Are you looking for extra ways to make money? If you have a 3D printer, you’re in luck! As you know 3D printers are not cheap, what better way to recoup your investment than to use them for profit? Here are ways you can make extra money with 3D printing!
1. Design and sell your own 3D models online
If you’re creative and adept in 3D modelling, you can try your hand at designing and selling your 3D designs online. There are quite a few sites where you can sell them like Cults 3D, TurboSquid, and MyMiniFactory. You can also set up your own website or Patreon page where you can get people to subscribe to get access to your creations.
The drawback to this is that you need to be good at design. If you aren’t, you can hire a designer on Upwork or Fiverr but that will be an additional outlay. You also have to be good at marketing yourself. The business might be slow in the beginning but it will pick up once you’ve built a following.
If you want to start learning CAD and slicing, here are some of the best CAD programs and slicers for 3D printing.
2. Start a local 3D printing business
If you’ve got huge capital, you can set up shop and start a local 3D printing business. 3D printing is now used by many companies in the architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing industries, so there is a demand. In addition, these companies are more likely to outsource their rapid prototyping projects as building an in-house 3D printing lab is costlier.
As with any business, it is important to find out if there is enough demand in your area and if the competition is tough. But if you find there’s not enough or no available business of this kind in your locality, then it will be a good idea to open up one.
3. Offer 3D printing lessons
If you have the gift for teaching, you can offer 3D printing lessons for children and adults. Many are interested in taking 3D printing as a new hobby or perhaps upskilling for a job. You can also offer corporate classes for companies that are planning to adopt 3D printing technology into their operations.
Whether you choose to offer the classes face to face so that they’ll have access to a 3D printer (if they don’t have one) or online is your choice.
4. Sell pre-made 3D-printed items
If you are a maker at heart and love bringing 3D models into life, you can sell them online for a neat profit. You can upload them on Etsy. Since Etsy is a huge marketplace, you can benefit from the platform’s features such as its advertising and a huge pool of potential buyers.
As with any marketplace, you’ll also encounter many cheap buyers there. The profit also wouldn’t be that huge considering that you will spend hours printing an object.
Got other money-making ideas for your 3D printer?
Sound off below! If you’re interested in buying a new or replacement 3D printer, check out our amazing Ultimaker 3D printers.