3D printing is a relatively new way of producing products. It involves creating a model of your product that enables your printer to craft the item to the specifications you set. There are many benefits of 3D printing including the ease of use and the ability to produce one-off items without costing a fortune.
For consumers, 3D printers make great gifts that can spark creativity and inspire entrepreneurship. The capabilities are almost limitless, including the ability to make a profit with your printer.
In the past few years, many people have asked how to make money with a 3d printer. Previously the only way to get one was to buy one off the shelf or lease one from a supplier. This can be both time consuming and expensive. Recently, however, the availability of a low cost laserjet printer has meant that this is now possible.
Starting a 3D printing side hustle can be an excellent way to make money as it requires a relatively low investment and a minor learning curve to get started. From starting a blog to selling 3D printed items, there’s sure to be a method for you!
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know including how to make money with a 3D printer, where to buy your printer, how much a 3D printer costs, and tips to becoming a more experienced 3D printer. Let’s get started!
What Can I Make With a 3D Printer?
One of the benefits of 3D printing is the ability to construct just about anything. From chip clips to toilet paper holders, the items you can produce are endless. Some of the most common items to make money with 3D printing include:
- High Quality Jewelry
- Prototypes
- Jewelry
- Medical Equipment
- Money Clips
- Keyholders
- Gaming Accessories
- Planters
- Combs
- Bottle openers
- Business cardholders
- Coasters
- Camera slider
- Measuring spoons
- Desk or paper trays
- Screwdrivers or other basic tools
- Water jugs or bottles
MAKE MONEY RENTING OUT YOUR PRINTER
As mentioned above, a 3D printer can cost you anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over $10,000. You can take advantage of this by renting out your printer to others looking to use your machine. Post your item for rent on social media or local classifieds.
You will be offered a variety of different options. How to make money with a 3d printer. Firstly, most companies will provide you with a printer on hire which means that you will only pay for the printers that you use. On hire, you can usually get more printers for the price that you would normally pay for them as there are no subscription fees. This works out well if you regularly use several different printers.
BUILD PROTOTYPES
Many entrepreneurs and inventors work to build prototypes of their potential products in the early stages of their business. Before 3D printing, this was a common stopgap between becoming a successful inventor as it required a rather large investment and working with a firm to produce one.
Another option is to sign up to become an affiliate. Affiliates earn a commission on each sale that occurs when people buy products through their links. This is how to make money with a 3d printer. An affiliate marketer does not actually manufacture the products themselves but instead acts as a middleman and acts as an agent between buyers and sellers. Therefore, the affiliate receives a commission from each sale. Affiliates have a very easy set up and can instantly start generating commissions.
START A 3D PRINTING SERVICE
Some people might want to have a product produced with a 3D printer for multiple reasons. You can consider starting a service to print products on demand.
The amount you charge for your printing services ranges depending on the complexity of the project and the time it will take to design.
By starting a print on demand business, making money with 3D printing can be a breeze.
CREATE AND SELL PRODUCTS TO MAKE MONEY
The next step on how to make money with a 3d printer is to get setup costs down. This will include the cost of any software that you need to run your printing service, the cost of the materials, as well as any overhead costs. To reduce your setup costs, you should consider going for a lower quality printer. A low quality printer will have more problems and will use more ink which is both more expensive and will require more maintenance. In the long term you will save yourself a lot of money by opting for a high quality model.
CREATE YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Because 3D printing is relatively new, there are many people who do not fully understand how it works. Create YouTube videos to teach others the basics of 3D printing.
If your videos gain traction, you can benefit from advertising or affiliate marketing to build an additional income stream. You can team up with several printer manufacturers to become an affiliate and receive a proceed from each purchase you facilitate.