback would be really helpful. Thanks!

I'm curious how people who actually sell 3D prints approach pricing.

When you first started, what did you underestimate the most — machine time, failed prints, electricity, post-processing, design time, or something else?

And if you could start over, what would you calculate differently from day one?

Recently I bought a elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo, and I want to make money with it, but I don't know what follow-up I should invest in, any tips on what to start with?

If I were to start a 3d printing business as I already have my own 3d printer, what do you think is in demand, what is in demand, and what would you personally buy? I know I'm probably kind of late in the game, but better late than never, yeah?